PLEASE NO SNOW.
long range forecast calls for sun in the low 30's both days
I can't make the photo op at 1 that Saturday. Can we do it at 2pm?????
been there. although it was ten years ago. good crowds, lots to see. I was so overwhelmed that after two and
a half buildings I had enough, but was well satisfied. Contemplating a return trip this year. If you attend, you will
NOT be disappointed. Be patient, as the last time I was there, the crowd was so heavy that in several cases we had to wait
to get into one particular building as the crowd moving in and out was slow. AND if there was a particular table I wanted to stop
at I had to wait as others look on, but the wait was well worth it.
long range forecast calls for sun in the low 30's both days
I hope that last but this is New England you never know what the weather will do.
The Lionel booth will be hopping given that catalog
superwarp1 posted:long range forecast calls for sun in the low 30's both days
I can't make the photo op at 1 that Saturday. Can we do it at 2pm?????
Gary,
2 PM Saturday is fine with me. Would like to talk to you, especially about the Lionel Moguls and B&A.
MELGAR
The Moguls? LMAO. Trying to get answers now from Lionel so I don't have to bug Ryan during the show.
Thanks 2pm it is in front of Charles Ro
2pm is OK with me too. I'm not so sure the weather is going to be great. I'm looking at possible rain or snow Friday & Saturday. I hope I am wrong.
I'm confused! Will there be a forumite photo op at Charles Ro on Saturday @ 1:00PM?
Tom McGriel posted:I'm confused! Will there be a forumite photo op at Charles Ro on Saturday @ 1:00PM?
So far, EDDIE G, SUPERWARP1 and I have agreed to 2 PM Saturday at Charles Ro. Haven't seen anything else from others.
MELGAR
MELGAR posted:Tom McGriel posted:I'm confused! Will there be a forumite photo op at Charles Ro on Saturday @ 1:00PM?
So far, EDDIE G, SUPERWARP1 and I have agreed to 2 PM Saturday at Charles Ro. Haven't seen anything else from others.
MELGAR
Is there a meeting for Sunday?
C.RO Sat 2pm. THATS IT PERIOD
ok CharlesRO
As for those who are traveling Friday and getting a hotel. You want to eat breakfast with few of us train geeks Saturday AM, might I suggest Partners restaurant in agawam. Only five minutes from the fair grounds. I should be there by 8:15 or so.
Gary, Are you talking about the Partners Restaurant @ 485 Springfield St. Feeding Hills?
Hudson J1e posted:Is there a meeting for Sunday?
I plan also to be at the show on Sunday. Have proposed 2 PM near Charles Ro. Let's see if there is interest...
MELGAR
eddie g posted:Gary, Are you talking about the Partners Restaurant @ 485 Springfield St. Feeding Hills?
Yes, feeding hills agawam, one and the same
Well, I'll be going Saturday and "hope" to get there around noon. I'll look like this first picture when I get there. But I really look like this second pic. I'll be with my wife, she looks like the third picture. feel free to tap my shoulder and say hi.
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My Son and I will be there Saturday and Sunday. Will try to make the 2pm picture. Depends on what building we are in at the time. Not sure how long we will be there on Sunday. We may be on the road home around 2pm?
MELGAR posted:Tom McGriel posted:I'm confused! Will there be a forumite photo op at Charles Ro on Saturday @ 1:00PM?
So far, EDDIE G, SUPERWARP1 and I have agreed to 2 PM Saturday at Charles Ro. Haven't seen anything else from others.
MELGAR
I will be there... pick-pocketers beware!
Hey Mike, wait a minute, that's my wife!!! Lol.
I'll be there on Sunday at 2 PM with Melgar.
Arnold D. Cribari posted:I'll be there on Sunday at 2 PM with Melgar.
So Sunday 2pm at Charles Ro? I will try to be there. What building is Charles Ro in?
CharlesRO is in the better living center
Arnold D. Cribari posted:One more thing: it would be great for those Forum members like me attending on Sunday, January 27th, if there was a Forum get-together that day sometime after 2 PM, maybe for Pizza. Is that a possibility?
Arnold
Arnold, this is a great idea. I'm going to the Big E, but at this point I don't know if I'm going Saturday or Sunday. If I'm there Sunday, count me in--it would be great to meet you and everyone else.
John
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the show.
Jeb
Jeb, are you selling product at the show? I'm running low on Coal Fired Steamer. Thanks to Marty Fitzhenry and Gunrunnerjohn, who have done PS3 upgrades for me, I'm going through a lot of it. 😀
John
This should be set in stone by now. NO SNOW is in the forecast. But it will be cold, low to mid 20's
Hudson J1e posted:Arnold D. Cribari posted:I'll be there on Sunday at 2 PM with Melgar.
So Sunday 2pm at Charles Ro? I will try to be there. What building is Charles Ro in?
A good idea is to print out the list of exhibitors and the layout map that's on the show website before you go, to familiarize yourself with the layout of the buildings and also to highlight what exhibitors you want to see and where they're located. It also makes getting around a lot easier and you can plan out a general "route" and avoid doubling back to buildings.
Richie C. posted:Hudson J1e posted:Arnold D. Cribari posted:I'll be there on Sunday at 2 PM with Melgar.
So Sunday 2pm at Charles Ro? I will try to be there. What building is Charles Ro in?
A good idea is to print out the list of exhibitors and the layout map that's on the show website before you go, to familiarize yourself with the layout of the buildings and also to highlight what exhibitors you want to see and where they're located. It also makes getting around a lot easier and you can plan out a general "route" and avoid doubling back to buildings.
Thank you. That’s good advice.
Hudson J1e posted:Richie C. posted:Hudson J1e posted:Arnold D. Cribari posted:I'll be there on Sunday at 2 PM with Melgar.
So Sunday 2pm at Charles Ro? I will try to be there. What building is Charles Ro in?
A good idea is to print out the list of exhibitors and the layout map that's on the show website before you go, to familiarize yourself with the layout of the buildings and also to highlight what exhibitors you want to see and where they're located. It also makes getting around a lot easier and you can plan out a general "route" and avoid doubling back to buildings.
Thank you. That’s good advice.
However, be careful of serendipity! I have found some my most interesting purchases at tables that were not on my list to visit.
Gary, Do any pre & postwar parts dealers set up at the show?
Ed, you might research the Big dealer info list in each hall. You might be surprised.
Jeanne and I will be coming in from Cape Cod on Saturday - as I read the comments on the Photo Op it looks like Saturday 2 p.m. at Charles Ro & possibly another Photo Op on Sunday - is this correct?
Mike
You are correct.
eddie g posted:Gary, Do any pre & postwar parts dealers set up at the show?
Yes, if I recall there’s one near CharlesRO. But since I’m not looking for that stuff, I’m not sure how many.
Well it looks like the weather is going to be good for Friday & Saturday. I don't know about Sunday. We are going on Friday and staying over. If I were to go on Sat morning , I would have to leave around 5am....No thanks.
Yup. Getting up at 5am. Plan to be on the road at 5:30am Saturday. 3 hour trip. Staying over Sat. night in Winsdor, CT. Then back to the show on Sunday. When I travel to York, I hit that road at 2:30am. (York is a 8.5 hour drive) - For the Big E. I get to sleep in!
I will be picked up in taunton 20 min from my house at 7:30 sharp by bus , and enjoy the ride , bus arrives at show about 9:30 am ,parks right by the entrance door ,tickets are handed out on the bus , we leave at 4:00 pm for home ,all for 45.00 bucks techman
Greetings and salutations. Normally a five hour drive from Midcoast Maine( hi Mike, John, Eddie)This year a buddy and neighbor I usually attend with was not motivated to go, first time in many years. Ok. Then my wife and I had some family/friend, plans/obligations in NYC. But if all works out Sunday morning (unexpected but fortunately within reason ) we will head north and stop in for an abbreviated attendance to see layouts and possibly, yes maybe , be there for a forum photo At Charlie Ro. About a 3 hour drive north!
OK Arnold and Melgar, I am keeping my fingers crossed.
5 hour drive the rest of the way up Sunday evening into the night. Glad to have Monday off.
leroof.
Hope to see you there LEROOF.
MELGAR
Nothing could be finer! Thanks Mel.
Unfortunately, plans have changed. Looking at my travel and work schedule for the next several weeks, something has to give, so I'm reluctantly scrapping my plans to go to Springfield. Next year for sure. In the meantime, I look forward to York and the small shows here in New England between now and then. Have a great time, everyone.
John
John, when is the Augusta show?
Feb. 16
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Just watched the 6 PM weather forecast on New Haven WTNH Channel 8. Looks like satisfactory weather and no snow for the Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show this weekend.
MELGAR
Melgar, Well another change of plans, we won't travel to NYC this weekend. That's a relief! We will be able to attend Big E Saturday. If still bearable to Susan( she has never attended the show) and 2:00, we will head over to Charlie Roe to say Hi.
sorry Arnold, we can't be there Sunday.
leroof
And to all in this thread, safe travels and well wishes the entire weekend.
leroof
Ill be there only on Saturday, i haven't been to the show since 2016
Arnold D. Cribari posted:I'll be there on Sunday at 2 PM with Melgar.
Sounds good! I will be at Charles Ro at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
I have arrived at my hotel. This time we are staying at the Marriott Residence inn in Chicopee Ma. A little bit farther from the show than West Springfield but so far much better service than what we had at West Springfield. See many of you at the show tomorrow morning!
Charter Bus with our Vermont contingent on our way!
Jon
Unfortunately, I had to scrap my plans to attend. My refrigerator crapped out and it is going to cost over $600 to repair. The darn electronics went bad. Sound familiar? Remember the good old days when refrigerators lasted 20 years? This one is only 3 years old. Anyway, I hope everyone has a great time.
Hudson J1e posted:Unfortunately, I had to scrap my plans to attend. My refrigerator crapped out and it is going to cost over $600 to repair. The darn electronics went bad. Sound familiar? Remember the good old days when refrigerators lasted 20 years? This one is only 3 years old. Anyway, I hope everyone has a great time.
For that much money I would look at consumer reports and get a new one. At least s best buy recommendation.
Well I am here at the show. This year due to nice cool weather, this show is pretty packed. Lionel giving out free catalogs for 2019! Will post pics on monday. Someone is scratch building a Hell gate bridge in 1:87 scale. It's impressive as the o gauge one down in Washington DC.
This year's live steam engine is a narrow gauge saddle tanker
Hudson J1e posted:Unfortunately, I had to scrap my plans to attend. My refrigerator crapped out and it is going to cost over $600 to repair. The darn electronics went bad. Sound familiar? Remember the good old days when refrigerators lasted 20 years? This one is only 3 years old. Anyway, I hope everyone has a great time.
I feel your pain. The storms during the week blew some shingles off my roof which I learned about Thursday afternoon when my wife noticed a wet ceiling in our bedroom closet. Sure enough I found them in our backyard. So instead of heading to Springfield yesterday morning I was up on my roof assesing the damage which I fixed with a friend today. Looking forward to next year already.
I hope everyone has a great time at the show!
-Greg
Great show and great crowd for Saturday and yes spent some money on supplies! No trains!
Can someone tell me why it is called the ‘Big E’? What is the meaning?
Sorry I didn't make the picture at C Ro. I went thru all the bldgs and was done at 12 noon. So we had lunch at Panera and headed home to Maine.
I purchased some books, I found the "hard to find" Lionel Cargill foods 30k sound tank car. Charlie Ro had some good deals. I picked up the Polar Express animated sign.
PRR, your right, Charlie had a lot of good deals.
We made good time, clear skies, not much traffic. Went through all the halls, saw what we needed to see, didn't see anything we needed to buy. Ran into quite a few people we know, of course. And, once again, a good time was had by all, and we were home before dark.
Some of the Jersey Hi Railers -
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SandJam posted:Can someone tell me why it is called the ‘Big E’? What is the meaning?
The venue is the home of the Eastern States Exposition held for 3+weeks in September each year. It's the state fair for all the New England States. The Eastern States Exposition got shortened colloquially to the Big E. The full name of the show is the Railroad Hobby Show sponsored by the Amherst Railroad Society.
Lad Nagurney posted:SandJam posted:Can someone tell me why it is called the ‘Big E’? What is the meaning?
The venue is the home of the Eastern States Exposition held for 3+weeks in September each year. It's the state fair for all the New England States. The Eastern States Exposition got shortened colloquially to the Big E. The full name of the show is the Railroad Hobby Show sponsored by the Amherst Railroad Society.
Thanks!
eddie g posted:Sorry I didn't make the picture at C Ro. I went thru all the bldgs and was done at 12 noon. So we had lunch at Panera and headed home to Maine.
WHAT! You set up the photo op and you didn't stick around for it.
superwarp1 posted:eddie g posted:Sorry I didn't make the picture at C Ro. I went thru all the bldgs and was done at 12 noon. So we had lunch at Panera and headed home to Maine.
WHAT! You set up the photo op and you didn't stick around for it.
And to think that we waited for you to come! Of all the Nerve!
eddie g posted:PRR, your right, Charlie had a lot of good deals.
So did Gryzbotski's " da BIG G" of Scranton PA. And if they were not as good a deal as C. Ro, "da BIG G" still had the stock on his table. And some K-Line too! That's where I got the tank car with sounds and a blowout on the ROCK 86' autoparts boxcar.
Another note I didn’t buy a thing, so when I got home and promptly ordered a legacy 993 expansion pack at model train stuff.
Talked to Ryan at Lionel about the milk cars, the tooling over in Romania is gone for good, lost forever. But not all is lost, it’s cheaper to do new tooling than fight the Romanians. They will honor what’s was already cataloged and catalog new stuff maybe by volume II. So expect new milk cars by 2020
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Not much O there to be had at all... only one 3 rail layout as well...
Thanks Dotty for sharing! You are great.
I really wished I could have made it somehow. Again, not to be. We got a decent storm off of Lake Erie and my girl wouldn't even go to the local RV show in Hamburg. She hates traveling in winter. I have traveled all year around.
A little story for anyone with time...
We were heading home one year from Charlotte, NC many years ago. We were heading up I-79? towards Lake Erie hitting really good snow fall. As we turned along Lake Erie to head East on I-90, we hit some really major snow. She wanted to stop but what good would that do? I pushed on not knowing that nearer to home had received 5' of snow! My truck had good snow tires and she kept rolling without issue. Up in the distance I could vaguely make out someone stranded near the side of the road waiving like crazy. Of course I'd stop to help. As I got right on him I noticed he was a State Trooper. He asked if I was crazy? He said "don't you know that this road is closed?". I said I had only stopped to help him!
I should have known as snow was actually starting to blow up over the hood as I drove and I kept pushing harder on the gas. But my ol' Chev truck just kept going fine and I was so close to home. He ordered me off of the thruway and we had to stay the night in Fredonia. More snow kept coming so I took off in the morning on side roads doing 5 MPH until we made it home. She announced, "never again!". I don't know what was the big deal?
I go to Springfield with the intention of just enjoying trains - all scales - and plan on buying something. I don't usually have anything specific in mind, but between the major dealers and odd lots others bring and sell, something pops up. This year I bought 4 Fastrack O-72 remote switches for $25 each, 2 LH and 2 RH. All work, 2 without lanterns and 2 with LED bulb burnt out. I have extra lanterns and I'll look into the LED bulbs/parts, but 4 working switches for $100 that I can use for crossovers between loops on a 6x13 table made for a good day.
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Wife and I where there from open to close. Bought a couple of things, but not much. Not much O- gauge postwar which is what i was looking for, and what they had made Ebay prices with shipping look like a steal! Crowd was lighter than past years for the first few hours, but then got packed. Charles Ro and Grzboskis had a lot of modern stuff, good prices. No postwar parts dealers anymore. That sucks. MTH had a nice set up. Lionel had ther usual small set up with running starter sets and lots of kids. Tons of free 2019 catalogs. Ryan but no Dave. A new lady in a skin suit selling smoke fluid was there again this year, with a bunch of desperate guys groping her asking for her to be in a selfie. Didnt see the live steamers. Might have missed. A lot of layouts. All but one was HO G and N.. All said we had a great time. But probably could have found more to buy on eBay.
I made the trek from Potomac, Maryland, just outside Washington DC, for this show. Well, actually I went to visit my sister and a "change of scenery" in Boston with the show being a big part of it.
Nice show, very large. Not impressed from an O Gauge perspective. Very little, IMO, product to be had. If I were local, I'd certainly make a point to go every year but wouldn't make any special trip again for it. I'm an 1 1/2 hours from York and that is easily worth the trip. This looked like an awesome show for the N Scale/HO Crowd. Arguably this may be "their York".
I still made the most of it and had a great time. I was in the halls by 10am and on the road by 3:30. Went through all of the buildings several times. The modular layouts, overall, were terrific. I really liked the G Gauge and European layouts. Best of all was the 0-4-0T running outside. Yes, I got to blow the whistle!
I did find the Lionel #2338 I've been looking for for many years. I have never found one in the condition I like at the price I liked until today. I spoke to the gentleman who sold it to me for quite a while. I casually mentioned it was my first time at the show and not terribly familiar with the layout and just enjoying walking around. He mentioned it was the same for him. I said "where ya' from?" He replied: Rockville, Maryland, about 10 minutes down the road from me. You can't make this sh*t up folks! Talk about a small world! We had a great laugh about that! I look forward to getting the engine on the layout at home later next week.
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Was Atlas there.They we’re supposed to make an announcement on some new HO rolling stock and if there were going to any new O gauge announcements
MR-150 posted:Was Atlas there.They we’re supposed to make an announcement on some new HO rolling stock and if there were going to any new O gauge announcements
Yes, they were there. I wasnt aware any announcement though.
I did see Atlas there, but I didn't stop at there booth.
It was a fun show and the weather was clear. I got there right before the doors opened and saw some freinds and picked up a few odds and ends. I walked all the buildings and was over and done by noon time so I didn’t get to make the photo shoot either.
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Arrived home from Springfield around 8 PM, unpacked the day's purchases and am getting ready to return early tomorrow morning. I thought there was lots of postwar and modern Lionel - as usual. Many Lionel vendors, some large and numerous small ones. Was glad to be with the Forum members for the group photo on Saturday at 2 PM and will be back for another photo - same time and location - on Sunday.
MELGAR
Trainz was there as always. Usually has a lot of O gauge. This year i counted 7 items.....
At the Amherst Train Show, I had the opportunity to speak with Ryan Kunkle of Lionel shortly after the Show opened this morning, and I have some great news to report. Ryan informed me that Lionel is developing new tooling and will be manufacturing the PS-1 Freightsounds Boxcars with hidden uncoupling tabs, not thumb tack couplers. So the pictures in the new Lionel catalogue are accurate. For now, however, the trucks will continue to be non-sprung, but Lionel is also seriously considering going back to installing die-cast sprung couplers, as they recognize that they track better and are desired by a large number of their customers. From our discussion, it was also clear that Lionel is aware that die-cast sprung couplers are provided by MTH and Atlas on their scale freight cars, thereby placing Lionel at a competitive disadvantage. So while this is not a total win, it is clearly a step in the right direction, and I applaud Lionel for this decision. Thanks to all of my Forum colleagues who have advocated for Lionel returning to its die-cast sprung trucks and couplers with hidden uncoupling tabs, as our voices have been heard.
SandJam posted:Can someone tell me why it is called the ‘Big E’? What is the meaning?
Location is the Eastern States Exposition (Big E) in West Springfield, Massachusetts and the premises are large. The train show occupies 5 very large buildings. I was there from 9 AM to 5 PM on Saturday and got through only 4 of the 5.
MELGAR
MELGAR posted:SandJam posted:Can someone tell me why it is called the ‘Big E’? What is the meaning?
Location is the Eastern States Exposition (Big E) in West Springfield, Massachusetts and the premises are large. The train show occupies 5 very large buildings. I was there from 9 AM to 5 PM on Saturday and got through only 4 of the 5.
MELGAR
There are only four buildings used for the show. Better Living Center. Young Building. Stroh building. And Mallory complex.
Which building do you think you missed?
The Mallary Building has two sections - a small one connected to a large one. I got to the larger section just before closing. Four buildings - one having two parts. I've been attending for 22 years...
MELGAR
Was in the Better Living Hall by about 9:30 and as happens more often than not was confronted with a big decision early on. Not really "needing" any engines I came looking for scenery items as I'm always impressed with the assortment of trees, structures and overall layout items this show has to offer. So with this in mind I spot an engine at the Trainz booth that has been on my "maybe" radar, the MTH 44 toner and in PRR no less! The engine is used with just a slight area of missing black paint on a railing, easy fix. I ask the Trainz people if I can take it to be tested. They could not have been more gracious and allow me to walk away with the engine. Unfortunately no test track in the building despite staff admitting they should have one. Unless these people were misinformed that really needs to be corrected. Same thing happened last year when I went to buy an older Williams engine. The staff recommended I ask one of the layout operators to check the engine. Very awkward to have to ask that of someone but I did needing to make sure the engine was ok. Guy couldn't have been nicer and I threw him lunch money for helping me. Engine checked out perfectly and we made a deal for $225. Very happy!!
Also bought a few really nice trees by Sterling Models, an Atlas 2 rail hopper (my first to run on my 3 rail track).
Overall a good day and was back on Long Island by 4:30...
MELGAR posted:The Mallary Building has two sections - a small one connected to a large one. I got to the larger section just before closing. Four buildings - one having two parts. I've been attending for 22 years...
MELGAR
Ive been going 30+ years. Probably bumped into you many times! LOL The Mallory building was only included in show several years ago. Really only the front half of it has any good selection of train items. The back section is mostly layouts, toys, and a bunch of kids.
I don’t understand why you don’t see more vendors have a simple piece of track for testing or even a small transformer with a couple of alligator clips? I was at a table today where someone wanted to test an engine and the seller was nice and let him take the engine to a test track.
I talked with a guy at the Greenberg show in Wilmington Ma. and he was saying they charge for the use of an outlet/electricity,. Maybe that cost is too much. Also, maybe cords running to all the different vendors would be a complicated hassle.
Mike23 posted:I talked with a guy at the Greenberg show in Wilmington Ma. and he was saying they charge for the use of an outlet/electricity,. Maybe that cost is too much. Also, maybe cords running to all the different vendors would be a complicated hassle.
Makes sense. Probably a safety thing to with tripping over cords and all.
I went with a bunch of other train guys and we had a blast. The Show is well worth going to, without regard to what your favorite scale is. There were approximately 30 operating layouts spread throughout the four halls, and most of them were awesome. While the Show is always mostly HO, there was plenty there for the O scale group as well. Lionel, MTH and Atlas were there along with top O dealers like CharlesRo, Grzyboski Trains, Trainworld, Trainz and Brady's Train Outlet, as well as specialty shops that have plenty of O scale stuff like Model Tech Studios, Ross Custom Switches, Scenic Express, Miller Engineering and Mega Steam. There was also a ton of other cool stuff available through many other dealers that was suitable for O scale. At the end of the day, we all agreed to make this an annual event.
The lego layout was impressive. Was saying to my wife, with the price of Legos it probably cost more than an o-gauge layout!
We entered at 9, left around 1:30. Only saw a few of the OGR bunch - must have been looking at trains too much.
Red Rose was PACKED, but worth the wait!
I'm sure that Don will post some pics soon...
eddiem posted:We entered at 9, left around 1:30. Only saw a few of the OGR bunch - must have been looking at trains too much.
Red Rose was PACKED, but worth the wait!
I'm sure that Don will post some pics soon...
We had a 30 min wait to get into the Rose. We just talked trains and the time flew. Meal and service awesome as usual
The only thing that I don't like is that the layouts screw up the aisles. I found myself going thru the same aisle 3 times, and I probably missed some aisles.
I went Saturday with Eddiem and another friend. We got there early but my ankles gave out too early.
I realize the show is not perfect. But it is a big show with many people with the same interests.....trains.
I always enjoy the show and bumping into OGR members and then dinner. The details of the module layouts are really nice, no matter what scale. I always take pictures , in no particular order or importance, to show volume of crowds and retailers that we deal with.
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Yeah, it’s more than model trains. I got updates from several groups restoring steam engines, including 3713, 2100, 7470 up in North Conway NH, and I renewed membership in a couple of historical societies