mainegardenrailwaysociety2023

Here is a copy of the email I sent out: The president wanted you all to know that he has noticed an increase in people saying thank you to the MGRS members running trains at the mall. Those of you that did some time at the mall probably noticed it also. It sure is nice to get that kind of feedback. When I was there, a number of people stated that the only reason they go to the mall is to see the trains. We are lucky that we get to share our hobby with people that appreciate the work we do to keep the trains on track. Thank you, Happy New Year Terry MGRS Secretary

Members and visitors have add to the fun this week at the Mall. Rio Grande 205 Steam Locomotive and Tender Rio Grande 2015 Runby Santa Fe A-B hanging out with Thomas Coal Train from the Caboose Coal Train m the Engine Santa Fe Coal Drag Runby DRG&W Mixed Train Runby Two visitors looking at the Circus Train told us about places with circus models. They also showed us pictures and video from their cameras. One is the Brook Green Gardens in the Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina. The web site is  http://www.brookgreen.org/ Here is one of the pictures you can see by searching for "brook green gardens model circus" Another is the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont on Route 7 south of Burlington. The web site is https://shelburnemuseum.org/    Here is one of the pictures you can see by searching for "Shelburne Museum Circus"

Please help us take down the Holiday Train Display on Monday, January 2nd starting at 9am. Ben has arranged for Casco Bay Ford to loan us a van for the move as he did when we move in. As in the past, our job is to go from "All Aboard" Back to empty tables.... Our last day of running trains will be Sunday, January 1st

We have now run through Christmas and are heading toward the New Year. Here are some recent photos and video. Jim Jenkins ran his Candy Cane Express Train just before Christmas Candy Cane Christmas Express Engine Candy Cane Christmas Express Passenger Car Candy Cane Christmas Express Runby James the Red Engine pulling candy in his Dump Car LGB Tourist Train loading at North Conway Thomas taking a well-earned break On December 26 John Middleton brought in his "Maine Train" including Moxie and Poland Spring freight cars. Maine Train Runby And Jim Jenkins ran a pair of New York Central A-B diesels with five Pullman passenger cars New York Central A-B Diesels Pullman Passenger Car Pullman Train Runby

Everyone had fun running the trains.  Dominic (with Ben) and Jace Morse (with me)  took the time to show Ben and me how to o perate the railroad.

Here are some recent items from the Mall and other places . Over the weekend a young man noticed that we had the tender and coal car from James (the red engine) near the transformers. He asked to have James put on in place of Percy, and we did that. Another pair of young men noticed that one of the safety gates on the trolley was loose. Fixing that led to talking about the back-and-forth unit for the Trolley and the station stop unit for the Amtrak. European Freight with Crocodile Engine and Amtrak Rio Grande Freight European Passenger Train with Railway Post Office Because of scheduled maintenance, no Amtrak  Genesis locomotives were available to run at the Mall late Sunday afternoon. A short term contract was arranged to bring in Baltimore & Ohio #5321, a 4-6-2 steam locomotive. B&O 5321 at North Conway Station Amtrak under Steam And here are trains in other places..... Maine Central Steam and Diesel at LL Bean And you can find a locomotive at the Hannaford in Y...

It sure is nice running trains inside when it is so cold outside. I just rebuilt this Bachmann 4-6-0.

This year the Candy Cane Train ran on the Amtrak Downeaster  with a round trip from Brunswick to Portland and back. This train is fun for children of all ages, and is the primary fund raiser for Tri-County Literacy in Bath, Tri-County Literacy Web Site The fun starts when children and parents arrive at the Brunswick Visitor Center, which is also the Amtrak Station. Here they can pick up their tickets, drink hot cocoa, listen to stories read by Mrs. Santa Claus, see model trains, and enter raffles for books and a model train set. Model train layout Polar Express and Freight Trains roll through Town The layout and the rest of the station is crowded until its time to board the train Then everyone heads for platform... Amtrak Conductors greet the passengers On the train small groups of children have stories read to them. There are cookies, songs from the Noreasters Chorus, fun with the Elves, and a visit from Santa!!! Here is a video of the Candy Cane Train rolling out of Bru...

Here are some short videos of trains running by at close range. Boston & Maine Coal Train and Circus Train Runby Steam Work Train and Downeaster Runby Downeaster and Circus Train Runby

Here are some photos from the Mall, including trains brought in by members Terry's Greenhouse at the Farm Norm's House under construction - topped out with a traditional tree North Pole Express stops at North  Conway Station North Pole Express Passenger and Baggage Cars John Middleton's Mixed Freight with Moxie Car Band Practice at the Circus Signs about MGRS - thanks to Carl Young Thomas and Percy have a ride.... Fox on a loading dock???? A small newspaper stand Crossing Gates down for the Trolley

Here is some more of the Holiday Spirit that Paul Corbett creates through detailed decoration at the Westbrook Festival of Trees.  Take a look - see what surprises you can find... Welcome to the North Pole Ice fishing with poles?? From a bridge?? Is the duck cold?? Farm Equipment Dealer. Rusted car body at upper right A village scene. Can you see the wolf? Waiting at the station. Do you see the dogs? Who needs a tow? Maybe that fancy, red car? Christmas Tree Sale Lot. See the board of Wreaths? Motorcycle Shop Front View Harley-Davidson Sign Alaska Billboard on the Roof Motorcycle Shop through the glass roof - left side Motorcycle Shop through the glass roof - right side