Trainstock 15 at the NJ HiRAilers January 13, 2024

@Greg Houser posted:

It was great meeting you and Connor and seeing how much he enjoyed running his train!  It's why we do this.

I hope to see you next year.

-Greg

Thank you Greg for spending so much time with him and taking him to get some cars to attach to his engine.  It won't be forgotten by either of us.  And, of course Merrill for the wonderful job he did helping everyone there who brought trains run them.

John

It's a bummer I missed this one, but having the Flu, I figured I wouldn't be all that welcome spreading that around!   I sure hope to make the next one!

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

It's a bummer I missed this one, but having the Flu, I figured I wouldn't be all that welcome spreading that around!   I sure hope to make the next one!

Sorry I didn't get a chance to meet you John.  I was looking forward to it to personally thank you for everything you selflessly do for members of this forum.

Maybe next time. 

Feel better,

John

Thanks for taking some great pictures Thomas.  Where were standing to get this shot?  Almost look like you were atop the kitchen.

Art even if you spent all day looking you still wouldn't have seen all the little scenes hidden all over the layout.  When I do get to Trainstock I search for new the new scenes first, the layout is always changing, then I start hunting for things I've missed in the past.

@bluelinec4 posted:

OK  Here is the man in black and June

Thanks so much, Ben, for sharing this on the Forum.

It would be great if someone took a video of the performance yesterday of my original song, Who Am I (Rollin' By), especially when I sang it at the beginning of my 2nd set shortly before 2:00 PM, the first time I sang Folsom Prison Blues or Sixteen Tons in my first set around 11 AM, and when Shawn was the lead singer in If I Had a Hammer at the end of both sets.

I know it's likely that no other recordings were made of the songs Shawn and I performed yesterday. I have a cousin, Rick, who would have recorded the whole thing, but he and his wife showed up at Transtock at around 2:30 PM, shortly after the performances were completed.

The next time Shawn and I do our Johnny Cash/June Carter act for the NJ HiRailers, I will make arrangements for the whole act to be recorded.

Incidentally, I'm not a lunatic who thinks he sings as well as Johnny Cash. I am only pretending that I sang like him to entertain you folks and have fun.

Another thing: my primary musical interest is  songwriting, and I often go to Open Mics to share a couple of my original songs. Usually, when I write what I think is a good song, I hire my 37 year old daughter or a professional singer to sing it when its recorded professionally. Arnold

@DMASSO posted:

I wish they had the cameras so us covid patients could have watched the fun.

We are working on new cameras. The current ones are no longer supported by their manufacturers and many Internet Browsers like IE or Google no longer support our current cameras.

We planned on having the new ones up until we got a quote so we are back at the drawing board taking new quotes and looking for reasonable replacements.

Stay tuned

Thank you Kevin.

We had a terrific time.  Thank you to the NJ Hi-Railers for such wonderful hospitality.

And, as a positive aside, for those of you who fret about the hobby going away, there were lots of kids there.  My 12 year old son found two other boys his age who were sons of members, and they had a lot of fun.

Thank you again.

@coach joe posted:

Art even if you spent all day looking you still wouldn't have seen all the little scenes hidden all over the layout.  When I do get to Trainstock I search for new the new scenes first, the layout is always changing, then I start hunting for things I've missed in the past.

My favorite micro-scene, taken back in 2008:

There are a few other things I would like to share about the performance of my wife, Shawn, and me at Trainstock 2024 yesterday.

I bought my PA system that was used during our performance 2 days beforehand (last Wednesday). Without more than A Little Help From My Friends, Eliot Scher, Rick Tota and Andy Marcus, I might have failed setting it up and adjusting it. I can't tell you how grateful I am that they advised me regarding the set up and adjustments so people in the dining area could hear the music and not be bombarded with screeching feedback.

I am a novice regarding amplifiers, speakers, microphones, wires, etc. However, I'm fascinated by it, regard it as comparable to re- wiring a modest-sized train layout ( in reality the music wuring is much easier than train layout wiring) and I got to the point, and even enjoyed, untangling, organizing and labeling them.

Also, my music rrlated experience is in songwriting and performing 2 songs at Open Mics, which usually takes me 10 mintes. Never before Saturday had I publicly performed two 30 minute sets consisting of 6 songs in each set.

I had a great time, in fact, a peak experience, doing the music my wife and I performed, and I believe I can do it better in the near future.

Also, this music at model train events is not all about me. I believe there are numerous highly talented musicians who are also model railroaders, and I would love to be a recruiter of sorts for the NJ Hirailers and other model or real train organizations so other model train musicians can share the stage with me and my wife and perform their train-related songs. Arnold

My favorite NJ Hirailers layout scene was the brand new baseball park, players, fencing, dugout, stands with seated fans, etc. Arnold

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

It's a bummer I missed this one, but having the Flu, I figured I wouldn't be all that welcome spreading that around!   I sure hope to make the next one!

That stinks John. I didn't have the flu, but a pretty big headache and just tired.

All that aside, I really would like to get up for one of these Trainstocks. Some people don't know what the NJ HiRailers do for the hobby all year round. Seeing the posts over the years from Ben, Chris, and other members, you see how much dedication to the hobby they have.

After York I happen to mention to someone I did talk to there as well as private message encouraging them to see if they could pop over to the HiRailers for their Christmas shows and or Trainstock. Well, sadly they never replied back to me. They don't know what they're missing.

Any event any club holds is something to see. I do enjoy seeing all the club videos that are posted here on the forum from time to time, including the one(from other club) where they got together and had set up things running out and around the garage and driveway I believe.

You just gotta enjoy some great train action, with trains, food, and friends. Maybe my calendar will have some open spots that headaches won't sideline me. Until that time, keep on running trains and showing everyone a great time.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Any event any club holds is something to see. I do enjoy seeing all the club videos that are posted here on the forum from time to time, including the one(from other club) where they got together and had set up things running out and around the garage and driveway I believe.

Our club has had summer gatherings at Harry's house with  setup in the garage and driveway, maybe it was us.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Our club has had summer gatherings at Harry's house with  setup in the garage and driveway, maybe it was us.

Maybe John. I may have missed that post. Whenever it was, there was some rain. Good thing they took the time to cover the area with a canopy to keep the rain at bay.

Hey HiRailers!

Thanks for another GREAT event!  As Ben suggested, there were no water issues on the way in and out, and it was amazing to see how much changes from year to year!

My buddy Don was out with Covid, but I brought another Boothe Memorial Railway Society (our club) member.  He loved every minute of the visit, the layout, the display cases, and the food!

As always, Vinny co-ordinated and produced a spectacular menu!

I'm always impressed with all of the HiRailers pitching in to produce an event that gets better every year.  Thanks to all!

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Exactly, for me this will be the equivalent of appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show.

LOL, Arnold

Ed who? LOL

For me, Trainstock was far better than the Ed Sullivan Show.

Why?

I'll tell you why.

There were no trains at the Ed Sullivan Show. NJ Hirailers has, in my opinion, the finest O Gauge trains in the world, and just in case you hadn't noticed, I'M A TRAIN NUT!

Secondly, the food is far better at NJ Hirailers than at the Ed Sullivan Show.

Thirdly, the train nuts at NJ Hirailers are far more fun than the people were at the Ed Sullivan Show.

I'll take Trainstock, or NJ HiRailers, or the Ben Fiorello Show, over the Ed Sullivan Show, any day or night.

LOL again and again, Arnold

I HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE at TRAINSTOCK 2024, and I can't wait for Trainstock 2025.

Indeed, assuming NJ HiRailers accepts my application to be an Associate Member, and I'm pretty confident they will because I think they know that once they do, I will climb up every rooftop and shout, better yet sing, in my loudest voice, that the NJ HiRailers is Heaven on Earth, I'm going to move Heaven and Earth to go to the next public event they have, and whether or not I sing any train songs (which I would love to do), I'm going to have the time of my life again, just by being around the trains, the layout and, most importantly, the people.

Another amazing thing: my wife, Shawn, also had the time of her life at Trainstock 2024 and now, for many of the same reasons, she has seen the light and knows how wonderful the fabulous trains, the magnificent layout, and, most importantly, how much fun, how down to Earth and how nice my fellow train nuts at NJ HiRailers can be.

This is so amazing because Shawn is fine with my trains, but she ain't no train nut, if you know what I mean. She loves me and more than tolerates my trains because she knows how therapeutic the model trains can be for me. As she told me today, my model trains, as pricey as they can be, are a lot cheaper than psychotherapy, which I obviously need; and as she told others many years ago, "it's a good thing for me (Shawn) that Arnold plays with his trains because I know that when he does, he is in the basement of our home instead of in a bar down the street playing with some blonde bombshell!"

Shawn is a very smart, talented and enlightened woman.

This experience reminds me, once again, of my favorite movie, Field of Dreams, specifically a scene in that movie when the James Earl Jones character is escorted by the ghost of Shoeless Joe Jackson out into the corn field beyond the baseball field and starts giggling, or the scene in that movie when the skeptical, cynical brother in law of the Kevin Costner character (Ray Kinsella) finally sees the light and is immediately transformed and actually sees the Shoeless Joe ghost and other Hall of Fame ghosts and then does a complete reversal and urges Ray not to sell the baseball field.

I will close by making a final reference to the Field of Dreams movie in connection with NJ HiRailers.

They have built it, and they did come; and

They will continue to build it, and they will continue to come, FOREVER!

Arnold

Hi all me and my wife Ann and Alan Mancus had a great time n got to run our Niagara Vision Line. glad to have met Arnold and his wife Shawn, we helped Arnold set up his audio setup. later   he let me play his guitar! Glad have met you both . buy the way my last name is not Marcus but is Alan Mancus! hope n looking forward to see everyone , Ben you njhighrailers had a gorgeous layout and the food was great and enjoyed all the camaraderie with all members !

Alan and Anna Mancus

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Ed who? LOL

For me, Trainstock was far better than the Ed Sullivan Show.

Why?

I'll tell you why.

There were no trains at the Ed Sullivan Show. NJ Hirailers has, in my opinion, the finest O Gauge trains in the world, and just in case you hadn't noticed, I'M A TRAIN NUT!

Secondly, the food is far better at NJ Hirailers than at the Ed Sullivan Show.

Thirdly, the train nuts at NJ Hirailers are far more fun than the people were at NJ Hirailers.

I'll take Trainstock, or NJ HiRailers, or the Ben Fiorello Show, over the Ed Sullivan Show any day or night.

LOL again and again, Arnold

LOL   Arnold you crack me up    I think I found trains on the Ed Sullivan show   This could be your next number

@bluelinec4 posted:

LOL   Arnold you crack me up    I think I found trains on the Ed Sullivan show   This could be your next number

Love, love, love this!

LOL, Arnold

@coach joe posted:

Thanks for taking some great pictures Thomas.  Where were standing to get this shot?  Almost look like you were atop the kitchen.

Joe,

I climbed up the stairway to our storage area. Figured this was the best way to get most of everything inside at once!

@Alan Mancus posted:

Hi all me and my wife Ann and Alan Mancus had a great time n got to run our Niagara Vision Line. glad to have met Arnold and his wife Shawn, we helped Arnold set up his audio setup. later   he let me play his guitar! Glad have met you both . buy the way my last name is not Marcus but is Alan Mancus! hope n looking forward to see everyone , Ben you njhighrailers had a gorgeous layout and the food was great and enjoyed all the camaraderie with all members !

Alan and Anna Mancus

Alan, it was wonderful meeting you in person on Saturday.

I apologize for getting your last name wrong. I know a fine man, attorney and town judge with the last name Marcus, and that is probably why I used that surname for you instead of your correct surname Mancus.

You were one of the friends, when I said I was saved by having had " A Little Help From My Friends" with the technical stuff involving my brand new sound system on Saturday.

It was such a pleasure for me when you, Alan, and all my other dear Forum Friends came up to me on Saturday and introduced themselves to me so I could meet you all in person. That also happened at the October 2022 York Train Show, which was the highlight of the Show for me.

Arnold

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Indeed, assuming NJ HiRailers accepts my application to be an Associate Member, and I'm pretty confident they will because I think they know that once they do, I will climb up every rooftop and shout, better yet sing,

Arnold

Arnold,

I have the application.  But what is the difference between Full Membership and Associate Membership?  It asks on the application to choose one.  Their website doesn't explain the difference as far as I could find.

I reached out to them days ago, but they haven't gotten back to me yet with the answer.  Do you know?

Thanks,

John

Looks like everyone had a great time. I had plans to attend, but a few things came together that told me I needed to stay home, and while I'm sorry to have missed yet another Trainstock, I'm glad I stayed home. Next year for sure......if not before.

Arnold, they let me in as an associate member, so I'm pretty sure you are safe.

John

@Craftech posted:

Arnold,

I have the application.  But what is the difference between Full Membership and Associate Membership?  It asks on the application to choose one.  Their website doesn't explain the difference as far as I could find.

I reached out to them days ago, but they haven't gotten back to me yet with the answer.  Do you know?

Thanks,

John

Hi John, it's my understanding that an Associate Member has no obligations except to pay the annual fee of $100 or $115, and only go there when a full member is present; that an Associate Member cannot run trains except under the supervision of a Full Member; and does not get the keys to enter the facility. Also, it's my understanding that everyone starts out as an Associate Member, and when all goes well after some reasonable time, maybe 6 months or 1 year, then an associate Member can become a full member.

Further, it's my understanding that a full Member has a higher annual fee and makes a commitment to do things for the club for atleast a certain number of hours, maybe 7 hours, per month.

I'm sure that one of the NJ Hirailers will chime in here and explain these differences more accurately and better than I can.

Also, if you like, you can email me (see my Forum Profile), and then I can give you the telephone number of one of the NJ Hirailers' leaders, once he gives me permission to do that, so you can speak to him. Arnold

One more thing Craftech/John, I imagine after having a heard of elephants (us) trample through their marvelous facility and  being exhausted after pulling off such a feast of model railroaders and friends, they may be plenty tired now. I'm confident that someone from NJ Hirailers will contact you on the relative near future.

@Craftech posted:

Arnold,

I have the application.  But what is the difference between Full Membership and Associate Membership?  It asks on the application to choose one.  Their website doesn't explain the difference as far as I could find.

I reached out to them days ago, but they haven't gotten back to me yet with the answer.  Do you know?

Thanks,

John

Hi, I am the NJHR Treasurer and take the new applications.  The associate membership is intended for someone who wants to be involved with the club but is challenged to participate in club activities, e.g. lives out of state.  The major differences between full and associate membership are an associate member has to be accompanied by a full member at the club and cannot vote on club matters at business meetings.  Feel free to contact me by my profile email which is the same as the email on the application.  Thanks for your interest in the Club!

Eric

@prrhorseshoecurve posted:

I'm in. See everyone there!

Hey Mark   I was going through old pics and found this one of you from pre-trainstock days   This had to be about 2006