Run Time at Chugman's

I've never met Art but I always check his posts to see what he's up to on the layout and what he may have grabbed at the monthly shows in Wheaton. Being that he's among my favorite members on the forum, I hope to meet him next time I'm up that way visiting family.

"I hope to meet him next time I'm up that way visiting family."

Matthew, you need to make a point to visit with Art and his wife, Dixie, They are without a doubt two of the nicest people in our hobby, not to mention he has a fabulous layout.

I look forward to seeing photos of yesterday's Run Session. I sure miss them.

Can't wait for pictures! Really wish I could have made it. 

I need to get to know Art! 

Where are the pictures!!!!!

Still in the digital camera's chip?

Yes, where R the pictures?  You know what they say...A picture is worth a thousand words, right?

Rick

Come on guys, where are the video's and pictures !!!!

Alex

Did somebody say pictures?    

Thanks for all the positive comments.  Pictures are coming, but you don't have to be patient.

From my standpoint we had a great day yesterday.  It started with a perfect weather day, sunny, little wind, and temps in the high 50's.  Not bad for the Chicago area this time of year.  The trains ran very well with no major glitches.  But the stars of the show were my many wonderful train friends.

My wife Dixie outdone herself baking many delicious varieties of cookies and snacks.  The only complaints that I heard were that it caused them to eat too much. 

It was a very informal session this time where we just ran trains and visited.  Forum members that were present were:  ibew.701 (Jim), Hot Water (Jack), sp2207 (Scot), AlanRail (Alan), Ray Marion (Ray), Big_Boy_4005 (Elliot), and myself Chugman. 

There were several people taking pictures and they have volunteered to either send them to me to post or will post them themselves.  I just looked at my pictures and am not very happy with them.  Elliot shot a video with his GoPro camera on the front of a BNSF manifest freight that he is going to share with us soon after he gets home.  In any even, we will share pictures soon.

For you forum members that are always wishing me well and encouraging me....thank you very much.  To my guests, you guys made my day!

Art

Thanks for the great time, Art.  Looking forward to the next get together.

I was going to wait for some better pictures, but in the meantime here are a few.

 We live at the end of a cul-de-sac so I was concerned about everybody finding a parking place.

Dixie made sure that the food was ready.  She didn't want any hungry train guys to get cranky waiting for something to eat or drink.

I'm not very happy with a lot of these pictures, but I was having too much fun to concentrate on my pictures taking.

Art

Wow great turnout. The last shot showing your bridgework is cool, really shows what a focal point that it will be on your layout.

Thanks Eric.  We missed you but I will try not to wait so long for the next one.

Art

Ok .hear are some photos of the get together at Arts house Sunday Nov-2-14. I had a great time. I spent a lot of time  talking with Big_Boy_4005 (Elliot) from the state of MN, Me and my Son Taylor went. I am not really happy with the photos I took.  So Thank you Art & Dixie for the invite to your home.

Thank you Art and Scot for the fine photos.  Yes it looks like a fine turnout and that everyone had a good time.  Art, your layout is more impressive than I had imagined!  The arch bridge you are working on now, is a very good focal point.

Art, looks like a great time!  The layout and bridge are looking great.  I love attending and hosting parties like this.  Friends, food and trains, it doesn't get much better.  This hobby is so great!!

Really cool pics! Great layout!

Peter

Art your layout is just spectacular.  I must agree that arch bridge is a real eye catcher and the trackwork is just exceptional..very smooth and flowing.  The quality of the construction and the space itself are top shelf.  It sounds like a great time was had by all.

Thanks for the great pictures Art and Scot. Looks like everyone had a great time. The layout looks wonderful...

Certainly looks different...

And the cookies and snacks look delicious...

...but where are the White Castles?

Scot - Thanks for adding your pictures.  I'm glad that you brought your son, he is a very nice young man.

Chris - Thanks for your comments.  When are you going to join us?  We have been going to meet at DuPage in the past, but for some reason never get it done.

Art

Jon - I was thinking about Maid Rites but I thought they would get cold during the several hour trip back from Iowa with them.  Sliders are not universally loved at our house and is another story.

Cool comparison that you have made showing basically the same shot before the layout and now at it's present stage of completion.  Hope that you can make it down some time and join us.

Art

Brian - I couldn't agree with you more.  The modelers that never get out and visit others layouts or invite people over are missing the best part of this hobby and that is sharing with others.  I wish I was closer to all the great layouts back east, but also feel truly blessed to have so many great friends here in the Midwest.

Art

Am sure Eliott will tell me lots of stories abt ur place this Wednesday when I am at his place to work on his layout.

Scott

     Your pictures are great! We all look 20 years younger and the fat free cookies had no effect! Excellent job.

Ray Marion

Holy Smoke!  What an incredible layout!

Oh your welcome Art...it is a beautiful layout.  I would love to join you some time. I work midnights and I have Sundays and Mondays off, so I would most likely have to go right after work on a Sunday but that wouldn't be a problem.  I live in Plano, basically by Rt34 and Eldamain Rd. so I think we are fairly close to each other as well.

I have learned that it helps me get things done on my layout by scheduling open houses or running sessions.  My biggest obstacles are spending too much time on the forum and over-thinking my projects.  I wanted to get more done on my bridge, but I am determined to keep at it and get finished.  And as soon as I receive the two newest Woodland Scenics buildings I want to get back to working on my towns of Spencer and Ruthven.

Art

Yes, sliders are either loved or equally scorned. One of few delicacies that when one consumes pays twice. A friend was charged with organizing the dreaded company party. The menu was White Castle, Hostess snowballs cupcakes, and Tang. Never had to face that chore since.

Thanks, Art, I would love to come down and see the layout sometime, it looks wonderful.

Chugman

Looks like a great turnout, and wow one heck of a layout!!!  Great to see to regional camaraderie in the Chicago area.

Thanks Art & Scot for the photos from yesterday's Open House Event. Art sure knows how to do this right, and yesterday was no exception.

I sure miss Art's events, I would never miss one when I was a neighbor. 

Art,

Your layout and layout room is amazing, i wish i was there. Looked like a great time.

Thanks for the photo's

Alex

What an awesome layout and train room! I wish I could have been there. Nice job on the layout Chugman.

Sorry I'm late to the party guys. 

A big thanks to Art and his wife. What a great afternoon! It was fun meeting so many forum members and fellow train people and seeing his beautiful layout in person.  

You may want to turn the sound down when you play this video. There is a lot of wheel noise, but the video is sweet!

I'm going to have to get a better car to carry the camera.

Great Video Elliot.

Thanks for the video, Elliot. Great to see everyone enjoying Art's wonderful layout and gracious hospitality.

Very nice video.  I enjoyed taking the ride around Art's Layout!

Elliot - Great video!  Thanks for taking it and posting it.  I wish now that we would have put on the front of a passenger train and also on the upper level as you suggested.  It was a fun day.

Art

Make it +5 on the video, Elliot.  As for the layout, to use an overused word, "AWESOME." 

Carl