Hey there fellow iReporters, this is a short video I put together of how my father is coping with the economy. It involves our front yard train set and a relaxing porch to sit on and watch the sun go down.

As for LGB the train company? Bankrupt.

Please comment - message me if you have something you'd like me to check out, I'll gladly comment :)

The following is simply a transcript of what I said on the video.

-

A great deal about surviving the financial crisis comes down to how we relax and spend time with each other, in an inexpensive way of course. When the time cam tighten down on the spending, my father broke out my childhood LGB train set, after a few days of track laying and a bit of daily maintenance, he was ready to show of his masterpiece.

Now can we relax in our front yard and spend time together admiring a once garage clogging gadget. Also, he's created a center piece for our neighbors to gather around and meet each other.

Incredibly , as quickly as the train hit the tracks, a block party hit the neighborhood pavilion.

We ride together now. Something as trivial as a childhood train set has bonded neighbor relationships.

Asleep are the stories of hardship, as the train whistles by. Now, we find ourselves sending out more waves as I drive up the street, than ever before.

-

Music: Vashti Bunyan - "Train Song"