G
Guest
When my sister and I were younger, my parents took us to the Valley Model Railroad open house every year:
http://www.trainweb.org/vmrr
I can remember those nights quite well ... Dad always having a tough time finding a parking spot (place was literally PACKED every year) ... Mom having to lift us kids up to see the models, whenever a bench was not available for us to stand ... sis and I awed at the layouts and towns and cars and trains that were SO much better than our layout at home:
http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/collection/Cort_TrainRoom_JPG.html
While it was a thrilling time, back then I didn't realize the significance of the building (Clintonville Station, VMR's home, was an electrical substation and passenger stop on the Chicago Aurora & Elgin Railroad). But now, even THAT history is interesting to me.
On Friday, September 28, all four of us returned to VMR. I found out several months ago that VMR now has "open nights" the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month, allowing people to come in to observe while they work on the layout. While we only spent just over a half hour there, we learned quite a lot. The layout has changed dramatically from the last time we were there ... lots of new things, new scenery, new areas in development and a lot easier to see. Course, we're a bit taller now...he heh. But, VMR has also done a nice job of breaking up the layout so people can walk in between it ... instead of only being able to walk around the permimeter.
During that visit, I talked with Jeff. We had a cool conversation, with him inviting me to stop by on a Wednesday night. Each Wednesday night, VMR members gather to work on the layout.
I didn't wait too long. On Wednesday, October 3, I went ... and talked with Jeff and met Skip, with whom I'd been exchanging Emails and Voice Mails over the last month. I now am in the process of considering and becoming a member. Should be interesting....
So ... what childhood fascinations have turned into adult hobby for you?
[Other ones for me, of course, would include owning the Monte Carlos:
http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/mccollection.html
...and doing the radio shows:
http://www.pamontecarloclub.com/cort/cort4_27.mp3
...and my road trips.]
Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.lego.HO.model.MCs.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"The rhythm of the rails is all they feel" ... Willie Nelson ... 'City Of New Orleans'
http://www.trainweb.org/vmrr
I can remember those nights quite well ... Dad always having a tough time finding a parking spot (place was literally PACKED every year) ... Mom having to lift us kids up to see the models, whenever a bench was not available for us to stand ... sis and I awed at the layouts and towns and cars and trains that were SO much better than our layout at home:
http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/collection/Cort_TrainRoom_JPG.html
While it was a thrilling time, back then I didn't realize the significance of the building (Clintonville Station, VMR's home, was an electrical substation and passenger stop on the Chicago Aurora & Elgin Railroad). But now, even THAT history is interesting to me.
On Friday, September 28, all four of us returned to VMR. I found out several months ago that VMR now has "open nights" the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month, allowing people to come in to observe while they work on the layout. While we only spent just over a half hour there, we learned quite a lot. The layout has changed dramatically from the last time we were there ... lots of new things, new scenery, new areas in development and a lot easier to see. Course, we're a bit taller now...he heh. But, VMR has also done a nice job of breaking up the layout so people can walk in between it ... instead of only being able to walk around the permimeter.
During that visit, I talked with Jeff. We had a cool conversation, with him inviting me to stop by on a Wednesday night. Each Wednesday night, VMR members gather to work on the layout.
I didn't wait too long. On Wednesday, October 3, I went ... and talked with Jeff and met Skip, with whom I'd been exchanging Emails and Voice Mails over the last month. I now am in the process of considering and becoming a member. Should be interesting....
So ... what childhood fascinations have turned into adult hobby for you?
[Other ones for me, of course, would include owning the Monte Carlos:
http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/mccollection.html
...and doing the radio shows:
http://www.pamontecarloclub.com/cort/cort4_27.mp3
...and my road trips.]
Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.lego.HO.model.MCs.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"The rhythm of the rails is all they feel" ... Willie Nelson ... 'City Of New Orleans'
. I'd say dolls houses was my hobby i bought 3 off e-bay to do up but haven't had the time yet and they are sat in the loft
