Large Scale Central

American Invasion 2008 - Pictures

Conventions, Shows, Clubs and Get-Togethers
#1

Wow. What a great trip. This is my 5th visit to run on the IPP&W and it was absolutely THE best! We arrived at the Northland Railroad (Doug Matheson’s) on Thursday afternoon. It wasn’t long until a discussion arose. Here, Ric, Gaétan, Peter, and Doug discuss something very monumental. :wink:

I did get a chance to run the PNG drop bottom gondolas…along with the original from Don Winter.

Doug has done a lot of work on his railroad since our last visit. It’s always fun to see the changes and run my train around while we renewed old acquaintances. That evening we all sat down for some wine followed by a great barbecue. Gaétan had fun playing with the electric wine opener, though it did take him some time to master.

ARTICLE: A Master Index for the J&B RR
#2

Friday dawned rather cloudy, but we were prepared for our first operating session. Ken and I helped to set out the cars in preparation for the session. (Ken was still not happy about missing the Eastern NG trip. :wink: ) All of the cars are stored in color coded trays to make it easier to place them in the correct location.

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Gord Bellamy was preparing to run Nelson Yard. Bill Scobie and Doug discuss trains in the background.

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Jean was engineer and I was the conduction for train 302/312. This is a way freight out of Fir Grove headed to Nelson Yard. 302 terminates there and changes to 312 for the run to Craig Leigh. Here we pull in to Nelson Yard, running light.

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We had some neat challenges, such as doing some local moves involving facing points. Lots of fun! After lunch, we headed over to Dave McCurdy’s. Again, a lot has changed since we visited last year. I got a chance to run my Mogul around the point to point layout. It’s over 6 scale miles of track in 1:20…a bit more in 1:22!

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Dinner was back at Fred’s. It was a great time to socialize and solve our railroad problems. :wink: That evening, a bunch of us headed over to Tom Hood’s indoor HO layout. It has some wonderful scenery and great operations. Here’ Jean looks over the freight yard as Tom tells Ric how to move the train out of the roundhouse.

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Later, Ric conducted a train around the layout as Nicole looked on.

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#3

Saturday is the “traditional” day for operation and we were pleased to see clear skies and cooler temperatures. There was some time for a bit of chatting before we got going.

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The operating crews were attentive to Doug’s briefing before we got started. From left to right, (and excusing spelling!) that’s Metin, Doug Hayes, Fred Mills, Ralph Dipple, Jan Golding, and Nicole Charette.

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Once again, Jean and I ran train 302/312. We had some interesting match-ups as we all seemed to arrive at Ironwood Junction at the same time. Both Ken and Nicole are waiting for permission to move from the dispatcher.

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After lunch, Ric talked the hosts into yet another operating session. We decided to stick with 302/312. I was pleasantly surprised to see how operations is different each time, even though we were running the same train. This time, it seemed it was busier at Spruce. Here, Jan had everyone pull into a siding so she could run the high priority private car on to it’s destination. Meanwhile, Ken tries to finish some switching before he has to clear the main to let Jan’s train go by.

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Later, Jean and I took a thru freight, (455?) and had a totally different experience. Lots of fun running all the trains. For supper, we had 4 different chili dishes, along with some venison and other goodies. What a great time! While it seems that every Invasion is better than the next, this one seemed to me to be the best of all. We got to run LOTS of trains and we had plenty of time to socialize. We missed those that didn’t attend, but hope that next year brings them back. I think I have about the fewest pictures this year; it seemed like we were always way too busy to even think about taking pictures. Thanks to all who made this Invasion so much fun!

#4

The last of the “Invading Friends”, gathered for breakfast this morning. Ken, along with Ric and Jan, joined me for the ritual “Closing Breakfast”, then pulled away for their trips home.
Already there is very active talk about the plans for next July. It seems that everyone wants to do it again…!!!
I guess I can safely say, that it will again take place, starting on the 3rd Friday of July.
So…Mark your 2009 calendars…and start planning your trips.

Thank you all, for making the "Invasion of Friends, another complete success.

#5

Great pix, Bruce. You did a much better job of taking pictures than I did. Got home around 6, and haven’t done much since but relax. But I do want to thank everyone at the OVGRS for putting on the best shindig possible. And I’m sure as more of our traveling friends arrive home more pictures will be posted. Great Job, guys.

#6

Great pics!
Makes me envious I felt I could not attend.
Turns out my front end problem was just a wheel that had thrown a weight:-(
Already put 2009 on my calendar.

#7

Thanks for shareing the fun with the photos and report , looks like it was a grand time .

#8

Wow - The IPP&W is looking even better. Thanks for posting Bruce.

#9

I’ll write it in the calendar again!

#10

more pix… John Spencer , Gord Bellamy, Linda Spencer, Doug Hayes share a rare relaxing moment

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/Invasion%202008/invasion2008_00012.jpg)

Gord Bellamy’s grandson get’s his loco ready in Nelson Yard

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Bruce Chandler ponders a switching move in Firgrove

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Does Gaeton look like he’s having a good time or what?

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Bruce, Paul Norton, Jean and Jan awaiting orders in Firgrove

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And no invasion is complete without a live steamer running. Ric Golding’s live steam shay takes a passenger train around the IPP&W

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Roger Caiazza getting ready to roll

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#11

Looks like the shay is getting away from the passenger cars!

#12

Yea, ol’ Ric had a coupler alignment issue, but that didn’t stop the mail from getting through…:wink:

#13

Looks like a good time was had by all.

The Holy Water must have been consumed in a meadow, under a full moon at midnight. I can just see Fr. Fred doin’ his sun dance now… :lol:

#14

We are home, safe, sound and no major incident. 6 railroads in 5 days, ending with a visit to the “Finger Lakes Live Steamers”. Quite the trip and a few pictures to add as we sort things out. Thanks to ALL for a wonderful trip.

#15

Looks like everyone arrived home safely. That makes the whole party a great success.

#16

Loading photos of the 2008 Invasion - The first 3 are for Gaetan Charette. They were taken at Doug Matheson’s railroad. Gaetan always carries a 1:20.3 figure in his pocket and though the guy is a little pale, he represents the scale size comparison very well. This is always a great ice breaker at a party. That is if the party is a bunch of guys and gals wanting to talk about largescale trains. :wink:

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/Canada%202008%20003.jpg)

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/Canada%202008%20004.jpg)

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#17

The next 6 pictures were taken before the Bar-B-Q at Barb and Doug Matheson’s. The Northland Railroad has really progressed each year and is very functional in a beautiful setting with great potential to be an outstanding operations in the near future.

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(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/Canada%202008%20009.jpg)

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#18

These 5 pictures were taken at the Ironwood, Peter’s Pond and Western Railroad. You’ve got to look close to see the railroad, but the fun should be very evident. Next year is already in the planning stages. Fred throws a heck of a party.

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(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/Canada%202008%20016.jpg)

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#19

These last 5 pictures were taken on the way home. Roger Calazza showed us the Central New York Large-Scale Railway Society’s club layout in a car dealership in Cicero, New York and then we went for an afternoon of fun on the Finger Lakes Live Steamers club trackage with Roger and John Spencer. Susie Calazza treated us to a bar-b-q at the club’s facility that evening. What a great settting.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/Canada%202008%20024.jpg)

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/Canada%202008%20036.jpg)

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/Canada%202008%20059.jpg)

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And here we are headed home. The whole week was just a great trip with great friends.

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#20

Great photos. Looks like everyone had a great time… tks for sharing…
LOVE THE WAY YOU WENT BACK HOME, Ric… LOL