Large Scale Central

ECLSTS 2020

Conventions, Shows, Clubs and Get-Togethers
#141

Sorry to hear of John’s health issues.

Nothing can replace the old days of the Drag & Brag; but that doesn’t mean a mid-state NY get together for those who can make it is a bad idea. I’ve been meaning to get ther efor the last few years. This year is more than likely in the cards and I might even be able to convince my brother and sister-in-law to come over from Buffalo and stay with us in the camper (that is finally back on the road). We’ll just need a new name - or if it’s in the stars, possibly a reconvening of the Rodents for the first Rodent Party of the Millennium. I still have a sign from years ago!

#142

Egads, ,Jon…you mention “The Rodents”…if the Rodents, are still surviving, in Mauro’s care; I have a new addition for the troop…!!

We might have to call on Carl Vogel to attend, with his “Frugal Horn”, for an evening concert…and then to get Nick to show up as the Aristo Bear. Someone like David Russell could try talking nicely to Fr.Fred to show up in his outfit, along with sandals, and holy water samples from High Falls Brewery…

Fred Mills

#143

Still planning on attending the new digs in Timonium, Maryland this Friday… not Baltimore… Fred . However that may be it for me this weekend as I will need to retrieve my offspring “sometime” this weekend from University of Pittsburgh campus. They are shutting it down for the rest of the semester due to the virus??? WTF???

… As I type this the boy is at 39,000ft over Virginia coming back from baseball spring training. But will certainly be there on Friday for the show. Honestly, just piss off Ken since I’m pissed off myself currently. Might as well make him miserable as well since Andy and Ric will not be attending (oh the doom and gloom)!

See you guys Friday !

This post has been edited by Rooster: Pu_ _ _ Cliff …see answer below

sʇund

#144

Roos: Once they graduate you can kick them off the payroll.

#145

Thanks for all good wishes. Somewhat better but, as I told Freddy, nowhere near 100%. A follow-up visit at the hospital tomorrow morning. Baltimore has to be out, Greg. Noelle and I plan to be at Ken’s ops session in April for sure. He has a most inspiring setup. Hope to see all the usual suspects and maybe one or two new guys there. That includes you this year, Lou! (wink).

#146

Fred write:

One possible site for a “Drag/Brag/Social Party” (LSC DBSP) might be at “The Finger Lakes Live Steamers” where they offer a #1 Gauge layout, along with their Ride On equipment, and track. They have a camping area, and club house/dining area, along with Ric Golding as a registered member, and several of us as associate members. The Finger Lakes area of Upper New York State, is a great area for visiting; away from the crowds and density of the area around Washington. Those that haven’t been there, should try it. They just might fall in love with it.

The whole FLLS club and its members are a VERY Great bunch of people. (They even put up with me !!!)

Finger lakes might seem a bit far North for some, but heck, Baltimore, and York are a bit far South for others.

It’s an absolutely fabulous location, and worth the drive from anywhere - free camping too, inexpensive motels, and an historic industrial town - Seneca Falls - on the Erie Canal. Also right in wine country. What more could you ask for? So many reasons for going there. This excellent suggestion would need an organizer, and it wouldn’t seem right to ask the club to do more than they already do during the annual Invasion. So, it’s a good idea, but it might derail the simpler and more practicable notion of somebody’s backyard. No committee required, just one man’s decision. On location, I would think that somewhere within an hour of the upper Hudson Valley would be about as central as we’re likely to get. That would be very lucky! Not to sabotage Fred’s idea. if someone wanted to spearhead it, but I would encourage anyone with a simpler plan.

#147

I have found all of the Finger Lakes Live Steamers Members to be very hospitable and Jan and I have been honored to be members there for many years. However, this is a private club. To make statements like “free camping” is a little over the top. Social events are organized by the Board of Directors and should be consulted before any gathering at that location is even considered. Trust me there is nothing cheap or free about maintaining that property. Its a fabulous location because a lot of people work very hard to keep it that way.

#148

Sorry to read about all the various troubles. We are hoping the wedding we are supposed to attend does not get postponed. Weddings are not a public gathering, but still can be subject to interpretation. Almost happened to my (now) wife and I about 50 years ago (evening wedding, curfew due to race riots in the city where we were to get married). Do hope the show will survive.

Those of you who can go, please take a lot of photos, and express our regrets and encouragement to the organizers. ECLSTS was the apex of my model train year for well over a decade. Especially so after I got my first little snorting teakettle!

Best, David Meashey

#149

Ric Golding said:

I have found all of the Finger Lakes Live Steamers Members to be very hospitable and Jan and I have been honored to be members there for many years. However, this is a private club. To make statements like “free camping” is a little over the top. Social events are organized by the Board of Directors and should be consulted before any gathering at that location is even considered. Trust me there is nothing cheap or free about maintaining that property. Its a fabulous location because a lot of people work very hard to keep it that way.

One of the club members told me there was no charge for camping. I guess I don’t know the real story then, Ric. I do recognize both the work and the expense, as well as the incredible hospitality and goodwill of this group. I would expect those who use the place by invitation would kick generously into the donation bucket. I am an associate member of Finger Lakes Live Steamers myself and fully appreciate my privilege of supporting them both morally and financially. Well anyway, if you do camp there you will be among great neighbors, there’s no charge for that, and your money will go to a great cause! If you’ve never been, put a visit on your bucket list.

#150

Cliff Jennings said:

About your suggestion, I’m thinking along the same lines. Whether or not ECLSTS survives over the long haul (which I sure hope it does), I’d expect some of us might consider a supplemental or (if needed) replacement meet. In fact, Bruce (on 2/20) mentioned a good candidate, KOPS, which is soon after ECLSTS, and not that far from it.

John used it as a “Drag & Brag” last year with his mine train, and scrap load for his gondolas.

Of course my stuff is already there, so I don’t have to drag it anywhere…(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#151

How does the new location look … I know some are already there …

#152

When I suggested the “Consideration” of “The Finger Lakes Live Steamers” as a possible place, for a meet of the “Drag & Brag/Social Party”, it was meant only as a suggestion, which of course would only be possible with an agreement/arrangement with the members and executive of the Finger Lakes club.

There are costs involved with any get-together, and that has to be considered also, along with available dates. The club is a busy place during the Summer months, so finding a date agreeable with everyone, will take some effort.

Fred Mills

#153

Sean;

There are probably people already there, and a lot of them even have these new-fangled telephones equipped with rather good cameras, but getting them to pull them out of their pockets to take a few pictures, is like pulling hens’ teeth.

Hopefully this message might open their minds for that split second, and entice them to take that one picture, for “Their fellow Railroaders”, who are not blessed with the enjoyment of being there.

Not all pictures of interest are actually taken at the show. A lot are of people we know the names of, but have never met, or seen a picture of them. The social side to the Show, in a lot of cases, is of more interest than the actual show itself. That’s one of the reasons the old “ALCOVE” was rather successful, along with the Drag & Brag.

Fred Mills

#154

I’ll post pics. But my problem at least is that I haven’t the foggiest idea on how to post them here by using only my phone. And I’m not sure if I want too… But when I get to the hotel Friday evening, after dinner but before the D&B, I’ll sure post 'em. (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

Just my opinion, but it’s gotta be better attended than last year. Except for those operating the layouts at York, the layout hall was almost empty for much of the time. And the vendor hall was very sparse. Hopefully, Star put the word out, to make up for just the change in venue (and missing foot traffic based on local tradition), and encourage the needed influx of new attendees from at least the Baltimore area.

Regardless, I’m planning on having a blast!! And I really hope to see a few of you there.

Cliff

#155

Fred Mills. said:

Sean;

There are probably people already there, and a lot of them even have these new-fangled telephones equipped with rather good cameras, but getting them to pull them out of their pockets to take a few pictures, is like pulling hens’ teeth.

Hopefully this message might open their minds for that split second, and entice them to take that one picture, for “Their fellow Railroaders”, who are not blessed with the enjoyment of being there.

Not all pictures of interest are actually taken at the show. A lot are of people we know the names of, but have never met, or seen a picture of them. The social side to the Show, in a lot of cases, is of more interest than the actual show itself. That’s one of the reasons the old “ALCOVE” was rather successful, along with the Drag & Brag.

Fred Mills

Already saw some pictures - looks VERY familiar. Glad they are keeping it open!

#156

Where did you see them, Bruce…? PLEASE share them with us…

Fred

#157

Some stuff on facebook search eclsts 2020, you will find several things

#158

Fred Mills. said:

Where did you see them, Bruce…? PLEASE share them with us…

Fred

Greg has it right. Facebook it is…

For those of us that take pictures, it’s pretty easy to take pictures with your phone and Facebook is about the easiest way to post those; it really is easy. For those of us that still like to use a camera(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-embarassed.gif), it’s rather difficult to post pictures until you’re back at home with your computer. Then, it’s a multi-step procedure…and a memory test for what you were thinking when you took THAT picture -and WHO are THOSE people???

#159

Rogering all that Bruce just said! And for those of us using LSC for photo storage, transferring to the hard drive, opening each one up to make it 1200 max pixel width, uploading it to my freight shed, and making the post to put it in. Which is GREAT, reliable, FREE, and shared between all us here; just takes a little time.

Speaking of free… I need to make my annual donation to LSC… Still haven’t figured out how to make it automatic; Greg, you did, right?

#160

Cliff Jennings said:

Rogering all that Bruce just said! And for those of us using LSC for photo storage, transferring to the hard drive, opening each one up to make it 1200 max pixel width, uploading it to my freight shed, and making the post to put it in. Which is GREAT, reliable, FREE, and shared between all us here; just takes a little time.

Speaking of free… I need to make my annual donation to LSC… Still haven’t figured out how to make it automatic; Greg, you did, right?

Figured it out: just click on Home (in the main ribbon), look beneath your mug on the left, and click HELP SUPPORT LSC. I clicked on Paypal, put in an amount, checked the recurring every month box, and authorized. Sweet!

You can do however you want. IMO, LSC is of far greater utility than some magazines, and Bob does all this as a hobby – and at his expense. We should all chip in a little, and now it’s easy!