Meet N’ March

I just got the news that our big spring N meet is back on for 2010! We took last year off so we could focus on the national N convention which I hope you were at this last June. Anyway SAVE THE DATE March 6th, 2010. It will be a great time of N scale trains, friends and fellowship. More news as it is ready will get posted. Have a great weekend!

Train Season!

It’s fun to talk with non train friends about “Train Season”. They don’t get it. But of course it is true. Each fall we come back inside after a summer full of activities and get back into our passion for trains. Over the past few weeks I was working on a train project that will go unamed, but I was painting and detailing a locomotive. Just the smell of the paint brings fond memories of my life as a model railroader.

Where is the next operating session?!!

100th Release!

Okay so I have been crazy busy and not a good blogger! Generally I think blogging is a good idea or I would not have started it. But I just need to get back into sink, which I am trying to do!

So you can see that I have been busy getting this car ready to market. I was so excited when I added up all the special runs I have done and not even counting “different road number variations”, that it is 100! And what good timing to be able to make the announcement for the Walt Disney Family Museum’s special run. The Carolwood Pacific was Walt Disney’s live steam railroad in his backyard and was where the idea for Disneyland came from! Although these cars are exclusive to the museum for a period of time, the order form will be activated on  my web site in December and orders will be taken first come first serve. I’d love to hear your comments!

I promise to blog again within the week! Have a good weekend!

Post convention

Is there life after the national N scale convention? Many of you are wondering…well I’m here and trying to enjoy the summer while it is here.
What a great time we had with all who came to the convention! I heard lots of good things so hopefully you had a good time if you were here. Please take a minute to add a comment about the convention if you were here. I’d love to hear your feed back.
I promise to blog more, but I’m still having trouble with posting photos and need Jeremy’s help still. More to follow.

American Fruit Packers

Okay everybody settle down! You knew it was coming! This is the second version of the 2009 car “Timberline Brand”. This will be a feature car at the Portland convention. The original art as well as the artist, my brother, will also be on display. Okay Phil won’t be “on display”…he will be displaying his art. That’s what I meant.

So read the information carefully. This will only be posted for a few days. I want to ship the cars next week! So keep you fingers crossed that all works out right.

This car is so pretty!. Sure to be a hot seller. If you are coming to Portland, just buy it at the Swap on Friday or Saturday. There should be some left on Saturday…maybe

For the fun of collecting!

Here is a link to the car info.

Getting Excited Now!

We’ll now I am traveling at light speed and the reality of the convention being just a week away has hit me. So now, I’m excited!! I think I have been very focused at the tasks and not really getting into the fun of it so far.
This week we have a had a good rain shower so l think that we are getting that our of the way so the convention will have great weather! For those on the Coast RR tour, we have an enclosed car standing by so rain or shine, it will good for you.
I just visited with my friends at Columbia River N scale. The layout is in the basement of the Hobby Smith shop. The layout is quite a thing to see. Working signals were just added. I know that Hobby Smith will have flyers in your welcome packets but, you should really try to get there. Ron has a great shop too!
Portland’s light rail line is called MAX. It will take you all over town. One line goes right to the Hollywood District where Hobby Smith is located. Another line takes you to the Oregon Zoo. The cool thing about the line to the Zoo is the tunnel. I understand it is the deepest and longest “light rail” tunnel in North America. You take an elevator right up to Washington Park and our amazing Zoo.
I am sorry if you are reading this and cannot make the National N Scale convention this year. A good time will be had by all!
Eat, Sleep… Run trains!

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of the N scale family to the see the “Best ‘N the Northwest”!!
See you soon!

Going to 500!

Wow we are going to push 500 registrations for the convention! Our goal in a good economy was 600 so this will not be a disappointment. We are just two weeks away. The weather is beautiful. But this is Oregon and you should pack a light coat.

Mt Hood from Timberline Lodge

One of the tours that Barb and I are going on is the Mt Hood Railroad on Friday afternoon/evening. We have lived here most of our lives and never have taken a ride on the Mt Hood RR. Interesting how common that is. What have you not seen in your home town?

Things are really heating up for the convention. Loose ends being pulled together so I think I missed bloging last week. In fact I’ll just say it now, the next five weeks will be a blur!

As you know, after the convention we host a tour to the White Pass & Yukon RR. Been wanting to do that for 31 years. When we return from that my quartet is competing at the International contest in Anaheim. So like I said, I’ll blog as I can. Hope to see you in Portland!

Red Lion Hotel

My Son Jeremy and I went to the Red Lion hotel yesterday to check on some details for the convention. While we were there he snapped these shots. This is such a beautiful setting! I choose this hotel because of many things, one of which is being on the great Columbia River and just how memorable that will be for you.
Just four weeks out! Registration is up to 415 and still climbing. Many of the tours are just about full now.
I drove up the Columbia River Gorge yesterday. The velvet green contrasting against the blue sky. I can’t wait or you to see it!

I just finished this years concept cars. I had a dream about six months ago that I got the the convention and forgot to create a “concept car”. I had two days to come with something! Talk about a bad dream! Anyway, you will not be disappointed this year. It’s a very cool car!
As usual, these cars will only be for sale at the beginning of the Swap-a-rama on Friday morning.

This year at the Swap-a-rama, my brother Phil will be joining me at my table and displaying his art. This is a rare chance to get Phil out to meet you. He will have prints, originals of amazing northwest art, and some of my National Park Series originals on display. (no, those are not for sale).
I can’t believe it is just six weeks away!!
Sorry I am late with this post. I’m trying to commit to a weekly entry. Last weekend my quartet did a show up in Port Angeles Wa. I bloged about that to.

Convention Concept Car!

It’s that time of year again and I am very busy preparing this years special car for the Portland convention in June. I really enjoy doing this. But it is lot’s of work. This years car….well, knowbody knows until that special moment at 9am when the swap doors open. But I will say that part of this years car has been very difficult.

The registration is looking good for the convention with several of the extra events (tours) almost sold out.
Yesterday I went by Rob Carey’s DRG&W layout. Wow! If you have not seen the current issue of N Scale Railroading, well take a gander at what is in store for you if you get on the “layout tour” in Portland. It is amazing! The other layouts are just as good and in some cases even more amazing!
Portland will be a great time. Hope you’re making plans now.