Posts resume Saturday

Taking tomorrow off to do some Labor Day preparation stuff for Monday...

Will get it all done on Friday, and Saturday will get back to posting in this blog.

Hope all my readers have a good Labor Day weekend!

UK: xhibition celebrates model locomotives

From Bury Free Press:  Exhibition celebrates model locomotives

MINI railway lines snaked their way around Needham Market’s Community Centre on Saturday as it hosted a model railway exhibition.

Miniature locomotives, both modern and historic, were on display at the annual exhibition organised by the One Model Railway Club.

And the models were so detailed, one even had a rail replacement bus for when the model trains were delayed.
Club chairman Derek Orr, who has worked on real trains for 10 years as a conductor, said the event was a huge success.

He said: “It all went really well, we had a large number of people come along and everybody had a wonderful time.

“We had a wide range of train models in all scales and sizes.

“People had come in from different clubs around the area but we had a lot of people who just popped in.
“I have worked on the trains for 10 years.

“I think people are interested in model trains because it is a way to link to their past and their childhood.
“They can see models of trains here that no longer are in use and become a kid again.”

To find out more about the model club visit www.onemrc.co.uk

 

SC: The Sandbox grateful for Sun City Model Railroad Club's display

From Hilton Head Island Packet:  The Sandbox grateful for Sun City Model Railroad Club's display

An open letter:

The board of directors, executive director and staff at The Sandbox, An Interactive Children's Museum would like to thank the Sun City Model Railroad Club for the excellent help in building a model railroad display.
Nick Del Pozzo, Jon Davis, Grayston Dancy, Joe Burke and Mike Stroud are commended for their dedication and willingness to volunteer to help us, especially Jim Gant on our board.
The results are impressive, and we already have received positive comments from visitors. The best indicator is to watch the faces of our visitors (young and old) as they watch the trains go around. Approximately 30,000 visitors a year will enjoy this exhibit.
Their passion for all things "trains" will help evolve our passion of reaching out to our community and visitors alike to enjoy everything there is to enjoy on our island.
Thanks again for the hard work on our behalf.
Caroline Rinehart
director of operations
The Sandbox, An Interactive Children's Museum
Hilton Head Island

Read more here: http://www.islandpacket.com/2012/08/27/2184814/the-sandbox-grateful-for-sun-city.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.islandpacket.com/2012/08/27/2184814/the-sandbox-grateful-for-sun-city.html#storylink=cpy

 

PA: Miniature train exhibit a big thrill in Allentown

From Morning Call:  Miniature train exhibit a big thrill in Allentown

A crowd emerges from the Palace Theatre, its marquee prominently featuring "The Blob," starring Steve McQueen, just as the sky grows dark and thunder and lightning threaten. People scatter, some to trolleys, some to the underground subway, others to brave a brisk walk across town to the other side of the lake. Suddenly, it starts to rain.

In reality, these folks have nothing to fret about. You see, they are really just figures barely over an inch tall, part of a remarkable model train layout on the second floor of Merchants Square Mall in Allentown. The movie theater, the lake, the trains — even the rainstorm — are part of an exhibit so real, they will amaze both child and adult.
This is a marvelous, miniature HO scale and "O" Gauge-sized world, covering 7,000 square feet of space and more than three miles of track. There are 40 trains — including underground subways, elevated trains, trolleys, steam engines and diesels — as well as operating amusement parks, more than 1,000 illuminated structures and a whole lot more.
Overhead, thousands of stars glow in the night sky. What impresses the most is that huge 16-foot-wide by 24-foot-long lake in the center, over which thunder roars, lightning flashes and rain falls.
"It's one of the largest model train exhibits on the East Coast, and as far as we know, the only one in the country that has a working thunderstorm and rain over a huge lake," say Mike Roche, owners of Merchants Square Mall. The layout, which took two years to complete, opened July 15, and is now a permanent attraction.
Like a true promoter, Roche calls the model train extravaganza the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Hyperbole or not, it's quite a show. It was built by a volunteer team of five model train enthusiasts under the leadership of Joe Kean of Nazareth, a model train fanatic for most of his 73 years. Kean, a retired priest, had previously built model train displays for the Pocono Museum Unlimited in Lehighton and the Hooven Mercantile Co. Museum in Jim Thorpe.
"When the owner of Pocono museum sold the property 12 years ago, Kean started looking for a new location to move the exhibit, and an opportunity to turn it into what he calls the greatest model train layout he ever built," Roche says. "He had gone to numerous warehouses and businesses, but couldn't find a landlord who'd work with him. When he approached me and told me the size of the display he was planning, I was amazed. When he showed me photos of what he'd done in Jim Thorpe, I was absolutely certain I wanted him to build this thing here."
Roche gave Kean (who declined to be interviewed) more space than he had ever had, in a 10,000-square-foot room on the second floor of the mall that had been used for storage. Upon entering the space, one first sees the control station, manned by a single engineer. There are racks of transformers, power supplies, countless switches, and rows of tape recorders and sound effects devices.

The layout is divided into three sections, each featuring a different environment. The HO scale layout features scale models of the Empire State Building, the PPL building and an amusement park with a dozen working rides.
There's an ice skating rink with tiny moving skaters, and even bumper cars that jitterbug around the course. In a far corner is an "O" Gauge layout dominated by Snow Mountain, a ski resort complete with working lifts, gondolas and skiers. The large central layout, also "O" Gauge, holds the lake, surrounded by illuminated skyscrapers, bridges and many other structures.
"What's amazing is the detail. Everything in the room is done to perfect scale," Roche says. "Joe is one of those guys whose life is dedicated to his hobby. He's been working on this Monday through Thursday for two years. He has no wife, no kids — this is his enjoyment." Roadside America in Shartlesville, which Kean helped construct many years ago, might be charmingly kitschy, but doesn't have the level of detail of this layout.
Unlike Roadside America, all the figures, vehicles, buildings, and even lost dogs in each section remain true to scale — the HO layouts are 1/83 scale, the "O" Gauge layouts are 1/43 to 1/48 scale.
Like any great work of art, each time the display is viewed, something new is bound to be discovered. Consider, for example, the 67 working amusement park rides in the large "O" Gauge central section. There's a working Cyclone roller coaster (made of wood, of course, just like the Coney Island original), a parachute jump and a tilt-a-whirl. Dazzling miniatures include Brooklyn's Ebbets Field, Berlinsville's Becky's Drive-In with a real movie showing (when I visited, it was a kid's cartoon), a hardware store robbery in progress, and four subway trains which run underground and stop at stations visible through clear plastic panels.

Railroad fans will marvel at the rail lines represented, which include Lehigh Valley, Jersey Central, Pennsylvania Railroad, New Haven Railroad, Amtrak and SEPTA. There's an enormous railroad yard complete with roundhouse, turntable and engine maintenance complex. Roche says that more than 75 pounds of kitty litter was required for the simulated track ballast. It takes 7,060 pounds of water to fill the "lake."
Kids will absolutely love the show — smaller ones can stand on one of the many movable lightweight step stools. In fact, there's so much detail to entertain them, Roche is thinking of offering kids something along the lines of a "Where's Waldo?" contest for those who can locate, say, the Ford dealership, the subway graffiti, the hardware store robbery or the Greek Orthodox church. The display has many churches of all denominations, perhaps reflecting Kean's original calling.

 

Socorro, NM: Toy train show returns to Socorro

From DChieftain.com:  Toy train show returns to Socorro

The ninth annual Toy Train Show and Swap Meet will be held in Socorro at the Best Western Hotel Convention Center on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2011. The Convention Center is just off I-25 exit 150, behind McDonalds. Signs on California Street will direct you to show parking. The show will run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and will feature toy and model trains of all sizes and gauges.

The show is sponsored by the New Mexico Division of the Toy Train Operating Society (TTOS), the Socorro Train Gang model railroad club and the city of Socorro. There will be operating layouts, raffle prizes and vendors selling toy and model railroad equipment and railroad memorabilia. Raffle prizes will be drawn at 3 p.m. Admission is $1 per person and $2 per family.

There will also be tracks available to test run any model train equipment that you may be considering for purchase. Many of the vendors are experts in all aspects of toy train operation and model railroading and will be happy to answer your questions.

This year the show will feature several operating layouts, including the return of the “Summerville and Northlands Lines” portable model railroad. Kids will want to stop by and try their hand at doing some operating. As well, there is a short quiz to take that, if completed, will earn you a three by four-inch “Summerville and Northlands” sticker.

The New Mexico Division of the Toy Train Operating Society will have its modular “O” scale layout set up and running. The Socorro Train Gang model railroad club will also be operating its Christmas Raffle layout.
Model railroading has been called “The World’s Greatest Hobby.” Whether you just like to run toy trains or build elaborate layouts, this hobby has something for everyone. Come join us and find out for yourself how much fun model railroading can be. If you have an old toy or model train set in the closet or attic and want to know if it still runs or how much it is worth, dust it off and bring it to the show. Some old toy train sets have become quite valuable and most can be brought back to life for the enjoyment of both big and little kids.

In conjunction with the show Socorro Train Gang members will be available to take interested folks on a tour to the Hammel Museum to see the club’s layouts. If you are interested in the tour you can sign up at the show’s registration desk. If you have any questions please call 575-418-7534.

 

Model railroaders flock to St. Charles

From the Daily Herald:  Model railroaders flock to St. Charles

Five-year-old David Jovic could hardly contain his excitement Sunday while watching model trains zoom through a setup at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles. Eyes wide, the Lake Zurich boy alternately sat at the edge of the tracks with hands clasped or ran around the scene looking for a new vantage point.

His father, Ray Jovic, said David normally doesn’t run off by himself, but with the chugging locomotives grabbing his attention, his shyness evaporated.

The Jovics spent a couple hours watching trains when the National Garden Railway Convention opened its exhibit hall to the public in its 28th annual convention.

“He loves it,” Jovic said of his son. “He can’t get enough.”

The convention is held in a different city each year, with this event the culmination of five years of planning. Gail Althardt, of Vernon Hills, led the planning committee and said about 1,500 people attended the 5-day convention, which included tours of area garden railroads, shopping and evening banquets.

More than 40 people opened their homes to hundreds of interested “model railroaders” over the course of the long weekend, showing off their backyards and the train sets that fill them.

“As small or as large, they’re so unique to their creators,” Althardt said.

Besides just train tracks and locomotives, model railroad creators add life to the scenes they set up by choosing time periods, regional details, people, plants and animals. The tours gave those new to the hobby ideas for their own models and offered more experienced enthusiasts a sounding board to solve problems in their designs.

John Lawson, of McHenry, has been collecting parts for his garden setup for more than a decade, though he only plans to start the outdoor construction next year and thinks it could take up to five years to build.

Lawson will retire in December and then get more serious about his design. Right now he has trains running through his family room and on a raised track the length of his home. At the convention Sunday he bought a miniature jukebox to add to his collection.

“A model railroader is never done with his train set,” Lawson said. “It’s a permanent hobby.”

Casey Overpass to survive in model train set

From Jamaica Plain Gazette:  Casey Overpass to survive in model train set
FOREST HILLS—Model train enthusiast, Casey Arborway design team member and Jamaica Plain resident Nathaniel Cabral-Curtis is honoring the soon-to-be demolished Casey Overpass with a miniature version of the overpass in his model train set. “The idea isn’t to create an exact replica of Forest Hills down in the basement, but to do sort of a loving pastiche of it,” he told the Gazette. “Forest Hills has changed a lot in the 30 years I’ve known it…but the trains have been a constant since the 19th century. So a Forest Hills send-up with trains in it just seems to make sense.”

During a recent Gazette visit, Cabral-Curtis demonstrated how two current train loops—one featuring a steam engine model that produces smoke, another a replica of an Amtrak locomotive that currently runs through Forest Hills—snake under tunnels and through replica stations.

The model Casey Overpass tribute is a ramp, not a bridge. It sits in pride of place, at the center of the large 1/48-scale model surface, with a truck already in position atop the miniature. It is mostly made of scrap wood and balsa wood, along with some model train-specific miniatures such as working streetlights. He said he will probably add tiny model pigeons, too.

“Mostly it was basic carpentry stuff: measuring, cutting, sanding and painting,” said Cabral-Curtis, public involvement specialist on the Casey project team. “Since I work a full-time job…it took me [four months] to get everything assembled and installed…There are, of course, railroad modelers with more time, money and expertise than I who build working drawbridges from scratch, but for scrap wood and spray paint, I think this effort has turned out well.”

Cabral-Curtis has been a model railroad enthusiast since he was a child living in the Forest Hills area. He said he also eventually plans to add an elevated trolley line that will run concurrently with the “at-grade” train lines. The MBTA’s Orange Line used to run on an elevated track along Washington Street before it was sunk underground by 1987.

“I have an MBTA trolley to run on it,” a customized item, he said. “I got to take the last ride on the Orange Line when I was 6, so that’s something I’d like to recreate here.”

Cabral-Curtis said he hopes to get a good year’s worth of work on his train set so that by December, he can host an “open basement” for fellow residents of Woodlawn Street in Forest Hills.

“Model trains and Christmas go together,” he said.

As the Casey’s public involvement specialist, Cabral-Curtis is responsible for taking down the minutes at all Casey Arborway project meetings.

The Casey Arborway, an at-grade surface street network, will replace the crumbling Casey Overpass. The Casey Overpass is the State Route 203 bridge over Washington Street at the Forest Hills T Station.

Locating Your Layout - Where's the Best Place to Build a Model Railroad?

From About.com:  Locating Your Layout - Where's the Best Place to Build a Model Railroad?

Finding the right place for a model railroad can be a big challenge. Of course we all have our dream locations, but until you win the lottery or buy that old bowling alley, what options are best for you?
We don't all have the same living situations, so some of these options may simply not be an option for you. All of the following locations however have been used repeatedly by modelers in the past. So while you continue to dream, take another look at what you already have - maybe you can get started before you hit the jackpot.

The true secret to success is to build a railroad in a space that works for you and your family. If you are comfortable, your modeling will reflect it. Most of all, modeling anywhere is sure to do more for your skills and enjoyment than not modeling at all.
Basements
If there is a stereotype for a model railroader, the caricature usually includes the phrase "basement-dwelling." The basement has long been a favorite spot for model railroads. It is out of the way and often offers some of the biggest rooms in the house.
But all basements are not created equal, and there are some things you should consider before you begin your subterranean empire.

1. Humidity: Basements are often cool year round, but also damp. High humidity can be a big problem for model trains. Fortunately, it is also often easy to treat with the addition of a dehumidifier. Just be sure to check it regularly.
2. Water: If your basement is prone to bigger water problems, ie flooding, you'll have to be very careful about where and how you build your platform and store your trains. Of course if this is a regular issue, there are far more important concerns than your train platform to prompt you to fix this right away!
3. Utilities: Basements are often home to many utilities and appliances. From water heaters to washers and dryers, furnaces, gas lines, electrical panels, well pumps and on and on - we seldom have the basement all to our modeling desires. It is important to plan around these fixtures - and provide an enough space to work on and replace them when necessary.
4. Access: Steep steps? Low headroom? Only one exit? If you're looking for a railroad that is going to last you into your golden years, or if you are planning a large layout that will have multiple operators, safe and easy access into and out of the basement is an important consideration. You and your guests might not always be as nimble as you think! And there are all those sheets of plywood, boxes, and other materials to carry too.

Attics
If the basement doesn't work, try going up. Some attics can be very hospitable to a train layout. Perhaps even more than the basement, headroom and access can often be an issue with these spaces. But if you've got that, then you'll probably find a very large space with little in the way of your plans. What else should you consider?

1. Heat: Hot air rises. In warmer climates, the attic may be the last place you want to be on a summer day. Although changes in temperature are less impactful than humidity on the trains themselves, extreme fluctuations are not good for the railroad or the railroader.
2. Unfinished space: While it is a good idea to finish off any area before building your railroad, attics often lack some of the layout essentials like electrical outlets, HVAC, etc. Make sure all of these are addressed before beginning your railroad.

Garages
An unused garage can often provide a large area for a layout. Some modelers have even built layouts that provide enough room to keep the car in there as well. The challenges to a garage layout are also fairly obvious. Often these spaces aren't heated or cooled - but like basements and attics that can be fixed. Dealing with the large garage door can be another issue for both your track plan and for insulation and security for the trains.
Spare Bedroom
A spare bedroom often offers one of the easiest places to start a modest sized model railroad. The room is already finished for you! Many trackplans have been published in hobby magazines and books for typical sized bedroom layouts.
What's to worry about? Building a model railroad can be messy work - consider building the benchwork and even some scenic features in modular form outside or in another workspace. Also, remember that should you ever sell the house or see your family grow, you may need to turn that room back into a bedroom.
You may also want to choose a plan that allows multi-functions of the room like a narrow shelf layout in a home office or a trundlebed layout that slides under the guest bed.
Living Spaces
A model railroad can be a work of art. Once all the mess of construction is finished, they are fun to watch and great conversation starters. While your sizes may be somewhat limited, some very impressive layouts have been built into coffee tables and other furniture. Others have run trains on suspended tracks and shelves in place of crown molding.
Think Outside the Home
Who said your model railroad had to be inside your house? Or even inside?
Outbuildings - A detached garage, workshop or shed has many advantages that the house can't provide, including the freedom to do pretty much whatever you want without fear of its impact on your daily life. Of course that freedom comes with a cost - in the form of a second building to maintain, heat, finish, etc. A less obvious problem is that with the layout out of the way, it is also easy to put it out of your mind.
Garden Railways - For a growing group of hobbyists (pun intended) outdoor railroads have become a relaxing way to combine multiple interests. Yes, the weather concerns make basement humidity look like nothing, but who wouldn't like to see their rotary snow plow actually plowing snow? And what could be more relaxing than watching your trains meander through the garden on a nice spring day?
Go Modular
Joining a local club is a great way to get involved in the hobby and expand your skills whether you have a home layout or not. Some clubs have modular layouts that travel to shows, even joining with other clubs to form layouts larger than most of us could ever dream of building at home.
A modular layout like this could give you the best of both worlds. Focus your energy time and budget on a layout that could fit in your closet, but still set it up and watch 100 car trains rumble over it! This is also a perfect option for apartments or folks frequently on the move.
Think Small
If you're really strapped for space, consider going small with a portable N scale or Z scale layout. You'd be amazed what you can do in a suitcase! If watching the trains run 'round and 'round isn't your thing, consider a small switching layout on a shelf. Narrow gauge trains can also get more railroading into a small space without going down in scale.
No Layout No Problem
There is no law that says you have to have a permanent railroad to enjoy model railroading. Some of the most accomplished modelers never build a railroad. Detailed scale models and dioramas can be impressive in their own right. And you can still exhibit and even compete at shows and network with others.
Whether it's a barn out back, a shelf in the office, or circling the walls of your dining room, almost any home has a place for a model railroad if you use your creativity and work with what you have not what you think you need.

More Help Getting Started

• Model Railroading 101
• What Is the Best Model Train Scale?
• Model Railroad Planning

Make the Most of Your Space

• Moveable and Removeable Benchwork
• Build a Helix to Connect Levels
• Model Railroad Space Planning

More Planning Advice

• Trackplan for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Project Layout
• Minimum Curves
• Maximum Grades

Frequently Asked Questions about Model Trains

• Understanding Model Railroad Switches
• Choosing a Railroad to Model
• Choosing a Model Railroad Scale
• Scales and Gauges

 

AZ: Glendale model-train store puts businessman's dream on track

From AZ Central :  Glendale model-train store puts businessman's dream on track

Opening Jack's Trains in Glendale was Jack Miller's second chance to make his dream of a model-train business come true.

Miller, who received his first train set on Christmas in 1946, said since that day model trains have made up a big part of his life. Miller managed a train store in 1980 and 1981 in Rochester, N.Y., he said.

"When the guy went out of business, I wanted to buy the train store, but he wouldn't sell me just the train store, and that killed the dream," Miller recalled. "I said, 'Someday I will do it again.' Now here I am."

Miller, 75, and his wife and co-owner, Pat, opened the model-train business in Glendale in April 2011 near 58th and Glendale avenues, near Bitz-ee Mama's restaurant. In March, the business moved to its current location, 7021 N. 57th Drive.

Within the shop's white walls, visitors are surrounded by model cabooses, tracks and train memorabilia. In addition to selling model trains and accessories, the Millers repair trains.

The couple plan to open the Caboose Cafe in the back of the store soon to provide customers with sweets and treats.

The shop is a gathering place for model-train lovers, Miller said.

The West Valley Railroad Historical Society, founded by Miller, meets at 7 p.m. Mondays at the store to work on model-railroad projects. The society has about a dozen members, and anyone can join, Miller said.
Miller talked about his love of model trains and the business.

Question: What do most customers who come to your store look for?
Answer: "People are looking for specific things sometimes. Other times, they just ... come to check me out and see what I have."

Q: Has the model train industry changed in the past several years?
A: "The popularity of trains has never died. ... We're doing digital, and it's absolutely awesome. Our locomotives now are digital. We have a chip in the locomotive that designates the address to that particular locomotive ... (The chip allows you to control it) via computer or via cellphone."

Q: What will Caboose Cafe offer customers?
A: "(It) will be opening shortly, by September 1. We will have New York hot dogs, fudge, imported jams and jellies. We'll (also) be having cookies, muffins, sodas, water, juices and coffee."

 

60 is the new 40

On August 10, 2012, the Cheyenne chapter of the AARP hosted a seminar called Gray Matters - which was free and provided a free lunch - unfortunately fish and cheesecake, blech - from 4 to 6 was a reception for all travelers who had come in for the AARP National Spelling Bee to be held on the 11th.

I attended that and it was a lot of fun. The emcee introduced a few folks, we talked about words, there was a "mock" spelling bee (which only consisted of about 20 people getting up and being questioned on one word...._ and so on. And there were finger foods there - Chinese food to be precise. Don't know where they got it from or if they cooked it on site (Little America is a hotel and resort where people come to play golf among other things) but it was delish.

The spelling bee started at the ungodly hour of 8:30 am (Well...8:30 is not so ungodly but I had to get up at the ungodly hour of 6:30 to get there in time for registration, etc.) It started with 4 rounds of 25 words each - which was a Written Test.

The first 25 words were extremely easy. They asked words like "Greetings" and "Navel" and "Mince." I suppose a few might have been considered difficult... "Animus" and "Lacuna."


The second 25 words were equally easy, but I did miss MUGWUMP.


I assume they did this just to help everyone settle the nerves and get new people used to what was going on. People had trouble hearing some of the words (hey, they were all over 50 and most over 60) and the Pronouncer  would come down and tell them the word face to face and have them say it back, etc. Indeed, the Pronouncer did an excellent job.


Third round was where they started asking the difficult words.


I missed:
QUESTIONARY INERCALATE
TUATARA
SKOSH
VIRIDITY
WIMBLE

The fourth round was the real killer. I only got 12 out of 25 right. I missed:

FELICIFIC
DOVEKIE
FLYTING
NAPERY
COTYLEDONARY
WELTSCHMERRZ
OPPUGNER
AECIOSPORE
SYNCYTIAL
KNUR
IRIDIUM
TUYERE
HYOSCYAMINE

I then stayed for the Oral rounds and was joined by one of my friends from my Scrabble Club. (I think an audience could have assembled for the Written rounds, too. There were chairs there and family were in them...but I think most people only wanted to come see the Oral rounds where you actually saw the speller's faces as opposed to their backs, etc.)

Two of the people I met last night at the reception made it to the Orals. One of them it was his first trip to the Bee and he was successful his first time out. Made it through about 10 rounds. (In the Orals, you miss two words and you're out.) Another one was an elderly woman from Minnesota who also got through about 10 rounds before being knocked out.

There were three sisters and a brother who had come as a sort of family reunion. The eldest sister made it to the Oral rounds but was bounced after only two rounds. This was too bad and it was because she was a bit unlucky - she got two 6-syllable words in a row while some of the others were getting much easier ones (but still, not ones I could have spelled). But she was disqualified along with several other people in the same round, so hopefully she didn't feel too bad.

The words in the Oral Rounds were extremely difficult. Several times more difficult than the toughest words in the final round of the Written.


But, had I studied for a year, I think I could have handled them.


And it is my intention to study for a year and  get into the Orals next year.


So, why is the title of this blog entry 60 is thenew 40?


Because it is.


People are living longer. You don't want to outlive your money and more importantly you don't want to outlive your sense of enjoyment of life. And learning new things every day is enjoyment and keeps the mind active.


The AARP Spelling Bee is held every year, and it gives you an excellent reason to travel to Cheyenne and see The Cowboy State. You'll meet lots of interesting people.


You do have to study.


I studied very desultorily for about a month...combine all the time I studied and it was about 10 hours. Not nearly enough, but then, I'm a good speller so the Written Rounds were relatively easy - except for that killer last round.


Why learn words that you'll never, ever say in real life?Well, because they're interesting. And the concepts of what you'll learn, you can apply in other areas. So it's a win win.


So start planning to live a long, healthy, active, intellectual life, and do it now, however old you might be!

Posts resume Monday

I'm participating in the AARP Cheyenne Spelling Bee today, Saturday, and need to recover Sunday....

So Monday, posts resumes.

Oft-derailed Pokey Smokey II out for year for new track

From Pilot Inline:  Oft-derailed Pokey Smokey II out for year for new track

The city's beloved children's train, Pokey Smokey II, will be closed for about a year, this time costing the city $125,000.
The reason? It was never designed to fit the track, according to documents obtained by The Virginian-Pilot.
Now the city must get a new track in the hopes that Pokey Smokey II will be back in commission by next summer.
The train first began chugging around City Park in May 2011, replacing an older model shut down in 2005 over safety concerns. But it has broken down five times since then in different locations.
On several occasions, the rear wheel truck of the coach car came off the track, Deputy City Manager Brannon Godfrey told the City Council in June. The train closed weeks after it opened last year and ran only a few days this year, according to city records.
The fix, Godfrey told the council, is to replace the entire track.
The three-quarter-mile track is made of donated 90-pound rail - a type used by full-size trains.
However, Pokey Smokey II is a standard model train designed for a 20-pound rail, according to documents obtained by The Pilot. Rail sizes are measured by the weight per yard.
The new track will be made of 20-pound rail.
The council approved money for the project in June. About $45,000 will come from the general operating budget and $80,000 from the capital improvement fund. The city spent almost $30,000 previously to make other repairs to the track.
According to documents from October 2010, the purchase agreement between the Southeast Virginia Community Foundation, which raised funds for the train, and Chance Morgan, the manufacturer, do not mention that the train must fit a particular rail type. It lists only the C.P. Huntington locomotive and its coach for a purchase price of $215,970.
The track installation guide provided to the foundation a month later by Chance Morgan states: "The C.P. Huntington will operate on 12-, 16- or 20-lb rail. However, it is recommended that 20-lb. rail be used whenever possible."
City leaders said they believe the train doesn't fit because the track is old.
Regardless, Godfrey and former foundation director Judi Luffman said it was their understanding that all three parties had conversations and thought the train would fit.
Luffman said she was surprised and befuddled to learn that the train didn't fit the tracks. She rode on it several times when it opened on May 14, 2011, and said it felt fine.
Jeff Roth, vice president for administration for the manufacturer, said that any sales associate would have known to mention the rail size that the miniature train needs.
The C.P. Huntington train is not a custom design, Roth said. Pokey Smokey II is the 365th model the company has built and is the same model that is in use at the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk.
Pokey Smokey II was supposed to be a gift to Portsmouth, a reminder of its namesake, which had chugged its way into the hearts of locals over several decades. City leaders had thought it would be easier and more cost effective to replace the original Pokey Smokey than to repair it.

 

UK: Photo gallery: More than 2,000 people turn out for Southwold model railway event

From EDP24:  Photo gallery: More than 2,000 people turn out for Southwold model railway event

The Southwold Model Railway exhibition at St Felix School in Reydon. Organised by the Waveney Valley Model Railway Club. Picture: James Bass

It came as more than two thousand people made tracks to St Felix School near Southwold to attend one of the biggest model railways events in the country.
The Model Railway Exhibition 2012, organised by Waveney Valley Model Railway Club (WVMRC), included a variety of layouts spanning the decades, featuring miniature houses, railway stations and trains.
The highlight of the event was The Gresley Beat 1923-1939 LNER – a large exhibition layout based on the approaches to King’s Cross in London which is highly acclaimed within the model railway fraternity.
But families also enjoyed hitching a ride on the back of tiny steam engines, which ferried people backwards and forwards on the school green.

The Southwold Model Railway exhibition at St Felix School in Reydon. Organised by the Waveney Valley Model Railway Club. Picture: James Bass

Dennis Moul, of Southwold, a member of the Waveney Valley Modern Railway Club, said: “Basically, we are one of the only club-run two-day events in the UK at this time of year. If you want to see model railways, you have to think about us.
“We try our best to provide areas which appeal to non-specialists who are interested in model railways, and those who are specialist modellers – we have layouts which are suitable for all ages. Everyone enjoys it. It is very much a happy exhibition. It is cheerful and pleasant, which people comment on every year.
He added: “The best part of this year’s event has to be The Gresley Beat 1923-1939 LNER. It is really big and an absolutely superb model railway.”
As part of the Gresley Beat layout, trains emerge from Oakley Park Tunnel from the North bringing coal, fish and mixed traffic freight trains on the upper level.
Meanwhile, its lower level features suburban services approaching King’s Cross, with some having to wait at the platform to become vacant. The trains are surrounded by the intricate work of Geoff Taylor who constructed the buildings and scenery.
Terry Stock, chairman of Waveney Valley Railway Club, said he was pleased with how many people attended over the weekend.
“It went very well on Saturday and it picked up as well on the Sunday,” he said.
“We have had many comments about the quality of the exhibits. Because we are a two-day show we are able to attract the big layouts.”
More than 36 exhibits were on show at the exhibition, which was marking its 24th year. Plans are under way to hold a special exhibition next year to mark its Jubilee anniversary.
A raffle was also held with all the proceeds going to Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
WVMRC has about 40 members who meet on a Wednesday evening, Thursday afternoons and Thursday evenings at their clubhouse at Barsham, near Beccles.
 If you would like to join the club, visit www.waveneyvalleymrc.150m.com

 

 

Aug 11-12: All aboard for the biggest train show in the Tri-state area

From CentralJersey.com:  All aboard for the biggest train show in the Tri-state area

EDISON — The world of miniature railroading will be making a stop when Greenberg’s Train & Toy Show rolls into town on Aug. 11-12 at the New Jersey Expo Center.

Model and toy train experts will be on hand with exhibits and demonstrations. The event includes operating train layouts in a variety of sizes and scales, how-to hobby demonstrations, tables of shopping at the hobby marketplace and more.



You may spend the day visiting operating train layouts provided by local train enthusiasts who represent a variety of scales and gauges. Attendees will see operating railroads that are detailed to familiar local scenes of the past and present or that exist only in the designer’s imagination. Also, participants will get a chance to see the a hobby where you can be the city planner, structural engineer and conductor all at the same time.


There will be seminars on topics such as starting a layout, developing scenery and maintenance. If there isn’t a seminar geared to your question, all you have to do is ask.


The hobby market offers thousands of model and toy trains from leading manufacturers. Young “conductors” will find Thomas the Tank Engine on sale, plus everything needed to start their first layout. Shop for scenery supplies, hobby tools and the latest how-to hobby videos and publications. There will also be a huge selection of train parts, train accessories and die-cast vehicles.


Admission for Greenberg’s Train & Toy Show is $7 for adults and admission is good for both days. The show runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Children 11 and under are admitted free. Visit www.GreenbergShows.com for more information.

 

Salem man is building bridges with scale model train hobby turned business

From Statesman Journal:  Salem man is building bridges with scale model train hobby turned business


Preparations are being made, in a backyard 2,100 miles away, to install a 10-foot-long replica of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The bridge was made by Johnny Hanson of West Salem, and his craftsmanship will be on display during the upcoming 2012 National Garden Railway Convention in the Chicago area.



“I hope more people see what I do,” Hanson said. “Right now it’s only been word of mouth.”



That’s how I learned about Hanson and his hobby-turned-side-business. A source from one of my recent columns lives in the neighborhood, had seen some of his handiwork, and thought I might be interested in his story. She was right.

Hanson makes custom bridges for G scale train enthusiasts. G scale is a scale for model railways and, because of its size and durability, often is used outdoors. They call these installations garden railways.


If you’ve ever visited The Oregon Garden in Silverton, you might have seen Hanson’s work. He donated the bridge that is part of the train garden there.



Hanson has been building these bridges since around 2006. He initially learned how to make them through a fabricator he became acquainted with while working for Industrial Welding Supply.



“It started out as something to do,” Hanson said, “and the hobby got out of hand.”



The hobby did help him heal during a difficult time when he lost his parents and brother in a span of a couple of years.


“I just crawled in the shop and started building these things,” he said. “It was my space.”



Hanson taught himself to weld years ago while working as a mechanic on a dairy farm in California. After moving to Salem in 1993, he took a couple of summer classes at Chemeketa Community College.



He’s not a professional welder — he’s a mechanic for Emory & Sons Construction — but prides himself in his craftsmanship and attention to detail.


All the welds on his bridges are ground down to look smooth. And if you look down a row of beams on one of his bridges, or a row of cables, you can see the perfection.


“It’s his artistic eye, that’s what makes them different,” wife Eileen said.