So, on Sunday I took the grandson to Strasburg to see N&W J Class 611 in operation. It is less than an hour drive for us, and we go at least several times every year. But of course the 611 visit made this special.
The eight year old, and I, were suitably impressed. We did not ride behind 611, but rather elected to ride behind 475 on the 11:00am train which would stage a meet at the siding with 611 and her train.
Very impressive. Even though I have been going to Strasburg for about 58 years now, two steam trains passing at that siding is still a thrill.
It was a great day and a good time was had by all.
Sorry no pictures, wrangling the eight year old and taking in the sights was a big enough job.
But there is already plenty on Youtube if you are interested.
Sheldon
ATLANTIC CENTRALon Sunday I took the grandson to Strasburg to see N&W J Class 611 in operation.
Hi Sheldon,
Glad that you had a good time with your grandson!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I saw 611 in the roundhouse in North Carolina last year being repaired.
.
That trip resulted in the experience of a lifetime. I was able to get up close and intimate with that locomotive in ways most people will never be able to do.
I was in the right place, right time, right uniform, and had all the right PPE with me. It was amazing.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
SeeYou190 I saw 611 in the roundhouse in North Carolina last year being repaired. . That trip resulted in the experience of a lifetime. I was able to get up close and intimate with that locomotive in ways most people will never be able to do. . I was in the right place, right time, right uniform, and had all the right PPE with me. It was amazing. . -Kevin .
During its visit to Strasburg, they are offering cab tours, cab rides, whistle blows, etc, to those willing to pay extra.
I elected to skip all that knowing the little guy would have limited patience for waiting in lines.
I have spent a lot of time around operating steam locos, especially there at Strasburg, so seeing her operate was plenty.
One thing you get to do at Strasburg is watch the gentle process of coupling to a train that is already occupied with passengers. Amazing how they do that so smoothly.
Well darn, I was thinking of taking a ride down to see, could have met up. It's barely more than 30 minutes from me.
Within literally seconds of the tickets going on sale, all the cab rides were sold out - I probably would have done that. I've had cab rides in diesels, never in a steamer yet.
I did make the mistake of going to Strasburg when it was a Thomas day - didn't realize it. GF's nephew was in town with his family and so we thought the boys might like to ride the train. As soon as I got close and saw the mass of traffic I knew it was a Thomas day, what a zoo. Amazingly, for hmm, I think they were 6 and 4 at the time, they handled the waiting pretty well.
Still there this coming weekend, but there's also a train show I want to hit on Sunday.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinkerbut there's also a train show I want to hit on Sunday.
Which one is that? Leesport, Hamburg, or other?
I was watching all the action on Youtube. They have a camera at Leaman Place and Strasburg.
They were doing switching with their diesel at Leaman Place. Track layout there is basically a run around with a tail at each end. One end is the connection to Strasburg, and the other end is the interchange with NS. They also have a two-car capacity stub track that connects to one of the run around tracks.
So they brought in a couple cars from Strasburg, they had two cars on the stub, and maybe a half dozen on the interchange. They spent a lot of time shuffling cars. I couldn't tell if they were trying to get them in numerical order, alphabetical order, or all like colored cars together. When they were done they stuck a red flag in the last car's coupler and hauled them all back toward Strasburg.
Seemed like a good plan for a shelf layout.
There's a modular group that replicates the entire Strasburg Railroad. I've seen their setup at several shows. They even have the museum across the street on their modules.
maxman rrinker but there's also a train show I want to hit on Sunday. Which one is that? Leesport, Hamburg, or other?
rrinker but there's also a train show I want to hit on Sunday.
It's the one that used to be the "Dieruff Show", hosted by the LV Chapter of the NRHS and others. It's now at the Chrin Community Center in Palmer Township. There's more railroadania, books, and pictures than models, but there are some vendors with model stuff. I've run into some well know railroad book authors at that show over the years.
We went to that museum over the summer. The kids loved it. Did your grandson see the various displays? One of them the kids can manipulate. Jury's out whether one of my kids was harder to pull away than me! I also enjoyed showing them how/where to read some tech specs about the different cars.
Glad you enjoyed the trip Sheldon. I was told that musuem is one of the best regionally, if not nationally. I can only compare it to the one in B'more and Wilmington, NC.
We did not go across the street to the museum on this trip, but the grandson has been there.
My parents first took me to Strasburg around age 7 or 8, been there many times. The B&O museum is also close and visited many times over the years.
Randy, yes, one day we need to catch up with each other, Strasburg or Timonium.
It is amazing the way Strasburg has continued to add new features and attractions despite the short trip and relatively small space they have.
Over 50 years and I'm not bored yet...........I would bet I have been to Strasburg 50 times, maybe more...
ATLANTIC CENTRALRandy, yes, one day we need to catch up with each other, Strasburg or Timonium.
I am going to the Timonium show in October of 2020, 13 months away.
I would like to meet up with as many forum members as possible.
Strasburg webcam here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ejEjn57h3A
Leaman Place:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf7zqGqSbU0
611 on the cams video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6wjmKpAC7c
Harrison
Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.
Modeling the D&H in 1978.
Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"
My YouTube
SeeYou190 ATLANTIC CENTRAL Randy, yes, one day we need to catch up with each other, Strasburg or Timonium. . I am going to the Timonium show in October of 2020, 13 months away. . I would like to meet up with as many forum members as possible. . -Kevin .
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Randy, yes, one day we need to catch up with each other, Strasburg or Timonium.
Ok, I can most likely be there.
And I will send you a private message later about a few things.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL SeeYou190 ATLANTIC CENTRAL Randy, yes, one day we need to catch up with each other, Strasburg or Timonium. . I am going to the Timonium show in October of 2020, 13 months away. . I would like to meet up with as many forum members as possible. . -Kevin . Ok, I can most likely be there. And I will send you a private message later about a few things. Sheldon
He did say in 2020, 13 months away. I like optimism.
maxman ATLANTIC CENTRAL SeeYou190 ATLANTIC CENTRAL Randy, yes, one day we need to catch up with each other, Strasburg or Timonium. . I am going to the Timonium show in October of 2020, 13 months away. . I would like to meet up with as many forum members as possible. . -Kevin . Ok, I can most likely be there. And I will send you a private message later about a few things. Sheldon He did say in 2020, 13 months away. I like optimism.
Well, obviously something could come up to prevent such a meeting. But, I live close to Timonium, only about a 45 min drive, I go to that train show on a regular basis, I'm not planning to move (just did that), It is unlikely I would be doing any other traveling that time next year, I'm self employed and don't travel out of town for work, my wife will not object........
So odds are pretty good......
ATLANTIC CENTRALSo odds are pretty good......
I have already secured the dates off from work, and I have something like 300,000 hilton points, so yes, the odds are really good.
October 2020... save the date!
I stay at the Red Roof at the South end of the Fairgrounds if I spend the whole weekend. Good enough for me, it's (was the last time I was there) clean and the bed was comfortable, all I really care about.
I may make Timonium this year, I'll really shoot for next year though. Probably not this year, I now have to go to Vegas for work the week before. Might make one of the other ones besides the October one though.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL It is amazing the way Strasburg has continued to add new features and attractions despite the short trip and relatively small space they have.
That is the beauty of Strasburg. Plenty to do while waiting for the next train, always an air of excitement. One of my favorite places to go.
And, yes, Randy, the modular group does have an amazing layout of the Strasburg. I've seen it at many local shows and it always amazes me.
Strasburg is the best place to see it, one of the few places we can put the whole thing up. Both because of available space and, during the Reading Railroad Days in July (usually around the July 4th week), we are there for a week or more - even a large venue but short show (we do go to Timonium), there's not enough time to set it all up and tear it all down after a short 2 days of show. Plus Strasburg is close enough so that if anythign is forgotten, it's a quick trip back to Hamburg to get it - a few years ago, someone forgot to toss in the box of alignment pegs for all the newer modules (the new ones just butt together, no fitter track sections) so someone had to run back to get them, little over an hour later, we were back to setting up. That was the year I was trying to get a time lapse film of the setup process, had to give that up. One of these days, I'll have someone along who can babysit my phone and tripod up on the walkway and actually get it done.