Large Scale Central

Reports from Canada

Conventions, Shows, Clubs and Get-Togethers
#1

We arrived at Doug Matheson’s on Thursday afternoon for a gathering and an initial running on his live steam loop. Doug has made tremendous progress since last summer. As the differnet families came in we saw lots of old friends and met a few new ones. By 1700 we were at the IPP&WRR for the first gathering for food and preparation for today’s (Friday’s) Ops Sessions. The crew has done great and new sidings and increased trackage is evident in many areas.

There are a few dissapointments has we have found out some of our friends won’t be attending. We will hoist a glass in your honor.

We have rain right now, but as we gather for breakfast we will have clearing skies in the forecast. Should be a great day.

There is a complete other eport that will have to be put together about our RDC ride from Sudbury to White River and back. What a thrill and a great example of a “Milk Run”, that also made flag stops anywhere there was a fare to be obtained. All this will be put together after we are back in Carlyle.

#2

Have fun Ric…and the rest of the gang.

My fun comes in September at Marty’s. :slight_smile:

#3

Friday ended up being wet until about 2 pm. Our inability to enjoy the outdoors “Goodson Style” led us to the Museum of Industry and Transportation. This would be much like the Smithsonian in the US. They had a Shay and 50 ton steam crane running that was really cool, but the big treat was the back room tour arranged by Father Fred. We were treated to seeing steam engines, 100’s of cars, motorcycles, bicycles, trolleys and royalty railroad coaches that are not on display to the public. Even saw a “Pope Mobile”, only problem no pictures were allowed, so you’ll just have to trust our descriptions.

The afternoon had us running trains at the IPP&WRR and dinner at the Monterey Inn. Late night toasts and night runs brought the day to an end.

We have bright sunshine this Saturday AM and crew calls are for 0900. Got to to get some food and get ready for a large day of running. Pictures will be filled in after we get home.

Our network connection is not great so I appreciate any chance we have to make contact with you guys.

#4

Thanks for the report .
Sounds like fun and a place to really enjoy trains .

#5

Saturday started early with the traditional bbreakfast at “Chances R” and then by 0900 we were at the IPP&WRR for the briefing as the ops session began. I was once again given the job of Yardmaster at Craig Leigh, which is at one end of the railroad. About 10 trains were either made up and left or arrived and broke down. I did stick my nose around the corner of the shed every once in awhile and there really was a tremendous amount of activity. Jan ran her Presidential inspection train of #3 and returned as #4. She really enjoyed high clearance working across the line. John and Roger ran ops with live steam and really kept things rolling while keeping pressure up. All and all a successful session.

Ops were done around noon and a lunch of wonderful sausages, other grilled meat and items were consumed. We ran some live steam and headed for David McCurdy’s RGS at 2 pm. I can’t beleive it, but he has added more. Back to Bred’s by 5 pm. Did a trip[le head under live steam with 2 cyclinder shays pulling 36 cars. They worked hard on the grades but carried the load.

Dinner was the Chinese Buffett, which is always a great meal and then back to Fred’s for night time running and some deliciouos wine and friendship around the fire.

Mr. Goodson called and had a conversation with Fred, while I was running Jan’s little Bachmann Mogul that he worked so hard to get done before this trip. RCS controlled, battery powered and Sierra Sound. Pulling the single coach it did its job well. Jan seemed to really enjoy it. The headlight really pierced the night as it was the only thing on the line.

By 10pm things were beginning to break up as Bruce and Jean Chandler said goodbyes, the Radders, Jon, Marilyn and Matt headed out and Ga’etan and Nicole left shortly after. That left, Fred, Ken Brunts, ourselves and the neighbors around the fire. It was a long great day and I can’t believe it is over for another year.

Today, should be lazy with a visit to Bill Scoobie’s Sn3 RGS monster and then who knows what.

Tommorrow, we are off to Montreal for a visit to Ga’etan’s and Nicole’s

#6

Ric,
Sounds like it was a great time, looking forward to the pictures. Never heard that Bruce Chubb was into Largescale, seems like that HO Empire he has back in Grand Rapids would keep him busy enough! Guess he had to “hiball” home as he is on the NMRA tour next week. How many people were there at Father Fred’s for the op session?

#7

He meant Bruce Chandler…

#8
Fred Mills said:
He meant Bruce Chandler.......
Thanks, I was envious of Bruce Chubb as it was for his fantastic HO railroad, to think he was also involved in largescale would be too much to take!
#9

Late night posting gaffs, I apologize to the Chandlers.

This morning we are in Montreal. Ga’etan and Nicole hosted a wonderful day yesterday with lunch at their home, an afternoon at the Montreal Botanical Garden and a meal you could only dream of in an Old Montreal restaurant, last night. Today, we have a tour of a large scale indoor layout and then off to the Rail Expo Museum.

Our plans are to head for the border this evening and begin our trec home. We still have a couple of sites in our view before we call this trip complete, but is certainly successful in all accounts. Wow, what friends. Bob -you really missed it.

#10

2246 - Watertown, NY

Troops are being redeployed through out the US as another “Invasion” successfully comes to an end.

Today was an unbeleivable treat as we visited the Mus’ee des Trains du World (Museum, Trains of the World) in downtown Montreal. Never heard of this? I feel you will. It is a 1:20.3 indoor layout in the Garment District of Montreal. It takes up a whole floor of a building. Absolutely unbelievable as far as detail. No pictures will be shown of this as photos were restricted as there are negotiations for exclusive coverage of the initial publication of this monsterous layout and muesum. Ga’etan and Nicole out did themselves on this. We were there with our mouths open for about 2 hours.

The afternoon was spent at RailExpo. A beautiful museum of Canadian Rail and Traction. We divided forces, exchanged good byes and began the travels back at about 1700. Jan and I chased John and Linda Spencer toward middle New York after we cleared customs. A pleasant “Welcome Home” from the Border Agent told us we were once again on US soil.

#11

Back home around 1400 on the 26th of July. This morning, still trying to put our lives back in order. May take a couple of days. Great trip!!

5 layouts, 2 museums, a botanical garden and 2 large scale hobby shops, whew.

Picked up the dogs and the cat from the Vet’s. Dogs glad to see us, the cat is pissed.

Thanks to everyone involved. Time to start planning for next year.

#12

Cats do tend to cop an attitude after spending a day or two at the vets…:smiley: