Well guys and gals...my FIRST YORK has passed and it has taken us a few days to rest up and get back into the swing of things.
I wanted to post this thread here since almost everyone I met at York participates on the 3-Rail forum...but this is for everyone here on our site...... a synopsis of my take on York from the time we left our home to go on the BIG TRIP:
As some of you know, only about an hour and a half from home, my wife and I topped a hill and standing immediately in front of us was a deer and her older fawn ( no spots ). This is when I found out how ABS works....you simply can not stop the car fast enough. Hitting a deer at 50 plus miles per hour is quite an experience that I can not recommend!! After collecting our emotions and thoughts, taking a few pictures, we limped back 8 miles to Thayer Missouri where we parked in a Walmart parking lot. Called my insurance agent, he called a towing company in Mountain Home, and the owner of the towing company called me. To our surprise, it was a friend and past client of mine. He told me he had an idea that would save us from missing York....he offered to tow another one of our cars from our home to our location and do a swap!! I called our neighbor who then opened our garage door where my wife's car was waiting for our rescue....and....within an hour and a half, my friend arrived with her car to exchange automobiles. I asked him what I owed him and he said..."nothing"!!... "You have helped me in the past and this is my chance to do the same for you"... Got to tell ya, this brought some internal emotions in me!! The total delay, about 4 hours..not bad.
The rest of the trip to York was beautiful as we decided to take the southern route through Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, and then Pennsylvania. The trees and mountains were beautiful!! After an overnight stay at about the mid way point, we arrived at York Tuesday afternoon at almost the same time as Jim Barrett.
During our days at York, my wife LaKeeta and I got together several times for nice meals with the OGR crew and in particular with Jim Barrett, Marty and Dotty, Barry and Cora, Gerry, Carl, and ( Captain ) John. We had a great time and it was a lot of laughs. Cora and LaKeeta even went antique shopping on Thursday.
Wednesday, Jim and I went to the PRR Railway Museum and the Choo Choo Barn....all I can say is...WOW!! Beautiful real trains and a wonderful experience with Tom the owner.
Wednesday afternoon was set up of the OGR booth. Upon entering the Orange Hall....I just could not believe what my eyes were seeing! An area the size of what appeared to me to be larger than all of the train meets I had ever attended in the past 35 years...and this was only one of many buildings that I understood I would see filled with TRAINS!!!! Many of you had shared with me that I would be amazed but it was WAY BEYOND being amazed...! The York experience is a "life event" for a train guy. For a couple of hours I was in shock...kind of one of those situations that you think you will wake up anytime from a dream!
Since this was a working trip for me, I was not able to get to every booth...and to be honest...I don't think I would have been able to do so regardless. I was in total AWE of all of the product and selection offered by the vendors and I tried to at least become familiar where folks were....still, I apologize to all of you that I did not get to talk to. I went by many vendors only to find that they were busy and so I tried to not interrupt those folks. Those that I did see were between customers and thus I took advantage of the opportunity. So....I can see I will be at future Yorks getting to meet and know those that I did not have the honor to talk to and I appreciate your understanding. York was just about overwhelming for this new guy!!
After spending all day Thursday at the Orange Hall and a few hours Friday morning, I got a chance on Friday to visit some of the other halls, namely the Brown, Purple, White, and Silver. The other colors came on Saturday!! With each successive hall, I was blown away with all of the trains. All I can say is if you have never been to York, you should put it on your bucket list for sure!!
Ed Boyle and I had planned to roam the halls together...and we did...for about a total of 15 minutes as both of us were honored by those that stopped and talked and introduced themselves to me. Everyone was so complimentary and nice....never met so many great folks in one place!! Both Ed and I soon found that when we turned around, we could not find one another as we drifted off to our next encounter....so....to those of you that took the time to let me have the honor of meeting you, I will always be thankful!!
I had some very wonderful conversations with many folks in all of the halls over the two and a half days....and I am hoping that these meetings will eventually benefit those folks along with our OGR forum members as well as our magazine subscribers. Keep your eyes on the forum and magazine...there will be some pleasant surprises!! I also was able to attend some of the special meetings and learned a lot from experts in their various fields.
Finally, I want to comment on the OGR customers and crew at our booth. Those of you that stopped by to just say "HI" or make a purchase...we are very appreciative! While we all miss Bill very much, his spirit was there...no doubt about it!! The OGR crew was so helpful to the customers and to both me and my wife LaKeeta as this was our first experience. LaKeeta helped at the booth, mostly exchanging money from your hand to hers ( she has had practice at that with me!!! ) but she really enjoyed working with our OGR Family members, customers, and everyone that stopped by and conversed with her. She wanted me to thank all of you for being so helpful and friendly!!
I want to thank everyone at York. I could make a list a mile long but would probably forget someone and I don't want to do that so I am extending a thank you to each and every one of you even if we did not get to meet. I hope to eventually get to meet everyone over the next few Yorks. One really great event was Thursday and Friday's OGR dinner. Jim Barrett took me around and introduced me to each table and I was really glad he did as I got to meet many folks that I have only "talked" to over the forum. I also got to meet many of my fellow Mid America 3-Railers for the first time at York....some in each hall. I want to personally thank Chris Lord for promoting us on his badge!!!
OK...that is my take on what happened for me at York.... It certainly will forever be with me until I take the last train from this earth. Thanks again to everyone....thanks OGR for letting me come aboard!!!
Alan
I know I came home with very sore feet and a bit of amazement that all that stuff was in one place!
