About the Crew
Don Gage and Bob Baxter decided in early 2005 that their kitbashed and scratch built models would best be shared with others by building a modular layout to display at model train shows in the Southern California area. For the most part, their trains and scenery represent old time narrow gauge railroading. They agreed on a dogbone shape that would provide a 360 degree viewing range. Hollow core doors were chosen as the basic modules. This, of course, led to the obvious choice of the name, Door Hollow Shortline.
Bob and Don do not work alone in this endeavor. Don’s wife, Susie, and Bob’s wife, Sandra, have supported their efforts throughout the construction and operation of the layout. Bob’s friend and neighbor, Dave Crocker, has been involved helping with problems from electron flow to hammer and nail work from the beginning. Don’s dad, Harry, was with them during the earliest construction stages. Sandra has not missed a train show setup and works to assure that the scenic details are all in their proper places and spells the guys as the operator while they go shopping for new toys. It is definitely a team effort.
Even though they live quite a distance apart and a number of years separate their ages, they share an interest in unique old time equipment. Bob is a retired shop teacher and Don works with a Southern California police department. Don's job and family take up a great deal of his time and energy but he still manages to create some remarkable models. Bob enjoys the "seven Saturdays a week" life of retirement. Despite the difference in lifestyles they have put together a layout that is a popular attraction wherever they set up.
In 2008 Dave Crocker, who had been working behind the scenes, put on the green shirt and joined the crew of the Door Hollow Shortline. He found that fielding questions and running the trains was to his liking and has become a fixture at the shows. He was joined a year later by Roy and Eileen Heughins, the newest members of the crew. The Heughins brought their gold mine display which has become a very popular addition to the layout.
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