SGMA Website

Hey Folks,

Go check out the Standard Gauge Module Association's website. Mrs. Lindvig posted some wonderful pics today from the Oaks, PA meet. I'm jealous! I just couldn't get out to PA today, I am still holding on to (and grasping) every second of holiday vacation (that is until I have to go to work tomorrow morning).

Check out the site here.

Marc

PS I'd recommend going out to this site - if you would like to see some very rare trains stretching their legs (Boucher Blue Comet or a Standard Gauge Challenger) go check out the movies.

SGMA Layout in Altoona

Seeing this terrific video by Bert makes me even sadder I missed Altoona last weekend. Unfortunately Altoona falls about the same time my son's birthday does thus I can never seem to make it.

Here's Bert's first vid:



And Bert's second vid:



And the 3rd (a good shot of the Bhurlpasa tunnel):



And #4 (I liked the double header #9E Engines and the different color state cars):



And video #5 (I think it is a 42 and some 10 series cars):



All in all, some very smooth operation from the SGMA. All that hard work and debate paid off wonderfully. I can see that these modules fit together beautifully. I haven't seen standard gauge operation come together so smoothly and disparate parts work so cleanly. If nothing else, I plan on learning a bit from the SGMA list and incorporating it into my layout.

After I watched these clips from Bert I went up to my train room and did further clean up. A friend of mine who is a master carpenter came up with a new ceiling storage and display system that should look alot like Tom Sefton's. If I can pair that with some SGMA benchwork.... The ideas just keep rolling like an out of control train.

Regardless, this layout is inspiring and the people that built it are on to something and are just exceptional! I love it when 100 year old technology can still create new ways of seeing things. I can't wait to see it in person.

M

PS Speaking of cool stuff, go check out the Prewar Times. Josh has some pics up of the new MTH 1694 and Ives set. It is a stunning knockout!

Time For York

This is the parking lot at the "Holidome" in York, the site of probably the largest of the "bandit" meets that are held preceding the twice Yearly TCA Eastern Division train meets. This picture was taken on a chilly, cloudy day under threat of showers, and this week conditions are similar, or worse. Many people complain that the the "bandit" meets are shrinking and are now only a shadow of what they once were. I suppose the cause is the usual suspect: online auctions.

This is the ballroom area in side the Holidome. I usually just make a day trip to York in the Spring, but this year I'll be there Wednesday through Friday. I'm looking forward to looking at trains and talking with friends. On Friday the Standard Gauge Module Association will meet for lunch to discuss the upcoming display at Altoona in August. It'll be fun even if the weather is not so great.

Jim