Day #3: 5 Layouts, an LSC Encounter, the Vendor Hall & the Build
Thanks everyone for your kind comments and for following along! Sharing with folks who “get it” makes it more fun!
The day began early, and we found ourselves way beyond the city limits for the first stop of the day. By the end of the day, Kid-zilla was pretty comfortable with our bus mates, and he was showing them pictures of his projects and the Triple O. We also established a routine, whereby I would sign us into the railroad, and he would start the photo- and video journaling. I am not sure who took which picture, to be frank!
Stop #9: The SWSS Lake Junction Railroad
This is an island railroad in the vast agricultural fields beyond the city limits. Apparently, the name comes from someone’s idea to create the Sacramento Water Ski School in a large depression on the grounds. Fact or fiction, this is a multi-generational project currently led by the grandson of the founder who has since take a first-class suite aboard the Wabash Cannonball.
As an aside, I think the last two photos show how you can blend European and US-framed locomotives and rolling stock without breaking the character of the railroad. I get a sense folks never start their railroads because their STAINZ will look “silly.” Nope. Not if you set it in the right context! People’s imaginations will place that Austrian loco where you say it is operating.
Stop #10: Rock Valley Railroad
The owners showed what you can do if you let your railroad age with your yard. We had fun finding little scenes as the Southern Pacific of yore conducted its business.
Kid-zilla really liked the custom billboards!
I should probably show our favorite scenes.
Stop #11: Poker Flats Railroad
A two-for-one deal, we got to see a cool garden railroad and an exquisite indoor Fn3 railroad. The latter intrigued Kid-zilla, as he had never seen the art of the possible in the larger scales.
Moving indoors, where weather and varmints cannot destroy, the owner’s talent simply shined. He had some fun animated scenes to add humor to his highly detailed layout.
The following scene was animated. I have a video I may post later. If you know the “peaceful town of Rockridge,” the Sisco Kid, and Mr. Taggert, you know this scene!
This boy’s activity as also animated.
If you look closely, you’ll see another homage to Hollywood. Great scott!
Stop #12: Black Bear and Dynamite Railroad
This railroad made really effective use of a narrow side yard to pack in a lot of action, give the illusion of distance, and force folks to walk to take it all in! This is also where we made first contact with and LSC member, when, out of nowhere, John Miller ( @JohnM ) turned around, looked down, and asked, “Kid-zilla?” Being famous has not gone to Kid-zilla’s head at all!
Stop #13: Rocky Ridge Railroad
This railroad framed and interacted with a well-appointed yard…and bar! We were intrigued by the use of PLAYMOBIL here, too. The owners used more to-scale figures in the foreground and used PLAYMOBIL to add depth to the scene. Very effective! They also had a scavenger hunt, but we were unable to complete it before we had to board the bus.
End of Day: Ice Cream Social, Vendor Hall, and Build "Contest"
This was the moment Kid-zilla had awaited…trains AND ice cream! First, though, we took a good look at the Wandering Railroad. This is a masterpiece that serves as a rolling ambassador for our hobby.
If Kid-zilla knows what Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” is, I am sure it was playing in his head as he wandered through floor to ceiling stacks of LGB, USA Trains and others while the clatter of iron horses on two massive modular layouts thundered in his ears.
John ( @JohnM ) briefly intercepted Kid-zilla to present him with a nice tank car…
…which, incidentally, Kid-zilla has already repaired and placed into service! At some point in the ensuing days, John and I also discussed weathering techniques that would allow Kid-zilla to experiment, so some chalks may be an upcoming purchase.
But, back to the convention! After a sundae, we met Opa (Oma was having some traveller’s tummy) for the build “competition.” Kid-zilla selected his car and preliminary loads…
…began testing things for look and balance…
…and had a gas with Opa!
Hats off to USA Trains and Making Trains Fun. The donated cars and loads were a highlight of the trip, and I hope our small donation will help “pay it forward.”
While those two were engaged, I checked out the modular layouts. Massive and well constructed, they were also manned by a much more diverse set of folks. If the garden railroad side of the hobby is aging, my view of the modular side of it suggest we have a much healthier demographic bell curve overall. Anyway…
There was an American-ized “Three Eyes,” which I showed to Kid-zilla later.
Some modules included smaller scales as amusement park rides.
On display was also a fantastic and fantastical collection of scratchbuilt circus cars.
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Finally, the builders were done!
Kid-zilla soon had his car coupled up to at the end of a train…
…and all the convention kids got to see their work circle one of the layouts prior to submitting it for judging.
We took the car to the judge’s bench, then it was off to dinner…
…a well-earned beverage…
…and a good night’s sleep!
Updates to follow!
Eric
