2019 Show Reports

Here is the show report from the 2019 Timonium Show.

TRACKMASTER’S REPORT:  TIMONIUM GREAT SCALE AND HI-RAIL SHOW February 1-3, 2019

For the third year, the National Capital Trackers had a layout in the Great Scale and Hi Rail Show, Timonium, MD State Fairgrounds.  Set up began midday on Friday, February 1. Early arrivals George Tsakiris, Don and Mitch Hemmer, and the Trackmasters started with a noon lunch at Hightops Grill. After lunch they were joined by Doug List, Matt Pendergast, Bill Knapp, and Chris Young and setup continued in earnest.

The layout was a V-shape designed by Ed Beaver, also used at the B&O Museum Show in

2018. Modules provided by George, Don and Mitch, Bill K. and Chris went into place on Friday.

On Saturday morning, modules proved by Jack Frost, Tim Minor, Regis Harkins, and Steve and Matthew Kehn completed the layout. The design came together smoothly with no need for make-up pieces. Trains were running shortly after the show opened to the public at 9 AM.

Despite double checking all connections, we could not obtain a green light of connectivity. Perhaps some module has a faulty plug. However, trains ran on all lines without difficulty.

Operation was generally smooth. One mishap when the middle track lost it middle rail insulator at the Geezer Gate was quickly repaired by Tim Minor.

Visiting operators on Saturday included Clem Clement, Dave Eadie, Ben Saxe, Matt

Pendergast, Matt Flanagan,  and new members Ben and Owen Almquist and Chuck Mulchi. Numerous other Trackers visited without trains. A total of seventeen Trackers operated trains over the two-day period.

Clem’s historic pieces had some occasional difficulty with switches and power. One locomotive had slider contacts that did not touch the third rail. Pre-war large flanges may have difficulty with modern scale track, such as Gargreaves.

The Trackmaster again allowed some children to operate a Lion Chief Amtrak set. There were no derailments or other incidents. Members with Lion Chief may wish to consider some “hands-on” operation with selected youthful visitors. It provides surprise and pleasure to the children and their parents, and may help increase youngster’s interest in the hobby. Several youthful operators did say they had Lion Chief at home.

Matt Young and Chuck joined the regular crew again on Sunday, and operations again progressed smoothly. While there were the usual Tracker donuts on Saturday, Dan Danielson surprised the group with donut holes on Sunday. Much appreciated! Note should also be made of the outstanding baked goods on Saturday provided by Mrs. Tim Minor.

Attendance figures were not available at the time of this writing, but Saturday was quite busy, with the parking lot full and lines at the door. Sunday is historically less busy, but still relatively steady.  Several prospective new members took brochures each day.

Scenery started coming down at 3 PM on Sunday, and full layout take-down was completed in what may be record time, at 4:30 PM. New members Ben, Owen, and Chuck were a big help in take-down. 

Participants left tired but happy, and in plenty of time for the Super Bowl.

Respectfully submitted,

Bill Hakkarinen, Trackmaster