mainegardenrailwaysociety2023

Happy Thanksgiving The Maine Mall was quiet Thanksgiving Eve because of the early snowstorm.  But that didn't stop some intrepid kids from visiting.  Pictured below are two lads from South Asia and two from Pownal, Maine.  The Mainers are Mason and Parker Hall, whose father worked as an engineer for many years with Gilford and with Amtrak.  Mason and Parker have a Lionel set around their Christmas tree, and they helped get the old Marx train running around our tree. If you haven't signed up yet to run the trains at the Mall, you should plan to do so.  You will meet lots of appreciative visitors, and you will be able to feel the spirit of John Jackson, who planned so many of our Holiday displays.

Yesterday Gordon and Lynne Konrath visited the layout. They told me about the Amtrak train that went to Rockland last week and showed me the pictures on their phone. They have a G-scale layout and took a membership application. Here is the newspaper story from the Boothbay Register Did you see Amtrak in Wiscasset And another story from the Bangor Daily News Amtrak Train Makes Stop in Rockland

The raffle for Thomas the  Tank Engine has started. The forms and entry box are at our layout. November is National Model Railroad month   NMRA National Model Railroad Month page We  have some information at the layout that visitors can pick up including MGRS Membership Applications and "business" cards with the location of our blog. Model Railroad Show List - upcoming local and regional shows   Model Railroad Shows 2014 Holiday Train Rides and Events - this includes Paul Corbett's G-Scale layout at thne Westbrook Festival of Trees and the G-Scale layout at the Bootbay Railway Museum during their holiday events.   Holiday Train Rides and Events Scenic Railroads, Railroad Clubs and Musems - Everything but Model Ralilroad Clubs, which will be a separate list  Scenic Railroads, Railroad Clubs and Museums Sample copies of newsletters from MGRS,Maine 3Railers, 470  Railroad Club, Great Falls Model Railroad Club, New England Chapter of the Train Collectors A...

Some different engines and rolling stock are on the layout now. The original Amtrak has been replaced by Engine 204, which has the darker trim like the DownEaster. And freight is now the New York Central. A second Thomas the Tank Engine is on the trestle. Dennis Farrell mad a Bon-Ton car since we are outside their store, and its running on the high bridge with Engine 14. Amtrak Engine 204 and New York Central Freight Thomas on the Trestle Bon Ton Car on the High Bridge Circus Panorama One Circus Panorama Two Circus Panorama Three

We are into the third week of operating our layout at The Maine Mall.  Unfortunately at this late date there are too many empty slots to be filled to host and operate the display.  That fact has caused several of us to have to work many extra shifts to cover the holes in the schedule.  This is grossly unfair to those of us who signed up and have to serve those many extra hours.  It is also indicative of the lack of support for the Society by those who could physically (considering location and health) to come in to host but choose not to. I urge those members who haven’t as yet signed up who can to  IMMEDIATELY  go to the Blog site or call Carl at 929-3655 and sign up for one or more times that are available.  You will feel better about it and so will we who won’t have to put in extra hours. Thank you for your participation and club spirit. Carl Churchill, President Art Handman, Vice-President P.S. Mac and Carl are at the Mall almost every day to check...

Here are some short videos of the Mall Display. Amtrak Amtrak around the Circus Thomas and Percy in the Living Room Steaming Through the Village Amtrak and Steam at North Conway Station Amtrak Around the Circus Steam Around the Circus Circus Train and Practice Areas Circus Parade Engine 14 on the High Bridge Trolley on the Trestle A Walk Around the Layout

26 minute video of Rotary Snow Plow Operations in the western Rockies in March 2011, thanks to  Tiny and Judy Lee http://video.pbs.org/video/2365218614/

As of Wednesday, November 12 our operating schedule at the Mall will be Noon to 8pm, Monday thrhough Saturday with shifts from Noon to 4pm and 4pm to 8pm All the times on the sign up calendar will be changed to match the new shifts.

Amtrak and Trolley Amtrak leaving North Conway Station Amtrak at Village Shops Amtrak passing Gorham Station Engine 14 at the Fire Tower Engine 14 at the Log Cabin Circus Train Circus Parade One Circus Parade Two CMP Crew Fixing a Light Tower Thomas and Percy

The GFMRC just announced two events, both at the club facility at 144 Mill St., Auburn, ME 04210. Their web site is www.greatfallmodelrrclub.org Their annual ExTRAINaganza is open for five days as follows Saturday, November 22, 10am-8pm Sunday November 23, 10am-4pm Monday November 24, 4-8 pm ----------------------------------------- Friday, November 28 10am-8pm Saturday November 29, 10am-4pm They are also holding a Surplus Inventory Sale on Saturday, December 13 from 8am-5pm. Items available to buy include Train Sets Railroad Memorabilia Books Time Tables Pictures

We will be opening on Thursday at 10. There are some minor items to be fixed by the Mall  and by us, but we are ready to go. I hear the whistle blowing...... New pictures to follow later today! And here they are. Circus Train 1 Circus Train 2 Circus Train 3 Amtrak with sawmill on right Percy and Log Cabin Up High Thomas End with O-Scale Train

Here we are with the turf rolled out and some buildings in place. Mainline and Thomas tracks are powered up Thomas end with rug, fireplace and Christmas tree Valley Shopping Center Log Cabin Under the Bridge Landscaper Working Near Gorham Station

This show runs from 10 am to 3:30 pm at the Augusta National Guard Armory on Western Ave in Augusta, Maine,  The contact is Steven P. Laundrie, slaundrie@roadrunner.com or  ( 207) 441-5401.  Admission is 4 for adults and children under 12 are f ree. Here is the show flyer Whitefield Lions Club Model Railroad and Dollhouse Show Flyer

We made good progress today on tracks, trestles, bridges and the circus. Here are some pictures taken at the end of the day. Mall Day 1 Thomas End Mall Day 1 Circus End Mall Day 1 Trestle and Bridge