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A 501(c)3 O Gauge Model Railroad Organization

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You are here: Home / Archives for Show Reports / 2015 Show Reports

2015 Show Reports

BELTSVILLE DAY FESTIVAL—May 17

May 22, 2015 By Joe H.

 BELTSVILLE DAY FESTIVAL—May 17, 2015

The participants arrived onsite at 0800 and began setting up. The participating members included Bob Bitzer, Dave Bonner, Tony Duncanson, Bill Hakkarinen, Craig Schelle, Dave Sealing, Mike Smith, and Jeff Talaga. In addition, Casey Talaga (Jeff’s son),  were there to help bring items in from the vehicles.

 

We had no difficulties setting up and had trains running by 0940.

 

Things ran smoothly all day. The show opened at Noon and closed at 5 PM. Everybody had plenty of run time. There were a number of activities taking place around the Community Center so when people weren’t running, they had an opportunity to get outside and enjoy some different things. We had a constant trickle of people watching the trains but never more than about 10 people at the layout at any given time. It was a beautiful day which kept many people outside’

 

We started taking scenery down at 4PM and stopped the trains at 5 PM. We were loaded and leaving by 6 PM.

 

Below is the layout plan for the show. Next year we plan to increase the show by 2 modules since there is enough space to expand.

 

Thanks to the participants for a very successful day.

 

 

Dave Bonner participated also.

Dave Sealing will bring the MD trailer.

 

 

Filed Under: 2015 Show Reports, Show Reports

NTD Chantilly Report – 2015

May 17, 2015 By Joe H.

We had a successful National Train Day Show on May 16, 2015.

Read the Show Report (pdf): NTD Chantilly Report 5015

Filed Under: 2015 Show Reports, Show Reports

“North Meets South” Show Report

May 11, 2015 By Joe H.

We participated in this WB&A hosted event along with the Virginia Train Collectors (VTC) on May 9, 2015.  Read Trackmaster Rick’s report:

Fredericksburg Show Trackmaster Report

Filed Under: 2015 Show Reports, Show Reports

Armed Forces Retirement Home, 2015

April 20, 2015 By Joe H.

National Capital Trackers modular Layout at the Armed Forces Retirement Home

Washington DC, April 9, 2015

 

Thanks to the National Capital Trackers for the privilege of serving as Trackmaster.

Thanks to Mike Fistere for their special efforts for set up and smooth operations.

Trackers involved:

Clem Clement, Mike Smith, Bear Bailey, Bill Creech, Allan Crotts, Mike Fistere,

Glen Mackinnon, Phil Barbara, Jim McDermott

 

Others attending:

Sandy Clement

Janet McFarland, Beverly Tomb and one other lady from the Washington Chapter, DAR.

Carol and Chuck McGinnis. Carol is past President, TCA.

AFRH personnel:

Nicole Chappell, POC

Laura Fogerty, Director of rec. services, AFRH and several members of the AFRH staff

 

Event statistics:

Advertised to open: 10:30 Am

First train run: 09:59 Am

Outside 2 tracks hot. Inside track shorted. (A few minutes of extra work did not find the short.)

2 track operating began at 10:40 Am. Inside track became parking track.

AFRH provided excellent lunch

Well over 100 happy residents visited the NCT layout area.

Advertised shutdown: 14:30 Pm

Actual shutdown 14:40 Pm.  Leader wanted more run time for his $50 dolla Blue Comet. During takedown, we determined that the fault was in one of our small collector tracks.

Attached flyer was everywhere in the facility plus placed on every table in the dining hall. This was a very effective flyer promoting our event.

AFRH comments: Wonderful Train operations: when are you coming back?

Comments:

Should we return /annually, semiannually?

Two days would be easier on us and perhaps get more residents to attend

Nat’s game let out as we were leaving causing a huge traffic jam in DC

Could we do the event over a weekend? (AFRH previously said no as the day staff is off duty on the weekend.)

 

Stories of our residents:

R “the last time you were here your trains were smaller.” A: They have grown up

R “do you have steamers? I love Steamers!” A: We sure do!

Several of the vets had most interesting stories to tell us.

It was a great pleasure to play trains with and for the enjoyment of our men and women vets who so honorably served our great nation!

Clem Clement

Trackmaster

Filed Under: 2015 Show Reports, Show Reports

WB&A Show Report, March 14 2015

March 21, 2015 By Joe H.

WB&A Show Report   3 14 2015

The Trackers made their first appearance at the WB&A Show locatedannap1 in the Annapolis Armory on Saturday March 14, 2015.

Setup began on Friday at 2 pm and was completed by 5 PM with the exception of two modules. Unloading was very easily with the overhead door being only a few feet from the layout. We took advantage of the early setup and check the entire loop with a conventional engine being careful not to launch the engine while testing. Ed Beaver assisted with the Trackmaster duties and was deeping involved in layout setup.

annap10The 22 x 18 layout featured John Harpers turntable together with Fred Koesters two modules, Allen Crotts two module with sidings, and the geezer gate. George Tsakiris offered to help with setup and provided a last minute replacement for Martin Boza’s module.

Addition scenery modules were provided John Harper and Ed Beaver for the wide rides corners.

Final setup was completed starting at 7:00 am on Saturday morning with operation begin open to WB&A members only at 8 AM and the public at 9:00 am.

The crowd of family members was especially heavy between 10aannap5m and Noon with the show closing at 2 PM.  The large number of young children surrounding our train layout seemed brought smiles to the WB&A members as well as the Trackers.

We had two special treats; John Buxton (WB&A member) brought his O Gauge Dorfan Train setup from the 1930’s and ran it on the layout for about 30 mins. It ran a Lionel speed with the little bobber caboose jumping the track. This attached a lot of attention from the more mature adults!

Latter in the show John Harper appeared aannap3t the layout with Clem in tow after taking a shopping tour around the Armory Hall. Yes, Clem had his old train set which he had restored on one side only. Around the track it went with lot so laughs and yes a few stores.   Clem then placed a wooden O Gauge engine on the track It ran to the amazement all. We even got one of the lights to work.

Clem was in Heaven!annap7

A thanks to all who participated and to the WB&A membership including us in their show.

WB&A has Graciously given the Tracker a $200 honorarium for our efforts.

Thank YOU!

Dave Sealing

Trackmaster

 

Filed Under: 2015 Show Reports, Show Reports

U.S. Marine Corps Museum Show Report, 2015

March 17, 2015 By Joe H.

Marine Corps Museum Show Report

Quantico, VA

March 14-15, 2015

 

Everyone arrived at the museum around 7am. Setup began and wmc-2015-ae realized that we had the wide radius corners, and that the current number of modules would not fit into our designated area. I have to say a big thanks to Rick Eudy, he helped reconfigure the layout (and also brought the Tracker trailer). We all worked together to get the layout up and running by 9:45am.

Saturday attendance was very good, museum count = 1,979. All the trackers got plenty of run time and we had no other issues with the layout. I spoke with Dave Fair, the Museum Coordinator, and he was very pleased with the event. Just so happens, he’s into trains and asked if he could run his train, which we were happy to accommodate. We received a lot of positive feedback from people who came.

Sunday morning trains started rolling at 9 am sharp. Museum attendance = 1305. A little bit down of from the previous day, but still good. Lots of veterans stopped by and it was nice to be able to give something back to them for their service. Everyone really enjoyed the scenery. It was my first Track Master opportunity. John Zampino was the original Track Master, but had a change of plans. I’d like to thank everyone for their patience. Also big thanks to all: John, Carl, Joe, Ken, Martin, David, Bill, Frank, Don, Bob, Jim, Bob, Jack, Chuck, Mike, and Rick.

I’d like to suggest we have business cards printed with our web site. There were a lot of people who would like to come to other shows or possibly join the club.

I look forward to events like this in the future.

Tim Minor

Filed Under: 2015 Show Reports, Show Reports

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