So I decided to celebrate my 30th year in the TCA by heading out to the York meet. I've been in the TCA for 30 years and I've never gone.
It is an impressive show. I really went to see my good friends in the SGMA and run some trains on their magnificent layout. I brought my Jerry Brown M-10000 and a little Wakeling car. The Wakeling car had some problems, they M-10000 ate the layout (it ran really well).
One of the hidden gems of the show was Dave Carse and his new Glenn Tank Cars. Now I will freely confess, I passed on many Glenn items over the years. I was too snooty and very naïve. I lacked experience with Modern Era Standard Gauge and tended to gravitate to the untouchable State Set.
No more. Dave (with some help from some SGMA friends) put together some new Glenn Tank cars. In a nutshell, they are amazing. These are not toys that would have been sold to a kid in the 30's. Let's settle the description right now, these are tiny works of engineering art.
Seriously, I saw these on Dave's table and I couldn't think of much else on the ride home (which was about 5 hours). Dave has relaunched Classic Model Trains with these cars. And they are stunning.
Whenever I see this kind of train now, I think to myself: if I had a chance to own a Van Gogh bought directly from the master, would I? There's your answer.
Dave's cars were absolutely the highlight of York for me.
I was also overwhelmed by the amount of Postwar O Gauge stuff there was. What a time to be a Postwar collector! I think I'll need some help finding the standard gauge in the next show (yes, I plan on going!)
Again, I really appreciate the SGMA (Jim, Kirk, everyone) for letting me run a few trains and look over their shoulder. It was a great moment and one I'll never forget!
