Trackers in the Black Hall

Some feature National Monuments. Take a look at Mt. Rushmore and the Yellowstone Geyser Basin. Why, the geysers erupt every 6-7 minutes!

Sometimes you have to look closely to see the fine details....

Most of the time the trains roll by the scenery, but not always.

You might even see a famous bridge....

Sometimes you may not believe your eyes.....

But one thing for sure, there will be kids' smiles a-plenty!

Now, of course, there is no way of knowing yet which, if any, of these views may make it to York, so don't take these photos as a "preview." They are meant to show only what has been seen in the past. But if the best way to predict "future behavior" is "look at past behavior," there will be lots of happy folks who visit the Black Hall in April.

I can speak official... I'm one of the trackmasters for the show.

The Trackers have the entire black hall, and we intend to fill it. The current plan is 116'x24'. Its an ambitious track plan that aims to be a real show stopper. Stop by and see us this April.

Thanks,

Justin

Two excellent Trackmasters for this show. No screwin' around for this (well, maybe a little....). I may reactivate my TCA Membership and bring a train to run....this is the first York my schedule permits me to attend in about 5 years. 

Fantastic!  Looking forward to seeing it.

Fantastic job on this entire layout, love the steel and grain mills along with the bridges.

Jack

Thanks for the photos!  Those will help give folks a good sampling of the treat that awaits them in the Black Hall at the April meet.

Now for my editorial comment to the TCA Eastern Div. officers:

If the Black Hall (or some other hall) is reserved exclusively for the display of modular or other groups, those halls should be treated just like any of the other public areas on the fairgrounds (outdoor areas, grandstand, cafeterias, etc.).  In short, such exhibit-only halls should be open to photography by the TCA membership.  It makes absolutely no sense to apply photo restrictions to a attraction that many hobbyists would routinely view as an "idea mill" and excellent learning opportunity.

Thanks for the update on the trackers.  My boys will really enjoy going to the black hall this year, I am sure.  Can they bring a locomotive to run?

"If the Black Hall (or some other hall) is reserved exclusively for the display of modular or other groups, those halls should be treated just like any of the other public areas on the fairgrounds (outdoor areas, grandstand, cafeterias, etc.).  In short, such exhibit-only halls should be open to photography by the TCA membership.  It makes absolutely no sense to apply photo restrictions to a attraction that many hobbyists would routinely view as an "idea mill" and excellent learning opportunity."

...and (IMHO) it might be worth considering that the Black Hall also be open to the public at no charge.  Great place for families to visit and promote the hobby to newcomers.

We have badges so the visitors could be allowed only in the Black Hall.  There's no sales going on, so no tax issues either.   I'm sure that lots of people in the area are aware of the "large bunch of train guys" that gather in York every six months, why not invite them to see the best of what it's all about!

Ed

ps. My 8 piece modular layout seems a bit small.  Time to start building more.  What an inspiration!

My guess is that would not produce the desired result.  Mr. & Mrs. J. Q. Public and the Public tykes would likely not be terribly thrilled to come to the fairgrounds and be allowed access to only one building when they see thousands of folks going in and out of the other buildings.  They'll want to know why they can't go in those buldings, too.  That would be a bad thing, and very hard to explain.

York is a TCA Eastern Div. train MEET for TCA members and their families.  People tend to so easily forget that.  There are plenty of train SHOWS in that part of the country each year to more than cater to and satisfy the entertainment needs of the general public.  Despite the whining that goes on prior to every York Meet, my sincere feeling is that opening the event to the general public would mark the beginning of the end of the York Meet.

Anyhow, it's up to the E.D. to run the event as they see fit.  I will continue to offer my recommendations and suggestions, but they are certainly free to ignore them.  Makes no real difference to me because I'll be at York in April, God willing, and I will have a thoroughly wonderful time being there, just as I have so often in the past.

quote:

York is a TCA Eastern Div. train MEET for TCA members and their families.  People tend to so easily forget that.  There are plenty of train SHOWS in that part of the country each year to more than cater to and satisfy the entertainment needs of the general public.  Despite the whining that goes on prior to every York Meet, my sincere feeling is that opening the event to the general public would mark the beginning of the end of the York Meet.

And the end of the TCA itself.

HERE WE GO AGAIN.

They are invited, everyone is invited.  All they need to do is join the TCA, and they can do that right at the Fairgrounds.  Since it would likely be a destination for any non-member visitors, I'd like to see a booth in the Black Hall for applying for membership.

I'm looking forward to seeing the Tracker's set up! 

Well, I'm going to have to twist my overseer's arm, and get out of the booth long enough to see this. You folks always put up an excellent layout!!!

I don't go to York to look at layouts.

Aren't you a peach. Don't come look at it. 

Then why even post to this thread, Eddie, and rain on everyone's parade?  You're at serious risk of losing your York Ambassador status!  

Actually I am more of a apple. I will look at the layout in the black hall, but for maybe 5 minutes. Allan, Allan, Allan forgive me, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. i don't want to lose my title. 

YEAH!!!! Always a PLEASANT break for shopping the halls to stop and actual see an operating layout.

CANT Wait

Will be looking forward to seeing The National Trackers layout.

Alan, I'm not even sure any of us would be qualified to remove Eddie's status as York  Ambassador Emeritus.  Even if one day he earns the additional title of Sourpuss York Ambassador Emeritus, he still da man.

Eddie has a point, York is primarily a buying and selling meet, and a quick look in the Black Hall at recent meets has left me shrugging my shoulders and getting back to the action in the members' halls.

But if the Trackers are bringing a layout like this, this is a game changer.  Wow!  It looks like a tremendous amount of work ahead for their members (rewarding, hopefully) and a great show for the rest of us.  I will certainly spend some time enjoying the layout, admiring the work, and getting ideas.  Bill and Justin, thank you this thread and the photos!

How do the Trackers themselves feel about photography of their layout at York?

Living in Virginia, I feel fortunate that I have seen the Trackers several times already.  The National Park/Geysers were quite a hit at the Boy Scout show.

Always an impressive display of trains, scenery, and friendly folks.

Hi!  I really appreciate that there will be a layout in the Black Hall.  It's one of the highlights of York.  Way to go guys!

Thanks!

Looking forward to it.  It takes a lot of hard work and planning......and is much appreciated!

Peter

My wife and I are looking forward to seeing youz guys.  The Black Hall is a great venue to run trains.

Thanks Bill for posting the thread. I can't wait to see the layout you and the trackers put up. It will be a highlight to the trip.

Have a great weekend,

David

I'm sure my grandsons (and myself) will love to see these fantastic looking displays in action!

Gentlemen,

   I do not get to vist your because of my work schedule and I really appreciate the

photos, great stuff!

PCRR/Dave

Anytime this group sets up their display it is the highlight of my visit to York! I have a personal layout 8' x 16' - 3 levels with 6 trains. To get to see the extensive equipment they run in that large an environment is spectacular. Thank you National Capitol Trackers.

I joined the FCTT of NY this year and got to run my MTH PS 2.0 E-8 ABBA pulling 13

Weaver 20" aluminum cars for the first time on a large layout.  The smiles and joy from both the small and big kids made it all worth while.

Prepare to be Zazzled! Boilermaker1,I Rabi, A Oppenheimer and a few others have been working on new gadgets, devices and a few new modules. With any luck mine should be finished tomorrow.

Stop by and see our new wiring harness.

Steve

Looking forward to it!

Peter

I believe the first of 3 trailers and Trackers leave for York tomorrow...here are a "few" more teaser photos, ranging from lousy to somewhat decent. Come on out and see. Yard, interlocking, over and under, turntable, etc. Lots to see. Come say hello. 

Looking forward to it........thank for all the hard work, fellows.....

Peter

I'm all packed up here. We filled a 6x12 trailer, and my Exploder. Please stop by and say hi. I would encourage everyone to go see ALL the layouts while you're there, as I'm sure everyone's worked just as hard as we have to put this on.

This show is really going to be one for the ages. We're going to be right about 110'x28', but it folds over itself, so its effectively 140' long.... over 900 feet of mainline track is in the layout. An unbelievable amount of new stuff was built for the show, our new wiring harness makes its public debut, and we've added a 2nd power cabinet to keep things running a bit more smoothly.