Webcams

This is a picture of a tug boat web cam at Portsmouth.  This one has no sound and it changes its picture about every 15 seconds.  I like it because the picture is big and clear.  Denneth Lee sent me the link,   http://www.portsmouthwebcam.com/index.php/tugboats/

What if we had a overall view of our train layout at Center Court in the Maine Mall?  We could have the link up on our website.  We would not have closeups or hear anything but we could see how busy the Mall was and what trains are running.  I would think it would be good advertising for the show. Technically it is not that difficult, but getting approval might be.  

Real train engineer: day in the life/ Train Engineer Jim

Click here to see video



I thought that trains traveled on the "right" side of the tracks.  All of these trains are on the left side (thankfully).


Reply from Tiny:

metra rr was probably part of the Chicago & northwestern rr which was started and own by a Englishman.
metra rr and up now run on those rails now.
signal system was setup like in Europe and cost too much to change it back to American way.
 
                         

Flowers and June

 I know everybody likes to enjoy the beautiful colors of flowering plants and shrubs in June.  I think it may be my favorite month.  Here are some snapshots of  what we see.  If you would like, send me some pictures and I will put them all together into one big slideshow.

Very nice email

I happened to see a copy of Dennis Farrell's email to Scott Polk.  Very well written!  Thank you Dennis for all your effort to help prepare for this years Annual Meeting.  Going to the work of getting door prize's for MGRS members is really great!  It adds a lot of excitement to the auction event as we pause to draw out a new winning number every once in a while.  In fact the whole day is a lot of fun and when you consider how we have maintained the lowest annual dues of any Club that I know of, well WOW is all I can say!  Thanks, Looking forward to another great annual meeting.    By the way I just received a call from Dennis.  He wants to be sure everyone remembers to bring a chair to the outing.   Thanks again Dennis, just 2 weeks to go!

Veterans plan an outing July 11th

The Maine Veteran's Home in Scarborough, Maine have planned a visit to MGRS on Thursday July 11th.   If possible please try to stop by.  They may not be able to come over as often as they have done in the past.   They should be arriving about 10:30.  Thank you!

Happy 1st day of Summer

To help get you in the right mood.  How to build a Garden Railroad, Click here:

Monarch Center of Saco

On a beautiful afternoon, on June 20^th, Carl and Pat Churchill hosted 10 guests and 3 staff from the Monarch Center of Saco. 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. 

 Eight 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 Mike Burns discussed “world affairs” while checking out the train operation.  Pat spruced

up the “garden” prior to the visit supervised by Bagel and Tina in the club cart.

Carl, Mike, and Mac McLaughlin provided golf cart tours of the trails on the property. 

“Chef” Dick Cosgrove, assisted by Pat Moshimar, Activity Director of the Center, took to the grill  

and cooked up a peck of hotdogs and hamburgers for lunch.

After that delicious meal, the group expressed their delight of the visit and looked forward to a return visit.

Outing Today at Carl's

Just a reminder, Monarch Nursing Home will be visiting MGRS  today.  Great day for an outing.  They will have hot dogs and hamburgers to share.  Members are welcome to stop by and help out.  Thanks.

Question from Jim Magner

My Spectrum 2 trk Shay needs help. Trks back wheels turn, front wheels do not. This causes shay to overheat & smoke.Can anyone fix this or tell me how to fix it? Thank You Jim Magner

Note:  Read related discussion on mylargescale forum Click here:

The Orient Express

     Special on TV:   David Suchet on the orient Express.  The actor's excursion on the international train journey spotlights its iconic history and culture.
Tonight on channel 10  8-9pm

My Dad Loved Trains

Me too!

Look what arrived in the mail today!

   Thank You,   

 Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Happy Flag Day from MGRS

2013 Steam Locomotive Parade

   

Thanks Tiny, great find.

A dozen great looking engines run by in just 45 seconds.
originaly posted May 22

Click here to watch

Aristo-Craft Insider

I am not advocating Aristo-Craft products but I will pass along this link I received in an email.  (You all probably received it also).  It is called the Aristo-Craft Insider.  It is always interesting by seeing how much money you are saving by not buying something.  Click here:

Behind the Platform and Risers

   When I was a kid we used to have a football cheer in high school.  "Keith, Keith, he's our man. If he can't do it, no one can!"

That is still true today.  MGRS is fortunate that we have the Maine Mall build are train platform and risers for us.
And Keith Stone, Sr. Operations Officer is the man.   All the material is heavy 3/4 inch plywood and solid 2x4 framing.  The Mall plans, builds, sets up  takes down, moves and stores all this material for us and  yes we are very appreciative.  I do remember the first year we started with 5 things that looked like foot stools.  We called then "risers" and oh yes, we have grown a lot since then. 

  Take a look at what is planned for 2013. Now we are up to 5 different  Levels!

Bridge update

  The center lift span of the new Memorial Bridge is now scheduled to be floated into place June 17th.   

Open House at Jim's

Click on pictures to enlarge

Thank you Jim and Ann.  It was supposed to be a hot day but the shade and the breeze made it very comfortable!  More and more people kept coming and Roland ended up cooking lots of hot dogs and hamburgers!   Some minor track problems were taken care of and there after the trains ran very well.  I met members who I hadn't seen before and some in years, plus of course many MGRS regulars.  I thought Jim did a great job and he was working hard to keep everything going.  It could not have turned out better.  Thank you Jim!  I know you do not read the blog but it was a pleasure to be there.  Well done!  

          

Below are some short clips of trains and people.  

One of Jim's favorite is his coal train.

Dick Rubin brought his favorite B&M State of Maine train.

Good People, Good food and, a Good time,  Thanks to all!