Large Scale Central

ECLSTS for 2023 and beyound

Conventions, Shows, Clubs and Get-Togethers
#61

On the less formal side (or maybe I should say non-commercial), at least Midwest folks had Marty Cozad’s meet. Some even came from as far as Arizona and the east coast for that. I’m sorry to have missed out on those.

And the northern folks still have the American Invasion to consider, up at Fred’s. But that’s suffered from covid and border strikes, right Fred?

KOPS is the only operating event near me, that I know of. And the last one is in 3 weeks.

But for formal LS shows, yeah, I guess ECLSTS is the last one, at least to my limited knowledge.

Hypothetically, if there no ECLSTS, and one were dying to go somewhere, what would the next nearest thing be? I suppose the Nat’l Garden RR convention… Fingerlakes? NG convention? Seems like the live steam crowd have lots of get togethers.

Just mentally meandering…

#62

Cliff;
We would welcome visitors for another “Invasion of Friends” in July, “IF” the Covid pandemic, stays under control. At this moment, it looks like a “Sixth Wave” is in progress in here in Ontario because mask wearing has been dropped, and people are acting like it is all over, and no risk is apparent. Waste water monitoring has shown content rising to record levels, a sure sign that we will be hit again, if it continues to rise. (NO POLITICS ARE INVOLVED WITH THAT STATEMENT…just cold hard facts)
The OVGRS/IPP&W are busy getting to the Spring preparations, for another GREAT season of weekly Saturday operations, so we will be prepared for a wonderful new season, if all goes well.
The “Friendliest Border in the World” is now open, as long as you provide proof of your two or three shots. Check FIRST with the border to make sure of the facts…
If anyone cares to visit, just let me know, and we can let you know of the limitations, if any.
Thank you Cliff, for remembering us up here.
Fred Mills

#63

I also talked to Don. He told me that he did not know where the talk about of moving the show to a different operator came from, but I heard it repeated by at least one other vendor. Don was trying to figure out how to correct the rumor.

#64

Maybe @Stan_Ames needs to chime in here?

#65

I wonder if Don has considered Scranton? A longer haul for them; but, once you load and unload everything, perhaps the easy part is the drive.

Poking around, here’s some interesting things to do in or around Scranton. I’ve never been, so this is all new to me.

Steamtown
Electric City Trolley Museum
Anthracite Museum & Scranton Iron Furnaces
Everhart Museum
Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour

Even if ECLSTS doesn’t move here, here’s a thought: a 2-day Drag & Brag, seeing sites in the day (including LSC member layouts?) and [sedately] whooping it up at night? :flushed: :cowboy_hat_face: :face_with_monocle: :nerd_face:

#66

Worked for Mack Trucks, Inc. when they were in Allentown, so I think I could find the venue. Couldn’t stay at my friend’s house, so probably would need a hotel. I’ll cross that bridge if it comes to that.
MY $0.02, David Meashey

#67

You live that close to a store? :wink:

#68

Cliff, for the past umpteen years, Clem of Warrior Run fame has run a Presidents Day live steam event at Scranton. He started in a vacant stall of the roundhouse at Steamtown, and was pushed out and has been in the Trolley Museum since - until Covid put a stop to it.
These pics are from 2011:

IMG_1322CE-6-c19smoke-scranton2011

IMG_1329CE-scranton2011-bigboy-8
IMG_1329CE-scranton2011-bigboy-8799×417 141 KB

Scranton is a cold, desolate, post-industrial mess imho (you did want to know, right?) We used to go to a Poconos traditional Inn, where my wife enjoyed the fireplace while I slogged through the snow to Steamtown. Don’t even think of going until the snow season is over.

But to get practical, while it might be central for a few N.E. folks, it is a long way from anywhere.

#69

I guess 2558 miles flying then 120 driving to get to Gold Coast Station is a little further , but the driving part is shorter! I know Upland Trains is in … well the aptly named town of Upland, but if you are going to fly here might as well go the Mack Daddy place of them all

#70

Thanks for the reality check, Pete!

I’d still like to go in decent weather…

#71

that’s Erics flight from Honolulu, not sure how close he is to that airport… if , IF I could get my wife to fly over water I would like to go to Hawaii sometime.
I have seen the warehouse Hans has filled with G scale/gauge/size trains and it is awe inspiring.I will see if i can find pictures somewhere

#72

We’ll have the rails clamped, the hibachi hot, and the beverage cold!

#73

GREAT NEWS!!! I attended a Zoom meeting hosted by John Sacerdote this past Friday. It seems Star Hobby has yet to decide whether or not to host ECLSTS in 2023 but regardless of that decision, John has announced there will be a New England large scale train show at the Big E fairgrounds in Springfield, MA next year on April 21-22. Arrangements have been made to use one or two buildings depending on need and he has obtained area hotel discount rates. The show will include O scale and local layout tours. Very excited about this!

2 Likes
#74

Dan, is this in conjunction with a larger model rr event, or stand-alone?

Thanks for posting about it!

Hmm, about a 3 hour drive to Chelmsford… 2.5 to Littleton…

[edit] Not sure why Google maps gave me those (approx) durations when I looked earlier, but now it’s much reduced, so that’s great!

#75

More like 90 minutes here, and Stan’s is about 20 minutes from here.

I might do a “run what you brung” that weekend if people are coming up. Would be early in the season here, but give me a reason to clean the RR earlier than I usually do.

#76

It’s a separate event. John made sure to set the dates so that they are not the same as ECLSTS in case Star Hobby decides to have it. He did also mention there may be a robotics competition going on at the same time elsewhere on the fairgrounds which would be awesome as those kids may wonder into the event when not competing. The Amherst club is focused on introducing young folks into the hobby.

#77

Stan wasn’t in the meeting but I’m quite certain it was mentioned that Stan is interested in participating.

1 Like
#78

Dan did John say if this is above and beyond the Jan. show or are they removing large scale from Jan. show?

#79

This is in addition to the Amherst RR hobby show. In fact he has made arrangements for vendors attending both shows to store trailers onsite between the dates.