Large Scale Central

TrainOps 2012

Conventions, Shows, Clubs and Get-Togethers
#21

Less than two weeks, and I’m finalizing plans. Friday is run-what-you-brung day. People have said they’re arriving various times during the day. Dinner Friday is catch-what-you-can. I will have a list of various good restaurants in the area.

Saturday is ops day. Starting about 10, and I will provide lunch (cold cuts, salads, etc). Since I now have two yards, we may even have roles for a yardmaster. We operate two trains in each direction, though I can add a fifth coal drag if needed. No dispatcher, so meets are by mutual agreement. We’ll go until maybe 5? Dinner Saturday, again, is catch-what-you-can, though I could be talked into ordering out pizza and hanging out.

Sunday, as Stan has mentioned, is at his amazing layout. Last year we all had a blast, and this year should be the same. He’s done a lot of work since last year, and its really nice to see the changes. We’ll quit around 2 so those departing can get a back home at a reasonable hour.

Here’s what I think is a list of who has said they are coming for ops on Saturday. Any additions/subtractions?

Me/Martha
Bruce/Jean
Ken
Jon/Marilyn (they are maybes?)
Doug M/Paul N (maybe Gaetan?)
Todd W
Stan
Sean M (I think?)

Who’d I miss?

#22

Sounds like a plan, Bob…lookin forward to it!

#23
Bob McCown said:
Less than two weeks, and I'm finalizing plans. Friday is run-what-you-brung day. People have said they're arriving various times during the day. Dinner Friday is catch-what-you-can. I will have a list of various good restaurants in the area.

Saturday is ops day. Starting about 10, and I will provide lunch (cold cuts, salads, etc). Since I now have two yards, we may even have roles for a yardmaster. We operate two trains in each direction, though I can add a fifth coal drag if needed. No dispatcher, so meets are by mutual agreement. We’ll go until maybe 5? Dinner Saturday, again, is catch-what-you-can, though I could be talked into ordering out pizza and hanging out.

Sunday, as Stan has mentioned, is at his amazing layout. Last year we all had a blast, and this year should be the same. He’s done a lot of work since last year, and its really nice to see the changes. We’ll quit around 2 so those departing can get a back home at a reasonable hour.

Here’s what I think is a list of who has said they are coming for ops on Saturday. Any additions/subtractions?

Me/Martha
Bruce/Jean
Ken
Jon/Marilyn (they are maybes?)
Doug M/Paul N (maybe Gaetan?)
Todd W
Stan
Sean M (I think?)

Who’d I miss?


Us, (Ric and Jan) we plan to be there. Only problem is the distance, time needed and other plans made to go to Marty’s, plus Jan’s sister (we’d have to visit on the way and that would take way too much time) Its basically a cold chance in Hell, but don’t write us off yet. Well, maybe not Jan.

#24
Bob McCown said:
Less than two weeks, and I'm finalizing plans. Friday is run-what-you-brung day. People have said they're arriving various times during the day. Dinner Friday is catch-what-you-can. I will have a list of various good restaurants in the area.

Saturday is ops day. Starting about 10, and I will provide lunch (cold cuts, salads, etc). Since I now have two yards, we may even have roles for a yardmaster. We operate two trains in each direction, though I can add a fifth coal drag if needed. No dispatcher, so meets are by mutual agreement. We’ll go until maybe 5? Dinner Saturday, again, is catch-what-you-can, though I could be talked into ordering out pizza and hanging out.

Sunday, as Stan has mentioned, is at his amazing layout. Last year we all had a blast, and this year should be the same. He’s done a lot of work since last year, and its really nice to see the changes. We’ll quit around 2 so those departing can get a back home at a reasonable hour.

Here’s what I think is a list of who has said they are coming for ops on Saturday. Any additions/subtractions?

Me/Martha
Bruce/Jean
Ken
Jon/Marilyn (they are maybes?)
Doug M/Paul N (maybe Gaetan?)
Todd W
Stan
Sean M (I think?)

Who’d I miss?


Jane, My mom and I were there in July… Cept for Martha & Bob, and the dogs, noone else showed up… :slight_smile:

#25
Andy Clarke said:
Jane, My mom and I were there in July.... Cept for Martha & Bob, and the dogs, noone else showed up..... :)
Wonder why that was dad? ;)
#26
David Russell said:
Andy Clarke said:
Jane, My mom and I were there in July.... Cept for Martha & Bob, and the dogs, noone else showed up..... :)
Wonder why that was dad? ;)
I think they heard a rumor that you'd be there, son.... :)
#27
Andy Clarke said:
Jane, My mom and I were there in July.... Cept for Martha & Bob, and the dogs, no one else showed up..... :)
May have been because they were at my house.........battling the bees.....;)
Quote:
Us, (Ric and Jan) we plan to be there. Only problem is the distance, time needed and other plans made to go to Marty's, plus Jan's sister (we'd have to visit on the way and that would take way too much time) Its basically a cold chance in Hell, but don't write us off yet. Well, maybe not Jan.
Ah, so many layouts, so little time......;)
#28
Ric Golding said:
Us, (Ric and Jan) we plan to be there. Only problem is the distance, time needed and other plans made to go to Marty's, plus Jan's sister (we'd have to visit on the way and that would take way too much time) Its basically a cold chance in Hell, but don't write us off yet. Well, maybe not Jan.
It's only 1200 miles, give or take...
#29
Bob McCown said:
Ric Golding said:
Us, (Ric and Jan) we plan to be there. Only problem is the distance, time needed and other plans made to go to Marty's, plus Jan's sister (we'd have to visit on the way and that would take way too much time) Its basically a cold chance in Hell, but don't write us off yet. Well, maybe not Jan.
It's only 1200 miles, give or take...
Trust me, it's not the 1200 miles. It'a the sister in law (SOL) in the middle. I've considered the best route to be, like Andy did, through Ottawa.
#30

Bob,

Late to the party but am thinking of doing a Friday /Saturday visit, even just to observe on Saturday.

#31

Glad to have you, Al!

#32
Al Pomeroy said:
Bob,

Late to the party but am thinking of doing a Friday /Saturday visit, even just to observe on Saturday.


That sounds great - another new face. It’s not observation - it’s socializing! :smiley:

It’s going to be fun to see all the changes you’ve made, Bob.

#33
Bob McCown said:
Here's what I think is a list of who has said they are coming for ops on Saturday. Any additions/subtractions?

Me/Martha
Bruce/Jean
Ken
Jon/Marilyn (they are maybes?)
Doug M/Paul N (maybe Gaetan?)
Todd W
Stan
Sean M (I think?)

Who’d I miss?


Sean’s still in Canada will try for Sunday.
Sean

#34

As mentioned on the Franklin Falls Thread it looks like a day trip on Saturday will be doable. It’s only 3 hours each way.

EDIT: Stupid spell checker

#35

Is Marilyn coming? Martha hopes so…

#36

We can’t leave the dog home, and bringing her would be dragging her along for our convenience. She is thinking about it but probably not.

#37
Jon Radder said:
We can't leave the dog home, and bringing her would be dragging her along for our convenience. She is thinking about it but probably not.
Understood.
#38

Message from Martha:

Hi all,

Bob and I are excited to see everyone this weekend. We are planning to provide lunch both Friday and Saturday. We are thinking sandwiches of various cold cuts and cheese, potato salad and chips. We will have seltzer, soda, some beer and wine.

Dinner will be on our own. Some nearby ideas for dinner are:

Ninety Nine Restaurant, 333 Littleton Rd Westford MA http://www.99restaurants.com/

Karma 174 Littleton Rd, Westford, MA

Chipotle Grill 174 Littleton Road, Westford MA http://www.chipotle.com/en-US/menu/menu.aspx very casual, fast food.

Belle’s Bistro, 2 Powers Rd Westford, MA: http://bellesbistro.com/ A favorite of Bob and me! Very small little place. Will need a reservation.

Gibbett Hill, 61 Lowell Road Groton MA http://www.gibbethillgrill.com/menu-wine/dinner-menu/ (need to make reservations very soon if you wish to go here) It is a beautiful rural setting, very popular place. Could be difficult to get reservations but worth it if you can do it!

Deven’s Grill, 4 Ryans Way, Devens, MA (a favorite of Bob and I) Easy going, not too crowded generally but busy. good food, good prices, friendly staff. Never more than a 15 minute wait for a table and that has only happened once in 2 years we have been going there. Ask Bob how to get there… GPS takes you through the military security area. :slight_smile:

Kimball’s Ice Cream, 400 Littleton Road (Rt. 110), Westford MA (has some really good seafood and LOTS OF ICE CREAM!) picnic tables outdoor seating. good place for a larger group to go.

Mango Grill, 38 Littleton Road (Rt.2A), Ayer MA http://www.mangogrillrestaurant.com/index.html

Chile’s Restaurant, Westford, MA 137 Littleton Rd, Westford http://www.chilis.com/EN/Pages/home.aspx

#39

Hey Bob,

Are going to have the “On Line Camera” set up so we can watch all the fun? I sure hope so!!!

Chuck

#40

Wait…nobody said anything about potato salad to me until now!