MGRS Annual Meeting, Cookout and Charity Auction held on Saturday, July 14th

We had excellent weather for the club's annual event on Saturday, July 14th at the Overlook Garden Railway in Buxton.

 Members and guests began arriving around mid-morning. Member check-in, officer ballots, door prize raffles, quilt raffles, and 50/50 tickets were handled by Terry Norton, Joanne Tarbox,  Sue Hoffman and Cheyenne Hoffman (Sue's granddaughter).



Terry Norton and Sue Hoffman



Joanne Tarbox



Cheyenne Hoffman

 

 



Important Sign at Registration

Just past registration we found Norm Waycott with a Circus Modelers Workshop.

A New Tent for the Circus

 

The next stop was coffee, visiting with other members, and both watching and running trains on Carl's new raised layout.



Philip Lentz, Frank Howard and Sue Norton

Steam Train at Gorham Station



Freight and Seam Trains Passing the Overlook Hotel

 

 

 

 

Track Crew at the Section House

 

Our next stop was lunch with David Blue at the grill, assisted by Ernie Bay. Members provided both side dishes and desserts in quantity. Thanks to Norm Waycott for providing the drinks and to Andriana Colucci for the plates, cups, plasticware and napkins.



Ernie Bay and David Blue

During lunch there were also non-rail visits to Shaggy Bark Park and other places....




Carl and Ben in the ATV

Dennis gets a driving lesson from Ben's grandson Malik



Terry's brotherTom Norton, Sue Norton and Tom's grandson Liam

After lunch we moved on to the Annual Meeting and Charity Auction. We heard and accepted the Treasurer's Report and the Secretary's Report.

 

The result of the annual election of officers was as follows. Thanks to non-members Cheyenne Hoffman and Tom Norton for counting the ballots.

 

President: Carl Churchill

Vice President: Art Handman

Treasurer: Dennis Farrell

Secretary: Terry Norton

Trustees: Hunk Erskine, Ben Braithwaite, Mac McLaughlin, Norman Waycott,  and Frank Howard.

 

During the discussion on Membership, Terry introduced our newest and youngest member. He is Teyian Tarbox, grandson of Joanne Tarbox. His parents are Dawn and Tyson Tarbox.

 

The member, quilt and 50/50 raffle winners were

 

First club drawing (USA TRAINS reefer): Doug Johnson

Second Club drawing (PIKO boxcar): Hunk Erskine

Third club drawing (USA TRAINS reefer): Terry Norton

First quilt (Thomas): Dennis Farrell

Second Quilt (Modern trains): Hunk Erskine

50/50 raffle: Bill Goodrich

 

The charity auction began after the Annual Meeting adjourned. This year Frank Howard and Ben Braithwaite were assisted by past auctioneer Barry Sandford. He is known for the trestles he built at several Holiday Train Displays. He also operates Pine State Drilling, so if you need any drilling (or blasting) to build your Garden Railway, he can help you out!

 

 

 

Members pick up their Auction Ticket Numbers from Joanne.

The auction started with small items, and then moved on to bids for the Brooklyn Bridge and a very nice, white Mustang convertible owned by one of the members.



Ben and Barry hard at work

Thanks to the members who attended, including Ernie & Julie Bay, David Blue & Grace Miller, Ben & Sophia Braithwaite along with their grandson Malik, Sam Carr, Preston Chadwick, Mark Christopher, Carl & Pat Churchill, Mike & Julie Curry, Hunk Erskine, Dennis Farrell, Bill & Robin Goodrich, Scott Gould, Art Handman,  Suzanne Hoffman, Frank Howard & Joanne Tarbox and grandson Teyian, Doug Johnson, Philip Lentz, Tice Leonard, Mac McLaughlin, Terry & Sue Norton, Peter  Richards, Dick Rubin, Barry Sandford, Paul & Rebecca Schnell, Michael Tarbox, and Norman Waycott.

 

 

Special thanks to Sue Norton and Scott Gould, the roving club photographers who took most of these pictures.

 

 






MGRS Annual Outing Coming up on Saturday, July 14th

The club’s annual cookout, business meeting, election officers and charity auction is coming right up on Saturday, July 14^th. The hours are 10am-4pm. Please plan to attend, bring a dish to share and items for the charity auction. Rumor has it that a member of the Auctioneers Hall of Fame will be making a special appearance this year.

 

Those helping with setup should come to Carl’s at 10am on Friday, July 13^th.

 

This spring Carl built a new section of raised layout, so there will be a place to run trains.

 

 

MGRS Display at June 9th Touch-a-Train Event in Ellsworth for the 470 Restoration and Downeast Scenic Railroad

This past Saturday Art Shean took his portable G-Scale layout to the Touch-a-Train event at the Washington Junction Yard in Ellsworth. With the help of his grandson Griffin and other family members they provided a neat operating layout.

Art said that Percy the Small Engine along with coaches Annie & Claribel performed like a charm!   Multiple kids clearly recognized and appreciated having a Friend of Thomas on the layout.  Scavenger hunt for Mickey characters went over well.  My Grandchildren gave out over 150 Tootsie Pops. 

MGRS at Touch-a-Train in Ellsworth

Grandson Griffin in dark green T-Shirt

Ground level and elevated tracks

Layout with 470 Locomotive Parts at Upper Left

He likes the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Logging Train

Girls Like Trains Too

Richard Glueck from New England Steam said " Your model layout was probably the biggest hit of the show!  This is going to come to you in two emails, because the images are so large.  I thought you'd really enjoy seeing the impact you made by appearing and going through all the work and expense of driving up and setting up.  The Tootsie Pops were a great touch.  Thanks to your family, too.  Grandchildren are a delight, and yours were polite, and obviously happy to attend.  Please know, we will welcome you and the Maine Garden Railway associates each year, or whenever they choose to have a show in this region."

The overall layout looked like this

And here is the "official" summary of the event.

Touch A Train 2018

A Summary

The purpose of Touch A Train events is to bring the public, train lovers and the general public, in contact with both the Downeast Scenic Railroad and New England Steam Corporation's work in restoring Maine Central steam locomotive 470. 

Before I get into specifics, allow me to thank Mr. Art Shean and his grandson, Griffin, who set up a captivating "G" scale layout in the rear of the NESCO shop building.  This had to be one of the most exciting parts of the show.  Art represents the Maine Garden Railroad Society.

Governor's Restaurants, which is our longest time sponsor, provided five huge trays of desserts for visitors.  Governor's is our "official restaurant", and has been generous with feeding our workers, going back to 2014!

Penobscot Energy Recovery Corporation (PERC) provided ice cream, sponsored the whistle blow, and raffled off some pretty nice garden chairs!  PERC has been a long time supporter of NESCO, having built the lovely three chime whistle.  That whistle has visited CNJ steamer #113 and well as the Maine Narrow Gauge.

Hancock Fire and Rescue once again, brought down a fine looking truck for visitors to enjoy, and was joined by "A Family for ME".  Thank you for being with us, and your good work in the region.

Furbush-Roberts Printing, of Bangor, once more provided us with quality posters which were spread around Bangor, Brewer, Bar Harbor, and Ellsworth.  Furbush- Roberts does all NESCO's printing, and we recommend their services to anyone needing quality printing.  Thank you Tom and Caitlin!

Display's inside the cavernous shop building included some magnificent souvenirs from Odd Duck Foundry, New England Steam's shirts, hats, and railroad collectibles and the beautifully restored 470 turbogenerator, restored by A.C. Electric Company of Bangor.  The turbo was under power and illuminated 470s headlight, tender backup light, and the beautiful classification lights.  You may not know, but A.C. Electric restores Diesel locomotive traction motors and historic motors from museum trolleys.  We were honored by the presence of one of A.C.'s prime electrical technicians, who finished 470's turbogenerator.

Crowds began to flow in at 9:00AM and continued in a flood until 12:30PM.  The popular caboose hop in DESR's restored Reading caboose, continued to be the premier attraction.  Engineer Leverett Fernald and Downeast's volunteer docents kept the ride safe and operating all morning.  The special 1:00 train left the yard with a large contingent of happy passengers as well.

After reviewing the Hancock Fire Department's display, families took turns sitting at the throttles of ALCO Diesel #1055 and Davenport 0-4-0 #53.  The beckoning of the PERC steam whistle and 470's restored bell, this year mounted in the original yoke.  After blowing the whistle, supervised by director Paula Santos-Shevett, families met the PERC engineers who handed out ice cream cups - lots of ice cream cups!   Volunteer Jessica Morris, standing in the shade of the 470's tender, helped direct the bell ringing, and awarded each child with a souvenir sticker,  replicating a Maine Central pass from the 1950's.   Inside the shop building stood the frame and drive train of the 470, adorned with color photos of the locomotive in service.  Across from the frame director Bob DeWachter not only manned the 470's turbogenerator and light display, but kept a model live steam locomotive operating.  On his flanks were Odd Duck Foundry and New England Steam's gift and souvenir tables.  The feature of Governor's cookies and Art Shean's model trains, were the capper for the inside part of the event.

NESCO President Richard Glueck was interviewed by the WABI television, while other special visitors came by to meet company representatives and find out how they can help awaken 470.   

This was our fourth "Touch A Train" event.   The official count was 767 individuals who parked and shared the day with us; our largest crowd, yet.  The actual number may be even greater, as crowds took advantage of the day to "get in touch with their "inner train".  It couldn't have come off better for all parties. 

Cape Elizabeth Garden Railway Open House Held on June 5th

Thanks to Scott, Kris and the Gould family for having a great Open House this past Saturday. The company and food were excellent. Chef Dick Rubin was our grillmaster. And everyone got to look at and talk about garden trains. Thankfully those gray clouds rolled by without a drop of rain....

Lunch in the shade

At the end of the line

The Mill behind the Station

Tracks across the Viaduct

Trackside Pink Lady Slippers

The guests included Terry & Sue Norton, Jeff & Kathy Jacobs, Ernie & Hazel Packard, Jim Jenkins, Dick Rubin (Chef for a Day), Walter Fossett, Dennis Farrell, Pat and Carl Churchill, Paul & Rachel Corbett, Ben Braithwaite, Paul & Rebecca Schell, David Blue & Grace Miller, Doug Johnson, and Sam & Peg Carr.

Is Terry recruiting another Gould family member for MGRS?

Summer Cottage by the Lake

It is hard to refuse a good dessert.....

And the "Train Chasers" video trailer

Train Chasers - coming soon to a theater near you

Scott & Kris Gould's Layout Visit on Saturday, June 2nd from 10am-3pm (rain date is June 3rd)

Scott and Kris Gould are hosting a layout visit at their “Aberdaron, Pwllheli and Cricceith” garden railway in Cape Elizabeth on Saturday, June 2^nd with a rain date of Sunday June 3^rd.  The hours are 10am-3pm. Members are welcome to bring guests and their own trains to run. Scott & Kris will supply hot dogs, burgers, and soft drinks. Please bring a dish to share.  Their address is 25 Hunts Point Rd. Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107 and their phone # is 799-9799.

Directions from the North: Take Route 77 south over the Casco Bay Bridge into South Portland. Turn RIGHT on Ocean Avenue, following Route 77.  Ocean Avenue becomes Ocean House Road. Continue on Route 77 until you come to the Bird Dog Restaurant at 517 Ocean House Road. Turn LEFT onto Broad Cove Road, right at the fork, and follow it to the end. Turn RIGHT on Salt Spray Lane, and then RIGHT on Hunts Point Road. #25 is on the right, a shingled house with a front porch.

Directions from the South:  Take Route 1 north past Haigis Parkway in Scarborough. Turn RIGHT onto Black Point Road, which is Route 207.  Follow Black Point Road until you come to Route 77, where you will turn LEFT.  Route 77 becomes Spurwink Road and then Bowery Beach Road. Continue on Route 77 until you come to the Bird Dog Restaurant at 517 Ocean House Road. Turn RIGHT onto Broad Cove Road, right at the fork. and follow it to the end. Turn RIGHT on Salt Spray Lane, and then RIGHT on Hunts Point Road. #25 is on the right, a shingled house with a front porch.

MGRS will be at the Touch-A-Train Event in Ellsworth on June9th

The annual Touch-A-Train event will take place at Downeast Scenic Railroad in Ellsworth on Saturday, June 9^th. The hours are 9am-Noon with a train ride at 12:30pm. New this year is Maine Central Steam Locomotive #470. It is being restored by New England Steam Corp. at Downeast Scenic Railroad. You can see the 470 and an operating model railroad in the 470 Restoration Building located near the Touch-A-Train station platform. MGRS will have an operating layout in the restoration building, courtesy of Art Shean whose grandchildren live in Ellsworth. See 470 as it is being restored.  Caboose rides! For details please visit http://www.downeastscenicrail.org/ride/rides-and-events and click on View Event List.

MGRS at the Spring Model Railroad Show in Topsham on April 28

MGRS had another successful display at the Topsham Show on Saturday, April 28 thanks to Art Shean, Jim Jenkins and Gary Chabot. Attendance was good and a number of visitors picked up the combined Membership Invitation and Application. There were two loops and an elevated back-and-forth line.

Front View with Banner

Side View with Elevated Line

MOXIE reefer

from Ray Parent:

Anyone interested in this very slightly used very rare USA Trains Moxie reefer?  (mine has all of the grab bars installed, and I have the original box)

I bought it in 2005 for $119 from Gold Coast in CA.  I’d be willing to let it go for $100 (or best offer…)

Thanks to MGRS for Trains at Strive Rocks 2018!

Hundreds Enjoy Strive Rocks 2018 at the Cross Arena in Portland

Here are pictures of our layout at Strive Rocks courtesy of Art Shean.

Junior Engineer helping Ben run the trains

MGRS Banner

MGRS Train Layout at STRIVE ROCKS! 2018

The following  picture and article are courtesy of WGME TV.

Fun and Games in the Arena

PORTLAND (WGME) - A family-friendly festival attracted hundreds of families on Saturday all in the name of raising money for a good cause.

Organizers say the STRIVE Rocks 2018 Festival provides families a safe space to enjoy music, play games, and spend time with their kids. The festival raises money for STRIVE, a program that helps people with intellectual disabilities.

The festival was split into a daytime and nighttime event. The daytime event geared toward families features inflatables like a Velcro wall, a petting zoo and arcade games. The overnight event geared towards teens and young adults will include live bands, photo booths and all-you-can-eat food.
Organizers say they hope the money raised will help people with learning disabilities become more independent.

"Learning to be able to stay home independently for a few hours while their parents go to a movie or to a wedding, or for some it might be to get a job or to get their own apartment. Our goal is really to have everyone be a part of the community and really to be giving back to their own communities than be dependent on it," said Peter Brown, Associate Director of STRIVE.

Good Day Maine's Katie Sampson served as one of the festival's emcee's. Follow her at @KatieWGME on twitter for updates from the festival.

Toy Trains at the Augusta Elks

Here are some trains that don't run in the garden....

You can see the video (after you wait through the ad) at

Model Train Show at Augusta Elks

It was all for the annual train show sponsored by the Maine 3-Railers.All aboard....destination? Augusta, Maine for the annual train show sponsored by the Maine 3-Railers.A group with not just a hobby but a love for model trains.

"It's really neat to show off to people because a lot of people like it, and the kids come up to and say, "wow look at the train!,” said Maine 3-Railers member, Jackson Small. The model railroad club is noted for its operating displays, demonstrations, and of course, interacting with others mesmerized by the fast track

"Here to greet the people and talk with the people, and talk about trains, model trains,” explained President, Dana Sullivan."We have a layout for kids to run some stuff and then we have a whole bunch of our cars that we've designed over the years that are on display, and we're showing off some of our equipment,” said Small.13-year old Jackson Small became a member just four years ago after his grandfather showed him the ropes. Now, he's doing the same for others pulling into this station.
"When you see the smiles, it's really touching." And with all the technology out there these days, Jackson says he always encourages folks to stop by and learn more about these mini-locomotives.

"There is a lot more technology these days with Lionel trains and MTH, where the younger kids obviously have the phones and all the X-box's and stuff and know how to run it,” said Small. “But, it's also nice to see how trains work because it kind of gets them into

the hobbies and then they can pass on the experience to their kids.”

MGRS Spring Meeting Update

MGRS held its Spring Meeting on Sunday, March 18th starting with lunch at the Hometown Buffet in South Portland.

38 members, spouses and friends attended.  And club membership has increased by ten since the July Annual meeting.

STRIVE ROCKS!

Our next event is a train display for Strive Rocks at the Cross Insurance Center in Portland. It runs from 10am-5pm on Saturday, 3/24 with setup starting at 7am.

MILL FIELD FESTIVAL

Our next public event is our 3rd visit to the Mill Field Festival in North Berwick on August 25th in North Berwick. For the kids there will be "drive a train" tickets so they can run the throttle.

ANNUAL SUMMER OUTING - JULY 14th

The Annual Summer Outing will take place on the second Saturday after July 4th, which is July 14th. Pat and Carl Churchill have again offered the Overlook Garden Railway for the club to hold this event. A volunteer committee solicits help from other members for the event. Frank Howard and Joanne Tarbox will repeat last year's phone calls to each and every members. Norman Waycott will take care of the drinks. Grace Miller and Andriana Colucci also offered to help with this event

Sue Hoffman is making two quilts for the raffle at the outing. One will be a children's quilt with a "Thomas" theme, and the other an adult quilt with a major railroad theme.

Andrianna Colucci offered to make railroad themed pillows for the raffle.

REMINDER: Please bring items for the Club's Annual Auction. Our private auction firm of Braithwaite,  Howard and Norton is ready to go!

JUNIOR PROGRAM

Ben Braithwaite talked about the Junior Program he is developing. It came our of interests expressed by kids and parents at the Holiday Train Display. He is looking for sponsors and a location. Casco Bay Ford is interested in being a sponsor.

This would be an after school program, and the parents would bring the kids. It would combine model railroading and after schools studies. The club would provide the initial layout. Bill Goodrich spoke about his experience as a Boy Scout Troop leader. Roger Tobin and John Middleton talked about the overnight Scouting Camp at Seashore Trolley Museum as an example of what we could do..

MGRS Chosen for Hannaford Reusable Bag Program in April- MGRS gets $1 for every bag purchased at the Buxton Hannaford in April

We have some very exciting news!

The Hannaford Supermarket located at 21 Hannaford Drive in Buxton has chosen MGRS as a beneficiary of the Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program!

This means for the entire month of April every time either of the Community Bags are purchased at the Buxton Hannaford
we receive $1!

This is truly a great opportunity for us, and an easy way for you to show your support for MGRS

Please go to the store, find the reusable bag rack and buy a few bags!

And remember to spread the word – the more bags purchased, the bigger donation to MGRS

For more information about the Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program, visit hannaford.bags4mycause.com.

Videos of all eight Holiday Train Displays Available on DVD

The videos of all eight Holiday Train Displays are now available on a single DVD. Members can pick up their copy at the Spring Meeting on March 24th or at the Annual Outing this summer

The videos are courtesy of Jim Alberty and John Jackson. They will be shown at our events and used to help recruit new members.

MGRS Member Layouts in the April 2018 Garden Railway Magazine

The article "Rails in New England" by  MGRS member Nancy Norris is in the April 2018 issue of Garden Railways. It includes layouts by MGRS Members and friends, including

Winnegance and Quebec Railroad by Eric Shade

Dave and Jenny Miller's rural New Hampshire railway

Scott Gould's Aberdaron, Pwhheli and Cricceith Railway

Terry and Sue Norton's Groton and Charleston  Railroad

Paul and Brenda Smith's Bagley Mountain Railroad, showing how to keep evergreens alive through the winter

Ralph Luby's elevated garden railway using PVC pipe

John Middleton at Seashore Trolley Museum

Nancy met John by chance when she visited the Trolley Museum. John also helps Stan and Deb Ames with their operating sessions. That railway will be featured in the next issue of Garden Railways.

Mall Move out and Winter Wonderland

On Monday February 5th a crew of MGRS members packed and loaded our equipment into the trailer for upcoming events. It includes engines, rolling stock, track and electronics.

Shopping for trains at the Mall.....

The tables and mountain built by the Mall are still in place. One of the options for the 2018 Holiday Train display is to move the tables out where the giant chess and checkers were in 2017. This is a larger space and may allow our display to be wider.

Some equipment and props used only at the Mall is being stored in one of the storage areas we used during the 2017 event

Parking on the Sidewalk

Members who helped included John Middleton, David Blue, Terry Norton, Andy Hendrickson, Ben Braithwaite, Scott Gould, Doug Johnson, Peter Richards, Art Shean, and Sam Carr.

There is a nice video of a family visit to the Winter Wonderland. It starts is writing an letter to Santa and goes on to the trains (of course)... Here is the link to the video

Winter Wonderland at the Maine Mall 2017

MGRS Photo Book and Membership Drive

The club has a new photo book. You can see the photos at

MGRS Photo Book

These photos are also on a digital picture frame we will have at our events. It displays a new photo about every five seconds.

The photo book is part of drive to recruit new members. Here is what will be available

• Invitation to join MGRS -picture below, application on back

• DVD of the Holiday Train Display videos from 2010 thru 2017 - copies will be available at the Spring Meeting

• Getting Started with Garden Railways brochure from Kalmbach along with copies of Garden Railway Magazine