Bear Valley Model Railroaders Announces

BarstowRick Sep 15, 2013

  1. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    The Bear Valley Model Railroaders, Announces, A Open House - Layout Tour.

    This is a invitation to Fellow Model Railroaders. We wouldn't have any of those around here would we?

    Open House - Layout Tour, Bear Valley Model Railroaders, Sunday, October 20, 2013, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m..

    Locations and directions will be announced. No RSVP is required but any questions or responses are to be directed to John Acosta or Rick Howland, by either P.M. or E-mailing us. We are both participants here on TB.

    Confirmed, we have 8 layouts promised to open for the occasion. 1 N Scale, 4 HO layouts and 3 Garden Railways.

    To see layout descriptions and pictures: http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/album.php?albumid=1819

    This is not a public event, open only to our friends and fellow Model Railroaders.

    Put us on your calendar.

    Stay tuned more to come.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 26, 2013
  2. jhn_plsn

    jhn_plsn TrainBoard Supporter

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    Argh!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I am sure you are aware that the Banning Train Festival is on this weekend too?
     
  3. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    John, Yes we are.

    We shouldn't take anything away from them. We plan to be down there Saturday to share and enjoy in the festivities. On the way home Sunday, you can feel free to take the scenic route up Hwy #38 and back down Hwy #18 the old "Rim Of The World Drive". Stop in to visit some unique layouts. A lot has changed since our last Open House.

    John A. reminded me. You will find Big Bear Valley swallowing up: Big Bear Lake, Ca., Big Bear City, Ca and other outlaw "Holes in the wall" to be found in the area. Also note where I'm located and it's a dead give away.

    So Spidge, you going to make it this time? Load up the van with family or other model railroaders. Plenty to do for everyone In Big Bear Lake.
     
  4. jhn_plsn

    jhn_plsn TrainBoard Supporter

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    I would love to come up and it will weigh on me as we are also having an open house that weekend. I may just go to your area in the am and finish off at our layout on Saturday. I will work it out. I may have a friend or two in tow.
     
  5. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Arrrrgh,

    John S.

    I will be in Banning, Ca., Saturday. We only open on Sunday. Did I miss something here?

    P.M. coming your direction.
     
  6. jhn_plsn

    jhn_plsn TrainBoard Supporter

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    Oops!!!!!!!!!! I missed that your open house is on Sunday. I will work it out.
     
  7. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    No problem.

    We are hammering out details of the advertising as I write. Hoping to have a link for you with address's and layout descriptions.

    This is not a public event and is open only to our friends and fellow Model Railroaders.

    Stay tuned.
     
  8. Josta

    Josta TrainBoard Supporter

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    John, when you mentioned you were having an open house, would that be as in "real estate open house" or a "model railroad open house"?

    John A.
     
  9. jhn_plsn

    jhn_plsn TrainBoard Supporter

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    Model Railroad open house in Upland. Click on the N-land Pacific in my signature for more info.
     
  10. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Looks to be one busy weekend. Would you like us to add you to our....? :teeth:LOL.

    Wish us well as we wish you well.

    A busy weekend is planned for model railroad enthusiasts.
     
  11. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Here on TrainBoard, John A. and I will be posting layout descriptions. A brief dialogue and description can be found. You can find them here: http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/album.php?albumid=1819&attachmentid=57535

    As we needed to experiment, with plausibility of posting here mine is the first one you will find but isn't by any means number 1, in the valley. We will let you decide that. I think we have some amazing train layouts and garden railways right here in Big Bear Valley.

    I will post more pictures and descriptions as we get closer to the October 20, 2013 Open House / Layout Tour.

    A listing of layouts promised to open is as follows.

    John Acosta, The Gulf & Pacific Railroad, HO & HOn3 Scale
    Harold "Stubby" Ent, The SB&B Railroad, HO Gauge
    Steve Huether, The Mile High Railway, HO Gauge
    Greg McGinnis, The Bear Valley Railroad, HO Gauge
    Rick Howland, The Howland & Pacific Railroad, N Scale

    Owen Miller, The Crystal Mountain Railroad, G Scale - Garden Railway
    Russ Greek, "Rusty Spike, Rotton Tie Railroad", G Scale - Garden Railway
    Jim Ostrich, The Wabash Railroad, G Scale - Garden Railway

    The cold weather appears to be setting in early in Big Bear Valley, so do plan on dressing warmly.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 22, 2013
  12. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Harold "Stubby" Ent and I went over to visit Jim Ostrich's, Garden Railway, yesterday evening. The weather turned cold and cut our visit short. Got down to freezing last night.

    Jim has put in a lot of hours and has an impressive outdoor Garden Railway. In my opinion it would be worth the drive up here to see it.

    More news and updates so stay tuned.
     
  13. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    My kind of weather- Fall! Wish I was not a million miles away, so am hoping for a few post-event photos.
     
  14. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Ken, I promise we will follow this up with an event report.

    Don't forget you've played a part in helping us to organize this OP/LT.

    Thanks!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 22, 2013
  15. Josta

    Josta TrainBoard Supporter

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    One of the layouts will be Jim Ostrich's G scale layout featuring the Union Pacific:
    Ostrich.JPG
    Jim Ostrich - The Wabash Garden RR was started only a few months ago. I have enjoyed model railroading with my dad, starting over 50 years ago with O scale Lionel trains and then a large HO railroad that moved with my dad to his house in Fallbrook. As luck would have it I bought a garden RR up in Big Bear that came with a 5 BR home in Eagle Point last year. Since we use this house as a rental I don’t ever get to run the trains there! A few months ago, after my dad’s passing, I decided to build a “new” garden RR at our other house in Sugarloaf. The goal was to have 3 individual tracks capable of 3 independent trains operating without the need to micro manage their operating. My old equipment was track-powered but I loved the ease of “initial operations” with RC powered trains, so I installed both track and RC power, to facilitate guest operations. I have 3 RC controllers, one for each “loop”. Switches are also (or will be) remote controlled. The layout is built on a sloping front yard, so it is elevated along the sides and is ground level at the front of the property. (It is located in the front yard, as you will see.). There are two parallel main lines, with a third loop that runs at ground level under the two parallel main lines. Since as a kid I traveled on Union Pacific passenger trains to visit relatives in the MidWest I have a lot of UP equipment. For the outer loop, I added a UP 5-passenger car train with dual UP F3 (A & B) units for motive power. I also have an ATSF Pacific being modified this week for RC power, and a UP 0-6-0 switcher. Cars are being converted to Kadee couplers from a variety of different manufacturer’s couplers. The Wabash RR is still under construction, but capable of operation today.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 23, 2013
  16. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    I just added a picture of John Acosta's layout.

    Here's a new link to my album Bear Valley Model Railroaders: http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/album.php?albumid=1819

    You will find pictures and commentary describing the layouts to be open to visit on our OP/LT, Open House - Layout Tour.

    If you have friends that want to see my album and be involved in the self guided tour, they may need to register with TrainBoard, to get in. I did check the circle, choosing to allow the Visitors to view. We should be good to go.

    We are refining this as we go.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 24, 2013
  17. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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  18. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    NOTES: From the Bear Valley Model Railroaders.

    All model railroads featured are nostalgic, looking to the past and in some cases recreating memories of what once was. As a group, we enjoy each other’s company and the round-robin Operations Nights along with hours helping each other build the layouts. Loads of fun to be had with the Bear Valley Model Railroaders!

    You will find a blue railroad crossing sign at each location.

    No smoking at any layout, unless you are a steam engine.

    Parking is limited at most locations.

    Home restrooms may be unavailable.

    Map Quest or GPS systems should be able to locate all Open House participants.

    PERSONS TAKING THIS TOUR ASSUME ALL RISKS AND LIABILITY FOR THEIR PERSONAL SAFETY. NO CROSSING THE RAILROAD TRACKS OR RIDING ON THE EQUIPMENT.

    Information posted here is current as of 9-25-13. Event coordination, contacts and editing by Rick Howland and John Acosta. Please P.M. us with any questions you might have.

    No RSVP necessary.

    To see layout descriptions and photos go to: http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/album.php?albumid=1819
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 21, 2013
  19. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Two more layout descriptions. Sorry no pictures. FYI Unable to post over on my album so here they are.

    Russ Greek - Rusty Spike, Rotton Tie Railroad, The garden layout sets on an area 40' x 16' and is a work in progress. It is landscaped with a verity of plants and trees. I model the 1890 period with scratch built Class A Climax locomotives, cars, bridges, and structures. I am in the process of converting to battery operation although I do run with conventional track power. I have a small collection of plastic rolling stock which I run on occasion. My work shop has an around the wall ceiling Lionel track. NMRA member here.

    Owen Miller - Crystal Mountain Railroad, G Scale Garden Railway, My garden railroad consists of two 400 foot main lines with the outside main having a siding or runaround (reversing) track. I have 9 yard tracks with the longest being about 20 feet long. They all tie into the inside main. I have a double crossover to get from the inside to the outside main. I have a 30 foot trestle with two foot covered bridge in the middle. The height varies from 3 foot high to 16 inches. I also have a 3 foot tunnel that covers both mains. The minimum radius on the mains is 9 foot on the inside main. The trestle has 15 and 16.5 foot radii. I use LGB switch machines throughout and have them controlled by Aristo Train Engineer. For the wintertime, he even has a working rotary snow blower and spreader for the snow! Owen is also a NMRA member.

    That wraps up our advertising blitz. Now I will have time to work on my railroad and watch some football.

    Have any questions feel free to P.M. or E-mail John Acosta aka Josta and/or myself.

    See you in Big Bear Valley.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 27, 2013
  20. Josta

    Josta TrainBoard Supporter

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    A picture from my Gulf & Pacific RR that will be on this tour. This depot is a scratchbuilt model of the now-gone Palm Springs CA Southern Pacific depot.

    Kathy Springs Depot 6.jpg
     

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