Day-1

The 2013 Maine Mall Train Show began today.  Here are some videos from Opening Day.

 The Main line features one of the people's favorites the Downeaster or the Amtrak train.  Mac has it setup to stop automatically at the Station and announce it's arrival and departure with a sound system coordinated to the stopping and starting of the train.   This train is brand new this year and brought in by Carl.

The kids favorite is easy to identify.  This year we added another Interactive button to control Thomas's friend Percy.  Here they are racing around the pond to the delight of the viewers!  I was told that by Wednesday the Mall will have the waterfall running and a booth setup for our Train raffle.



The Circus train is another favorite Interactive button.  Here it is in action.

I thought the man running the toy concession had come over to visit and was just flying his remote control helicopter for fun.  Afterwards I was told he was making an aerial video of our layout! That will be fun to see.  As you can tell there were lots of MGRS members in to help out with the Opening.  Once again the people were very happy to see us return and we are glad to be back!  The public appreciation is without doubt the greatest reward for being here.

More pictures from Day-1:  Please click here:

Special Thanks to Carl, Mac, Ernie, Mike, Jeff, Scott, Paul,  Art, Walter, Morris and John.  And probably others that I missed.  Plus Craig, Kevin and Stefanie.   Great start, we are off and running!

Happy Veterands Day

Maine Garden Railway Society wishes all veterans and current members of the United States Military and their families a genuine and sincere thank you for your service and the sacrifice you have made for your Country. 




My wife's retaliative from Nova Scotia sent her this today:  I thought it was very touching:

My favourite Remembrance Day video

The "eyes right" command is reserved for high command and dignitaries only. Notice what the Canadian contingent does when it sees the little Belgian boy. They were returning from a memorial service.

Honor Roll

         ~  MGRS Honor Roll for Volunteers ~       

In Alphabetical Order

Nov 13, 2010 David Blue James Boynton Jr. Carl Churchill Santa Claus  Paul Corbett Rachel Corbett Joseph Connolly Richard Cosgrove Meridel Cosgrove Mike Curry Hunk Erskine Dave Fayan Walter Fossett Jr. Bill Goodrich Scott Gould Art Handman Jack Haskell Andy Hendrickson                                                                Nov 12, 2011  Linda & Ed Amerman Chris Beeuwkes David Blue James Boynton Jr. Jake Brewer Preston Chadwick David Chnupa Carl Churchill Pat Churchill Santa Claus  Paul Corbett Rachel Corbett Joseph Connolly Dick Cosgrove Meridel Cosgrove Mike Curry Hunk Erskine Dennis Farrell Dave Fayan                                   Nov 10, 2012     Trish Allenwood David Blue James Boynton Jr. Maureen Burns Mike Burns Jake Brewer Preston Chadwick Carl Churchill Pat Churchill Paul Corbett Rachel Corbett Joseph Connolly Dick Cosgrove Meridel Cosgrove Mike Curry Peter Cremonese Hunk Erskine Agness Farrell Dennis Farrell Dave Fayan Walter Fossett Jr.          Nov 11, 2013       David Blue James Boynton Jr. Mike Burns Jake Brewer Preston Chadwick Carl Churchill Paul Corbett Joseph Connolly Dick Cosgrove Meridel Cosgrove Mike Curry Hunk Erskine Agness Farrell Dennis Farrell Dave Fayan

Season-1 2010 Jim Hinkley John Jackson Jeff Jacobs Jim Jenkins Dan Johnson Doug Johnson Denneth Lee William Lee Tice Leonard Neville Lewis Ralph Luby James Magner  Mac McLaughlin George Medel Joanne Medel Grace Miller Betty Norton       Season-2  2011 Walter Fossett Jr. Bill Goodrich Robin Goodrich Scott Gould Art Handman Andy Hendrickson Jim Hinkley Dennis Homa Frank Howard Jane Howard John Jackson Jeff Jacobs Jim Jenkins Benjamin Jewett Doug Johnson Denneth Lee Ralph Luby Mac McLaughlin    Season-3  2012    Bill Goodrich Robin Goodrich Kris Gould Scott Gould Art Handman Andy Hendrickson Wanda Hendrickson Jim Hinkley Suzanne Hoffman Dennis Homa Frank Howard Jane Howard John Jackson Jeff Jacobs Ann Jewett Benjamin Jewett Dana Jipson Dan Johnson Doug Johnson Denneth Lee Jim Magner    Season-4  2013      Dan Ferden Haley Ferden Walter Fossett Jr.  Bill Goodrich Robin Goodrich Scott Gould Art Handman Andy Hendrickson Suzanne Hoffman Dennis Homa John Jackson Jeff Jacobs Benjamin Jewett Dana Jipson Doug Johnson Denneth Lee

Jan 2, 2011 Sue Norton Terry Norton Dick Rubin Ronnay Rubin Barry Sandford Buckie Sandford John Sharpe Brandon Silsby  Lucy Silsby Michael Silsby Mike Smith Ernie Tarbox Michael Tarbox Jeff Waring Norm Waycott Kathy Young Lou Young Richard Young       Jan 2, 2012  Grace Miller Sue Norton Terry Norton Dick Rubin Barry Sandford Buckie Sandford Paul Schnell Rebecca Schnell Dick Serreyn Brandon Silsby  Lucy Silsby Michael Silsby Mike Smith Phillip Sypek Michael Tarbox Norm Waycott Kathy Young Lou Young Rich Young      Dec 24, 2012      Mac McLaughlin John Middleton Jr. Grace Miller Sue Norton Terry Norton Morgan Peters Dick Rubin Denise Rubin Barry Sandford Buckie Sandford Paul Scnell Rebacca Schnell John Sharpe Brandon Silsby Lucy Silsby Michael Silsby Michael Tarbox Norm Waycott Kathy Young Lou Young Rich Young      Dec 31, 2013     Mac McLaughlin John Middleton Jr. Grace Miller Terry Norton Dick Rubin Barry Sandford Buckie Sandford Paul Scnell Rebacca Schnell John Sharpe Phillip Sypek Michael Tarbox Michael Tarbox Sr. Norm Waycott Rich Young

 In Recognition of those who have generously  donated their time to support the MGRS  Maine Mall Holiday Train Display  

Maine Garden Railway Society would like to personally thank
each  of the individuals listed above who have directly supported and made possible this milestone 50 day event which entertained and educated hundreds of thousands of people who visited the Maine Mall in South Portland, ME. over the Holiday Seasons in 2010 through 2012.  Thank youfor making it a huge success! 

2012  marked a new phase of participation with the addition of
volunteer gift wrappers.  Fourteen members and family members
combined to create the greatest fun raising activity in MGRS historyand expanded the Honor Roll to 63 names for 2012.  A banner year with more people, trains, area, levels and interaction then ever before.  We owe it completely to the participants themselves and their generous contribution of time, talent and willingness to help.

2013  Still in process ~ The largest layout to date with 10 trains on 5 Levels and 7 Interactive signs.  Green grass, a Mall Waterfall, better viewing access for small children.  Switches and two point to point lines added for Sawmill and Trolley.  Percy joins Thomas and new 7 and 8 foot Bridges have been added for our Fourth consecutive year at the Mall.   Second year for a free train raffle. Viewer appreciation grows each year.  Thank you MGRS Members!
Well Done!

One day to go!

Opening Day minus one!  Here are some pictures of
our 2013 Train Display.

 The guys have been working hard all week and the display looks very good!

Thomas and Percy are running great and drawing a very enthusiastic crowd.  Having them down low was a very good idea.

Carl's  historic buildings are on display and look even better with all the detail Paul has added.

The Sawmill is back and now has it's own engine.

 The Chairlift is drawing lots of interest as well as the Gondola ride (not shown),

 The Lionel display looks good and is ready to roll at the touch of a button.

 Carl's new North Conway Station looks very good and Terry has brought back his flashing Signals and crossing gates.

Norm has done a nice job bringing the Circus back to Town.  His train looks great too!

Tiny's bridge and Barry's new bridge have added a lot and look very good!


Everything is ready to go and  the main lines and the elevated loops will all be turned on for the official 10am opening.  All-aboard!  For the fourth consecutive Maine Mall Train Show!  

New Video from Eric Schade

   Here is another excellent video from Eric.  Fall steam on the Winnegance and Qubec  Please click here:

Odds and Ends

I just received a SCHRADER'S RAILROAD CATALOG and I will bring it in and leave it in our MGRS Control Area at the Mall.  Lots of different interesting Railroad novelties!   We could possibly do a combined order and save a little shipping costs.  Just a thought.

I also was looking at the Sign up sheet and as far as that shows we still need some people in the afternoon for the beginning of next week.   If you wish to help out please do.

Santa Arrived at the Mall

Yesterday Tiny and Mac were at the Layout and Santa stopped by to say "Hi" to MGRS.
Today he officially starts his appearance at the Mall.  I think he is down in front of JC Penney.

Today some of the guys were in working on finishing touches.  Paul was in and he left his schedule for Festival of Trees which I will pick up and put on the Blog a little later.  

Not sure if the Mall is finished up yet,  I don't think so but I will stop in Sunday Afternoon and take some pictures.  Monday is Veterans Day and it is Opening Day for our Train Display!

Setup Day 3

Over 90 percent complete.  Carl has called Stefanie to let the Mall know that we are done to the point that they can do the snow blanket and the "rock wall" paper covering on the risers.    She said that she would start tonight.

Paul Corbett  is going to come in some time over the weekend and do some detailing.  We will need to finish the ballasting.  There is just a little to do and we may need a little more ballast to do the "Display Yard" which is about four 5 foot track sections in front of our Control Area.

Jeff and two of his 3-Railer Club friends are working on the Lionel table and Norm is coming in tonight to work on the Circus.  Most of us are planning a rest day tomorrow and let the Mall people have some time to do their things.  However, you can come in and work on anything that you need to.  We are scheduled to open the display at 10:00am Monday morning and begin to follow our Operating Schedule from that point on.

Some time before we start,  Carl will have run a full system test of all tracks and make sure everything works as it should when Mac plugs in "The big Power Cord" to make it official.  That will be exciting;   I can't wait!

2013 MGRS ~ Main Mall Train Display!  

NOTE:    Please remember how fortunate we are to have the best environment and the best partner available willing to provide the physical and financial support we need.  So don't wait any longer.  Please sign up to contribute half a day to show your own appreciation for all MGRS does to help promote our hobby.  And the best part, meet those people who really appreciate and love to see the trains run by.

Setup Day-2

 Today Mac, Mike and Philip were busy doing electrical work.    Getting  the draw bridge to shut off power to the tracks when it is raised up.  Hooking up the Interactive Signs, and organizing the controls and transformers.  It is a big job,  there is a lot of wiring and there will be a lot more tomorrow.  Walter has brought in a large box full of beautiful street lights and lamp posts.  They all need to be installed.   Tiny worked hard on ballasting but there is a lot of track that still needs to be done. We held him up some today.   So if you come in tomorrow you can check with Mac or Tiny and probably help in either of those areas.

  Carl is bringing in two more stations tomorrow.  A lot more buildings came in today.  Scott brought home some soldering work to do with the 'Trolley' line and it's potential death defying challenge to keep cars from plunging into the waterfall!   We are going to have an exciting layout this year.  Today I spent more time talking to viewers than working but managed to wire the Saw Mill auto reversing unit.  Oh yes, Keith and his crew built the tables for the Circus and Lionel so work can start on those now.  If you want to come in and just see what is happening.  please do!  It is a great place to spend some time.  I expect Paul who likes to add the little details will be stopping by soon.  I just remembered the Chairlift has not been installed yet. So there is still plenty to work on if you want to.

I would guess we are 75 percent complete which is excellent after just two days. PS: Seriously,  It is amazing how many people have looked forward to our returning  This display generates a lot of happy people.  And, we think this year will be better than ever!

Set Up Day was very Successful !

 We started at 8am with our usual degree of mild confusion.  But as has happened before, 6 hours later we had achieved our goal!  Not everything is completed, but we can see what we have and it looks good!  We are off to a great start.  Satisfied with our progress and a little tired we all headed home by 3pm.  

I know I missed a couple of names but somehow we all knew what to do and made some excellent "field adjustments" to make things work together and come out right!  I guess that is the value of experienced club members.

Super Thank you goes out to:
Andy,  Barry, 
Carl, Dave, 
Dennis, Dick C, 
Ernie, James, 
Jeff  J,  John J,  
John M, Mac,  
Mike B,  Mike T, 
Morris,  Phillip,  
Scott, Tiny,  
Rich,  and Walter.

Nicely done!   Mall Year number 4 is off to a very good start!

Plus the Mall has yet to add the Snow, the 'Rock" paper, and risers for Circus and Lionel,
That will probably be tomorrow. 

Tomorrow is Setup Trains day at the Maine Mall.

  Carl says some of the roads are congested with repair work and don't feel you must make it there early.  Arrive at your convenience.  The green grass is being put in place as I am typing this.  All we need to get started has been brought in this morning and stored under the platform.   

  If you have signed up , Thank you!  If you haven't you can just  show up and spend what ever time you can.  There will be plenty of things to work on.  

  Thanks, Hope to see you there!

We got an email from Stefanie about 4pm.  Top 2 levels will be snow.  Kevin & Keith ran out of grass finishing the bottom 3 levels.  She said it looks great!

Why not add some colorl?

   I haven't seen it yet but I bet all that bright green grass will need to be offset with other objects and colors.  The Thomas area is very big and why not have a colorful flower garden area within it?  Thomas likes plants and after all we are a Garden railway organization, so why not display some flowers?  Everything pictured is artificial.  I bet if we put together all the artificial flowers and other garden ornaments we have at home it would look pretty good!    I have some artificial Ivy and ferns that might look good near the waterfall.  If you have put away some summer garden items that you think might look good on the layout, bring them with you into the setup.   Let's see what we can come up with!  This year we could have the most colorful layout we have every had at the Mall

Garden Railway Magazine

I received an email from Tiny who was looking at his latest issue of Garden Railway Magazine:  Thanks Tiny!

  The new issue just out on page 25, pictures of Carl and Barry bridges and abutments by Nancy Norris.

Part-2: Turned the page and there a picture of Scott G stone bridge

Page-77:  Greenberg train @toy show Nov 23 - 24  at Wilmington mass.  shriners auditorium

~ Pumpkins at the Mall ~

MGRS Train Display ~ 2013 Westbrook Festival of Trees

They both work the way I hoped.

Just in time for setup!    I like the way the reversing unit works.  Lighted bumpers are no problem. Using it with a timer that could shut off the train at any position does not seemed to cause a problem.   Hookup and operation are both easy to understand.  Made in Canada and I don't think you can beat the price.

Below is a short video of the Automatic Reversing  unit with my latest love, the old fashioned rail truck.

I am going to have to wait

I wanted to see what Barry's Bridge would look like, but it is to hard to cut and paste.

I know it will look good.  Even better when Tiny's big metal bridge is beside it. 

 The grass carpet will look good after it's all decorated with buildings and ballast and trees.

click to enlarge

Carl called to say the water fall is running and a thousand pumpkins are being carried in!

Carl, Mac and Ryan are watching Keith inspect his work as we are all excited to see the platform go up in Center Court in the Maine Mall today.  Thursday the Waterfall will be running into the pond and a thousand pumpkins will decorate the platforms!    Two days later they will all be gone and green grass will cover most of the levels with a snow blanket and Christmas tree at the very top.  Then it will be our turn!  Monday Carl will bring in track and smaller items that we will need when we begin setup on Tuesday morning!

Here is the view from the side the MGRS Control Area will be located.  We are under that beautiful big skylight facing the Sports Authority side.









This is the Thomas and Water fall side.  The 1st level is only 15 inches high which will give the smaller children an easy and close up view of Thomas and Percy circling the pond, going through tunnels and under the waterfall.  Tiny and Barry's new bridges will span an eight foot open area as the double mainline crosses over the back of the pond.  We are on the road to our most awesome display.  If you haven't already, please  add your name to the list of people who will take part.
Thank you.

From Trainworld online

Arrived today by UPS.  Runs great.  Very nice and smooth,  heavy weigh feels solid. Highly detailed.
I love it.