Thomas Schucker
Ceramics, Metalworking, Wood Turning
“After retiring in 2012 I became active in the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society spending time working at their property in Hamburg, the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum on 3rd Street. In the fall of 2014 we were nearing completion of a small children’s railroad on the property that features hand pedal cars. It is called the Munchkin Railway. After laying sod the green grass and gray stone dust paths looked great but the railroad lacked bright colors for the kids. At the same time I was debating trying my hand at chasing and repousse. Then the idea hit me to make brightly colored flowers using railroad spikes and rail joint bolts to decorate along the Munchkin Railway.
The use of railroad spikes is popular with blacksmiths and welders to make things like fancy knives, stick figures, and large sculptures. But never had I seen anyone making brightly colored flowers using railroad spikes, flowers to stick in the ground. My new art form was born. And to promote the Munchkin Railway I call them Munchkin flowers. I also make Munchkin butterflies, ladybugs, and shamrocks with railroad spikes and other flowers and insects using antique square nails and other vintage hardware.
While the Munchkin flowers are made to place in the garden as garden art, they also look equally great displayed in a vise or holder. And if you need flowers for an old guy that likes railroads, what could be better than a bouquet of Munchkin flowers.
I also enjoy making railroad signs using MDF, aluminum, and steel and making other items related to railroads.”