rrebell As I recall the red light district was futher to the east a few blocks. Got my model railroading started at M.B.Kleins, nice people.
As I recall the red light district was futher to the east a few blocks. Got my model railroading started at M.B.Kleins, nice people.
Actually south, barely two blocks. The joke always was how close it was to city hall and police HQ..........
Yes, nice people, and great inventory.
SeeYou190 .....The local wildlife came out to say hello as we drove by. They were not scared at all by the pasing car. . .
.....The local wildlife came out to say hello as we drove by. They were not scared at all by the pasing car.
.
Like Mike, I'm not much into photos of food...I eat to live, rather than live to eat. However, I'm surprised that the photo above wasn't included on the menu....lotsa steaks and roasts there, and four drumsticks from each.
I am, however, enjoying following along on your trip, Kevin, even including the foodie fotos.
Wayne
SPSOT fan Are those two Tunnel Motors to the right to the DD40X? The Rio Grande looks like and SD40T-2 while the SP looks to be an SD45T-2. Am I correct? Also snow like you‘ve encountered is completely normal out west in May and June! I suspect you will see the same thing as you cross the Cascades in Washington!
Are those two Tunnel Motors to the right to the DD40X?
The Rio Grande looks like and SD40T-2 while the SP looks to be an SD45T-2. Am I correct?
Also snow like you‘ve encountered is completely normal out west in May and June! I suspect you will see the same thing as you cross the Cascades in Washington!
The Rio Grande Unit is a Sd-40t-2 tunnel motor. The SP unit is a SD45 (not a T-2) just a 45.
Colorado Front Range Railroad: http://www.coloradofrontrangerr.com/
SeeYou190As we drove down the Mountain, I passed by this sign. I think this must be a joke. How can the "DIXIE" National Forrest be in Utah? Did a survey crew get really lost? .
"Dixie National Forest gets its name from the southern Utah region known for its red rock, sandstone and clay soil, reminiscent of areas in the American South (also dubbed America’s Dixie). It is Utah’s largest national forest and covers a vast area from the Colorado River to the Great Basin"
https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/ShowUserReviews-g60765-d145446-r646852712-Dixie_National_Forest-Cedar_City_Utah.html
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
SeeYou190The local wildlife came out to say hello as we drove by. They were not scared at all by the pasing car. . .
When my wife and I took a trip west, we had to stop and take a picture the first time we saw these.
The next time, my wife just took a picture while we drove.
After several hours, we didn't even look at them anymore. We couldn't believe how many there were along the roads.
York1 John
York1 SeeYou190 The local wildlife came out to say hello as we drove by. They were not scared at all by the pasing car. . . When my wife and I took a trip west, we had to stop and take a picture the first time we saw these. The next time, my wife just took a picture while we drove. After several hours, we didn't even look at them anymore. We couldn't believe how many there were along the roads.
SeeYou190 The local wildlife came out to say hello as we drove by. They were not scared at all by the pasing car. . .
This may amaze some of you, but here in the Mid Atlantic, amid some of the highest human populaton density in the U.S., deer are EVERYWHERE, and they are significant motor vehicle hazard.
They live in any medium size forested area, and can be found in all sorts of public parks and natural spaces even in cities.
Out here in the rural suburbs where we are they can be seen daily especially in spring and fall when they are most active during daylight hours.
No need to travel thousands of miles, there are hundreds within a mile or two of me as I sit here.
People, they are not afraid of people. I think they even know when hunting season is, and where hunting is not allowed :)
Even the deer know that east of the Mississippi and North of the Ohio and the Potomac, is where clean water and lush vegitation abound.
Sheldon
doctorwayneI am, however, enjoying following along on your trip, Kevin, even including the foodie fotos.
And I am very glad to have you following along.
Dixie National Forest gets its name from the southern Utah region known for its red rock, sandstone and clay soil, reminiscent of areas in the American South
That sounds a bit off. I grew up in the American South, and have lived there my entire life, and nothing in the Amercian South looks anything like Utah.
Other than the fact the dirt is red, I don't see much in common.
York1When my wife and I took a trip west, we had to stop and take a picture the first time we saw these. The next time, my wife just took a picture while we drove. After several hours, we didn't even look at them anymore. We couldn't believe how many there were along the roads.
After the drive today, we don't really take notice anymore either. Must have seen 20 deer and 3 elk.
confordWhen you pass through Portland, be sure to stop at the Whistle Stop Trains.
If I can make it while the store is still open, I sure will.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Day 9:
Today was a complete train drought. No model trains, no train museums, no train displays, and not even a grade crossing!
We were supposed to start the day at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, then go to Marble Canyon, then to the Grand Starcase National Monument. We were going to return to the hotel in Kanab, Utah.
I found out the North Rim is still closed for Winter! It will not reopen for about three more weeks. We had to make a quick change of plans.
I found a hotel for tonight in Arizona, then cancelled the hotel in Kanab for the second day. We re-ordered the sights to go to Marble Canyon, then the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
The drive out of Kanab had some real interesting sights.
Marble Canyon was beautiful.
We drove by the Crimson Cliffs on the way to the South Rim. They are also very beautiful.
The Grand Canyon was breath-taking. There is no way to imagine it in photographs. You really need to see it in person to appreciate it.
The air was a bit hazy today, so "big" shots of the canyon scenery were difficult. I did see lots of amazing natural wonders.
The Gray Rental Impala is a long way from home!
We then drove to the hotel and grabbed dinner. We found a place called the "Canyon King Pizzerria" which I thought was a restaurant with a riverboat theme, bit it turns out it is actually a real riverboar built in the 1980s that was removed from the water and turned into a restaurant. The engine room is still even still intact with a pair of Detroit 6-71 engines in the bay.
This was my favorite picture of the day. I took over 300 pictures today.
What a fun trip so far! I'm enjoying the photos taken along the way as well as the food. From what it looks like you're probably getting close to Nevada and Southern California really soon.
Is there a stop planned in Tehachapi, CA? Try to see the the famous Tehachapi loop while there. When I drive from my home (in Northern California) down south to see relatives in the Antelope Valley (about 1 hour drive from Tehachapi) I like to get off the freeway at Keene and drive to the loop. When driving up from Mohave west on hwy 58, you'll see alot of wind turbines. Before heading into the canyon from Mohave, look back east over your shoulder. If it's clear that day you can easily see 100 miles across the desert.
In the Sacramento area try to see the California Rail Museum. If you are there Tuesday-Saturday, go next door to the museum's library. It is definitely worth a stop. If you can make a one day sidetrip up to Donner Pass do it. It's about 80-100 miles east of Sacramento, and as of today, there is still ALOT of snow in the high country. There are a number of places I like to go to photograph trains while driving up I-80 to Donner Pass, so if you are interested in some ideas let me know.
Going north on I-5, try to stop at Dunsmuir, which is north of Redding, CA, and is in the shadow of Mt. Shasta. Really cool turntable and other items that are still there. Further north into Oregon, make a stop at Cottage Grove. If you're also a movie buff go to Main Street just west of the tracks. It's where the final scenes of "Animal House" were filmed.
Others have mentioned the things to do in and around Portland, OR, but if you and your wife want to take it easy for a day or so, go east about 35 miles to Cascade Locks OR, and stay at the Best Western there. The hotel faces the Columbia River, and if you get a room facing the river, you'll see both the UP trains (Oregon side) and the BNSF trains (Washington side). All this from your balcony!
That's it for now. As I mentioned, I'm really enjoying your travels, and can't wait until July when my wife and I do a 10 day car trip of our own!
Jeff
groundeffectsWhat a fun trip so far! I'm enjoying the photos taken along the way as well as the food. From what it looks like you're probably getting close to Nevada and Southern California really soon.
Thank you for the comment.
We just arrived in Las Vegas this evening. Los Angeles on Tuesday.
Kevin
As I have seen you in the Forum for the last few years, you have a traveling job.
How does that conflict with traveling for business and or travelling for pleasure? How often do you stop and see the sights when your on business opposed to pleasure?
TF
Day 10:
Another Sunday with no model train shops. I think finding one open on a Sunday will be very hard.
I did not see any real trains until I was just outside of Las Vegas. I drove three days without seeing any trains in the real world. I had no idea that was even possible.
I did take a picture of a part of a "Wagon Train" in a small town park today, does that help? This was the best I could do.
We had to do laundry today, so we started off in a Laundromat in Arizona. We ate leftover pizza in the car while the laundry was in process.
We drove out of Arizona and went into Nevada. The mountains in Nevada look different. Kind of gray and ominous compared to the fancy mountains in Utah and Arizona.
I got out of the car and di a lot of hiking through the hills today. I had a really good time with my wife just wandering around and climbing up on top of things.
Then we went into the Fire Valley State Park in Nevada, and we were once again blown away by the beauty of nature.
I took a few pictures of birds while I was there.
You can see Las Vegas from the Interstate when you are still 15 miles away. That is amazing to me. When you are 15 miles away from Atlanta, you do not see any of it.
I also saw some palm trees near Las Vegas today. These were the first Palm Trees I have seen in a week.
We made it to the Excalibur hotel in Las Vegas about 7:00 PM. I got a room in the "tower" corner of the building with a huge round bathtub in the round tower room.
This is the view from the bathtub window.
We ate at the hotel restaurant. They have just about anything you would want, including crepes for dessert.
I am not happy in this hotel. The TV only has 13 channels, and it does not have HBO. I did not get to see the new Game Of Thrones tonight.
The Casino is not for me. I don't drink and then do stupid things, so I am not having much of a good time. I like to drink ang have fun. Getting drunk while mindlessly pressing buttons on a money burning machine looks terrible to me, but there are a lot of people here doing it.
The noise outside is unbelievable. There are helicopters flying by my window every few minutes. Sirens are constant. The whole hotel smells like smoke. The couple across the hall is fighting. This is not my kind of scene at all.
This was the best shot of the day:
I am checking out the Nevada Train Museum tomorrow.
Track fiddlerHow does that conflict with traveling for business and or travelling for pleasure? How often do you stop and see the sights when your on business opposed to pleasure?
I have offices in Tampa, West Palm Beach, Atlanta, Nashville, and Charlotte. My territory is Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Puerto Rico, Belize, and Suriname.
I travel about 30 weeks a year. I also get six weeks vacation per year.
I always stop and see sights when travelling for work. I don't post many of them in here because so few are train related.
I have the best job on earth, and I am a very lucky (and thankful) man.
SeeYou190 I have the best job on earth, and I am a very lucky (and thankful) man. -Kevin
Kevin,
It's late at night but that's good to hear at any time of day. Gratitude doesn't seem to get much play these days but I know there's a lot of it out there.
Sorry for your travails in Vegas. Be glad you can leave them behind in a few hours. It's sobering that some can't - or won't.
Thanks for sharing your travels so well with all of us. As a reward you are granted an extra ration of chocolate on Monday. And so is your sweetie.
John
So Kevin are you going to make it to San Diego too? The San Diego model railroad museum is a must see. Incredible layouts. There is also Reed's hobby shop just outside of town that is excellent. There is also Frank the trainman although I think they may be more Lionel. Perhaps someone in the area could fill us in- been a long time since I lived in the area. If your wife enjoys shopping (and what wife doesn't?) there is Old Town and Harbor Village (Think I got the name right) when we lived there they had great local shops and were worth a stop in their own right.
drgwcsSo Kevin are you going to make it to San Diego too?
It would be sacrilegious to miss Sacramento —
Old Sacramento, State Railroad Museum and the Amtrak station all in walking distance.
https://www.visitsacramento.com/visit/old-sacramento/
Thanks for the great travelogue, Kevin!
Have fun, Ed
They have a train museum just outside of henderson where you are. As far as the Excalabur it is old and worn. There are still real penny slots inside New York New York as well as a real New York delli. You can gamble for $1.00 for hours on a real penny slot which use to be everywhere but I have only found a few in a special area where I said. Fremont Street is great at night. Walk around Ceasurs Pallace and the Venetian, costs nothing and great sites, especialt the later.
Kevin, I didn’t mention this earlier but when you pass through Oregon (you seem to be getting close) you must (if possible) stop at Train Mountain. It’s in Chiloquin Oregon just north of Kalamath Falls. The place holds the record for largest “model” railroad of any scale, with 30 something actual miles of 1:8 scale track. They also have a lot of cabeese, freight cars and other equipment in 1:1 scale. I don’t know how open they are to the public (I always go as a member) but I think you can get in. Even if you just spend a few minutes there it will be worth it!
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
The St. George area is known as Dixie because of early pioneers who grew cotton in the area. Just as the original Dixie was known for its cotton production, Utah's own 'little' Dixie is named such via that association. Cotton production only lasted a few years in Utah until it was deemed uneconomical, but the name stuck hence the Dixie National Forest, Dixie State University, Dixie written out on a rock face on a mesa overlooking St. George, etc.
The two locomotives in the Ogden museum everyone keeps asking about are DRGW 5371 a SD40T-2 and SP 7457 a SD45.
SeeYou190 I am checking out the Nevada Train Museum tomorrow. -Kevin
Let me know if you need anything
What did you think of the thunderstorms we had today?
Terry
Inspired by Addiction
See more on my YouTube Channel
AttuvianAs a reward you are granted an extra ration of chocolate on Monday. And so is your sweetie.
Thanks John, we both love chocolate!
drgwcsKevin are you going to make it to San Diego too? The San Diego model railroad museum is a must see. Incredible layouts.
San Diego cannot happen this trip. Tomorrow we are driving to Los Angeles to visit our youngest daughter that just moved there from Orlando. I cannot delay seeing her again long enough to make a side triop down to San Diego.
gmpullmanIt would be sacrilegious to miss Sacramento
Stopping in Sacramento is a maybe. It will depend on travel times that day.
rrebell As far as the Excalabur it is old and worn.
The Excalibur is showing age in some areas, but in others, it looks spectacular. My floor has all new carpet and wallpaper. My room has new furnishings and carpet. The food court is undergoing some renovations right now. The outside looks great.
SPSOT fan) stop at Train Mountain. It’s in Chiloquin Oregon just north of Kalamath Falls. The place holds the record for largest “model” railroad of any scale, with 30 something actual miles of 1:8 scale track.
Believe it or not, that is one of the places I intend to take my 1 1/2" scale Mikado to if I ever get it completed. Hopefully I will.
xboxtravis7992The St. George area is known as Dixie because of early pioneers who grew cotton in the area.
That makes sense. Thank you.
PennCentral99What did you think of the thunderstorms we had today?
The lightning in the sky was amazing. The lightning bolts sure seem longer out here, and like everything else, you can see them from further away. I was driving back from Hoover Dam when all this was going on.
Day 11:
I think this has been the best day so far. We started out and headed for Hoover Dam. This is something else that really needs to be seen in person. It is not as far from side to side as I imagined, but it is a lot taller from top to bottom than I thought.
Of course, we drove across the top.
We also stopped and looked over across Lake Mead.
We made a side trip to Boulder City, Nevada where I got to fly a captured flying saucer! That was quite a thrill.
Then we stopped at the Nevada Railroad Museum. This is a small collection but they have some really great pieces on display. The GP-30 is in perfect looking shape. They have an F40-PH in SOUTHERN PACIFIC daylight colors. There is a very unusual looking mikado, and a SOUTHERN PACIFIC consolidation.
They also have this really neat 36 inch gauge critter, and an excursion car to go along with it.
The General Electric 80 ton locomotive was on display. I did not even know this locomotive existed. Now I want one for the STRATTON AND GILLETTE roster! I hope there was one made in brass.
These neat little pedal powered railroad cars were there also. They were being packed up for use at a different location. They sure look like they would have been a lot of fun to take for a ride.
There is a Live Steam layout adjacent to the museum. It was not running today, but it was still a great installation to look at.
This is a great view of a former railroad line that has become a hiking trail near the Hoover Dam. If the weather had been better I probably would have walked through that tunnel just for the thrill.
Then we went back to Las Vegas, where today it was cold, windy, and rainy. We went through the Casinos at Excalibur, New York New York, MGM Grand, Tropicana, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, Caesers Palace, and the Venetian.
After walking around casinos for 4 hours we are $35.00 on the up side! How amazing is that? We budgeted to lose $200.00 in Las Vegas. This is great.
This was the best picture of the day. It is an island in Lake Mead. The weather and conditions were terrible, but I love the colors in this photograph.
Glad you made it to the museum, got a private tour a few years ago, right time right place type of thing. Glad you made a tour of some of the more spectacular casinos, we may go back this summer ourselves, tried to go for spring break but brother in law couldn't get the week off (our two familys usually travel together).
SeeYou190 SPSOT fan ) stop at Train Mountain. It’s in Chiloquin Oregon just north of Kalamath Falls. The place holds the record for largest “model” railroad of any scale, with 30 something actual miles of 1:8 scale track. . Believe it or not, that is one of the places I intend to take my 1 1/2" scale Mikado to if I ever get it completed. Hopefully I will.
SPSOT fan ) stop at Train Mountain. It’s in Chiloquin Oregon just north of Kalamath Falls. The place holds the record for largest “model” railroad of any scale, with 30 something actual miles of 1:8 scale track.
Great, I hope that becomes a reality. Make sure you build your mike to be propane fired if you want to run at Train Mountain, coal and wood fired steamers are not allowed due to fire danger in the area. How you make it their some time soon, if not on this trip!
See, Las Vegas has more to offer than gambling. By the way, I live near Railroad Pass (which that whole area was just completely re-done), so you drove by my house at least twice.
Glad to see you're having a good time in my backyard.
rrebellGlad you made a tour of some of the more spectacular casinos,
The casinos really were impressive. The Mandalay Bay was spectacular, but the Tropicana seemed to be the best environment.
SPSOT fanMake sure you build your mike to be propane fired if you want to run at Train Mountain, coal and wood fired steamers are not allowed due to fire danger in the area.
It will be coal fired. My mentor in Live Steam, Bruce, would kill me if it was anything else. The smell of coal is part of live steam railroading for me.
PennCentral99See, Las Vegas has more to offer than gambling.
Thank goodness. Gambling really is not for me.
Day 12:
I wanted to go to West Side Hobbies in Las Vegas this morning, but it turns out they are closed on Tuesdays. I guess that will be a destination for another time.
We made it to California!
We went to the Joshua Tree National Park on the way to Los Angeles. It is beautiful, and worth the short side trip out of the way.
Near Joshua Tree there is this neat Old West town in miniature. I am not sure what it is all about, but the train is cute.
I would have liked a better look around, but there were "No Trespassing" and "Beware of Dog" signs all over the place.
For dinner we opted to spend the money we budgeted to lose in Las Vegas on a Steak Dinner at The Derby in Pasadena. This was awesome!
Now I am spending time with my daughter, and my wife is happy.
This is my favorite picture I took today. It is the rotting stump of a Joshua Tree that fell over. I think it looks adequately spooky.
SeeYou190 SPSOT fan Make sure you build your mike to be propane fired if you want to run at Train Mountain, coal and wood fired steamers are not allowed due to fire danger in the area. It will be coal fired. My mentor in Live Steam, Bruce, would kill me if it was anything else. The smell of coal is part of live steam railroading for me.
SPSOT fan Make sure you build your mike to be propane fired if you want to run at Train Mountain, coal and wood fired steamers are not allowed due to fire danger in the area.
Well that pretty much makes running at train mountain an impossibility, unless the local forests magically become less prone to fires. Coal is banned at train mountain
No reason not to visit though, I hope you make it, with or without an engine.
Just out of curiosity how active are you in the live steam hobby?
You can always convert to propane, it has been done.