Trainstock 16 and an END of an era at the NJ Hi-Railers

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

A good time was had by all.  I was surprised there weren't more people there, but we did have plenty.  Company and food were great, it's a sad day for the layout.  The good news is, they're already in negotiation for a new building for the revival of the NJ-HR.

Yeah John. My brother and I got there just a little after 12, I saw you were over by what was the kitchen and Done Klose was seated where we came in. I said hi to Don(and got to chat with him a bit later), and we made our way to the can. We started our tour after that, got called to lunch(red tickets) not far after that. I didn't see you after so either you were back looking at the layout, or popped out. We left around 2.

We (my son and I) joined after a show last year.  We are in the DC metro so we cannot go as often as we would like, but each time we go we enjoy the great layout, friendly membership, and the wonderful hospitality.  While change is never easy, I am confident that this great group of people will make it work in a new location.  

Safe travels home everyone.

@Apples55 posted:

And on the whimsical side… Kevin (aka @Amfleet25124) when he has to transfer to the bridge bus when his commuter train gets discombobulated…

Paul, thank you the diecast 1964 New York World's Fair bus.  Here is the photo that we took together today. At least I remembered to take this one.  Forgot to take photos with @RSJB18 and others.

So my club was not able to attend today but we arranged for a visit in a few weeks to say goodbye to the largest O gauge layout in the country and hearing encouraging words on their future location. We are their “ little brother-sister” train club in Central/South Jersey.

We have something to give you for your club but that check was for our 50 year lease agreement with the town. Lol! You cannot have that one but we have one for your club.
See you guys soon.
The Ocean County Society of Model Railroaders Lakewood,NJ.

I had a great time at today's event and I am thankful that I got to see this layout one last time and as always I enjoyed Vinny T's good food that he served for everyone.Hopefully the NJ Hi Railers will find a new place for their layout so that we can continue this tradition of Trainstock.

Thank you to the NJHR for their hospitality today. Finally got my grandson, 17,  there today. He spent hours taking everything in, making mental notes. Talking with members about what he was seeing. On the way home, he thanked me for taking him and discussing how we could incorporate some things he saw into our layout. Been wanting to get him there for years, finally did. Although now, he really wants to add a Big Boy to the stable of locomotives 🚂…

@Ted Bertiger posted:

So my club was not able to attend today but we arranged for a visit in a few weeks to say goodbye to the largest O gauge layout in the country and hearing encouraging words on their future location. We are their “ little brother-sister” train club in Central/South Jersey.

We have something to give you for your club but that check was for our 50 year lease agreement with the town. Lol! You cannot have that one but we have one for your club.
See you guys soon.
The Ocean County Society of Model Railroaders Lakewood,NJ.

Hmmm, it’s a bit suspect if that signature is any good!  Being a Rangers fan and all. Tsk.

@Amfleet25124 posted:

Paul, thank you the diecast 1964 New York World's Fair bus.  Here is the photo that we took together today. At least I remembered to take this one.  Forgot to take photos with @RSJB18 and others.

@Apples55

Yea- considering we walk around with cameras in our pockets now.....

Bob

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

A good time was had by all.  I was surprised there weren't more people there, but we did have plenty.  Company and food were great, it's a sad day for the layout.  The good news is, they're already in negotiation for a new building for the revival of the NJ-HR.

Sorry I missed you John. Hopefully next time. The place was pretty packed when we got there shortly after Noon.

Ben said the new location is a little further west off of Rt 80. And much easier to get to than snaking through the lovely neighborhoods of Patterson.......

Bob

I don't know as many people as some who have posted but enjoyed the conversations and my last visit to this space.  This club has to be the most welcoming group around.  The streets of Paterson remain a challenge I will not miss.  I do hope the one guest who discovered his car missing was able to work out something.

@necrails posted:

I do hope the one guest who discovered his car missing was able to work out something.

Didn't hear about that one, that's a bummer!  I too hope they don't leave with that as their last memory of a great club!  I came with several other people in one car, we parked in the fenced parking lot around 9:15.  The car was still there when we got out, so I guess that model of Honda is hard to steal.   I confess, I was actually a little reluctant to park my 1 month old car in Patterson, so I'm glad I had a ride to the location this time.

I'ts bittersweet for me. I remember when the Nortwest Jersey Highrailers were at the Dover. NJ show recruiting people for this club. I was there for the first Trainstock and now the last  Trainstck in Patterson. I herd from Alex M the big  NYC landmark buildings may not all be on the new layout which will be closer for me to visit.

@RSJB18 posted:

Sorry I missed you John. Hopefully next time. The place was pretty packed when we got there shortly after Noon.

Ben said the new location is a little further west off of Rt 80. And much easier to get to than snaking through the lovely neighborhoods of Patterson.......

Yep, by noon everyone was packed into the eating end, it was pretty crowded at that point.   I agree about getting to their new location, I did hear that they didn't have much parking, I hope they can deal with that issue.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Didn't hear about that one, that's a bummer!  I too hope they don't leave with that as their last memory of a great club!  I came with several other people in one car, we parked in the fenced parking lot around 9:15.  The car was still there when we got out, so I guess that model of Honda is hard to steal.   I confess, I was actually a little reluctant to park my 1 month old car in Patterson, so I'm glad I had a ride to the location this time.

Driver was on the street around the corner,  mine was a few spots behind where his would have been.  There were no signs prohibiting parking.  Hope it worked out.

Thank you Highrailers for being great ambassadors of this hobby!!! And a great trainstock did them all!!

Hi Ben, Vinny, and all the rest of the NJ Hi-Railers,

Thank you all for an outstanding Trainstock 16 yesterday. As we have at all of them in the past, Kathie and I had a great time (even though she had to sit some of it out due to her hip replacement three weeks ago). If this is to be the last Trainstock, you folks sure went out with a bang! Fellowship, food, trains, and music to boot. Nothing compares to Trainstock.

We wish you the best in whatever the future holds for the club; hopefully, that former rec center in Boonton will pan out. Regardless, I'm sure you'll make the best of your new home.

Stay well and happy training.

Chris (and Kathie, too)

Is this the new building?

https://maps.app.goo.gl/8LpTDLgnr2AjeQmWA

If it is, they will need a parking garage.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Is this the new building?

https://maps.app.goo.gl/8LpTDLgnr2AjeQmWA

They can get the Twin Towers in there, I'm sure if it. Even if they don't have them on the new layout. Maybe they can get them in there somehow.

So I'm not the only one who googled Booton Rec Center?????😂😂😂

I want to thank everybody that came out yesterday. And thank everybody for your generosity.
fyi. There isn’t any new building yet. So complaining about parking and where the World Trade Center is going is pure conjecture.   All I can say is trust that we are working hard to make it happen

@bluelinec4 posted:

I want to thank everybody that came out yesterday. And thank everybody for your generosity.
fyi. There isn’t any new building yet. So complaining about parking and where the World Trade Center is going is pure conjecture.   All I can say is trust that we are working hard to make it happen

Ben, we know all of the club will do what most of us see as impossible. We all will just have to wait for official updates and announcement.

It was great seeing everyone and meeting some new friends too. Ben, I want to thank you and the Hi-Railers for being such spectacular hosts!



Arnold, thank you and Shawn for providing the live music!




Best,
Bryce


P.S Ben, as discussed, if you need any help with that Christmas stuff, my email is in my profile.

@pennsyfan posted:

Great pictures Paul.

Thanks, Bob. Were you there??? Would have loved to meet another Brooklyn ex-pat.

@RSJB18 posted:

I was looking for you too Paul. Guess you were an early bird..

We didn't get there till about 12:30.

Bob

Yep… I got there around 9:30 and got a spot in the parking lot. While, as a retiree, I don’t like early rising, in this case I made an exception since they were talking about some tricky weather in the afternoon (and I did get some rain, frozen precipitation, and finally snow on the way home). I just missed you as I left a little after noon. If you’re ever in the Poconos, give me a ringy-dingy

To Ben and the rest of the NJ Hi-Railers, thanks for everything.  My group arrived late (around 3pm) due to some of the group's desire to see Northlandz as well.  And even though we missed the food, we all still had a great time and got to talk to a lot of people.   After 3 previous attempts that were prevented by weather or other circumstances, I'm glad I finally made it!  For us it was a 19+ hour round trip that took us just over 750 miles, and we enjoyed every minute of it!

Andy

Just want to say thanks to all the NJ Hi-Railers members for providing so many wonderful times and memories over the years. You guys literally are the best train club in the history of the world!! THANK YOU!!

I enjoyed seeing GRJ, and it was great to meet Kevin @Amfleet25124 and @Andy Hummell. I would have liked to meet Bob @RSJB18 too but I didn't know you were there Bob. I also met Scott Miller (a NJ-Hi Railer member) who explained to me in great detail what is going on with the new location. I won't say anything here because (my memory sucks) I don't want to get my facts screwed up nor do I want to say anything the club doesn't want me to say. As Ben said things are still up in the air. However, I am hopeful that this location will work out for the club. Yes, it is smaller but IIRC if they get it, it will be a situation where the club won't ever have to face moving again.

@Hudson J1e posted:

Just want to say thanks to all the NJ Hi-Railers members for providing so many wonderful times and memories over the years. You guys literally are the best train club in the history of the world!! THANK YOU!!

I enjoyed seeing GRJ, and it was great to meet Kevin @Amfleet25124 and @Andy Hummell. I would have liked to meet Bob @RSJB18 too but I didn't know you were there Bob. I also met Scott Miller (a NJ-Hi Railer member) who explained to me in great detail what is going on with the new location. I won't say anything here because (my memory sucks) I don't want to get my facts screwed up nor do I want to say anything the club doesn't want me to say. As Ben said things are still up in the air. However, I am hopeful that this location will work out for the club. Yes, it is smaller but IIRC if they get it, it will be a situation where the club won't ever have to face moving again.

I'll catch you at Trainstock 17!

Thanks Phil.

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

I'll catch you at Trainstock 17!

Thanks Phil.

Bob

Sounds great Bob! Looking forward to it!

   The High Plains 3 Railers have returned to Colorado after attending Trainstock. Thank you N.J. Highrailers for hosting this great event. We got to meet Irving and many members of the O gauge forum.  The food was wonderful !

@Hudson J1e posted:

Just want to say thanks to all the NJ Hi-Railers members for providing so many wonderful times and memories over the years. You guys literally are the best train club in the history of the world!! THANK YOU!!

I enjoyed seeing GRJ, and it was great to meet Kevin @Amfleet25124 and @Andy Hummell. I would have liked to meet Bob @RSJB18 too but I didn't know you were there Bob. I also met Scott Miller (a NJ-Hi Railer member) who explained to me in great detail what is going on with the new location. I won't say anything here because (my memory sucks) I don't want to get my facts screwed up nor do I want to say anything the club doesn't want me to say. As Ben said things are still up in the air. However, I am hopeful that this location will work out for the club. Yes, it is smaller but IIRC if they get it, it will be a situation where the club won't ever have to face moving again.

It was a pleasure meeting you Phil

@CHOO-CHOO MIKE posted:

   The High Plains 3 Railers have returned to Colorado after attending Trainstock. Thank you N.J. Highrailers for hosting this great event. We got to meet Irving and many members of the O gauge forum.  The food was wonderful !

Mike, my fellow long distance traveler to Trainstock 16, looks like we both had fun.

@Arnold D. Cribari , having never met you before I didn’t realize that was you and your wife providing the musical entertainment until I saw your photo posted above by Bryce ( @Oscale_Trains_Lover_).  Thank you for the music!

@CHOO-CHOO MIKE posted:

   The High Plains 3 Railers have returned to Colorado after attending Trainstock. Thank you N.J. Highrailers for hosting this great event. We got to meet Irving and many members of the O gauge forum.  The food was wonderful !

...

Congrats on making such a long trip.  I traveled from central Indiana, and thought that I came a long way.

It was great to meet a lot of folks, but I missed a few.