I think I’m almost recovered from the trip. It’s a LONG drive - over 800 miles. Then we get out there and just wear ourselves down every day. But, it’s just plain fun - it’s really a treat to run long trains with a dispatcher and enjoy all of the work that has gone into such a great layout. The layout is just one of those that you want to sit back and admire every minute and it’s just fun to be there.
Overall, we’re just VERY fortunate to have such good friends.
It is a long drive, but well worth every mile. Bugged out of Nashville at 5 AM (central) Monday morning, stopped for lunch at Bart’s and gave him a report of all he missed, arrived home about 10 that nite. Good friends, good food and good operating sessions, makes it all worth while.
It was good to meet Bob Hyman and Ben Hancock, and put some more faces to some familiar names.
Thanks Andy and Jane for the hospitality and friendship, job well done!
Bruce said - “Overall, we’re just VERY fortunate to have such good friends.”
Isn’t that the truth? What a great year of Operations, all over the place. The friendship is what makes it sooooo much fun.
Ric Golding said:
Bruce said - “Overall, we’re just VERY fortunate to have such good friends.”
Isn’t that the truth? What a great year of Operations, all over the place. The friendship is what makes it sooooo much fun.
I would like to reiterate that. The immediate friendship’s made with everyone is amazing.
Every time I go to Andy’s he takes me around and show’s me something new or how he made something. He spends a great deal of time with me even though he’s busy taking care of things.
Matt Russell said:
Every time I go to Andy’s he takes me around and show’s me something new or how he made something. He spends a great deal of time with me even though he’s busy taking care of things.
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Gotta chime in here,
Although I was not at the op session, my wife Jane and I passed by in September on the way to Marty’s. Camped with Ric on the lake, and then he took us down to see Andy and his layout. What a great day! Andy treated me to running a train around his layout and a tour of the very impressive setup. I even go to run my Western Maryland FA1. That was fun. Thanks Ric and Andy.
Since then we have been on the road, ran two layouts in NE (Marty and Richard) and Winn’s wonderful layout in Placitas, NM. Even did the Cumbres and Toltec MOW photo shoot. Will be home soon with lots of great memories.
Regards
Jerry
jerry bohlander said:
Gotta chime in here,
Although I was not at the op session, my wife Jane and I passed by in September on the way to Marty’s. Camped with Ric on the lake, and then he took us down to see Andy and his layout. What a great day! Andy treated me to running a train around his layout and a tour of the very impressive setup. I even go to run my Western Maryland FA1. That was fun. Thanks Ric and Andy.
Since then we have been on the road, ran two layouts in NE (Marty and Richard) and Winn’s wonderful layout in Placitas, NM.
Even did the Cumbres and Toltec MOW photo shoot. Will be home soon with lots of great memories.
Regards
Jerry
Thanks!
Andy and Jane
Wanted you both to know what a great time I had once again at the October ops session. Even though I am still a rookie and can’t seem to figure out how to read train orders I appreciate your allowing me to learn how great a time you can have and how many great people you can meet in this hobby. Thanks again for a wonderful weekend. Mark Haun ™
Mark Haun said:
Andy and Jane Wanted you both to know what a great time I had once again at the October ops session. Even though I am still a rookie and can’t seem to figure out how to read train orders I appreciate your allowing me to learn how great a time you can have and how many great people you can meet in this hobby. Thanks again for a wonderful weekend. Mark Haun ™
TM, Glad to see you checking in.
For the rest of you guys TM, also known as Mark Haun to his wife, children and a few other people, is one of the guys, Andy Clarke and I operate with on Mark Godwin’s Illinois Terminal Railroad on Friday nights. Ah yes, another MARK and so is the reason for TM, Teacher Mark. He teaches Junior High Students, so he can fit right in with this crowd. He did a beautiful job rebuilding my old Chessie NW2 into a fantastic Frisco black beauty with yellow lettering.
Ric Golding said: He did a beautiful job rebuilding my old Chessie NW2 into a fantastic Frisco black beauty with yellow lettering.
Hey Rick
Thanks for the nice words on the Frisco 261. Hopefully that won’t be my last attempt at a G Scale model. Will try to post a photo soon.
David Russell said:
Just fantastic Bob and thank you !
I see Ric upgraded his knee pads to the “Darth Vader” model!
Now we all know what really happened to my college fund!
if anyone is interested in the S.O.G. knee pads that Rooster brought to your attention, Don Howard found them online -
Ric,
Thanks for posting the link so fast.
There are others very similar to yours with different colors and anti-slip designs on Amazon, too.
Now I get to use a gift card at Amazon(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)
Bruce & Ken &… made the trip but no Dave?
Looks like it was a great time. Congrats to all. I packed up my outside stuff early this year. Redoing the basement for more winter running. I can’t go cold turkey without the G!
You people that have shorter winters are lucky!!!(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
Joe Paonessa said:
Bruce & Ken &… made the trip but no Dave?
Looks like it was a great time. Congrats to all. I packed up my outside stuff early this year. Redoing the basement for more winter running. I can’t go cold turkey without the G!
You people that have shorter winters are lucky!!!(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
Truly a great time. Andy & Jane are great hosts and it’s really good to see everyone again.
Joe Paonessa said:
Bruce & Ken &… made the trip but no Dave?
Well, sometimes Bart comes along, but lately he’s been a “stick in the mud”. Changes jobs too much.
I don’t know who surprises me more when I go out there. Andy and his Railroad or Ric and Jan with their campers.
Always a good time.
