MGRS Annual Meeting

Originally posted on 7/14
Congratulations to the new 2012-2013 Maine Garden Railway Society  Board of Directors.  From left to right Arthur Handman, Terry Norton, Paul Corbett, Kathy Young, Andy Hendrickson, Mac MacLaughlin, Dick Cosgrove and Carl Churchill.  Director Walter Fossett, Jr. is not shown.

Scott Gould was recognized for his contribution and exceptional service to MGRS as retiring editor of the Iron Horse.  He received a mounted Certificate of Recognition and a beautiful Railroad pocket watch as a token of appreciation from the Board of Directors.

Great people, great food, great setting.  That's what it has always been about!  This year was no different.  Ever since I went to my first Annual Meeting I have always said "The lunch alone is worth the price of our dues!"  I still believe that.

It was a great gathering!  The auction was terrific and I bet we did very well.  Lots of excellent items where sold.



Below is a Saw Mill built by Barry Sanford and    electrified by Mike  Silsby which will be headed for the Maine Mall this year along with the new Bridgewerks Power Supply the Club has purchased.   

Not shown but I am sure to appear in the next issue of the Iron Horse by Art Handman will be photos of two fantastic Circus Displays which Norm Waycott and Andy Hendrickson have created.  The detail and craftsmanship is truly amazing.  They were a major display of the Open House and enjoyed by all. 

IT was an excellent Open House and Annual Meeting and much appreciation to all the good people who participated and helped to make it a success. Thank you and "All-aboard" as we look forward to another great year together!

Maine Veterans' Home Visit

Originally posted on 7/17
In spite of the scattered rain showers, Carl and Pat Churchill hosted guests and staff from the Maine Veterans’ Home of Scarborough, Maine. Most of the guests were

experiencing their first visit to the Garden Railway and were delighted with the venue and of course the trains. Nine MGRS members were present and participated not

only in operating the Railway but also assisting the guests getting around. Special recognition is given to Walter Fossett for coming early, assisting Carl in setting up the trains to be operated, and operating the trains during the entire event. Carl and Scott Gould provided golf cart tours of the trails on the property. Many of the members are veterans, too, and enjoyed the camaraderie with the guests. After a delicious sandwich lunch, the group expressed their delight of the visit and looked forward to a return

Gorham House Visit

Originally posted 7/22
On a welcome cool and beautiful summer’s day, Carl and Pat Churchill hosted some 34 residents and several staff members of the Gorham House of Gorham, Maine. Pat gave

a description of the Railway and adjacent trails and answered guests’ questions. Several MGRS members were also present and participated not only in operating the

Railway but also assisting the guests getting around and providing golf cart tours

of the trails on the property.

A cook-out lunch of hamburgers and hotdogs were enjoyed by all. The group had a great time and looked forward to a return visit.

  No Catalog, I just enjoyed the picture.

Rt 9 Falmouth Crossing

Returning from Lowes on a Saturday morning I stopped to look at progress on the Downeaster track when a Guilford and two Pan Am GP40's (I think) came by.  I panicked and pressed the wrong buttons but here is half a video of what was actually a very short train.  Please click here:

Great Job you Guys!

I did NOT get over to help out, but it gives me a chance to praise the people that did.   Nobody needs my thanks but I know Carl does not post on the Blog ,but like many of you he does look at it daily.  And he called me and said (And he really does enjoy and mean this).  - It was Great!  The people had a very good time!  He does appreciate the help and the MGRS members did a terrific job! Just being friendly and helping someone with something simple does have a big impact.   I hope you all felt the sense of happiness that these events create and it was the same with the Vets that were just here.  If you can, stop by and enjoy it yourself.

Help Appreciated on the Gorham House

WOW!  Carl just called and the Gorham House is scheduled for tomorrow but they called Pat and said they were coming in two shifts. 34 people!  1st one arrives at 10:30, then I guess they are going back for some more.  They probably cannot fit that many on their bus.  They wanted a long table so Carl set one up.  So, if you can stop over and help, I am sure it would be appreciated.  Thanks :)

Record Breaker

Carl called and said this was a  record year!   When you added everything up we raised   $1,300 dollars at the Annual Meeting.   Thank you to all the people who generously donated items and to  those who bid on them at the auction. The auction made  $1,100 dollars which is a new record. The 50-50 Raffle net $88 to the winner and the same to MGRS.   Also thank you to Carl who always arranges for lots of great door prizes!  When you add those to all the rides, displays, trains, flowers, pins and patches plus all the people you have not seen for a while and the fantastic lunch you really do have something special. Well done by all that helped and thank you again Pat and Carl.

Time Flies . . .

When you're having a good time.  Thank you MGRS for the wonderful time I've had over the past few years editing The Iron Horse, and congratulations to Art Handman for taking on the job.  And thanks especially for the certificate and the great pocket watch.  The last one I remember belonged to my great grandfather.  I "liberated" it from my Dad's dresser and left it in the rain where it was ruined.  I still remember the spanking.  I promise to take better care of this one, although I can't promise that I will ever be on time.

Scott Gould  

See you at the Annual Meeting

 

Tuesday July 10, 2012

Inn at the Village Square Visit

On a beautiful summer’s day, Carl and Pat Churchill hosted 8 residents and two staff members of the Inn at the Village Square of Gorham, Maine.  This was that group’s first visit to the Garden Railway and were delighted with the venue and of course the trains.  Nine MGRS  members were present and participated not only in operating the Railway but also assisting the guests getting around.  Scott Gould provided golf cart tours of the trails on the property.  Kudos to Ethan Waycott (Norm’s son) who labored many hours intensely in the hot sun cleaning and repairing tracks and roadbed washed out by the recent rains.  The group thoroughly enjoyed themselves and looked forward to a return visit.

Magnetic Contact Switch

I found one of these in my tool box the other day and tried it out on the drawbridge and it worked great.  Radio Shack does not sell them any more but I found them on Smarthome.com for only $2.99.  My plan is to put one magnet on the bottom of each corner of the bridge.   Each of the corresponding switches will  be attached to the bridge support leg under the bridge and control power to one rail.  When the bridge is raised  all 4 magnetic contacts will be broken and the power will be cut off to all the rails.   I was planning to make metal contact plates to do the same thing but I think the magnetic switches will be more reliable, plus they will look a lot neater. 

May - June Newsletter is on it's way.

 Check today's mail!  The Iron Horse should be arriving.  Thank you Scott, once again for another great issue.  If anyone has a friend that they would like to send a copy to by email.  Just copy the link below and paste it into your email.  When they click on it they will see the entire issue. 
MGRS May-June Iron Horse 2012

Bitter Creek Western Live Steam

  From NHGRS, here is a great video on Live Steam,  BIG style!
Thank you for sharing.  Sent to us by Tiny Lee.     Please Click here:

Drawbridge progress

  I am building this out in the garage because I wanted to attach the base which represents the 'main deck' directly to the wall to provide the stability needed.  The legs of the bridge are designed to fit under the lip of the main deck and will be securely fastened to it.  The towers will sit on the main deck which will need a hole cut out for the weights to pass through.  The pictures look strange because I cut out most of the distracting background from the photos.  After testing out both. the chain was replaced by cable because it operated a lot smoother.  The counter weights work well and the bridge is easy to move up and down and it is very secure in the upright position.  There are still details to complete but the fundamental operating pieces are done and I am happy with the way it is coming along.

Train Track Washout Video

How fast can a washout occur?   You would be surprised.  Take a look at a washout as it happened as a CN employee captured it on his cell phone April 24, 2011.
 Click here to view: