Pat & Jean Marinari were nice enough to invite the NJ HiRailers to visit their layout. We delayed it until after the wonderful winter we had in the northeast. So yesterday, the second week of spring, with the temperature starting out in the 20’s, reaching the balmy 30’s and with snow flurries in southeastern Pa. where Pat & Jean live, a group of us hardy HiRailers made the hike to visit Pat & Jean at their lovely home. Pat & Jean are FANTASTIC hosts. In addition to the fabulous layout, Jean made a formal, sit down lunch that was wonderful. By the way, their layout was featured in the January 2011 OGR and on OGR's Layout Adventures Vol. 8. If you haven’t seen it, you really ought to pick up the DVD.
Other Hi Railers included my wife, Sue, John & Michelle Scaravella, Bob & Carol DeGuarde, Bob & Sally Ann Feneran, Mike Caruso and John Xenides. Alan & Kay Ramsey joined us from the area. Alan (y6balan on the Forum) assisted Pat in the building of the layout.
In addition to the fabulous layout, Pat has automated it so it is computer controlled. A lot of the time we were there, a computer was running the trains. Stopping, starting, determining if there was going to be a collision (there weren’t any, but it appeared to come close a couple of times) and generally relieving Pat of the train running chores.
Things you learn. Pat’s turntable was one of the first two turntables made by Steve Ross. It was the first one that was installed. The other turntable was delivered to Jim Barrett, but Pat got his in and working first. There might have been a bet of a beer or two on this one.
I’ve posted some pictures below, but my pictures can’t convey how really neat the layout is or the true hospitality that Pat & Jean extended to us in making us feel so very welcome in their home.
We all sort of behaved. that is, until Mike went into the garage and saw Pat's M6. He sort of drooled a bit after that.
Thank you so very much Pat & Jean.
Gerry
Pat at the Controls
Bob F, Captain John, Mike & Pat
Mike, Bob D, Captain John & Pat
Alan, Kay & Sally Ann
Sue & Mike
Bob, Carol & me
John & Jean doing kitchen duty
Michelle, Bob & Carol
Slip and fall for Locolawyer
The first working Ross turntable
Bob F, Captain John, Pat & Jean