Surprise from my Grandfather!!!

@SLACKACTION, I grew up in a small town in northern Minnesota where the Great Northern and Soo Line crossed. My parents, who owned a small café, served the train crews for 40 years. I loved visiting with those guys. My parents told me that when I was a toddler, my favorite game was sneaking their lanterns away from them while they were seated at the counter and hiding them. I don't remember doing it, but, knowing how devilish I still am today, I can believe it. BTW, I was just given two old pocket watches: one my grandfather's, one belonging to a man in Norway who died years ago. The mainspring appears to be broken in both (they don't wind) so I'm planning on taking them to a watch repair shop to see if they can get them going again.

Steve

 

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We are all very sorry for your loss. Great though! I love the pocket watches too.

 

Don't sell too many off. I did and regret it. But if you have several duplicates of common dates, I'd sell some off. But the ones you keep are priceless as others have said and can be passed on for generations

 

Which small town did you grow up in?

 

Erskine. Between Crookston, Thief River Falls, Bagley and Detroit Lakes. Do you know the area?

 

I love posts like these. All too many times, as others have experienced as well, the coins go directly to the pawn shop. Cherish them all, set them aside and you'll have memories for many years to come.

 

THE GREAT NORTHERN RAILROAD IS A PREDECSSOR OF THE BURLINGTON NORTHERN WHICH MERGED IN 1995 WITH AT&SF TO BECOME THE BNSF.. THERE EMBLEM OR MASCOT WAS A GREAT NORTHERN GOAT...... LOVED THE GOAT ON THE SIDE OF BOX CARS AS IT WAS

 

Thanks Irish, I definitely will be holding on to each and every coin/watch. I have three kids and split everything into threes. I keep items I have collected in my life and store them in big ammo cans for the kids. I also collect guns and have a bunch of stuff from when I was in the military and served in Korea, Germany, Turkey, Israel and Afghanistan. I'm only 37 yrs old but have been able to stash away alot of cool items. Thanks

 

Ah, I've been through there a few times, but don't get that way much. Sadly I rarely set foot off DaRange.

 

Or the bank for face excange in paper

 

To bad you didn't get a pocket watch from one of the old railroaders. They all carried one, back in the day. Trains had to be on time. They were always pulling them out , and checking the time.

 

3 years ago, I inherited my Great Grandfather's Railroad watches. One of the things I found looking for information on line is not to use them until they have been checked out as years of dirt and grime can wear out the bearing and other parts or the lube has dried out. Most places that repair these can cost a few hundred to rebuild.

 

@silentnviolent, so you're a Ranger! You guys are a special breed! @charlie123, this thread prompted me to bring two pocket watches to a jeweler today in Fargo, ND. He sends them to a repair specialist in NY. I'm hoping to make enough from the sale of the Omega pocket watch to pay for having both fixed, allowing me to keep Grandpa John's in working condition. I'm sure it hasn't been cleaned...ever...and he would be 156 years old if he were still alive. Besides wishing I had obtained a watch or two from my buddies, I wish I had the large 2'x3'-4' calenders the train men would bring in for the Cafe wall each year, always with the Great Northern goat logo, of course. I think my youngest brother saved a few of them when he got older, but my guess is they were tossed when the new ones came. Of course, knowing how thick the smoke was in the Cafe, I wonder what collectible value they would have had after hanging in the smog for a whole year.

Steve

 

Very nice. Your Grandfather really thought about you and left you something that was very thoughtful and nice. Gratz!!!!!