2016 Show Reports

National Capital Trackers at the Armed Forces Retirement Home

I am thrilled to report that we have been invited back the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) for another chance to run trains and meet/greet our retired heroes at the AFRH. This time we are their guests for a TWO DAY EVENT. The residents loved meeting us and playing trains with us last year. We made a positive difference in the daily lives of our vets. (Can you tell I’m excited??!)

 

Fellow NCT team members for the AFRH Show,

March 1 and 2 are our big days at the Armed Forces Retirement Home. The residents are excited and ready for our show. Below is the layout design. I’m sure we will present them with some fine train operations. And they will have stories and excitement for the NCT, returning to the AFRH.

Be sure a vote if you home state has a primary tomorrow.

If you are former Military, where your colors if you can.

Our Point of contacts at the AFRH is Nicole Chappell, reception specialist, AFRH, Ph. 202-553-6049 or Constance Maziel, Lead Recreation Specialist, AFRH, Ph. 202-541-7637.

We are in the Community Center in the Scott Building. Unload at the delivery ramp and park in Lot #5. National Capitol Tracker members on the team:

 

Clem Clement             bring trains

Jim Gray                     bring trains

Marty Dougherty        bring trains

Glen Mackinnon         bring trains

Ralph Fox                   bring trains

Mike Smith                 1 straight         MS

Bill Hakkarinen          2 straight          BH

Regis Harkins             bridge              RH

Ron Tucker                 3 modules        RT

Bill Knapp                   2 straights        BK

Wide Radius Curve                            WR1,2,3,4

Power Cabinet                                    PC

 

Total of 20 modules including Regis’ bridge and a two foot bridge.

 

The WR curves are 6’.

This layout will be 28’ by 36’.

Bigger that last year!

 

Thank you for you time and effort in support of our honored heroes at the AFRH,

See you all in the morning,

Clem Clement

Cell 571-239-1701

Trackmaster and Vet

 

 

Report from NCT at the AFRH; Day 1

We had such a fine day today. Trackers started arriving before 7 am, and the first loco fired up at 10:07.54. We chased a no-green go lite to a bad connection and on we went. Three tracks in full use until quitting time at 3 PM. Many residents remembered us from last year and several that had to miss last year due to medical appointments made the point to tell us how glad they were that we were back. Our POC, Recreation Specialist Nicole Chappell, was most helpful in supporting us her work was a key part of our success.

 

Gracie spent much of her day with us greeting and chatting with the residents, most of whom were wheelchair bound.  It was a blessed sighted to see. More that one of us and they as well teared up at the compassion and love she showed for our vets. You go Gracie girl!!

 

On the way to my car to rush home to vote, I managed to get my feet tangled up with the concrete floor and the floor won. I am very impressed at the number of staff that came by to check on me including security, Nicole, the med team and general workers. They really were concerned for me. I’m fine and did no drop my train or coffee.

 

We all look forward to another great day serving those who served us so faithfully for so long. Clem

 

NCT at the AFRH: Day 2 (end of show)

Congrats all, what a great show. We made a difference. Total run time about 13 hours on the layout of three tracks. Most of my prewar preformed well. We had several requests for prewar tin and one for Standard gauge, to which I brought a custom brass loco and tender the second day. After lunch today the special group of folk who came to see our layout was from the section for vets with dementia. They began talking about living near railroads, having trains and riding trains. They were very good at long ago memory recalls. Nicole was most excited to watch the residents remember trains of their youth. TCA Librarian Jan Athey gave us some old TC Quarterlies, train catalogues and train magazines the vets could go thru and exercise their memories. Tracker Michael Smith returned to the AFRH after a doctor’s appointment. He was bubbling with happiness after receiving a clean bill of heath and lower blood pressure.

 

We had a steady flow of Vets enjoying our trains. Easily 4X that of the good crowd we had last year. Janet McFarland and her DAR team of Katrina Sarlin, and Beverly Tomb brought special punch and great cookies for the residents. Several of the staff dropped by to see what we were all about. Sandy Clement attended the second day. She and Janet’s ladies provide adult supervision over the NCTers. (Gracie did so for day one.) Beverly Tomb, Vice-Regent, Eleanor Wilson Chapter, Virginia DAR, honored me as a Vietnam Vet, with a special Proclamation Letter from President Obama, a Vietnam War Veteran Pin and a hug. So special to be welcomed back after so many years. Thanks Beverly and the DAR.

 

This from Ron Kartz, Chief, Resident Services, Armed Forces Retirement Home-W

“Thank you Team NCT for supporting our Veterans!”

This from Nicole Chappell, Recreation Specialist, AFRH: “Thanks again guys for supporting our Veterans!  You guys are very special to us and we just love and appreciate you so very much.”

A great day for all involved.

Clem Clement

Trackmaster and Vet

TRACKMASTER REPORT: GREAT SCALE TRAIN SHOW, TIMONIUM, MD.

FEBRUARY 6 AND 7, 2016

The Trackmaster and Assistant TM Keenan arrived at the Maryland State Fairgrounds at 11 AM on Friday, February 5, 2016. They found the 30 x 60 area for the layout site to be well-marked on the corners. Over the next hour, Trackers Frost, Knapp, and Sealing also arrived. Lunch was taken at the adjacent Hightops Grill. After unloading the trailer, it was moved to the north side of the hall and would remain inside for the duration of the show.

Early set-up proved popular as Trackers were able to drive their vehicles right into the North hall and unload at the layout. Assistant TM Beaver, Roberts, and Bonner also arrived and unloaded on Friday. By the time of the last Friday arrival, about 8:15 PM, 17 modules were already in place.

Saturday morning set up began at 7 AM, and the prompt arrival of Trackers Condon, Minor, and Tsakiris enabled trains to be running 15 minutes prior to the show opening at 9 AM.

Visitor traffic was heavy through the day on Saturday. Show organizers reported attendance near 5,000 and said it was one of the largest days ever. Lines reached around the building at times.

Several operational issues were noted. First, the green connectivity light remained dark. It took the arrival of Tracker Krause to identify a faulty connector in a harness. He was able to make repairs and connectivity was confirmed. Trains were running prior to confirmation of connectivity, however.

Signal issues occurred, with DCS and Legacy. The arrival of Tracker Kehn resulted in some improvement of DCS issues. Legacy remained problematic if one strayed too far from the base. TMCC operation of both TMCC and Legacy locomotives by a Cab-1 was flawless.  Operations were successful on all three tracks through the day until the 5 PM closing. All had to vacate the building at 5 PM, including club members and vendors.

Wifi operations with both the MTH and Lionel systems were used by a number of Trackers. These systems functioned well.

New applicant Matt Pendergast arrived on Saturday, and was able to operate his CSX conventional locomotive, using member cars. Other members operating on Saturday included Clem Clement, Russell Ehrenworth and Ben Saxe.  Visiting Trackers in addition to Krause and the Kehns included Mike Fistere, Garrett and Benjamin Goldstein, Craig Schelle and John Zampino.

The North Hall opened at 8 AM on Sunday, with the show open to the pubic at 10 AM.
Visitation was steady, but not to the overwhelming numbers of Saturday. Total show attendance was estimated at approximately 6,000.

A new problem developed toward the end of the day, with TIU output dropping to the Middle Track. The middle track was unable to be utilized for the last hour of the show. Scenery began to be removed at 3 PM, and trains stopped at 4.

Take-down proceeded steadily and the ability to bring vehicles to the layout site was again a benefit. All was clear by 5:30 PM.

The club received a $200 honorarium for participation. This was brought to the layout on Saturday afternoon by J. Scott Geare, and was given to President Frost.  The show operators said the Trackers had exceeded their expectations, and immediately invited the club to participate in future shows. The next show is April 23-24. This invitation will be presented for discussion at the February 18 meeting.

The show had a special discount rate available at a nearby Holiday Inn Express. Positive reviews were made by those using that facility.

Overall, I would say the show was a success. Ample run time was available, and successful operations were held despite signal issues. Visitation exceeded expectations. There was excellent ease of loading and unloading. Food at the hall was catered by Hightops Cafe, and favorable reviews were heard about it as well.

I would encourage future Tracker participation at Great Scale Train shows, and remain willing to help in their operation.
Respectfully submitted,

Bill Hakkarinen, Trackmaster