GGRS Gazette - Georgia Garden Railway Society

GGRS Gazette
June Issue 2011
Georgia Garden Railway Society
We welcome everyone that shares an interest in garden railroading.
In This Issue
Thank you and welcome to our newsletter,
SEGRS
POST SHOW
PICTURES
• Calendar
• Events
• Train Smiles
• of Interest
• SEGRS SPECIAL
National Garden Railway Convention
June 21-25, 2011
Kansas City, KS.
Cover Photo:
Ted & Deborah Yarbrough
June Issue 2011
The Board
Current Executive Board members are Dan Michel (Chair,) Alan Mole (Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Secretary) Chris Haon
(Membership,) Dave Bennett (Club Layout,) Dave Cummins (Club Layout,) and Ted Yarbrough (Programs, Special
Events.)
For information on membership, contact
Chris Haon, 678-560-4990, [email protected]
To schedule a club meeting at your home or to give a workshop at a meeting, contact
Ted Yarbrough, 706-695-2155, [email protected]
For information on club displays at train shows, contact
Dave Bennett, 770-597-0038, [email protected]
or Dave Cummins, 770-271-3619, [email protected]
For information on the newsletter, or to submit an article, contact
James T. Robinson, 404-375-8955, [email protected]
For information on the web site, or to submit content, contact
Donald Nute, 706 546-5462, [email protected]
For information on GGRS sponsored rides on tourist trains and other special events, contact
Ted Yarbrough, 706-695-2155, [email protected]
Messages from the Board:
GGRS
P. 1
June Issue 2011
Calendar
June 11, 2011, GGRS Meeting
Doug and Susan Castille, Grayson, GA
Trains will be running starting at 11:00AM on June 11th.
Catered BBQ lunch will be at 12:30 followed by monthly meeting.
If you have a yummy desert, please let us know. We will be needing deserts!
After the meeting, the trains will continue to run, but most likely will be running through
lunch and the meeting.
To get a headcount, please RSVP with number attending to [email protected].
Susan and I look forward to seeing everyone.
Monthly Meetings!!!!
By Ted Yarbrough
The year is progressing along and we only have a few months open for you to host. July, August,
and October remain open for 2011, and all months for 2012 are available. Remember, it is YOUR
club, so get involved and host a meeting. Contact me at HYPERLINK “mailto:tyarbrough@
windstream.net” [email protected] with questions about hosting or to get on the
schedule for a
meeting.
National Garden Railway Convention
June 21-25, 2011
Kansas City, KS.
GGRS
P. 2
June Issue 2011
Calendar
Misty Mountain Railroad
July 23, 2011
1:30pm

The Georgia Garden Railway Society will journey to Blairsville, Georgia on Saturday, July 23 for a tour of the Misty
Mountain Railroad. Admission is a $5.00 donation (going to local charity). The layout has been described as America’s largest O-gauge train display; this 3,400 square foot layout features 14 Lionel trains traveling on a mile of track
over 12 bridges and through 15 tunnels. Approximately 300 pieces from Department 56 are sprinkled throughout the
display representing North Georgia and Atlanta. It has been featured in several model train magazines. The layout
will open at 1:30 pm, were we will get a short presentation from the owner and creator, Mr. Griffin, with layout tour
to follow. Take Hwy 19/129 east out of Blairsville for 2.5 miles, turn left on Town Creek School Rd and go 3.2 miles
to Misty Mountain Lane. GPS address is 16 Misty Mountain Lane, Blairsville, GA 30512.
GGRS
P. 3
June Issue 2011
Calendar
2011 Railway Heritage Preservation Conference
Where:
Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel, Chattanooga, TN
1400 Market Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402
When:
Tuesday November 8, 2011 at 6:00 AM EST
-toSunday November 13, 2011 at 9:30 AM EST
Dear ARM and TRAIN Members:
We are pleased to announce our Annual Conference, hosted this year by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in
Chattanooga, Tennessee! The 2011 Railway Heritage Preservation Conference is open to all those interested in railway
heritage, spouses, and students.
Space is limited in the seminars and for the pre-conference trips, so register soon!
Register Now!
Suzanne Grace
ARM/TRAIN
[email protected]
770-278-0088
GGRS
P. 4
June Issue 2011
ofCalendar
Interest
National Train Day 2011
By Ted Yarbrough
AMTRAK started a celebration several years ago, called ‘National Train Day’. It has caught on rather well and is
celebrated all across the country. The Vines Garden Railroad and Southeastern Railway Museum both had something
special locally, but I selected the Tennessee Valley Railroad as my destination for ‘National Train Day’. I had not seen
locomotive #630 since she was refurbished and repainted. So club member Randy Blackstock and I went up an took a
ride. We were welcomed to the museum by a few locos on display by NS, the NS exhibit car, representatives from NS
and the star of the day, TVRM’s steam loco #630. After returning from the trip, I heard from other members that they
also attended. I believe everyone had fun!

The green and white paint on the old Southern RR diesel looks really nice! Reminds me of the old Southern Excursion
days!

TVRM went all out for ‘National Train Day’. That was one great looking drumhead on the rear of the Eden Isle business car.

Loco # 630 looks like a new and out of the box model.
She is a 2-8-0 loco.
GGRS
P. 5
June Issue 2011
ofCalendar
Interest
2011 Southeast Garden Railway Show
by Ted Yarbrough
The 2011 show is now history. Many members worked very hard to make this a great show and their efforts were notice by those attending. It was one of our better shows. Displays were made and placed in the Dalton Freight depot late
in March by Alan & Mayda Mole, Dan & Deb Michel, and Randy Blackstock. A TV segment was filmed in early April
by Alan Mole, Joe Fotschky, and Ted Yarbrough. Dan & Deb Michel, Joan Stultz, Joe Fotschky, Richard Garlinghouse,
Randy Blackstock, and Ted and Deborah Yarbrough came to Dalton a few days early to participate in the Pineapple
Palooza informing the public of the events happening in the Dalton area. Show promoter, David Roberts was also in
attendance as club members operated an electric and live steam display for the public.
Members came out to support the show by setting up the show layout, running trains on the layout and live steam
tracks, presenting a banquet, talking with show customers, and taking down the display. Alan Mole presented a clinic
on how he builds his structures. Greg Williams and Dan Alvero both had booths to sell buildings and trains. The show
attendance was down, but those attending did purchase many items. The look on many vendors face showed that the
show was somewhat of a success.
Deb Michel worked to present one of the best ever banquets for our club. Music was provided by a local bluegrass
group, Spatial Effects, and Ron Blaylock gave a short historical presentation regarding a notorious train robber gang.
Door prizes were generously provided by Tennessee Valley Railroad, Eagle Wings, Almost Scratch Built, Rolling
Stock, John Schneider, Michael’s Custom Woodworking, USA Trains, and Aristo-Craft.
As usual, kids enjoyed our club layout. However, there was one elderly gentleman from the Dalton area that came by
and said he had two trains that he had never seen run and wanted to know if it would be possible to get them, return to
the show, and run them on our layout. We agreed and he returned with very nice New York Central Hudson and GG1.
These were heavy models, as it took both Russ Bundy and Ted Yarbrough to lift them onto the rails! Needless to say,
that gentleman was happy. Folks, this is what sharing the joy of garden railroading is all about!
Thanks to everyone for helping. These shows are major productions and one single person can not possibly do it
alone. Thanks.
Here are a few photos from the show:
Layout from the Georgia Garden Railway Society. Looks fine
as usual!
GGRS
P. 6
June Issue 2011
ofCalendar
Interest
2011 Southeast Garden Railway Show
by Ted Yarbrough - Con’t.
Display layout at the Southern Freight Depot. This
was the location of our banquet and a special event
took place there on Saturday as Dalton celebrated
‘National Train Day’ a week late to coincide with the
train show. It was also the 100th anniversary of the
Southern RR Freight depot. Several members went
down to the depot on Saturday to take advantage of
the birthday party.
Joe & Debbie Fotschky working the live steam track.
This track was made by a career class at a Dalton area
high school.
Club member Greg Williams works at his booth for
his product, Almost Scratch Built.
GGRS
Dealer area was full. There were some nice deals to be
had and from the looks of people carrying things to
the car, they took advantage of the deals!
P. 7
June Issue 2011
ofCalendar
Interest
2011 Southeast Garden Railway Show
by Ted Yarbrough - Con’t.
GGRS
P. 8
June Issue 2011
Logo-Centerfold
Calendar
2011 National Garden Railroad Convention
by Ted Yarbrough
June is fast approaching, and so too is the National Garden Railroad Convention in Kansas City. Over 1500 garden
railroaders gather annually for this event from all 50 states and all over the world. The Georgia Garden Railway Society
has been represented at each convention since the early 1990’s and this year will be no exception. RJ & Ann DeBerg,
Dave Wharton, Richard & Fredrica Garlinghouse, Joe & Debbie Fotschky, Randy Blackstock, Dan Alvero, and Ted Yarbrough are planning to make the trip. There will be layout tours with over 20 layouts on display in KC, and others before
and after the official convention dates in cities along the way. Clinics, dealer hall, banquets, and other activities are all
planned for the convention. See http://www.ngrc2011.com/ for complete details including registration info. E-mail Ted
Yarbrough if you plan to attend and are not listed above, so we can all look for each other at the convention. Join our
group in KC!
JUNE ISSUE R.R. LOGO CENTERFOLD
GGRS
P. 9
June Issue 2011
Train Smiles
Great Send-off
Young gordon was with his parents and they
were taking refreshments in the bar at reading station when they heard a whistle. The
three of them rushed out of the bar onto the
platform only to discover that they had just
missed the train.
‘The next train is in one hour,’ intoned the
stationmaster.
The three went back into the bar. The parents
had another drink, gordon had a coke. Again
they heard a whistle, rushed out and discovered the train pulling away.
‘Next one is sixty minutes from now,’ grunted
the stationmaster.
An hour later, gordon, with his mum and dad,
raced out onto the platform, and his parents
leaped onto the train as it pulled away.
The boy was left standing on the platform and
began to laugh uproariously.
‘Your parents just left you,’ said the stationmaster. ‘Why are you laughing?’
Gordon smiled, ‘they only came to see me
off.’
W&H MAIN YARDS: Railroad Jokes
Compiled by Christopher D. Coleman
[email protected]
Why is the railroad angry?
Because people are always crossing it!
Why can’t the engineer be electrocuted?
Because he’s not a conductor!
What is a lawyer’s favorite railroad?
the SOO Line.
Why is the track gauge 4’ 8 1/2” ?
Because its the mean distance between the neck and
ankles of damsels in distress.
Why can’t a steam locomotive sit down?
Because it has a tender behind (or because it’s caboose is red).
Response to passenger complaint about increased
sleeping car fares:
“The berth rate has gone up since your last trip.”
Why don’t elephants like to ride on railways?
They hate leaving their trunks in the baggage car.
Submitted By: Metro Rail India
GGRS
P. 10
June Issue 2011
Market Place
From Dan;
A member of the Florida Garden Railroad Club has some trains for sale which are listed on the attachment to this email.
He lives in the Pensacola area of Florida and his name and phone number are on the flyer.
If you are interested give him a call.
GGRS
FOR
SALE
P. 11
June Issue 2011
The Shop
Build and Learn at the Barr’s House
On April 9th the GGRS had our monthly meeting at Ra and Barbra Barr’s house. Instead of a “regular” meeting, it was
our first “Build and Learn” for 2011. The day turned out beautiful and there was about 20 members in attendance. Dave
Bennett was the coordinator and the rest of us followed his directions. Ra had already had a retaining wall and water
feature put in before we arrived. We didn’t get all the track down, but we gave Ra a good start to his railroad. By the
end of the day, Ra was able to get one of his engines on the track and run it on the track that was completed.
Keep looking for more “Build and Learn” meetings in the future. If anyone in the club has an idea for a “Build and
Learn” meeting, please let us know. Maybe you could have one of these meetings at your home in the near future.
GGRS
P. 11
June Issue 2011
The Shop II
GGRS
P. 1
This issue was published with most of the information and pictures sent in. Although some articles may have been omitted
because dates did not coincide with this newsletter publish date.
If any submission you sent in that did not get published in this
issue please re-submit and it will be added to the next issue.
THANK YOU
Please check website for addional information;
http://www.ggrs.info/
GGRS Gazette
Georgia Garden Railway Society
We welcome everyone that shares an interest in garden railroading.
Send all articles, and pictures to:
GGRS Gazette c/o James T. Robinson
[email protected]
6809 Collier Way
Riverdale, Ga 30296