Cry.........

Watch the Giants — Eagles Thursday night.  Go out to the garage at halftime and run some trains.  Friday morning maybe I’ll put Lee Greenwood on Spotify while I have my toast and coffee.  

Running what I already have.

Enjoying the Prewar OO set I bought last week.  Have to restore the two unique cars in this 1938 set as a past owner overpainted them.  Already have the decals ordered, will work on paint tomorrow.   AD

Use money saved on trains to buy booze!

@mike.caruso posted:

Watch the Giants — Eagles Thursday night.  Go out to the garage at halftime and run some trains.  Friday morning maybe I’ll put Lee Greenwood on Spotify while I have my toast and coffee.  

What fun that would have been while hanging out with everyone at Quaker Steak and Lube!!  Personally, I'm recovering from my second surgery in two weeks which I had on Friday so it's been a crappy couple of weeks.   I should be able to hit Hennings' out door and masked-up meet on Saturday and plan to go see my son at college for two hours or so on Sunday afternoon as long as the weather is nice (no visitors inside and everyone on campus is masked). 

-Greg

I have never been to York.....so I say this with tongue firmly planted in cheek......please don't hate on me

Sitting here reading all your complaints about not having York this year.....

Community Tip- watch Strasburg RR on Virtual Rail Fan

Seriously though - I hope to get there soon.

Bob

Getting a knee replaced so I can walk twice as fast at the next York.

Nothing

@rtraincollector posted:

Nothing

X2...

Sitting here wondering how many more whiny posts there will be about no York train shows this year. 

Ill just keep reading  these comments and laugh at the children

Dave

What tickles me is 188 days to April 2021 york or whatever it is.  I mean like really is it that important to you.

Sorry to me there are so many other things in life to be concerned about

I see the usual "fun sponges" have shown up in this thread.  Seems like some folks aren't happy unless they are miserable.

It's York week?  Who knew?    Well I'm spending my day off getting the car inspected and tires put on.  No sense in wasting a day off.  There is a local TCA show here on Saturday that I am thinking about going to just to get out to a train show and see folks having some fun.  And get breakfast.

I am reinvigorated to play with my current setup, restore the layout to operation.  Building shelves for the trains. I miss York it was always a fun time.  Haven't been playing around with this though for a while since I started a software business that took most of my time.  But now that I am a newly minted full stack engineer I have a renewed energy for other things.  I haven't posted a youtube video for years but had fun with it if you want to check it out. 

@MartyE posted:

I see the usual "fun sponges" have shown up in this thread.  Seems like some folks aren't happy unless they are miserable.

It's York week?  Who knew?    Well I'm spending my day off getting the car inspected and tires put on.  No sense in wasting a day off.  There is a local TCA show here on Saturday that I am thinking about going to just to get out to a train show and see folks having some fun.  And get breakfast.

I'm tossing around whether to run down to Murrysville to the TCA show myself.  I need to get my car back from the shop this week.  I don't like to leave Butler with my wife without a car even though both daughters live nearby.

@Mallard4468 posted:

Getting a knee replaced so I can walk twice as fast at the next York.

I got a knee replaced last November 5th.  It was hurting me too bad to even think about going to York last fall.  After almost a year, it is doing pretty good.  I hope you have a quick recuperation like my wife and my friend had.  The PT fellows couldn't get my knee to bend, and I had to go back into the hospital for a 'manipulation'  The aftermath of that was much more painful than the initial few weeks out of surgery.

It will be interesting to see what Ken Bianco has online.  I totally forgot about it in the spring.

Complain that I missed Renninger's outdoor show in Kutztown, Pa this past Saturday. I actually listened to my wife and caved into her request and didn't go. My bad!

I hope to go to Henning's storewide sale and outdoor tent sale this Saturday. It is posted under the announcement section on this forum.

While we will be missing another York, we should be all glad that we wake up every morning seeing the sun shine unlike the 220,000 unfortunate folks that died due to the current crisis. Enough said about that.

Now back to trains and looking forward to next April York.

I have only been to York 3 times, and then, I only went for a few hours on Thursday. And to quote Bob (@RSJB18), “please don't hate on me ” - I really won’t miss anything, especially the 3 hr. drive each way (yeah... I’m not too bright ). That being said, a quick glance at the banners at the top of this page lists a lot of vendors I saw/bought from at my few York sojourns. So, rather than be sad about what is not to be, why not visit or call one of the forum sponsors (or your local dealer of choice) and place an order or three??? I’m pretty sure they would love to hear from you

The weather forecast this week is outstanding.  I plan on driving out to Strasburg to visit the train sights and then take the wife shopping at Lancaster.   Buy some fall decorations at Strasburg RR entrance.  There's some great varieties of pumpkins at nice prices there.   

Basically we're doing the same thing we always do on the way to York.  At least it'll feel like York.  And I don't have to drive quite so far.

Anyone been there recently that have any thoughts on what's happening there?

Well the TTOS Southern Pacific Division is doing our Trains and Coffee parking lot meet on Saturday, October 24, 2020. Along with that working on some projects for friends and projects for myself.

Due to health reasons, York is out anyway but I will continue to enjoy our monthly parking lot meets and small get togethers with my friends.

Steve

@woojr posted:

The weather forecast this week is outstanding.  I plan on driving out to Strasburg to visit the train sights and then take the wife shopping at Lancaster.   Buy some fall decorations at Strasburg RR entrance.  There's some great varieties of pumpkins at nice prices there.   

Basically we're doing the same thing we always do on the way to York.  At least it'll feel like York.  And I don't have to drive quite so far.

Anyone been there recently that have any thoughts on what's happening there?

I was last there on 10/2 as it was my birthday and it was a disappointment, primarily because one of the two reasons I went was to visit the RR Museum of PA and it's closed due to covid.  The Strasburg RR is on a reduced schedule and with limits of less than 50% capacity.   Masks are mandatory.  The 2nd was a Friday and it wasn't crowded at all but I heard from an employee they sell out or come close to on Sat/Sun.  Tickets MUST be purchased online so you'll have to use your phone or tablet if you don't purchase them before you go.  There are no in-person ticket sales.    I went to the Lancaster Central Market and one other farmers market we drove past but did not go inside as both were packed with folks who were not taking appropriate precautions due to covid so we just headed home.   The Strasburg Train store and Choo Choo Barn are open but I did not have them on my list to visit.   The store is a MSRP shop and I was not impressed with the Choo Choo Barn the last time I was there about 10 years ago.  The TCA museum, my other primary reason for going, is open and masks are mandatory.  Your mileage may vary.

-Greg

Buy something nice for my bride of 55 years.

I am  planning to order PRR passenger cars.  I was planning to purchase at York.  Because of a health issue that has arisen I would not be able to attend anyway.  So ordering is the next best thing I will miss seeing everyone at the show.  But spring is just around the corner and Thanksgiving and Christmas are soon to be here.  It is all good and things will only get better.

Buying some trains/other items sounds like a good way to keep the "York Spirit" alive and support the dealers. But I'll probably pass as I've got 6-7 preorders in the pipeline already. And from what I see of the shipping schedule they will ALL arrive between now and end of 2020. So I've done my part. 

York is one of my vacations where l can eat my way through Lancaster area buffets.  But other vacations, western ghost towns, Colorado aspens and narrow gauge, were off the table also, and with few or no new trains of interest, l'll just have to find a local way to waste money. l sure hope, but don't expect,  some new mfrs. with imagination enter the hobby.

I think I'll just bop over to Henning's Trains this Saturday for their York Replacement Show, the Model Train Tent Sale.   I'm guessing it won't be like York, but I'll see some of the people I see at York in any case.

We've got a three (work) day event planned Thurs/Fri/Sat. The goal is to finish the scenery on our 12x15 layout and get the large power cart for use.

I suggested a min-Bandit meet, but there has been no response from the guys.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I think I'll just bop over to Henning's Trains this Saturday for their York Replacement Show, the Model Train Tent Sale.   I'm guessing it won't be like York, but I'll see some of the people I see at York in any case.

I'll see you there...I'll be the slow moving guy....the one wearing a mask...lol

Maybe I'll wear my York badge, no sense letting it go to waste!

I know most of us have items that have never been out of their boxes for one reason or another.

I encourage all of you to take at least one item of it's box and enjoy it.  That's what I plan to do.

Doing some on-line shopping with our Forum sponsors who are having "York Train Show" sales.

Working on the railroad and missing seeing many of you at York!

I'm thinking a bottle of scotch to mourn the loss of train shows!

@prrjim posted:

I'm thinking a bottle of scotch to mourn the loss of train shows!

Sláinte!!!

rtraincollector, YES, York is that important to me.

@eddie g posted:

rtraincollector, YES, York is that important to me.

You are absolutely right, Eddie!!  While none of us knows if we will ever be able to attend York again, at your age we know you want to make the most of your time left.  My dad is your age, fishing is his hobby, but he can't get out anymore!  I'm pulling for you to get to York again!!!!

@prrjim posted:

I'm thinking a bottle of scotch to mourn the loss of train shows!

York ritual on Friday noon. Break out the bourbon. Have a few and then walk the halls or should I say stumble through the halls! Lol!

@Ted Bertiger posted:

York ritual on Friday noon. Break out the bourbon. Have a few and then walk the halls or should I say stumble through the halls! Lol!

And on the up side, you won’t have to tip the bathroom attendant

The Murrysville show is certainly tempting.

Of course, so is Frank Mulligan's suggestion - open a box!

Maybe even both......

Perry

Crawl underneath my layout.... find some unopened boxes ... open them ... be in awe of my new found train stuff that I didn't realize I had !!    

In actuality the above could be true.  What is definitely to be true ( if shipping schedules go according to plan .... which they rarely do in my experience ) is take delivery of a new  MTH RailKing Washington Terminal  RS3 with proto 3, a Premier 18 th century B&O coach from Just Trains Delaware, and an Atlas O Natty Bo Reefer from Mr. Muffin.   All this coming this month ... hopefully.

It really doesnt matter what You or I do in place of it.  For those that only go for a few hours and leave will not understand.  York is more a meeting place for good friends than it is a train show.  From the breakfast with the guys at Round-the clock , the Smokey Bones LCCA party to the OGR comaradarie at Quaker Steak it shows what the important things are.   Its great to talk to people on the forum but to sit with them and lift a beer and laugh about our experiences is another.  So to answer the question Steve  What do I intend to do?  I'm going to drink beer and talk about everybody  What a surprise  LOL

Ben, you are right!  It is all about our friends!!!

I started loading the car with my demo stuff, product boxes, etc....  OOPS, where am I going!

@trumptrain posted:

Crawl underneath my layout.... find some unopened boxes ... open them ... be in awe of my new found train stuff that I didn't realize I had !!    

In actuality the above could be true.  What is definitely to be true ( if shipping schedules go according to plan .... which they rarely do in my experience ) is take delivery of a new  MTH RailKing Washington Terminal  RS3 with proto 3, a Premier 18 th century B&O coach from Just Trains Delaware, and an Atlas O Natty Bo Reefer from Mr. Muffin.   All this coming this month ... hopefully.

Wow Patrick, sounds like early Christmas presents to me'... and what a nice selection of goodies'... I just looked at the 18th Century coach.  That era car was George Pullman's best work.. They made beautiful comfortable coaches of the day'....

@bluelinec4 posted:

It really doesnt matter what You or I do in place of it.  For those that only go for a few hours and leave will not understand.  York is more a meeting place for good friends than it is a train show.  From the breakfast with the guys at Round-the clock , the Smokey Bones LCCA party to the OGR comaradarie at Quaker Steak it shows what the important things are.   Its great to talk to people on the forum but to sit with them and lift a beer and laugh about our experiences is another.  So to answer the question Steve  What do I intend to do?  I'm going to drink beer and talk about everybody  What a surprise  LOL

Ben

on Friday give me call, we can catch up ! ! ! !

Right now I would be at the Round-the-Clock Diner getting ready for the pre-York breakfast......hopefully, once again in April.....

A few pix from last October.......

Have a safe and pleasant weekend, folks......we will get through this and get together once again......

Peter

I got all the way to Breezewood this morning and realized there wasn't a meet.  Just kidding.  At work.  See ya in the spring.

I would be on my 8.5 hour drive to York from Maine this morning.    It's currently 7:30am as I write this, so I would be somewhere  in New Jersey on I287.    I usually hit the road around 2am.    I'm missing my York trips alot.   I only started attending  in 2015.

Now, what am I going to in lieu of being in York.   Just the normal weekend activities.   Get up early and photograph some lighthouses during sunrise.   Walk the dog and train watch.    Maybe go to a NETCA outside meet on Sunday.

Stay safe everyone,  hopefully this will end.

Deer hunting out at the farm during the senior season.

Well, I made my reservations for April 2021!

REALLY looking forward to it.

Peter, Thank you for all the photographs!  It was good to see so many familiar faces!!  I missed that one, but was there the previous October and April.  Let's say I am cautiously optimistic we can get together again this coming April.  When I didn't come in the night before for breakfast, around now 8:45, I would have been on Rt 22 heading towards I-99 near Altoona.  Have a good rest of the week everyone!!

Peter, thanks for the great pictures. How weird is it that I say those were the good ole days when we could sit in a restaurant like that?

I am not doing anything special in lieu of York. I recently bought some train stuff from a friend (some track and structures) and that will have to be my York. I am really missing it. I hope it happens in April. Usually due to my budget I only go to York with a few hundred dollars. If they have it I will have 3 times that amount to spend in April! Can't wait!

The Lovely and Gracious Linda and I are traveling in the mountains of Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina in our land yacht...

Knee replacement surgery.  Much more fun than York.

@rthomps posted:

Knee replacement surgery.  Much more fun than York.

 

Best wishes and luck with your surgery I know the recovery can be difficult

Never been to York.  This fall was supposed to be my first York show and I was looking forward to it.  We had a giant layout planned for the event.  Generally train shows where I am in Western NY aren't all that fun anymore,  as its usually vendors with overpriced postwar stuff, or vendors with used modern stuff priced as if it were new.

Definitely not how I wanted to be spending this day!  The pics from the last breakfast sure do bring back some great memories!

-Greg

@Rich Melvin posted:

The Lovely and Gracious Linda and I are traveling in the mountains of Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina in our land yacht...

Is that a "Lash Up" with the car behind?

What am I doing to spend this York week?  Nothing, wasn't planing on going this year anyway, unless Strasburg was going to do something special like when they had 611 there last year.

@rthomps posted:

Knee replacement surgery.  Much more fun than York.

 

Ugh!  I had knee replacement surgery last fall, which kept me away from York.  I hope your recovery is as easy as it can be!!!  Mine was a rare one where the PT guys couldn’t bend my knee but so far.  My wife and friend didn’t have that problem!

@Jim Sandman posted:

Is that a "Lash Up" with the car behind?

That does it!

You're banned! 

Rich

Your supposed to put the hot grill under neath the "land yacht" to keep it dry. 

@Rich Melvin posted:

The Lovely and Gracious Linda and I are traveling in the mountains of Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina in our land yacht...

Are you towing that HEMI or is it pushing you like a diesel does the 4014?  

@DaveSlie posted:

Are you towing that HEMI or is it pushing you like a diesel does the 4014?  

Oh, Dave...that's bad.   

For the record, the Cummins 400 HP diesel is towing the Chrysler/Jeep 350 HP Hemi.

@rthomps posted:

Knee replacement surgery.  Much more fun than York.

 

Best wishes on a speedy recovery!

Peter

@Mark Boyce posted:

Ugh!  I had knee replacement surgery last fall, which kept me away from York.  I hope your recovery is as easy as it can be!!!  Mine was a rare one where the PT guys couldn’t bend my knee but so far.  My wife and friend didn’t have that problem!

Thanks, Mark.  A years-old athletic injury has finally made its big demand.

Encouragement appreciated!!

@Putnam Division posted:

Best wishes on a speedy recovery!

Peter

Thanks you, Peter.

MUCH appreciated!

@rthomps posted:

Knee replacement surgery.  Much more fun than York.

 

RT;

I had one knee replaced in 2018, and the second in 2019 - some unsolicited advice... it is not as bad as many people suggest (in my cases, the post surgery feeling was a definite improvement). Mine were done at an obscenely early hour on a Monday morning, I was up and walking by Monday afternoon, and out of the hospital by early afternoon on Wednesday. Get into physical therapy ASAP, and follow all of your therapist’s instructions. When you’re done, you should be able to walk through all the York halls without most of the pain. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!!!

Work unfortunately. Seems that if things were okay, normal, and York on I most likely wouldn't be able to attend it because of work. Things this year just seem to have been one of those odd things just going on.

The only good thing this year has been that I've actually gotten good opportunities in purchasing some engines I had wanted to get that initially I had to pass on. I am hoping that closer to the end of the year I can get to work on designing, and building a layout in the back bedroom. It would enable me to run the bigger steam engines I have that have been patiently waiting for their turn.

See how things progress as the days count down for the end of the year. Things can only get better IMO for what is going on, and I hope that soon enough that we'll have a meet we can attend again safely.

Yes, let me be clear my issue was rare.  First, when they got me standing, my blood pressure bottomed out.  I had to stay in the hospital until that cleared up. By then, I couldn’t get into the PT until the next week.  By then my scar tissue couldn’t be broken by PT, so I had to go back into the hospital for a ‘manipulation’.  The aftermath of that was more painful than the surgery itself.  Don’t worry, yours won’t be as bad as mine.  Just do your PT diligently.

@Apples55 posted:

RT;

I had one knee replaced in 2018, and the second in 2019 - some unsolicited advice... it is not as bad as many people suggest (in my cases, the post surgery feeling was a definite improvement). Mine were done at an obscenely early hour on a Monday morning, I was up and walking by Monday afternoon, and out of the hospital by early afternoon on Wednesday. Get into physical therapy ASAP, and follow all of your therapist’s instructions. When you’re done, you should be able to walk through all the York halls without most of the pain. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!!!

Paul...Thanks for the perspective & the advice.  It's so important to "one facing the knife".

My right knee is just fine - that pesky left knee -an athletic injury 50 years ago - has come calling.  I'm told that I will be out of the hospital by 6 p.m. on the day of the surgery (around 10 a.m.  -  "hips go first", as I was told.    )

Thanks again for letting me know your experience.

@rthomps posted:

Paul...Thanks for the perspective & the advice.  It's so important to "one facing the knife".

My right knee is just fine - that pesky left knee -an athletic injury 50 years ago - has come calling.  I'm told that I will be out of the hospital by 6 p.m. on the day of the surgery (around 10 a.m.  -  "hips go first", as I was told.    )

Thanks again for letting me know your experience.

Good luck.  I moved mine up to Nov. 5 - originally planned to delay it until after York and Trainfest.  When Trainfest got cancelled, I moved it up to the end of golf season.

Much like others have mentioned:

Opening train boxes

Working on the layout

boozing

selling extras on eBay

chatting with train buds online that I would have seen at York

and going to harvest sedum to try my hand at making trees.

Really hoping for better conditions and preparations to have some sort of York experience in April. Take care folks and run those trains!

@Mallard4468 posted:

Good luck.  I moved mine up to Nov. 5 - originally planned to delay it until after York and Trainfest.  When Trainfest got cancelled, I moved it up to the end of golf season.

Let us know how it goes!

I had my knees done three years ago Nov. & Dec. and still grin and giggle because THERE'S NO PAIN ANYMORE! My first York in the April afterwards was pure pleasure. As to what I'm doing this York, I'm having scrapple for breakfast and checking out dealer on-line sales.

But I miss seeing everybody.

I guess when York gets cancelled, you need to buy another toy. The mailman just came with a box. MTH PA Alcos ABA in Union Pacific. Beautiful pieces. In October 2019, I bought a MTH PA B unit powered from Eastern Depot who was closing up and retiring and paid $90 for it.

Now, I can run that unit with the rest of the consist that just arrived. Happy here in Jackson, NJ. Like my wife said, there will be more train shows to attend in 2021 and on so be patient and be safe.

Well put Ted.

Everyone be safe and lets hope foe the April York meet..  :-)

If this were a "normal York week"... right about now (2pm) I'd be asking Mrs RedJimmy to get the groceries...then unloading my car once I see her turn the corner on her way!!!

What about you guys???

Well RedJimmy, I went home on Friday evening each of the two times I went to York, but I didn't need to worry about giving Mrs. B. a mission while I unloaded. 

As for this York week, I did do something unexpected but it fits right in with York.  The last time I was at York, I saw a PS3 Premier Western Maryland Russian Decapod for sale.  I was tempted as it is the only remaining Western Maryland engine I would like to have, but I did not spend the $650 or $700 as I recall.  Well, this York week, I put in a bid on the MTH sell off run by Cabin Fever Auction for the PS2 3-volt board version of the same engine 20-3311-1 pilot sample prototype.  I just came in from a break in leaf blowing and bagging to see I won the item with a bid of $383.  My high bid cutoff was $400.  I never won an auction before.  Even with the added cost going to Cabin Fever, I'm pretty happy.

I did what any other red blooded American Rail Baron would do when they can’t go to the York Meet.

I increased my locomotive roster by two, from two OGR sponsors while working on my temporary layout!

Cant wait to see you all at the next York Meet!!

I thought I was going to save money by going to work instead of going to York....then this happened...

Yes, they are all railroad. Lots of LV, among other railroads in the eastern Pa/NJ/NY area.

Today my coworkers were reflecting on where I would have been last week, and one in particular noted about October 2017 as he went with me. He said, "Dave just kept on talking, and when Saturday came around, when everything was ending, he was still talking up a storm."

Yeah, that was the first York I attended, and my buddy Bob got stuck waiting for me to stop talking so we could hit the road. Granted it was before noon, and I did tell him maybe leaving by 10-10:30. I think we left it was closer to 12, lol. Hey, when you love trains, there's a lot to talk about.

Dav, It is hard to believe it was 3 years ago already that I met you on my first trip to York also.  I was able to attend once more after that.

Yeah, my buddies asked how many times I attended, said if we had this and April's it would have been five. Well, whether it's 3, 5, 10, or 200, you gotta love it when we're out there being who we are talking to our train buddies. It is something that you reflect on from time to time. I was telling Bob who really enjoyed 2017's weather about how wet and rainy it was last October at Strasburg. DougN and I were at both the RR Museum and the TTM with wet feet. The joke was that Mike was looking for a boat to get there that was why he was late, but I can't even remember when he got there.

All and all it was one of the best last year for me with York, 611 & NJ Hirailers all in one weekend. I told my brother that I may have needed another week to recover.

We'll get back there Mark, just take some more time. Just have to wait and see how things come together and such.

Count down the days till April.

@eddie g posted:

Count down the days till April.

Yes indeed, Eddie!! 

@dkdkrd posted:

We had a 'Spample' memorial breakfast.

Spam...the Middle Earth breakfast meat celebrated west of the Appalachians, east of the Rockies.

Some pigs meet their end as a ham,

Others on a spit with an apple.

Still others are canned into Spam,

But the remnants are made into scrapple.

...

That's pretty clever. There have been some good ones posted on this forum around York time. The two I remember are:

• "Scrapple. The other gray meat!"
• "Scrapple. Everything but the oink!"