The Kaskaskia Valley Railway will hold an Ops Session on September 23, 2009 in honor of our Canadian friends visiting. It all begins around Noon and ends when we can’t or don’t want to run trains anymore. Most of the layout is battery operated, but there are some track powered areas. Normal coupling is Kadee’s, but someone always brings other stuff and we get by. If you don’t have equipment, it can be provided. All are welcome. For more information you can contact me by email - [email protected]
COOL I get to run again before heading west.
Jean and I will be there. We’re looking forward to running again. I just hope I can remember how to get a train out of the basement.
If worse comes to worse, ya carry it up the stairs… 
sorry, just couldn’t resist…
Da devil made me type that…
Out of the basement is easy. It’s the switch to Owl’s Bend I always loose. 
Tom Ruby said:This statement is from the guy that spent two hours stuck in the basement going in circles trying to find one of the two tracks that go out the window. And then I became the Yardmaster at Southern to offer Guide Service for those that become "challenged". ;-)
Out of the basement is easy. It's the switch to Owl's Bend I always loose. :D
If in doubt, just head for Jan’s kitchen…heaven surely can be found there…
Once you find Jan’s kitchen, then the trick is to find Ric’s Rum supply, a lime to cut in wedges, a glass, and some cold Ski.
There is now a chance you might find a good chair, a napkin or two…far away from the loud voice of some dispatcher;
a bit of real Golding hospitality, takes the edge off even a hot day or a bit of rain.
It is all there…find it…put it all together, and you will have a great day or two of good operation, and fine company.
I only wish I could be there…some fine day maybe…
Fred,
Your inspiration toward this “On Going Soap Opera” is evident here all the time. Some times it shows in the things we do and sometimes it shows in the things we don’t do. It is all here.
I think there is an important piece of information that I am somehow missing. :lol: 
Steve,
What’s to miss?. Fred and Dave Goodson have fun playing with trains in an “operational format” and turning it into a social event. We have copied them in a limited fashion.
So who is invading from Canada? I assume Doug Matheson. Anyone else?
Wish I could make one of these sessions. This year I had the time, but have blown all the money 
Last I heard Doug was coming with Paul Norton and Ralph Dipple. They plan to drive straight through, as I recall.
Thats gotta be like 10 hours or more. I like to drive, but 7-8 hours is about my limit. I prefer less than 5 per day.
Google has it at 16 hours. But, with 3 guys…you can rotate every two hours or so. And you get to talk railroads.
It’s 13 hours for us. We were originally planning on one day, but I’m seriously thinking about leaving a day early.
Possibility that Gaetan may come with them, also. Jon, you are always welcome. I’d say 16 hours will be pretty close.
I would be over 16 hours by road for us. If I was coming I’d probably fly unless I could work one of the Ops sessions into a vacation week.
That’s what I thought, too. We flew last year. It took 16 hours door to door. We decided that driving would be a lot nicer than spending 12 hours sitting in the frigging airport. I’m no longer able to convince Jean to fly anywhere.
Jon Radder said:SIGH.... I keep telling people about this place in WV thats about halfway......and its a 7 hour straigh shot out I64 to Rics place........we have hotels and even places to park RVS........sometimes its rumored largescale trains run......but we always have access to decent beer and a firepit......
Thats gotta be like 10 hours or more. I like to drive, but 7-8 hours is about my limit. I prefer less than 5 per day.
I hear that. In order to use our sky miles to go to Disney last spring, we were forced to change at Chicago. Made for a very long flight. But getting on the plane and drinking champagne in the first class section while the cattle boarded sure was fun
Bart Salmons said:Um -- Google sez yer 11+ hours from me. Add RV gas stops every 125 miles and food stops that puts it at about 15 hours. Definitely a 2-Day trip for me.Jon Radder said:SIGH.... I keep telling people about this place in WV that's about halfway......and its a 7 hour straight shot out I64 to Rics place........we have hotels and even places to park RVS........sometimes its rumored largescale trains run......but we always have access to decent beer and a firepit......
Thats gotta be like 10 hours or more. I like to drive, but 7-8 hours is about my limit. I prefer less than 5 per day.
Might be a thought for next year though.