Std Gauge GG1 Getting Some Run Time

Beautiful train, and very generous of you to haul all of that stuff to the convention, set it up, and spend time running it.

That's one beautiful engine, and one beautiful passenger train!  Thanks for posting the videos!  

I have a model of that exact engine under a display case on my fireplace mantle about 10 feet away as I type this.  

Steve,

Who made those two fabulous and huge circus tents?

Bob Nelson

@navy.seal posted:

Steve,

Who made those two fabulous and huge circus tents?

Bob Nelson

The layout belong to Eric Nissen. It has been in his family for years. His grandmother made the tents.

Steve

The layout actually belongs to my family, I just happen to be its current caregiver (since I got into standard gauge.) My uncle, Paul Nissen, started building this traveling layout when he first saw the McCoy's circus trains in the early 1970's. He was a member of a circus club and TTOS, so this satisfied his interest in both. As he progressed, the layout grew larger and larger until it reached its current size of 12x24 feet. He enlisted the help of friends and family in various projects and in setting this layout up all over primarily Southern California. It was displayed at Cal-Stewart and several national conventions in the mid to late 1970s into the early 1980s. Sadly, he passed away very young in 1984. But, in his honor, our family and friends have continued to set it up at various times since that time. It was set up previously at the TTOS convention in Long Beach 5 years ago and now at the TCA Convention this year. It's definitely a labor of love! This year my Dad, David Nissen, and I, Eric Nissen transported and erected the layout and with my daughter, Jordyn's help, operated the layout. But without much help from the rest of my family and friends before the event and help from friends like Steve Eastman and Jeff Myers (and his wife Denyse) at the convention, this couldn't have happened. I hope it isn't five more years before we display it again! Although, I need a week or two to recover! Much thanks to all that helped and enjoyed it!