Wrapping up November at the Mall

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                                             Click here to see more pictures:

   Grace and David Take over from Carl, Mac and Jim to wind up the last 5 hr shift of operating trains at the Maine Mall for the month of November!    Jim and John stayed around for a couple of  more hours to watch trains run and to talk to more folks who never seem to get tired of watching. Every person has a story to tell and when they see our layout it seems to spark their memories.  One man walked by and said did you fellows know Doc Hill?  Of course that started a long conversation. All the people that stopped by to talk trains or ask questions just make the time go by quickly, in fact tomorrow is December, and we start a new and busy month as we head into the Christmas season full throttle!

Carl, Walter, Paul and Dick, Andy, Mike at the Mall

AM group (above) plus the PM group (below) equals
10 hrs of train action

 Plus the little faces that are there all the time

  Monday 11/29/2010.  I think the guys at the Mall were pulling my leg.  First they told me tomorrow was December, then they said the Pats & Jets were playing tonight.  I was all happy until I found out it was actually two teams with 3-7 records.  It probably was my hearing and they said 'next' week.   My hearing problems aside, I love sitting around talking to the daily MGRS train crews as well as the people that stop by.  I think we have picked up several members so far but right now just getting to know our own members is even better,  We have a lot of excellent people in our club.  We are lucky to have such a good group and the Mall display has brought out the best in us. We are like a bunch of kids enjoying the trains!  Here are some more pictures and clips from today as we ran some old favorites plus some brand new ones we have never seen before like Dicks old fashioned European train and his new Budliner car. please click here:

Sunday at the Mall with Michael, Ernie, Norm and Jeff

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Footnote from John:  It is great to meet and get a chance to talk and  work with  some of the guys in the club we have not met before.   That is a big part of making this event extra special.  For example Jeff has a speeder (a real one) of his own.  And everyone has an story to share. Plus, we all like seeing  the people enjoy our trains.     

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   The guys did a great job and they also saw Carl and Mac in the morning and John later on in the day to take some pictures.  Ernie brought in an engine to run and it had a little trouble adjusting to the line, but after a little 'field maintenance' they had everything running good.  Of course the trouble spot was at a hard to reach area, but that is part of the challenge.  Actually, everything is going very well and it is fun to come in and 'play' with the trains.  People like to see what we do and if anything unusual does happen it just adds to their interest. Of course Circus trains were part of today's mix and the crowds were interested and full of questions as usual. More picture and video click here:

Saturday at the Mall with Mike, Lucy, Brandon, Barry, Buckie, John. Scott, Betty and Hunk

      Changing over the shifts from the AM to the PM Train Crews.

Calling  in the reserves troops.

Hunk & Betty come in to help Scott.

After 10 hrs on Black Friday Barry and Buckie came back in to help

Mike, Lucy and Brandon get started on Saturday morning.

Brandon was a big help and as far as running trains go, I think we all have as much fun as any of  the youngsters do,  Who knows, maybe even more!

Thanks again to Buckie and Barry as they made a a special trip down from Athens and stayed overnight just to help out running trains.  And that they did, about 15 hours straight over two days!  Awesome!  They did a great job and I know they enjoyed it too.   Have a safe trip down to Florida and enjoy the winter!  We look forward to seeing you next year. 

Mike and Lucy and Brandon also had a fun day at the Mall.  Talking to the people is as much fun as running the trains.  And running trains on our layout is a lot of fun.  There is plenty of action and mixing in the novelty trains especially "Thomas on request" will keep you occupied as the time flies by!   This morning as I came in late, A couple was telling how they had been in yesterday and today they had driven and hour and  a half to come back because their son had liked it so much they wanted to see it again!

It has been an amazing success and there is only one reason why.  The members have gotten behind it and all pitched in to help.  Plus,  remember the Maine Mall has pledged to contribute one thousand five hundred dollars to our organization as a charitable donation.  That is in addition to all the work they have done to build and decorate the stage.  The environment is fantastic, warm, pleasant, happy and filled with enthusiastic and appreciative people who are enjoying watching trains run and learning more about them and MGRS.

Happy Black Friday ~ From Barry & Buckie

• Today Barry & Buckie wanted the full day and the challenge of taking on 'Black Friday'  and all the crowds!  They delayed their start to Florida just to be here, and they will be leaving soon.  Congratulations to you guys, What Spirit!  We love ya and wish you a safe and happy winter. Say 'hi' to I&G.  We love all the BBIG's and look forward to seeing you all next year!
• Carl and Mac were also in this morning.  They both have been in more than anybody else.  I came in at 3PM and it was still busy and the time went by fast. I had a great time.  I spent a lot of time playing with trains and talking to people. So much so,  that  I missed a lot of pictures today. I did try to get one of the reflection of the layout in the skylight. 
• I also talked to Keith Stone who was on Mall management duty this evening.   He said that the Mall was getting very good feedback regarding our display.  We did know that, but I am glad that they here it too.  I enjoyed my part of the day with the B's and I thank them again! 

Here are some video clips from 11-26-10  click to view:
 

From Maine Garden Railway Society

A Happy Thanksgiving Day to Everyone 

 If you like the moving version of the picture click here:

South Station G Scale Train Display

From Tiny who found this link to the Train Display which is in Boston's South Station.  Click to start
Follow the link under Holiday Model Train Display to the Landscaper's home page
Look for 'South Station Display' near top of page. 

Jim and Carl and John play trains at the Mall

   Yes we are having to much fun!  As Jim and I said, Where else can you go where you see a bunch of people with smiles on their faces?  And tomorrow is Thanksgiving, we certainly do have a lot to be thankful for.
  Today we ran a lot of trains as Carl and Jim were good at changing them.  The Amtrak passenger train, B&O passenger train, Maine Central freight, Thomas w/Annie & Clarabelle, Eggliner,  Guilford Circus Train, Amtrak GP38 with old passenger cars, and the little green LGB 0-4-0 with coaches. We have a good variety to select from plus whatever favorites members bring with them.  Things are going very well.  All-a-board for the rest of the ride!   Please click here to see some more:

Neville and John take a turn running trains at the Maine Mall

   Well it is true,  another fun day at our "Club House" in the Mall.  That is what it feels like. I know we will feel sad when the Mall says it has to take down the stage and put it away.   Today Neville and John S. were the primary engineers with help from a bunch of others guys who cannot stay away.  Carl brought in his big Rio Grande diesel which looks and sounds awesome!   Our club GP38-2 and a very nice little Maine Central diesel plus an array of egg liners and an LGB 0-4-0 pulling Thomas cars, plus the happy little tank engine himself combined to put on quite a show. The audience was not disappointed, nor were we with them! John Sharpe and Jim Hinkley are particularly good at spotting the kids reactions and sheer glee at watching the trains.  I will try to ask the parents permission to video some of them so we can show  them to you.  Once again, many thanks to all the members that are making this possible!
Here are a few clips from today:  Click to view

Hunk and Betty run trains and entertain the crowd

Hunk and Betty had a good time at the Maine Mall today running trains and talking to people. They are naturals at making friends and the people loved them. We all had a very good time and several members stopped by to see how things were going and to say hello. People  continue to watch and enjoy the display.   It is a pleasure to be there and to be a part of it.  Above, Santa gives us a wave and Betty is telling the boys where to stand so they can show up on our wide screen TV!

L.L.Bean Tree Lighting

 OK it's not about trains, but it is a Maine Icon and it is a tradition to start the Holidays.  Here is the official countdown to the tree lighting ceremony held Saturday evening 11/20/2010.  
Please click here to watch:
 

Sunday at the Mall with Lou, Kathy and Noah

Today there was a lot of activity at the Mall as the excitement for the Holiday Season mounts.  Carl and Mac and Lou came in early to re-ballast the track before starting the regular Sunday schedule of 12 to 6pm.   Kathy and grandson Noah joined them to enjoy the rest of the day running trains and interacting with  the crowd.
Please click here to see pictures and short video's.
including a ride down the escalator.

Carl, Walter, Jeff, Mac, Mike Joe and John. .. a busy Saturday at the Mall...Great Job!

It is getting better and better. . . Thanks to all the Members that are pitching in to help!
Here are a few quick clips from Saturday.   
There is no question of the drawing power of this event. We are drawing lots of people to see our trains. I did not expect such enthusiasm from the public.  That makes it very nice to be there.  A young man with a child said to me today "This is great, and it is free!"  There is also another very good benefit, We are getting to meet and work with each other (some for the first time) and that is probably the best part of all!

We are on the right track

  "Do you remember back many years ago when the big stores used to set up a large model train layout at Christmas time?"  The answer is almost always  "Oh, Yes, I do!"  Well, that is what we are trying to show the younger generation today when they walk through the center of the Maine Mall.  That is usually part of the conversation we have with many of the people we meet.  They ask "How long did it take to build this?  Who  do the trains belong to?  Did you build these buildings?  Where do you buy these?  When do you meet?  What scale are these?"  Many people say I remember those, or I my relative worked on the railroad.  Or, they remember the train around the tree or on a piece of plywood.   Almost everyone has a good memory when they look back to the days of model trains or real train experiences. And, they all say "you have done a great job, or this is terrific!".  The detail and authentic buildings that Carl and others have built receive many compliments. Thomas the Tank Engine with his happy face and very proper manners is a huge favorite with the youngsters.  The novelty engines, and the mix of prototype engines and cars we are able to display triggers a lot of interest in many on-lookers.   Sounds and smoke enhance the effect. I am lucky to be able to stand inside the white fence and I can see the fun, excitement and enjoyment on the faces of people watching and yes we have brought back and successfully introduced the days of  those spectacular train displays that we remember.  Thanks to you.

Santa Trains.com

Here is a link that Denneth Lee found that you might be interested in.  Looks good, Click on following:
http://www.santatrains.com/

Paul, Rich and Jim's day at the Mall

   Paul, Rich and Jim were displaying some great looking trains today at the Maine Mall.  Pau has a very good looking Sandy River passenger train.  Jim was running a very hard to find , don't make any more Maine Central in a yellow paint scheme.  And then Rich arrived straight from the delivery man who brought him his new Acela (150mph) high speed Amtrak engine.  What a beauty and what fantastic LED lighting.
  Paul had his Santa Rail Truck on the upper level and lots of other trains were run also.  The appreciation of the on-lookers is amazing and it is a beautiful part of being there.  I know there has never been a big train display at the Maine Mall and the public was certainly ready for one!  We are proud and we are lucky to be able to be the one's to bring it to them.  If you have not been in, you will love it when you see it!  Click here for today's train clips 

Mac & Dick joined by Norm with his Circus Train

  The Circus train arrived at the Mall today, at least it did in our G scale world at  the MGRS on-going train exhibit in South Portland.  Mac and Dick kept all 5 lines busy today as Norm displayed a nice looking Circus Train pulled by an impressive Gilford diesel engine.
Click here for more pictures and  short video.

Norm will be returning twice in December with the circus train.  It was a big hit with observers.  The "Budliner" is also popular and Thomas is "irresistible" to all the kids (big and little).   The display is going well.   This is our training period.  We have space planned for the after Thanksgiving Day crowd which will go from Santa all the way around the North Conway Station end of our layout and wrap back and forth if necessary.  Everyone tells us how great the trains look!  If you stop by the display , I am sure you will be proud of the compliments you hear.
Thanks guys, another great day!

Scott , Tiny and Jim lead the way

Rainy windy weather made way for clear tracks and comfortable conditions under the big skylight as more MGRS members ran their trains at the Maine Mall today.   We are having fun and we love it, The people love it, and the Mall loves it!  Win-win-win.   Thanks to the members who stopped by and for the NH folks that visited.  It was an excellent day all around.  Here are some more pictures and clips of some of the trains that ran today. Among the favorites were Tiny's RDC Car, Scott's LGB Swiss Pantograph and Jim's railcar.   Click here to view.

Doug and Dan Johnson running trains at the Maine Mall Display.

Today it was Doug and Dan Johnson who teamed up to take a turn at operating the MGRS train display at the Maine Mall.   They look like they are having a good time and we appreciate their doing a great job and their willingness to help out.  

Here is a picture of the Hi Def Television which looks great from Carl's new video camera.  People get a great view of the layout in action as they are waiting to see Santa!  

Five trains can  run at the same time, which provides a lot of action.  Here is a picture of our new sound car.   It may need a slight adjustment as it does not seem loud enough.  Santa Claus probably thinks it is perfect, especially as it  passes by close to him.  He does have a very nice "Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas".