Hundreds Enjoy Strive Rocks 2018 at the Cross Arena in Portland

Here are pictures of our layout at Strive Rocks courtesy of Art Shean.

Junior Engineer helping Ben run the trains

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MGRS Train Layout at STRIVE ROCKS! 2018

The following  picture and article are courtesy of WGME TV.

Fun and Games in the Arena

PORTLAND (WGME) - A family-friendly festival attracted hundreds of families on Saturday all in the name of raising money for a good cause.

Organizers say the STRIVE Rocks 2018 Festival provides families a safe space to enjoy music, play games, and spend time with their kids. The festival raises money for STRIVE, a program that helps people with intellectual disabilities.

The festival was split into a daytime and nighttime event. The daytime event geared toward families features inflatables like a Velcro wall, a petting zoo and arcade games. The overnight event geared towards teens and young adults will include live bands, photo booths and all-you-can-eat food.
Organizers say they hope the money raised will help people with learning disabilities become more independent.

"Learning to be able to stay home independently for a few hours while their parents go to a movie or to a wedding, or for some it might be to get a job or to get their own apartment. Our goal is really to have everyone be a part of the community and really to be giving back to their own communities than be dependent on it," said Peter Brown, Associate Director of STRIVE.

Good Day Maine's Katie Sampson served as one of the festival's emcee's. Follow her at @KatieWGME on twitter for updates from the festival.

Toy Trains at the Augusta Elks

Here are some trains that don't run in the garden....

You can see the video (after you wait through the ad) at

Model Train Show at Augusta Elks

It was all for the annual train show sponsored by the Maine 3-Railers.All aboard....destination? Augusta, Maine for the annual train show sponsored by the Maine 3-Railers.A group with not just a hobby but a love for model trains.

"It's really neat to show off to people because a lot of people like it, and the kids come up to and say, "wow look at the train!,” said Maine 3-Railers member, Jackson Small. The model railroad club is noted for its operating displays, demonstrations, and of course, interacting with others mesmerized by the fast track

"Here to greet the people and talk with the people, and talk about trains, model trains,” explained President, Dana Sullivan."We have a layout for kids to run some stuff and then we have a whole bunch of our cars that we've designed over the years that are on display, and we're showing off some of our equipment,” said Small.13-year old Jackson Small became a member just four years ago after his grandfather showed him the ropes. Now, he's doing the same for others pulling into this station.
"When you see the smiles, it's really touching." And with all the technology out there these days, Jackson says he always encourages folks to stop by and learn more about these mini-locomotives.

"There is a lot more technology these days with Lionel trains and MTH, where the younger kids obviously have the phones and all the X-box's and stuff and know how to run it,” said Small. “But, it's also nice to see how trains work because it kind of gets them into

the hobbies and then they can pass on the experience to their kids.”

MGRS Spring Meeting Update

MGRS held its Spring Meeting on Sunday, March 18th starting with lunch at the Hometown Buffet in South Portland.

38 members, spouses and friends attended.  And club membership has increased by ten since the July Annual meeting.

STRIVE ROCKS!

Our next event is a train display for Strive Rocks at the Cross Insurance Center in Portland. It runs from 10am-5pm on Saturday, 3/24 with setup starting at 7am.

MILL FIELD FESTIVAL

Our next public event is our 3rd visit to the Mill Field Festival in North Berwick on August 25th in North Berwick. For the kids there will be "drive a train" tickets so they can run the throttle.

ANNUAL SUMMER OUTING - JULY 14th

The Annual Summer Outing will take place on the second Saturday after July 4th, which is July 14th. Pat and Carl Churchill have again offered the Overlook Garden Railway for the club to hold this event. A volunteer committee solicits help from other members for the event. Frank Howard and Joanne Tarbox will repeat last year's phone calls to each and every members. Norman Waycott will take care of the drinks. Grace Miller and Andriana Colucci also offered to help with this event

Sue Hoffman is making two quilts for the raffle at the outing. One will be a children's quilt with a "Thomas" theme, and the other an adult quilt with a major railroad theme.

Andrianna Colucci offered to make railroad themed pillows for the raffle.

REMINDER: Please bring items for the Club's Annual Auction. Our private auction firm of Braithwaite,  Howard and Norton is ready to go!

JUNIOR PROGRAM

Ben Braithwaite talked about the Junior Program he is developing. It came our of interests expressed by kids and parents at the Holiday Train Display. He is looking for sponsors and a location. Casco Bay Ford is interested in being a sponsor.

This would be an after school program, and the parents would bring the kids. It would combine model railroading and after schools studies. The club would provide the initial layout. Bill Goodrich spoke about his experience as a Boy Scout Troop leader. Roger Tobin and John Middleton talked about the overnight Scouting Camp at Seashore Trolley Museum as an example of what we could do..

MGRS Chosen for Hannaford Reusable Bag Program in April- MGRS gets $1 for every bag purchased at the Buxton Hannaford in April

We have some very exciting news!

The Hannaford Supermarket located at 21 Hannaford Drive in Buxton has chosen MGRS as a beneficiary of the Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program!

This means for the entire month of April every time either of the Community Bags are purchased at the Buxton Hannaford
we receive $1!

This is truly a great opportunity for us, and an easy way for you to show your support for MGRS

Please go to the store, find the reusable bag rack and buy a few bags!

And remember to spread the word – the more bags purchased, the bigger donation to MGRS

For more information about the Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program, visit hannaford.bags4mycause.com.

Videos of all eight Holiday Train Displays Available on DVD

The videos of all eight Holiday Train Displays are now available on a single DVD. Members can pick up their copy at the Spring Meeting on March 24th or at the Annual Outing this summer

The videos are courtesy of Jim Alberty and John Jackson. They will be shown at our events and used to help recruit new members.

MGRS Member Layouts in the April 2018 Garden Railway Magazine

The article "Rails in New England" by  MGRS member Nancy Norris is in the April 2018 issue of Garden Railways. It includes layouts by MGRS Members and friends, including

Winnegance and Quebec Railroad by Eric Shade

Dave and Jenny Miller's rural New Hampshire railway

Scott Gould's Aberdaron, Pwhheli and Cricceith Railway

Terry and Sue Norton's Groton and Charleston  Railroad

Paul and Brenda Smith's Bagley Mountain Railroad, showing how to keep evergreens alive through the winter

Ralph Luby's elevated garden railway using PVC pipe

John Middleton at Seashore Trolley Museum

Nancy met John by chance when she visited the Trolley Museum. John also helps Stan and Deb Ames with their operating sessions. That railway will be featured in the next issue of Garden Railways.