Big Texas Train Show, October 16 - 17, 2010
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(photo courtesy of Ria Vanvliet)We were invited to and participated in the "Big Texas Train Show". It was held in the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. We set up Friday night. It took us 4 hours to set up the club's largest layout (approximately 16 feet by 60 feet). All the club's and personal modules were brought for the show. Both of Don's new modules were used, opposite the brand new wye modules. We had so much track that for most of the days we ran two or three trains on each of the two main tracks!
Fifteen minutes before the crowds enter... Jack and Peter inside the layout, Rusty looking on outside the layout. Jerry and Sandi applying some finishing touches behind Rusty.
(photo courtesy of Ria Vanvliet)Steve (back) and Peter discussing S-scale automobiles.
(photo courtesy of Ria Vanvliet)Jack (foreground) is working on securing the temporary S Helper Service track we used to connect to the third leg of the new wye modules. Don came up with the idea for the wye, Jack built the modules' framework and hand-laid all the track, and Peter completed the wiring and did the scenery work. Don (left) and Ron are moving too fast for the camera.
(photo courtesy of Ria Vanvliet)Bob is explaining something important (we're sure) to Bill. We are all relaxed because we got the layout to work the night before. Thirty minutes till show time!
(photo courtesy of Ria Vanvliet)Don (foreground left), Steve (foreground right), and Peter shooting the breeze, with Bob (left) and Ron in the background.
(photo courtesy of Ria Vanvliet)Ron is lashing up his leading A and B F3 units to the trailing B unit and the train in the back.
(photo courtesy of Peter Vanvliet)Peter's train is entering the freight yard area, with Jerry looking on. Ron is behind Jerry talking to a member of the audience. Bob's in the background. We received lots of compliments on the water in the foreground.
(photo courtesy of Peter Vanvliet)The Zephyr is rapidly approaching the wye.
(photo courtesy of Peter Vanvliet)This photo shows Don's new modules. They were introduced in the Mall of the Mainland show last month, but here they are shown in their intended configuration, providing the complementary 8 feet of space needed to accommodate the wye modules on the opposite end of the oval. The two trailing spurs will provide additional opportunities for operations.
(photo courtesy of Peter Vanvliet)A good time was had by all, especially when Bob starts telling one of his stories (Ria, left, and Ron, right).
(photo courtesy of Ria Vanvliet)The ladies of the show, Sandi, and...
(photo courtesy of Peter Vanvliet)...Ria.
(photo courtesy of Ria Vanvliet)A close-up of one of the many interesting structures on the layout.
(photo courtesy of Ria Vanvliet)Purposely out-of-focus to protect the privacy of a couple in an intimate moment at our passenger station.
(photo courtesy of Peter Vanvliet)The latest tourist attraction, a two-story outhouse.
(photo courtesy of Peter Vanvliet)The Crab Shack is a popular dining facility.