Interesting web site -

Click here to get started

    I found a dozen pages of different "Railroad Pins" which I enjoyed looking at.  In fact I ended up ordering some.
Click on Categories then Jewelry Accessories and then on Railroad Pins
Lots of other interesting railroad stuff to look at!

21 people confirmed for MGRS round trip to Boston on Saturday Aug 24th.

  The passenger list has been finalized.  Thank you to everyone who sent in their checks to Carl.  He has paid for our group ticket and given our names to Amtrak. (Please see post on 8/6 for list of names).   You need to bring a photo-ID for identification and arrive early (7:30am).  If you are one of three members in our group boarding train No. 692 in Wells, we will likely all be on the last car and have saved you some seats.  We are hoping that MGRS member John Middleton who is also an official Amtrak host will be assigned to the train we will be taking.  That would make the trip even more special for us. So, get ready to go. In just two weeks from today we will be on our Amtrak trip to Boston!

Huntington Common Visit

On a cloudy, humid day, Carl and Pat Churchill hosted Jill, Huntington’s Activity Director, assisted by Barb, a staff aide, and 8 residents of Huntington Common, Kennebunk, Maine. 

 

                                            Barb preparing the bus for exiting guests

 

 

Jill chatting with Mike Curry

(No photos of the residents were taken due to the facility’s requirement for written releases from their families.)   Ten MGRS members were present and participated in operating the Railway and assisting the guests getting around.

 

 

                                                The guys.....

 

                                               Tiny and Mike relaxing

                                               

                                              John displaying the track cleaner

 

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

 

                                                Ernie at the wheel

 

The group enjoyed the Garden Railway locale and the running trains.  Guests and MGRS members socialized and enjoyed each other’s company.  Of course the trains ran beautifully and the weather stayed dry all day. 

 

                                            B & O Consist off line as track cleaning takes

                                            place prior to guests arrival

 

 

                                                Carl (really) gets it running again

 

 The guests enjoyed the Garden Railway locale and the running trains.  A nice sandwich lunch was enjoyed by all prior to the guests’ departure.  The group looks forward to return visits.

Outing Today at Carl's

The folks from Huntington Place called Carl a little while ago and they will be arriving between 10:30 and 11 today.  The sun is coming out and the day is looking good.

PIKO Manufacture Suggested Retail Price List

  Please Click here to view

From here you can see pictures of every PIKO product and by using it's product number the MSRP. Products are made in Germany and from what I can see are made to a high standard of quality.  

Update on Amtrak trip to Boston

Who is going so far:  Carl has worked hard on gathering a list of names which include as of now:   Barry and Buckie,  John,  Mac, Jake and his mum, Sarah,  Paul and Rachel,  Tiny,  Terry,  Hunk,  Ernie and Hazel,  Dennis and Agnes,  Scott and Kris,  Mike and Julie and of course Carl and Pat.  A total of 21 members and family members.  3 people are getting on and off at Wells and the rest of us are meeting at the Portland Terminal. which is just off of Exit 5 on Rt 295.

Train Schedule:   The date is Saturday August 24, 2013.  We need to be at the station at 7:30am and remember to bring a photo-ID.   Carl will have given Amtrak our names and paid the round trip fair which will total $525 dollars.  We will depart POR at 8am on train #692 and arrive in BOS at 10:30am.  We will have a layover of 6 hours in Boston,  We will need to return to North Station at 4:30pm.  We will depart BOS at 5pm and arrive back in POR at 7:30pm. on Amtrak Train No. 695.  It is interesting as we leave Portland and go across the bridge,  We go through Rigby Yard and the Scarborough Marsh down the Old Orchard Beach Boulevard route and we are off on our adventure!

What will we do?  I expect on the ride down we will trade cell phone numbers and make plans for where we will meet or go.  I have heard several suggestions such as:  The Aquarium,  The USS Constitution,  Guided tours which include Trolley or  Duck Tour which includes the Charles River.   Faneuil Hall,  The Chocolate Factory, Prudential Tower, Copley Square, Subway rides and even Swan Boats rides.  Train Stations and lots of other things.  Maybe just walk around and look up at the tall buildings.  I left out shopping, museums and lots of places to eat. Other places like Public Gardens, Commenwealth Ave, Newbury St, Churches, Library.  We won't run out of possibilities.  We don't want to miss our return train which is very comfortable and does have a nice Cafe Car.  I am sure we will enjoy recounting our days adventure on the way home and we should get to see a lot of interesting sites and nice station stops.

I am excited;  Can't wait.  Boston here we come!

3-D Animated Signs

 Pretty Cool!  Great for Model Railroads.  Reminds me of the old great looking Billboards we used to see.    Web site  

Show is Sunday Aug 18 behind Calef's Store, Jct of Rt9 and Rt125 in New Hampshire (Tiny)

Barrington Truck Show

Originally posted by Scott one year ago.  This is back again and gets better each year! 

Thanks for suggesting this truck show, Tiny.  I enjoyed every minute until I saw how much a 1954 pickup like the one I sold for $80 is now worth.

Good questions about our trip to Boston ~ Thanks Mike others probably have the same questions

John,

I’m thinking of joining the trip on Amtrak in August but I have several questions. 

First, is this trip for members only or can spouses come also.  And, if so, does the cost remain at $25 or is it different.

Second question, What will we be doing in Boston after arriving?  Is there any specific agenda or is it open time.

Mike

Answer:     Hi Mike !

             Please come and bring your wife!    As a member you can bring as many guests with you as you want.  The Group rate is the same for everyone you bring with you.

  There are lot's of things to do in Boston and people may want to stick together but we will probably end up on different side trips.  There is no requirement to go anyplace, it is strictly based on what you feel like doing.   Swan boats to shopping to site seeing.   We will probably come up with a plan on the way down.  I grew up in Boston as a kid and went to Northeastern there, but that was a long time ago.  My dad used to drive for the MTA so i like the subway which we will have to go on to get anywhere.  I kind of like the ride up to the Prudential Skywalk Observation Tower.  I expect the ride home will be good as we recount our adventures!

Call Carl if you need to 929-3655

Thanks, I hope you decide to go , I think we will really enjoy it.

John

Spring Brook Outing at Carls

Welcome August!  The busiest month of the year at Overlook Garden Railway.  Six groups visit MGRS this month.  Plus we have a train trip to Boston.  Tomorrow a group is visiting and then every Thursday  for the remainder of August.  
I don't think we have any pictures from today but Carl said they had a great time and someone saw a deer out back on one of the trail rides.  Thank you very much to all the good folks that helped make this a great day for our guests.  The outings are good for all, both guests and members have a good time.  Who dosen't enjoy a picnic with trains and friends!

Every Thursday in August

Thursday is "Train Day" for the month of August.   If you check the Event Calendar you will see that is true for outings at Carl's.  Time flies, once August is gone, it is back to school and summer is almost over.  If you can,  try and set aside Thursday as "Outing Day".  Time to picnic, run trains or golf carts and enjoy the beautiful outdoors before the whole summer is past.  Please see updated Event Calendar

Amtrak trip re-scheduled to Aug 24th

 The Boston and back trip has been moved to Saturday August 24th. There were several reasons, first at least four people can make that date that could not go before and Amtrak said that was also a better date for them.

 Carl would appreciate it if you can send in your ticket cost in the next few days as MGRS will pay the total cost in one check to Amtrak ahead of time.  Amtrak does want a list of the passengers in our Group.   If you are going please make your check made out to MGRS and send to 82 Carll Rd.  Buxton , ME. 04093.  The round trip fare is $25 per person.

Big Boy 4014 is coming back to life

Read about Big Boy   4-8-8-4 articulated locomotive.  That is 24 wheels, plus the tender has 14 wheels.   Click here for more stats on Big Boy. 

Tiny found a story about old number 4014:
Omaha, Neb., July 23, 2013 – Union Pacific Railroad today announced it reached an agreement with the Southern California Chapter - Railway & Locomotive Historical Society in Pomona, Calif., to transfer ownership of one of the world's largest steam locomotives, Big Boy No. 4014, back to Union Pacific.

Union Pacific plans to relocate No. 4014 to Cheyenne, Wyo., where Union Pacific's Heritage Fleet Operations team will work to restore it to operating condition. Details regarding those efforts will be made public at a later date.

"Our steam locomotive program is a source of great pride to Union Pacific employees past and present," said Ed Dickens, senior manager - Union Pacific Heritage Operations. "We are very excited about the opportunity to bring history to life by restoring No. 4014."

Wardwell Retirement Home and Gorham House Visits

On a magnificent, sunny but cool day, Carl and Pat Churchill hosted Linda, Wardwell’s Activity Director, assisted by Jeannette, a volunteer aide, and 8 residents of Wardwell Retirement Home, Saco, Maine. 

Seven MGRS members were present and participated in operating the Railway and assisting the guests getting around. 

 

 Carl and Scott Gould provided golf cart tours of the trails on the property.

 

 

One of the guests, Red (in cart), was quite the comedian and kept everyone entertained with his jokes.  Jeannette wore a very unusual umbrella hat which was quite effective in providing her shade from the sun.   

The group enjoyed the Garden Railway locale and the running trains.  

Soon after the arrival of the Wardwell visitors, Jeannine Lessard returned to the Garden Railway with about 10 guests and numerous aides from her new association as Activities Director of the Gorham House.  It was quite a reunion as Jeannine had visited our club site many times when she was associated with the Veterans’ Home in Scarborough.

 

Both groups socialized and enjoyed each other’s company.  Of course the trains ran beautifully and the weather cooperated all day.  They enjoyed the Garden Railway locale and the running trains.  A nice sandwich lunch was enjoyed by all prior to the guests’ departure. 

 

Both groups look forward to return visits.

Railfanning Washington DC - Rare Catches at Alexandria, VA

An excellent video, great quality of several trains operating through Alexandria VA.  15 mins of very nice action.  Please click here to view:

Take the Train to Boston and back on August 24th.

All-aboard for Amtrak !!

Carl just called, he has decided on a new date for the Amtrak Trip.   Saturday August 24th is the date.
We have 22 people sign up as being interested.  As many more as want to are welcome to join the trip.

Here is the information I have so far:  The trip is a group rate which is $25 dollars per person for the round trip.   Train # 692 departs Portland at 8am and arrives in Boston at 10:30am.  Carl is looking for ideas as to what is available for us to do while we are there.  We plan to depart Boston at 5pm on Amtrak Train #695 and arrive back in Portland Terminal at 7:30pm.

You can arrange to get on or off at another station if that is more convenient for you.

If you would like to go please let Carl know.

2012 Appreciation Pin

The Board of Directors has approved the 2012 pin to be awarded to all MGRS members or family who signed up or participated in the 2012  Maine Mall Train Display.   Thank you very much for your willingness to help in what to date has been the largest fund raising activity we have held.  In addition we have entertained and educated hundreds of thousands of people who have viewed this free public event operating 10 hours a day over the entire Holiday Season.  Thank You MGRS members, Well done!


View the 2013  pin Click here:

Amtrak picture of the month

Amtrak 187 leads a late westbound California Zephyr across the Yolo Causeway. Sacramento, CA can be seen clearly in the setting sun. 

From John Foley

Here is a story that John Foley (NHGRS) was nice enough to pass along for the blog.  Thanks John!
To view please click here:

Just in ~ No Outing Thursday

To Hot!  Jeanne called and postponed the outing at Carl's today because it is expected to be to hot for the guests to enjoy.  Makes good sense, we will have a chance to see them later on when it will be more comfortable.