That’s right, after 2 previous attempts that failed for one reason or another, we finally made it to Moncton yesterday for a day filled with model railroad operations, and 1 trip to the local train store.
We arrived at John’s a little before our allotted time of 10:00, which was better than the 40 minutes early the Moncton guys were the last time they came to the Island. Anyway, we chatted for a bit, looked around to see what was new and then Jim made a surprise announcement…
The Presentation
Derwin won an honorary Golden Demerit Award! Being a past winner of this prestigious award himself, Jim was very happy to present the very first G.D. Award to someone outside of their operating group. Derwin seemed very pleased to receive the award. I’m sure it is already framed and hanging on the wall in his train room.
Derwin's Award!
It’s hard to read the text in this close up. Hopefully Derwin will provide the full text on his blog.
Operating at John's
Once the ceremony was out of the way and congratulations were given, it was time to start operating. Derwin was in the operator’s chair running the yard (a position that may become familiar in upcoming photos), Brian ran several trains, and I worked the local switching job in Riverview. Now I’m not sure at what point things got out of control, but while I was working extremely hard I noticed this out of the corner of my eye…
Not Operating at John's
Well, when the layout owner got wind of what the new guys were up to he blew his top! You should have heard the language that was used! Those guys were really in trouble!
Will we be allowed back!?
Well, even after all of this, John still fed us lunch. I thought I had made myself clear last week when I was told what was on the menu. Derwin can not eat anything with beans, spice, or food in it. The after-effects can be deadly. We joked about how fast we’d get home with the back seat down and the trunk open. Seriously, we made the 2 hour trip in 45 minutes!
After lunch we were off to Don’s HO for some bargain hunting and Christmas shopping. Boy, am I going to be surprised Christmas morning with what I think I bought for my wife to give to me. (huh?)
Jim working in Baltimore
Then it was over to Dave’s for some more operating fun and hijinks. Jim worked in Baltimore. I heard him comment many times that Baltimore never ran so smoothly, or looked as well organized. I’m pretty sure the layout owner ignored most of those comments.
Meanwhile I worked the yard job. I noticed a lot of cars returning from Baltimore that should have stayed and been spotted at industries there. I guess Jim discovered that traffic in = traffic out is an efficient way to keep things looking tidy.
Al, Dave, and Jim hard at work. Wait! Jim?
Everyone is reading their cards trying to figure out what they have to do. I’m pretty sure Jim is putting on an act since he obviously just took the cards for the in-bounds and gave them to the guy running the out-bound train.
John and Brian keeping things running smoothly.
John ran the local switching job in <insert town here>. Brian ran several trains to and from various towns on the layout.
They all seem to be having fun.
I think Dave finally started cluing in to what Jim was doing in Baltimore to keep things tidy. Of course, it didn’t hurt that I told him.
Brian waiting for a train and Derwin...
This seemed to be a common sight. Everyone working hard keeping freight moving on the layout and Derwin in his common position.
John leaving the yard.
This was one of the first layouts I’ve operated on where steam equipment was as prevalent as diesel. John is leaving the yard with his train using a small steam locomotive. Previously we saw a double headed steam consist leaving the yard bound for parts unknown (Saint John maybe?).
Anyway, that’s the end of the photo tour of our operating day in Moncton. We had a great time and can’t wait to do it again. Next it is their turn to come to the Island. Hopefully by then we’ll have one more layout to operate on.
Time to go for now!
Scott