Rail Fest, Rosenberg Museum, April 13, 2013
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(photo courtesy of Peter Vanvliet)Rail Fest is an annual event at the Rosenberg Railroad museum in Rosenberg, Texas. In addition to the railroad paraphernalia that you'll find at a museum of this type, there is a separate building that houses a permanent HO-scale layout, which is highly-detailed. Something not to be missed when you are visiting. There is also a Lionel layout. We were invited to set up our layout in the remaining space of the building.
Rusty is explaining something to the little boy engrossed in the trains in front of him. Bob, Jerry (seated), and Don in the background (from left to right).
(photo courtesy of Peter Vanvliet)Due to space constraints, we used a shortened version of our layout. The straight sections fitting in the middle on the long sides could not be included. Four-foot sections were inserted in between the curves on the short sides. Nonetheless, we were able to run two or three trains at all times.
(photo courtesy of Peter Vanvliet)The view of the layout as visitors entered the building. The building has no A/C, so we got quite hot, but there was a nice breeze outside, so we could go out and cool off from time to time. Steve's on the far left of the photo and Don is in photo-center. We always have our NASG-sponsored signs attached to the layout, and we also put one outside the building to direct people to the layouts.
(photo courtesy of Peter Vanvliet)There is a building-within-the-building, with A/C, that houses a very detailed HO-scale layout (a permanent set-up). It has a nice viewing platform to allow the little ones to see the entire layout.
(photo courtesy of Peter Vanvliet)A photo of the HO-scale layout.
(photo courtesy of Peter Vanvliet)Behind the model railroad building, you have an immediate view of the UP and BNSF tracks that run behind the museum's property. Throughout the day a large number of trains were coming by, even on a Saturday.
(photo courtesy of Peter Vanvliet)There is even a dedicated railfan platform set up to view the prototype activities.
(photo courtesy of Peter Vanvliet)On the premises are a caboose and a passenger car. This photo shows the main museum building as well.
(photo courtesy of Peter Vanvliet)The tower that protected the complex track work in this area was moved to the museum's property and is open for visitors.
(photo courtesy of Bob Werre)Don with a member of the museum's staff.
(photo courtesy of Bob Werre)Jerry on the left (with the paddle) talking to a visitor, while Rusty's grandson is trying to get the best view of the track. Rusty is in the background on the right, and Howard and Don are working on putting some passenger cars on the track.
(photo courtesy of Bob Werre)Howard, in the foreground, is re-railing a passenger car. Steve is in the background.
(photo courtesy of Bob Werre)Visitors enjoying our farm scene.
(photo courtesy of Bob Werre)The Union Pacific brought this ride-in train specifically for this event. Apparently it has to be booked in advance for something like six months ahead of time, but they managed to squeeze it in for this event. It was going back up north that evening!