The Circus Car Arrived

  Charlene, our very nice Mail Lady rang the bell and dropped off a small box with my name on it.  Oh Boy, oh boy!  I was all ready outside running my Circus Train.  The timing was perfect and so was the little LGB sound car that plays circus music!  I love Ebay but I need to take it easy.  I can't wait to see all the beautiful flower colors that will be there in a little over a month.  And, this year it will sound and look a little brighter when the circus comes to visit.  Take a listen, click here:

Full scale Work Weekend

Feel like a workout while playing with trains? The WW&F railway museum is having its annual spring work weekend Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All are welcome work hard work easy at your choice.

Full size trains will be run...probably including steam http://www.wwfry.org

A Tribute to the Circus Guys

Here is a link to a cool Circus Site:  Click here:

Number 3985 Worlds Longest Circus Train:

4-6-6-4-4  Wide Open: Click here:  
 

The World of Bachmann

 Please click here for Bachmann website

Happy Easter

Circus Sounds

 OK, I am bidding on an LGB Circus Sound Car -  But I am having fun looking at old Circus wagons, Steam Calliope's and related stuff.  Circus posters, etc.  I like the sound the best.  Here are some examples:
Click-1
Click-2
Click-3

Have a Happy Day !

  I wish I had one of these.  Bubble on!   Click here to view.

Good weather this weekend...

"Ol Number Nine" hit the high iron pulling the crack express to Quebec...

I havnt just uploaded a video-unedited...thought I would give it a try:

Happy Patriot's Day

Celebrated primarily in Maine and Massachusetts,   Patriot's Day honors the battle of Lexington and Concord,
The ride of Paul Revere and the beginning of the Revolutionary War.  It also celebrates the Boston Marathon, Red Sox and if you get up real early, reenactments of  battles:   It is also a good day to enjoy your model railroad!   Train Slideshow,       Song: Freedom Train

The Circus came to Town

The circus train came to town.  My grandsons combined their imaginations with some castle people and created a colorful scene.  

The Water is Running !

Last week the ice melted and today I turned on the pumps to test the garden waterfall and fountain.  Everything wintered well.  The  Gandy Dancers checked out the exciting waterfall loop.  There is something about the sound and motion of moving water that I always enjoyed. (when it is where you want it).  The water garden is still the favorite part of my layout and I can't wait for all those bright colors to come back!  Click here for short clip

Photo of the Week

Horseshoe Curve MP 469 Rockwood, Colorado on 2/22/2011 Durango & Silverton Narrow Guage Railroad.  Steam 2-8-2.  Picture by Cinderpath titled "Pot of Gold" - Number 478 hauling a  freight train blows down her boiler at the ledegendary spot on the former D&RGW Narrow Guage.  The rainbow only lasted a few seconds, and was luckily captured that happened as a combination of an up-draft of wind from the Animas River 400 feet below, combined with the sun-angle and camera perspective.  
Photo from RailPictures.Net

Track Laying at its Finest

Now here is a machine that even John Henry could not challenge.  Dick Rubin came across this and thought we might pick up some ideas for our next big track laying project.  Take a look, this is quite amazing.

Please click here first:    (Then Click on white arrow to start).

Mardens Special

     I was a lucky man today.  My wife went to Mardens in Gray and she found a complete Keystone Circus Train set type 33001 right at the check out counter.  I do not know if they have any more but it is worth a call!  She only saw one.  I was very very happy.

Madurodam 2.

To view a good video of the miniature world in the Netherlands,
Click here:
  This is not HO, it is G scale.   Hard to imagine.

Motion and more motion Click here:

Egg Haulers

Something new!  Thanks Tiny! 
EggHaulers.com  Click Here:     (Then watch video)

Madurodam

 
MGRS member Dick Rubin has lived in the Netherlands and gave me the name of this amazing place which he has visited.  I will not try to describe it but the video below will speak for itself.  It is built to a 1:25 scale.  That is fantastic for us G scale enthusiasts!   To get started please click here:

Cape Cod Train Tour

The cape cod train tour is back for one day only. On May 14th the route which runs from Middleboro to Hynannis will be reactivated for one day only. Follow this link for more information http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110407/PUB04/104070444&cid=sitesearch. -Bill Goodrich

NTD on Facebook

National Train Day on Facebook

Click here to view:

So why don't  we have a Facebook Account?

Sad News

We are very sorry to report that Betty Norton died this past Sunday. Betty had been suffering from an illness discovered only recently. She and Hunk Erskine joined the MGRS a couple years ago with Betty's son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Sue Norton. Many of you will remember that Betty and Hunk devoted countless hours to the MGRS holiday display at the Maine Mall. They brought a smile to everyone who visited.

Betty had a sparkle about her that kept her far younger than her years. It was a delight for us to known her.

A funeral will be held this afternoon, April 5, at 3:00 at the Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland. Visiting hours will be from 1-3 p.m.

We express our deepest sympathy to Terry, Sue, and Hunk.

Remember putting your hand on the window to run the train?

When we were at the mall several people told me that when they were young they remember a store in Portland that had a Christmas display.  When you put your hand on the glass, the train would run.   If anyone can add more to this story, please do.  I am curious HOW that could be done.

Steamup-open house

I will host a steam up as part of the Downeast Steam Railway Guild on May 7th with a rain-date of the 8th from 9:30-5:00. All are welcome.

The live steamers will bring their own engines. All live steam, clockwork and battery powered engines are welcome. Please bring them if you have them! You can also bring your favorite cars or show and tell.

The minimum radius of my track is 5 feet (10 foot dia) the main line has more gentle curves --the 5' radius is on the reverse loops.

I will serve barbeque burgers and dogs. pot luck additions are welcome. Please RSVP by May 4th.

Eric Schade 83 Captain Perry Drive, Phippsburg, Maine 207-386-0129