Tour da Chooch....November

[tomytuna]

Hi everyone!...Last year 2004 i got the opertuninty to visit 4 different "owner owned and built" layouts here on the north shore of Boston Ma. I was informed of this "Tour" through a friend who had a leaflet showing all the different address's and locations of fellow model railroaders who were nice enough to open their homes to other's to display their layouts. Well let me tell Ya!...I got blown away with some of these layouts!...Masters everone of them from the basic operation layouts to master sceneced.etc etc. Here's the reason for this post
1. does anyone know if this is happening again this yr?
2. what dates ( heard it happens every yr on thankgiving weekend, not sure )
3. Anyone know who encourages of sponsors this tour?
4. Is there a web site to find out more?

I'm sooo looking forward to meeting others who have a layout and have opertunity to see their layout....which reminds me....anyone know of organization where fellow people interested in our hoby can contact each other in their geographical locatations...as I am not a member of a club...Tom

[Big_Boy_4005]

Can't tell you specificly about the Boston area, but often the local level of the NMRA sponsors layout tours. Where I live that's who sponsors them, but they aren't open to the general public, you have to be a member. Best bet is ask your friend again, and find out where he got the info last year.

[MAbruce]

It will happen on November 26-27.

Here is a link with more details: http://www.northeastntrak.org/TdeCFlyer054.pdf

I have not seen every layout, but if you are in N-scale don't miss Erine Poole's free-lanced MRL Pike.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Wow, makes me want to go to Boston for the weekend. We don't have anything close to that here. Our fall tour is 2 layouts, period.[:(][V]

[tomytuna]

Thanks MABruce!!!!!

[railroadyoshi]

Thanks MABruce!!!!!

I'd like to vist too

[railroadyoshi]

Actually, one of them I have visited before, it is in my town, great layout!

[tomytuna]

Got to thinking!!!....We all hoppy in a " hidden " environment.ie cellers,spare rooms, etc....and people just don't know about our hobby. Peoplse don't see our layouts like one would see a sportscar,boatt, plane etc because there all outside.This program is the best darn way to meet fellow modelers i've seen. The "worlds greatest hobby" show i'm sure is a great show ( hasen't been in boston ) but to actualy visit someone's layout and see 1st hand is worth all your time and effort to get to one of these if possible.
Every one of the people I visited was Sooo happy to show their work and a fellow modeler I want to make sure I say thanks to everyone of them for their hospitality.....Tom

[Tom Bryant_MR]

Last weekend we had a similar event here in central Texas; Austin and surrounding area. After going to several shows over the last year, I went to one of these owner owned displays in their homes. I agree with you tomytuna. I learned a lot in that 1 hr and got a lot of ideas. Oh yeah, do not forget your camera!

[tomytuna]

MABruce question?....Hi again Bruce...do you know who gets the word out about this tour? Is there an organized group? I think I would like to open my layout for next year but hav no idea how to go about it or who to contact.....any help would be great...thanks Tom

[MAbruce]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tomytuna

MABruce question?....Hi again Bruce...do you know who gets the word out about this tour? Is there an organized group? I think I would like to open my layout for next year but hav no idea how to go about it or who to contact.....any help would be great...thanks Tom

While the link I provided was from the Northeast N-Trak website, I'm not sure what group organizes this event. I’m sure you can find out by asking one of the layout hosts when you do the tour.

[tomytuna]

OK!..thank you Bruce......just a note...i went and purchased MR 10 great layout issue 2006 an low and behold ! there was "ACE" cutters layout. That was one that I did visit last year. Well I knew when I saw it that it was a mater!. Nice to know that MR also found it good enough to put into their 2006 issue.....thanks again Bruce

[tomytuna]

anyone else planning on attending these open houses?

[DavidGSmith]

We have one this weekend in the Muskoka area of Ontario. Thats about one + hrs north of Toronto. There is a big self guided one west of Toronto each year. The one coming up I did not hear about until one of the layout owners asked me to come and help operate the layout. His is worth the trip, Al Crisp, he has had articles published over the years on detailing CPR equipment. Info at LHS as I understand it.

[tomytuna]

Well this is just a reminder that this series of open homes by fello modeler's is THIS WEEKEND!...If you are looking for a way to walk off some of that turkey and have some time....please give yourself a treat and try to see at leat one of these layout.....and don't forget to say " Thanks " to your host....Tom

[tomytuna]

Well this is just a reminder that this series of open homes by fello modeler's is THIS WEEKEND!...If you are looking for a way to walk off some of that turkey and have some time....please give yourself a treat and try to see at leat one of these layout.....and don't forget to say " Thanks " to your host....Tom

[trainfreek92]

Ace Cutter is on that tour he was in grm2006!!!!! i want 2 go! Tim

[MisterBeasley]

Over the river and through the woods, from Grandmother's house I go...

I'll be touching down in Boston in the early afternoon on Saturday, so I plan to make at least a few of these stops on Sunday. See you there.

[tomytuna]

Just a quick note to say thank you to all the people who opened up their homes to me and my friends this past weekend. I especially enjoyed seeing the young people who were participating in the hobby!..again thanks...Tom

[Anonymous]

Tour de Chooch is organized by Bruce Robinson and is operated on the Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving. The tour is divided between Southern N.H. on one day and northern Ma. on the other. Many published layouts are included and maps can be found in local hobby shops weeks in advance. This year we averaged over 150 people per layout! We all enjoy putting it on and reallly like to let ther kids operate.
Carl S. (disp 33)