Reminder ~ Gorham House will visit MGRS Friday July 1st and hold an outing at Carls.

Carl called from the Mall - "We are all set"

The phone rang about 3:30 this afternoon and it was Carl who was calling to say that the Mall accepted our plan and will build the additions to the layout as we proposed.  That amounts to adding 240 sq ft to the main platform plus and additional 320 sq ft of custom built risers.   The risers are various shapes built from 3/4 in plywood and are one foot high.  They will be placed on top of the main deck and arranged to support sections of the elevated track. This year we are adding a third level by doubling up some risers to make a  2 foot high elevated line for Thomas the tank engine and his friends. Trestles will need to support the track in between the risers.  We will need at least a dozen of both short and tall trestles.   We will have bridges and tunnels plus room for plenty of structures. This year the Christmas tree lines and the elevated lines will all be within easy reach and we are planning some features on the Christmas tree lines so the kids can interact with them directly. This year will definitely be bigger and better than our first year.  We hope to carry the enthusiasm and fun we had right into this years display.      If you have a bridge or a structure that we can borrow or if you are willing to build some things that we made need, please contact Carl or any of the directors to let them know you are willing to help.

Maine Vets return to MGRS

   A large group of Maine Garden Railway Society members were at Carl's this morning to welcome back the Maine Veterans Home of Scarborough to their first outing this year at MGRS.   It was great to see them again and we enjoyed sharing the beautiful day together.  Carl and Pat were great hosts to both the Vets and to MGRS.  Special thanks to Sue Norton who was especially helpful to Pat as they grilled hot dogs and took care of the lunch for all the members. There are lots of new things to see as Carl has relocated the train store and made changes to the layout as well as lots of growth to his expanding network of trails.
Please click here to see slide show.   

North Conway Scenic Railway

This is not a video of our train trip but it does show many of the different engines and cars that the NCSR operates.

1-Short video Sept 2009
2- July 2010 video clip

Commerative Patch

Good News !   The patches have arrived!    Thanks to Andy Hendrickson who was the contact person who arranged for the patches to commemorate the 2010 Maine Mall Train Display.   Carl called me today and said he had talked to Andy who has the patches and said that they look great!  He is going to bring them to Carls in time for the Annual Meeting on Saturday July 9th.  

 

Different Scales

We have see this before but I always liked the picture.  I know someone who has a display case of BAR potato cars in the same scales as shown.  Pretty cool.

The Patriot Flag comes to Maine

I heard this famous flag was coming to Portland, but I did not know it would be within a mile of our house.  Today in Cumberland Center the flag was on display at a ceremony in the town park. Nice way to start the summer. 

Animals

I enjoy always keeping my eye out for a G scale item when I am walking around a store.  Last week at the Christmas Tree shop I came across a moose that was perfect for my wildlife area on the layout.  If you have a sharp eye you can find another dozen animals in the picture. 

To all mgrs members,
My g-gauge power pack is no good. I'm looking for another powerpack, possibly someone has a spare with dc and ac ports selling cheaply.
Jim Magner, mgrs member, mrsmags56@yahoo.com
Thank You

MGRS Train Trip - Sept 24, 2011

Mark down that Date!   Be sure to save that day, Saturday Sept 24th on your calendar to enjoy with other MGRS members and friends the beauty and excitement of the  Crawford Notch train ride.  This is a terrific day trip and highly recommended if you can possibly plan to go.  There will be a sign up sheet at the annual meeting and more information coming out soon with all the details. 

The Flying Fortress

An icon has been lost.  Read story here:
From Denneth Lee.

more photos

Happy Flag Day

Ralph and Sue ~ THANK YOU!!

Ralph and Sue Luby hosted a great Open House today at their home in York, Maine.  A large group of MGRS members and friends stopped by to enjoy their hospitality and see Ralph's layout.   I have uploaded some pictures of Ralphs indoor layout and some shots taken at lunch time.  Thanks to Walter who arrived early and was able to take some pictures of the outdoor layout before the rain came.  It did not matter as everyone had a great time and as always it was very good to catch up with members we have not seen in a while and to also meet new people.
Thank You, Ralph and Sue for all your effort.  We all had a great time.

Please click here for photos and short video.
Also, please click here for Walters pictures, (ty)   

Reminder

Ralph Luby will be holding an 'Open House" tomorrow Saturday June 11th in York, Maine.   Hope to see you there.  

More pictures

I apologize for posting so many of the same type pictures but I did just get a new camera and had to try it out.  It seems to have everything I want and was very inexpensive on sale ($87).  usually $300.  So I had to try it.   Its an Olympus.  I took pics from inside my dark basement , shooting both in and out of the windows and other shots all outside. Then I load them to Picasa Web Album which is a very easy way to share pictures.   I was happy with the results and I am headed for Ralph's open house on Saturday to use it for real!   Hope to see you there.
To view slideshow, click here:

Repeats tonight Thursday June 9th. 3 hr show

Celebrating North American Steam Trains   Maine Public Broadcasting Network.  
17 Railroads featured.   8:30pm to 11:30pm

Maine Mall RR

  Dick Rubin sent me this picture which was taken today.  It is kind of interesting.  Like Dick said, we (MGRS) must have influenced the Mall very positively in regard to trains!  I did find a website from the manufacture that shows some videos of the train in action in another Mall.   Pretty good!  Thanks Dick.
To view,please click here:

A day's work on the W&Q

With the good weather I had a chance to play trains. My new scratch built engine works the passenger service then switches over to freight

Here is a video of the day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFwJiq5Qbp0