Altoona N-Scale Weekend 2024

[randgust]

I won't be a vendor this year but I am coming with the pair of Hickory Valley layout modules on my own table, as well as the usual fleet of T-trak modules with Dave Ferrarri's layout.

The "Ross Run" logging module is now pretty much done, after many years.

I have one big project to attempt to show - my 1915 Cole Brothers Circus train, behind the rebuilt Trix PRR Decapod (lots of Keystone Details and GHQ stuff on that one) equipped with DCC and sound.   First time in public, first time I've tried sound.

Getting prepped for the show has been an ordeal so far; the usual 'go to fix something and two more things break' and that's been the recurring theme.   The fully animated oil well system on my Jamison module went from minor glitch to full-blown fail and ate up an entire day in repairs.  I did discover that if the tiny crosshead to the well steam engine falls out, and the main drive rod jams, that the elastic drive belt slips and jams, and that the weak point in the entire 600:1 drive reduction system is the ancient Roco plastic universal joint - snapped that sucker right in half with torque. Tear the ENTIRE drive system apart to replace that.     

It's just amazing how many things can fail.  As my son likes to say, the problem with Variables is that they change.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Fun discovery: EBT #16 will be running again.

If you're coming, you might want to add an extra day to your itinerary to see THE preservation story of the century.

[R L Smith]

Just a friendly PSA regarding PennDOT and roadwork...

If you are coming to Altoona via I-80 from the east, PennDOT is planning to be working on the I-80 / I-99 interchange (the State College exit).  If you are coming from Ohio on I-80, there are a few spots of single-lane restrictions, particularly between DuBois and Clearfield.

If you are coming down from the north on US 219 to DuBois, they are working on the stretch between Ridgeway and Johnsonburg.  The whole stretch...

Remember, the Pennsylvania State Flower is the Orange Traffic Cone and it is in full bloom from April through November. 

That said, just pack extra patience as there are no real good alternates to I-80 from the Lake Erie / Lake Ontario area.  If you are passing through DuBois that week, give me a shout. I am less than 10 minutes from Exit 101 in DuBois.

Ron

[wm3798]

Hotel is booked, and I got something at the Courtyard, so I'll be "on campus".

Any thoughts on the Friday night shenanigans?  I'm going to try to get into town relatively early for set up, and  I'd like to hit the Club open house again, and maybe some local railfanning.  But a Railwire dinner is always a fun gathering, so I'm open to suggestion.

We're planning to head to Todd's on Saturday night.

Maybe if everyone posts your tentative itinerary we can sort out who's going to be where and see what comes of it.

Lee

[MK]

How far away is Todd's?

[mu26aeh]

@GM50 4164, wife and I will be getting into town midday Friday probably.  We're pretty set on breakfast Saturday and Sunday.  I enjoyed our dinner Friday night last year, very good food there.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

How far away is Todd's?

Far, but not so far that you shouldn't make the trek.

[learmoia]

I'm planning on stopping by, but it will probably just be a general admission ticket.

We can't leave until Friday morning and it would be a 13 hour straight drive from Iowa and I doubt Heather would be up for that..

So we'll probably shoot for 2 hours away and swing by.

If it turns out to be a worth while trip, we can plan better for next year..

~Ian

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'm planning on stopping by, but it will probably just be a general admission ticket.

We can't leave until Friday morning and it would be a 13 hour straight drive from Iowa and I doubt Heather would be up for that..

So we'll probably shoot for 2 hours away and swing by.

If it turns out to be a worth while trip, we can plan better for next year..

~Ian

Holy crap! Hell yes! It'll be great to meet you in person.

[learmoia]

Holy crap! Hell yes! It'll be great to meet you in person.

Samezies.. I'm looking forward to it..

Turns out there are a few people I'll be able to meet, (on and off TRW) 

I'll probably be wearing a Caboose Stop Hobbies shirt... or my New York New Haven and Hemorrhoids shirt 

~Ian

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'll probably be wearing a Caboose Stop Hobbies shirt... or my New York New Haven and Hemorrhoids shirt 

Yo. That sounds awesome. Got a photo? Speaking of... lets post photos so we can recognize each other. I feel like we keep messing that up!

I'll start.

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[Dave V]

I can't be there in person, but man, I'm on the hunt for Pennsy sh!t in N again. Don't see much of it here in D&RGW territory.

[learmoia]

I can't be there in person, but man, I'm on the hunt for Pennsy sh!t in N again. Don't see much of it here in D&RGW territory.

What are you looking for?

Caboose Stop just got a bunch of PRR stuff in a collection..

There should be a Broadway Limited set, some PRR E8s, a bunch of different GG1s..

Give Carol or Keith a call if your interested..

If your looking for Hi-Rail N scale..
I've got some Atlas-Kato RS3s, GP30s, and a U25B
I think Carol had a Trix 'Old Time Steam' (PRR B-6)

~Ian

[mu26aeh]

I can't be there in person, but man, I'm on the hunt for Pennsy sh!t in N again. Don't see much of it here in D&RGW territory.

I have access to some Pennsy stuff between 2 collections I'm aware of, some brass too. 

[turbowhiz]

You'll find me at the N-Possible booth. Come check out the couplers! Not selling just yet, but they're still on track for this fall.

Now if anyone attending the N scale weekend is looking for HO Pennsy stuff, shoot me a PM. I posted the list of stuff I have in the trading post.