We set up at Colfax Railroad Days. This was a different kind of show for us, with lots of young families. The event was more of a local fair than a railroad event, but Colfax has a very strong railroad heritage that it celebrates on this weekend. Normally we have older kids and adults work some switching assignments, but this time we had a steady stream of younger kids, 2 – 9 years old. We had the younger ones honk the horn and turn on the bell, which they really love. It is fun to see their faces when the sounds come out of the loco. Older kids got to run the train back and forth, and a few young teens got to travel through a couple of switches to pick up or drop off one car.

We set up with our newest extension on the left end in the photo. Guest operator John Cody is handling Train #11’s switching duties. The new extensions eliminated an 0-5-0 step we used to do between switching assignments. Looks like we need more buildings and a backdrop.

Set up at International Rail Fair in Sacramento. We added a new extension on this end to eliminate some 0-5-0 switching. Here Dave is instructing a new operator. We have two goals for showing the layout: to show S Scale in action and to get people to experience the fun of operating a layout with some sense of purpose.

We made a decision to go with a smaller layout that we could get to a higher level of finish and detail and that we could maintain for trouble free operation. We set up the new, smaller version at O Scale – S Scale – Narrow Gauge West. Everything about this layout was designed so we could invite visitors to operate.

The operations are specified as a cycle of 14 trains, each bringing in and spotting two cars, and picking up two cars to take out. Several people were interested in the book of switch lists for the 14 trains, so I have uploaded it here. Here is a sample page:

The show went well, with a few people doing this kind of operation for the first time. A couple of people were really jazzed and made plans to build something similar at home. I think there are many people that have a small space and don’t realize how much building and operating can be enjoyed in the space they have. This layout is S Scale, twelve by two feet. 

We have arranged to set up again at International RailFair on October 22-23 in Roseville, CA. This event attracts a lot of people that are not yet in the hobby, lots of young people, so we’re really looking forward to putting a throttle in their hands.

A few of us met at Mitch’s to work on the Northern loop. Trying to get derailment free before we show the layout to the public again.

We met at Daniel’s in Oakland. Since our last visit, one of the end loops was installed, completing a very long mainline run. Last time I visited I didn’t even notice the scenes in the lower deck, so here are some pictures.