To Ivan & Gerry ~ We Love You!

Yes we do!    I don't know two more friendly and train loving folks or better people than Ivan & Gerry Smith.  They have held several Open Houses, one year Ivan even ran one that drew in people State wide.  He had over 250 people stop by that day!  They have both been faithful MGRS members for many years.   But now they could use our love and compassion.  Carl talked to Gerry recently and Ivan is fighting back a serious health problem.  They plan to remain in Florida for now.   Carl has their mailing address if you would like to send them a note of encouragement.  Gerry said to Carl that she hoped we would keep them in our thoughts and prayers.  The answer to that is easy:  YES we will!

The Great Train Story

     Sent to us by Rich Young who found this interesting story and video to share.  William Davidson has a great job.  The son of a  Chicago Transit Authority motorman  he now is in charge of operating the  Museum of Science and Industry's 3.5 million dollar train display celebrating the Seattle-to-Chicago route.  Now in it's 10 anniversary year.  Please take a look at the video and the rest of the Great Train Story.   Click here:

Map of Maine Railway Systems

  From the Maine Department of Transportation here is a map of the State of Maine Railway Systems.
Here is link to an image file which can also be enlarged.   Sent to us by Denneth Lee.  Thank you!

Remember Jim's Open House Saturday June 1st

   Jim Jenkins  has scheduled an  Open Houseon Saturday June 1st.  Rain date is Sunday June 2nd.  Jim and Ann Jenkins live at 17 Brighams Cove Road in West Bath.  They will supply burgers, hot dogs, and drinks.  People can bring a dish to share if they'd like, and should also bring a chair.  Jim and Ann's layout is called the A&J Railroad.  As you know from prior open houses, this is one of the neatest garden railway layouts in Maine.  If you need directions. please see map on Event Listing:

Thank You for your Service

And to those men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives in the service of their Country we honor your memory.  Maine Garden Railway Society wishes everyone a very In recognition of all those who served in the United States military. Military Songs of the Army, Navy, Airforce and Marines

Would you like to build something for the Maine Mall Layout?

We will very likely need an estimated (8) trestle bents similar to the example.   They will be used to support an 8 foot long section of straight roadbed on this years Mall layout as the main line track crosses over the planned new lowered  area for Thomas & Friends.

The total height of the trestle bents is planned at 14.25 inches.
(The plan calls for a straight section of 3/4 inch roadbed connecting two risers 15 inches high and 8 feet apart).

If you are interested please let Carl know. Thank you.

New Haven Line Repair & Recovery Update

 For the first time in four days, Metro-North will operate regular service between New York and New Haven. The service restoration follows round-the-clock work to repair damaged track infrastructure caused when a Metro-North train derailed in Bridgeport and was struck by another train going in the opposite direction on Friday, May 17th

Rest of story with photo's

Note: Never heard of a track geometry car before.

New Technology

I really love my old MRC big transformer handle to control my trains.  But I realize some guys like super technology so for you here is a video on the new Lionel Legacy System.   I know it's not G scale but they probably have similar stuff available and it will give you an idea of what it is like.  Click here for video.

Signs of the Time (The good old one's)

Trains don’t wander

All over the map

For no one

Sits on

The engineer’s lap

Burma-Shave

Remember this

If you’d

Be spared

Trains don’t whistle

Because they’re scared

Burma-Shave

Look what Jim made

This was originally posted on March 30, 2012.  I reran it to show off some of the great work he did on his railroad.  Thank you Jim.

  

     I really like Jim.  We have some great members in MGRS and James Hinkley Sr. is one of them.  I had the pleasure of visiting him recently at his home which is packed with photos and good memories.  We became friends from meeting at Carl's outings.  He especially enjoys talking to the Veterans.  Like all people who you enjoy, he has a good sense of humor and is a good story teller.  He is very active at the Mall event and is at his best just talking to the public.  He grew up with trains and has a family background with them which he carried over to his model layout.  Jim is an exceptional model builder and he has completely scratch built a fantastic HO scale layout with 75 trains on it!   Now he is into G scale and has a very good beginning on that also. Jim is part inventor, technician, engineer and served as a project adviser to companies in over 11 different Countries.  Wanting to spend more time at home he joined his son's deep sea fishing business which added another adventurous success chapter to his life's story.  I would describe him simply as a gentleman and a fine ambassador of our hobby and our organization.  Please take a look at some pictures of his model railroad, click here: 

Operating question from Paul

   I had a problem this weekend with my locomotive coming to a stop near one of my turnouts. When I did some trouble shooting, I found some melted wires under the turnouts (USA Trains # 6) that connect the common rails (jumpers from left to left and right to right. I also later found a melted wire in one of the frogs. Everything ran fine last year. This year, I converted my couplers to Kadee and left the metal hanging part attached which is used when running it over magnetic uncoupling pads (which I don't intend to use anyway). I'm wondering if this metal uncoupling lever could have come in contact with a frog and created the short. Do you know if anyone has had this problem? I called Charles Ro yesterday for some technical assistance, but their service tech had left for the day. I'll try them again tomorrow (Monday).

I noticed that Eric had Kadee couplers, but he had cut the uncoupling lever off (which is something that I thought about doing as well).

What do you think?

Reply from Scott:  I’ve used Kadee couplers for years without any problems, but I suppose they could create a short if there were a continuous current from one side of a truck through the other through the coupler.  You might ask Kadee if the problem has ever been reported to them.

Conn Commuter trains sideswipe.

  A train full of evening rush commuters headed for New Haven out of Grand Central Terminal when it derailed at 6:32 p.m. Friday, striking a westbound train on the adjacent track, according to Metro-North. The impact knocked several cars from the westbound train off the rails as well. Both trains came to rest on an elevated portion of the track adjacent to I-95 in a busy industrial area of Fairfield.

Link to full story

Member Jim Hinkley dies

 It is with sadness that we announce the death of member Jim Hinkley.  Jim was admired by many of us as a gracious and kind person who live an interesting and talented life.  Among many things,  he loved being a member of MGRS.  We will miss him.

Portland Press Herald:

From the In-Basket

Thank you for the interesting and up to date e-mails.  Here are two interesting item from this morning.

From Tiny:  
    Sometime over the next 24 hrs.  Burnnon Junction to Portlard's Rigby yard with Belfast and Moosehead RR:  Eurpeon passenger train on flatbeds.   Steam engine, passenger cars and turntable bound for Great Smokey Mountain RR.

Update: Here is a link to the Story - Click here:


From Barry:
   This train is for sale in Fairfield,  Me.  The sign on it says 40,000 or best offer   Two foot rails.

Thanks guys!  You are the best!

Upcoming Events in June ~ Jim's Open House and MGRS Outings begin.

  Just a reminder to check the  Event Schedule which will change frequently. June begins the Summer Outing's at Carl's and Jim Jenkins kicks off the month with an Open House!   Wardwell Retirement Home has just scheduled outings at Carl's on July 25th and August 29th.  Monarch Nursing Home has scheduled for June 20th and Maine Veterans will also be visiting in June. Date TBD.

    Jim Jenkins  has scheduled an  Open House on Saturday June 1st.  Rain date is Sunday June 2nd.  Jim and Ann Jenkins live at 17 Brighams Cove Road in West Bath.  They will supply burgers, hot dogs, and drinks.  People can bring a dish to share if they'd like, and should also bring a chair.  Jim and Ann's layout is called the A&J Railroad.  As you know from prior open houses, this is one of the neatest garden railway layouts in Maine.  If you need directions. please see map on Event Listing:

Eric & Sue - Thank You for a great Open House.

 This was a terrific picnic, band concert and steam up!  It was great!  The rain held off and lots of people arrived from 3 different Train Clubs representing Massachusetts  New Hampshire and Maine to enjoy a very nice time together.   The Jazz band was absolutely a good idea.   What a good way to kick off the summer outing season.

I apologize for the video quality, but you can get a little idea of how things were.   The band had a lot of electrical equipment and they had set up under cover in the garage and the sound carried great.  Some people sat out front and others continue to run trains and still easily enjoy the music.  A lot of work by everyone involved but thoroughly enjoyable!     Thanks again Eric and Sue.

Listen to the sounds ~ Great Jazz playing ~ Thank you to the Band

The band joined us for the picnic which Eric did another super job as master chef.  It was a day where everything ran well including the live steam demonstrations put on by the guys that make it look easy.  We all know it's really not.  Take a quick look at a couple engine run by's as they show off their stuff!

  

Thank You to Everyone that was there;  Well done!

Update from Eric ~ Let's go for it !

We are planning to play music and trains tomorrow.  Bring an umbrella as showers are predicted.  we will have food and music under cover (tent and garage) and I will set up a tarp (or two) near the railway.

I look forward to seeing people!  

We will supply basic burgers and dogs with the fixins, plus pasta salad, soda and chips.  favorite additions are welcome

 What a beautiful day to get out side.  I ran my latest engine for the first time outdoors.   I hope we can use it with Barry's Sawmill.  If anyone has another flat car we could borrow, I think it would look better. I made a very quick video of the engine driving past.

Want to be in on the best travel deal ever?

Try the Amtrak Downeaster for just $5.00 each way. Up to two children (ages 2-15) can ride FREE when accompanied by a $5.00 adult fare*

.May 11-12, 2013: Between Brunswick, ME and Haverhill, MA or points in between on trains 691, 692, 694, 695, 698, 699 ONLY.

The Downeaster is a reserved service. TICKETS ARE REQUIRED PRIOR TO BOARDING. Purchase your $5.00 tickets Online: Click here for details

Note:    This is kind of interesting, it got me looking at the schedule.  Now, my recommendation is go to Eric's picnic, steam up and band concert,  I think that will be fun.  But, taking a trip on the Downeaster is something worth thinking about to do at another time.   For example, I think you can the take the train anytime from Portland up to Freeport for $5 dollars.  Have lunch, shop at LL Bean 3-4 hours and then return on the train.    I also like the idea of "John Middleton's" Express to Boston and back, but that is an all day'er.   

Food for thought.    

Picture pile

  I bought one geranium for the deck and the rest of these poor neglected flowers have struggled back on their own.  I wish I was a much better gardener but I doubt I will improve that much.  However, I do enjoy looking at them and today I will at least water them as it has not rained very much.

Amtrack crosses Tuttle Rd in Cumberland Me.

Click on Image for full size

     Remember George Small - Lionel train repair shop?  He is right beside this crossing.  We hear the train go by every day off in the distance.  First time actually watched it blast past!  Wow!  It is fun and exciting to watch up close.  Only takes a couple of seconds.   Take a look, click here for video:

Love our Newsletter

 Thanks go out to Art Handman and all the members involved or mentioned in our latest Newsletter.  Very enjoyable reading with lots of great pictures.  Another very nice issue.  I love the way our members use their imaginations and talents to recreate outstanding scale models of items significant to them.  Thanks for sharing them with us.  Now also available on-line.  March - April 2013 Newsletter
 

Gorham House schedules 3 visits to MGRS

Remember Jeannine?  We saw her last at the Mall with the Maine Veterans.  Well she just called Carl and now she is working with Gorham House.  They will be out to enjoy three outings at MGRS this summer.  They will arrive at 11am on June 13th, July 18th and August 15th.  Thanks Jeannine, we are looking forward to the visits.

  As usual, any MGRS member that wants to help run trains or help our guests enjoy their visit are more than welcome.

Remember Eric's Picnic, Steamup & Band Concert ~ Saturday, May 11th.

Sue and I will be hosting a picnic with steamup and big band concert on Saturday May 11th.  The Bath/ Brunswick "B" Band will play Big  Band jazz and such for an hour or so as long as they are having fun.  We will provide soda, burgers and dogs and pot luck additions are welcome.  I hope you can make it.

 All MGRS members and friends are welcome.  Bring your live steamers and Battery powered "sparkies" or any car you would like to see rattle around the line. please RSVP by Monday, May 6th

MAY 11,  9:30-4:00

Rain date, May 12  R.S.V.P.  MAY 6

WINNEGANCE & QUEBEC RAILWAY

PHIPPSBURG, ME.

Eric Schade 207-386-0129,

eric(at)shearwater(dash)boats(dot)com

Gauge 1 ground level 7 naturally elevated 190' loop to loop, 6' min. rad. Optional 3% grade mountain division.  Fully natural woodland Maine scenery with charming scratch built structures.  Bath/Brunswick “B” Band will play big band music and join us for a picnic.

May 1st

Happy May Day.  My wife tells me when she was little, they would leave a little basket of candy on the friends door step, ring the bell and run away.  I guess these traditions hold, because today her sister sent her a little basket of flowers!  I don't remember any of that, but I did grow up in a big city.

 But today was beautiful.  I did plant some spring bulbs and I got a loop of trains running outdoors in the sunshine. It was great.  I hope you enjoyed it too.