Great Open House

John Jackson is right. Great day, great turnout, great layout, great time. Thank you Ivan and Gerry! (But what in the world is John stomping on?)

Great Open House!

Thank you Ivan & Gerry !  What a great 'Open House' you had today.  The weather was the best we have had all year and the turnout was very large.  Ivan's trains ran very well and I had forgotten how large his layout is.  It is very impressive and he has really done an excellent job.  Lunch time was extra delicious and there was a happy and good time enjoyed by everyone who attended.  Here are just a couple pictures and a brief video.  Once again, Thank you G&I RR for a terrific Open House.

Used LGB stuff

Roger Hartmann of "Hartmann's Model Railroad Museum" is selling some stuff for a friend that is getting out of G and into HO due to health reasons.
He has track, rolling stock, some LGB steam, some custom painted MEC box cars and a 30 year old LGB trolley that looks like brand new. (all used but in great shape)

new blogger

Hi,

Just testing my new blog account to see how this works. I'm just getting into G scale. I've been an HO scale modeler for 20 plus years (MEC/CP).

Had a great time at Carl's open house this month.

Clark's Trading Post

It's not just for kids (little kids, us big kids were ok). We enjoyed the many museums.

There are a lot of different train models and Moxie memorabilia spread out in the different museums.

Of course we took the train ride.

We did stop in Lincoln, NH on the way back to look at the Flying Yankee

Frankenstein Cliff Trail

We hiked to the cliff from the parking area on 302. The views from the top were fantastic. On the way down we were hiking under the trestle when the Conway Scenic train was returning from the Crawford Notch station. We waved to the passengers as they waved to us.

Gorham House has big outing at MGRS

Two full bus loads plus a car from Gorham House  Retirement Home arrived today at Carl and Pats Overlook Garden Railway in Buxton.   They picked a perfect day and they went right to work and settled in quickly.  Carl and Pat with Mac, and Jack got them everything they needed.  Soon the great smell of Hamburgers and hot dogs on the charcoal grill was in the air.  They had an excellent time.  Walter, did a fine job of keeping the trains and trolley running while John and Neil kept him company.  Two other MGRS members stopped by to visit again.  This was the 3rd day in a row that Carl has had special outings.  All the visitors seem to really appreciate getting outside in the beautiful surroundings and enjoy all the hospitality that MGRS offers. 

Here are a couple quick train clips

 

Great Pictures from "Tiny"

Denneth Lee sent us some links to some very nice looking pictures.   Check them out below!


http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=201007050027057881.jpg&order=byrail&page=13&key=Pan%20Am%20Railways

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=201007050005285990.jpg&order=byrail&page=14&key=Pan%20Am%20Railways

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=201007050002485627.jpg&order=byrail&page=14&key=Pan%20Am%20Railways

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=201007042359265173.jpg&order=byrail&page=14&key=Pan%20Am%20Railways

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=201007042355544889.jpg&order=byrail&page=14&key=Pan%20Am%20Railways

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=201007042349194397.jpg&order=byrail&page=15&key=Pan%20Am%20Railways

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=201007042344534162.jpg&order=byrail&page=15&key=Pan%20Am%20Railways

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=2010070301274832266.jpg&order=byrail&page=24&key=Pan%20Am%20Railways

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=2010070200550020841.jpg&order=byrail&page=30&key=Pan%20Am%20Railways

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=2010070200294420219.jpg&order=byrail&page=30&key=Pan%20Am%20Railways

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=201007011905048694.jpg&order=byrail&page=31&key=Pan%20Am%20Railways

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=201007011742475906.jpg&order=byrail&page=31&key=Pan%20Am%20Railways

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=201007011734555623.jpg&order=byrail&page=31&key=Pan%20Am%20Railways

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=201007011537511062.jpg&order=byrail&page=32&key=Pan%20Am%20Railways

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=20100701153355931.jpg&order=byrail&page=32&key=Pan%20Am%20Railways

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=20100701152056458.jpg&order=byrail&page=32&key=Pan%20Am%20Railways

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=2010070115175032759.jpg&order=byrail&page=33&key=Pan%20Am%20Railways

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=2010070114552431851.jpg&order=byrail&page=33&key=Pan%20Am%20Railways

This link is the locomotive that replaced 6516.
http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=2010062020581618859.jpg&order=byrail&page=50&key=Pan%20Am%20Railways

Cross Road Garden Club visits MGRS

The good folks from Cross Road Garden Club from Windham, Maine visited Maine Garden Railway Society today as they toured the Gardens and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the trains.  They were greeted by members Carl, Pat, Hunk, Betty, Walter, Dick, Mac, John and Neil.   Here is a clip of Mallet 2-8-8-2 as she thunders past.

Controlling the action

Hunk Erskine has his hand on the switch and his eye on an engine as several small engines take part in an "around the layout race"  at John & Gigi's last month.  Betty Norton is watching one go by as the other  guys seem to be looking at something  just out of sight.  Photo by Sue Norton.

Wardell Retirement has an Exciting Day

  
One of the three vehicles full of Wardwell Retirement Community residents from Saco broke down and the occupants had to be rescued by MGRS.  That was an exciting start to another great day of adventure, fun, food, trains and making friends!  Today's event was attended by many MGRS members.  New  Director Richard Young brought by two of his friends who are also planning on helping out Richard at the Maine Mall Train Display and introduced them to Garden Railroading.  Other MGRS members who where very helpful today were Grace and David, Walter, Scott, Mac, John, Carl and Pat.  We  truly did enjoy the very nice people from Wardwell today as we shared  rides on the trails out back, a nice lunch and some good stories.  Plus we enjoyed the trains and the comradery of other members.  The outings are becoming very popular with us and with the groups that attend.  Today one of the Directors on the Board of the six Veterans Homes in Maine came by with his wife to visit and take pictures.  We know them as Paul and Maryanne who are very active helping the veterans and assist them on visits to MGRS. So it was great to see them on a day of their own!  Once again, special thanks to Scott as he was last seen driving off headed to Saco with a car full of folks needing a ride back home.  
    http://www.wardwell.org/wardwell_home.shtml

Veterans Outing July 2010

Thanks to the Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough and to MGRS Members Tiny, Walter, Mac, Dick, Carl, Scott, Neil and John for an excellent Outing!   

Boston & Maine 1950's from Dover NH. Pictured below styled car was brought by Tiny - It ran great! 

WGLT TV7 Greene Maine

 These are from our Member Dick Clark in Green, Me. who told us about the Train Time videos.  which you can watch below by clicking on them.  Thank you Dick!   wgltgreeneme.pegcentral.com

 Maine Coast Railroad Cab ride 

Sundy River Express

Along the Androscoggin on the Lewiston Lower

Open House July 31, 2010

Reminder: Coming up an OPEN HOUSE at Ivan & Gerry Smith's on Saturday July 31, 2010 in Buckfield, ME.
Begins about 11:00am, Please bring a chair and a side dish if you wish.  

Follow Route 117 to the center of Buckfield. Go across the bridge 
( Rt 140) and stay left on High St.  Follow Signs for MGRS.


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Thank you for signing up!

Please check the "Honor Roll for volunteers" which is about 6 items down the left hand side of the blog.  I have added the names of the very generous people who have said that they are willing to help out at the Maine Mall Train Display this Christmas Season.   The next step is to begin choosing days and times that are convenient for the volunteers.  This will begin very soon.  If you have a question or you are willing to join with these people and contribute at least 5 hours to this event by helping to sell raffle tickets, pass out MGRS Applications,  run the trains or just say hello to the children and adults who will be there then you can join up right now. Just scroll down to the bottom of the blog and use the easy contact us box!

Maine Veterans Return to MGRS

July 13th, Tuesday about 11:00am the Maine Veterans from Scarborough will visit MGRS for a picnic lunch and special outing.   Please stop by and meet the Veterans and help run the trains. 


 Note:  Groups pick their own dates to visit and July is a popular month so this is the first of 3 days of special events. Following the Veterans will be: 
07/14        Monarch Nursing Home         11am 
 (Rescheduled due to weather)  Moved to Aug 18th       

07/15        Wardwell Retirement Home  10am          

A little rain but no one minded

       In fact I have never attended an annual meeting where so many members stayed to participate!  But first a huge thank you to Carl and Pat who did a fantastic job!  Trains ran well despite the weather, Pat's chowder was SUPER Delicious as well as all the other great dishes and DESSERTS that people brought.  Here is a shot of some folks getting ready for the auction.  Barry and Buckie were excellent as usual!   Terry showed us he had hidden auctioneer talents also as he sold off several items.  It really was a lot of fun and interspersed with auction items were those great door prizes!   Kathy kept track of the money and announced we had made $780 dollars, which was very good.  Walter sold over $150 dollars worth of 50-50 tickets.  Several new members joined and we had enough people sign up for the Maine Eastern Trip today alone to qualify for our discount price!  
Plus the support that members showed to get behind the Maine Mall Christmas Train Display was fantastic.  It is so good to see so many good people willing to take part that is makes you feel like we really are Maine's GREATEST Railway Society!  The ground was damp, but no ones spirits were dampened!  We welcomed two new directors to the returning Board of Officers and Directors.  Richard Cosgrove and Rick Young who replace retiring directors Scott Gould and Jeff Waring who have both done a terrific job and we thank them tremendously for their hard work.  They both will continue to actively support all of our activities and yes, Scott thankfully will continue to produce and edit the Newsletter which our members absolutely love!
Once again thank you MGRS Members for all your enthusiasm!   Personally, It was a pleasure to meet many of you today whom I have only known through email contact.   So despite the rain, I think we all left today feeling very positive about our future and looking forward to the fun and excitement that lies ahead.

NOTE:  Little did we know that in 4 months we would begin a wonderful new phase for MGRS,  the Maine Mall Train Show!

MGRS Open House and Annual Meeting July 10, 2010

The Extravaganza is this Saturday !!

Open House at Carl & Pat Churchill's, G scale Trains at their best!  Extravaganza Lunch !  Featuring Pat's famous Lobsta Chowda!  Followed by the Annual Auction with lots of terrific items this year,  Plus Golf Cart trail rides, 50-50 Raffle, Annual Meeting and Elections! 

New - Fantastic Door Prizes for 2010 Members - There are 6 MORE beautiful Cars all different and Brand New to be given away to 2010 Members for free.  
Come on out and visit Maine Garden Railway Society, Maine's GREATEST G Scale Model Train Organization.  (See Map). 

Auction Time is Close - Going Once, Twice. . . SOLD!

Great Job - Thank you Buckie and Barry once Again!  You were great even in the rain!


The Auction Man is returning! Barry Sandford will be here in person, Saturday July 10, 2010 at Pat and Carl's Open House and Annual Meeting. Among the events will be the annual MGRS Auction.
It is Fun and it is a Fund Raiser. Come early and bring an item to auction, or if you are close by drop it off ahead of time. All types of items are desired. They do not have to be train related. Give Carl or Pat a call if you have a question.


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Railway Videos - MGRS Auction Items !

Donated by Denneth "tiny" Lee - Five different Sets of excellent Railroad Video tapes.

Travel - Michael Palins - Irish Railway Journey
Trainrides to Adventure Hawaii
PBS - Trans Siberian Rail Journeys
The Copper Canyon Mexico (4x the Grand Canyon)
The Indian Pacific - Adventure that spans Australia
USA Old West - Thunder on the Rails

History - Great American Train Rides (8 Historic rides)
Illinois Railway Museum
East Broad Top
Chicago Transient Authrity
South Shore Line
Pennsylvania Railroad
The Broadway Limited
1996 Iron horse Festival (Ft Wayne Historical Society)

Operational - Southern Pacific 2472
Snow Plow CN F7's
Life begins at Forty - Machines of Iron
3751 Over Cajon Pass
Southern Pacific - Clear Signal 1950 tribute features
almost every job on the railroad
Thunder on Rails - Virginia & Truckee and the Nevada Northern

Movies and Narrow Gauge - Cecil B Demille's 'Union Pacific'
Charles Bronson - Breakheart Pass
Runaway Train - MGM John Voight
The Lost Express - 1926 Silent Black & White Hollywood Prod.

East Broad Top - The oldest Narrow gauge line still
operating in the United States
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Steam - Today's Steam Across America (2 tape set)
Steam to Squamish
Steam over Tennessee Pass
Rio Grande Steam (2 tape set)

Auction Items

5 Crystal Perfumes - Vanity tray - Opera Glasses - Scissors - Red Lipstick - Brass Jewelry Case filled with pearls, Austrian crystals and more - Porcelain vase with pink rose bouquet - Lady in filigree frame -Tapestry Purse - Posted letter & a Victorian Calling Card.









Here are some items for the MGRS Auction that you might miss because they are so small but if you know anyone who collects doll house items these are the perfect gift. Made locally in Falmouth Maine from metal and brass with beads of glass or crystal. No plastic. The perfume bottles are 6-7 different pieces put together by hand with authentic vintage labels miniaturized to scale. These are truly one of a kind and are amazing quality.

As a bonus there is also a sheet of 1:24 scale railroad related items intended for the desktop of a scale Station master or ticket window. They are printed and sealed on hi grade photo paper.

The Golden Age of Steam Trains -

Click here to start:

Part-2

Happy 4th of July !

Here is a link to the Biggest Firework Display Click here -

Train controling train video

I have always enjoyed the 'electrical' part of playing with trains. So it came as no surprise that I wanted to model "Yarmouth Junction" and enjoy watching my Maine Central and Amtrak trains taking turns automatically starting and stopping at the junction crossing. If Scott has the space in a future issue of the IronHorse I can go into the 'How' but for now a short video shows the 'What' of what it looks like.

Watch video here:

Fast and Good looking

Top honors for fast and good looking have to go to Denneth Lee's Walt Disney Hand Car and to Sue Norton's Bumble Bee! The 'kids' really loved them, young and old.
(Thank you Sue for the good pictures)

July - A very Busy Month for MGRS

Please click on the image to make it easier to see. It is a snapshot from the Event Listing web page.

Railroad Art

Yes it is a lot better than graffiti. more info