Sorry, Buzz! I know I'd seen hot air balloons in my travels around Albuquerque n scale railroads. Perhaps to home layouts! Sorry if I deduced they were on the modules. The N Scale Rail RunNers modular layout is still a must-see wherever they set it up. Many national awards, and great standards for trackwork and scenery. And many of the most pleasant and approachable modelers you'll ever meet.
My N-scale layout is set in a general setting of New Mexico. I included a scene with hot air balloons which includes a small ceramic balloon (about N scale to which I added a figure) and some balloon stickers added to the backdrop behind the ceramic balloon. The ceramic balloon is hung via a colored thread to match the color of the backdrop (New Mexico sky blue of course). I bought both the ceramic balloon and stickers at a tourist booth at the Albuquerque balloon fiesta two years ago for a few dollars. Charlie Baker
Charlie Baker- Welcome to TrainBoard! By chance would you have a photo or two you could share here? Boxcab E50
Reno balloon races I've never seen the Alb. Festival, When I was in NV I would go to the"dawn Patrol" to watch the pre-dawn inflation/launch doings. Spectacular. Like a bunch of light bulbs turning on and off at random. Really something to see.
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is enormous. A mass ascension consists of 750 balloons, launched in three waves of 250. They tried four waves of 250 the first year on the present field, but that didn't work. So there's a lengthy waiting list. There's usually two special shapes launches that draw about 150 balloons, some of them absolutely enormous. The special shapes rarely go very far from the field, as they are hard to land. Pilots come from all around the world. You usually need to get a hotel room more than a year in advance. While we locals go to the field, we stay away from restaurants and downtown shops, which are absolutely jammed.
This is the Creamland cow trying to land in my neighborhood. It had to go back up, and land a half mile further north.
750+ Balloons I'd no idea it was that big. Reno could get a little crazy with people living their lives and then chase crews, spectators and the rest suddenly swarming the area. Hot air balloon/urban area interface is outside most peoples experience.
Pete, Thanks for the compliments about the New Mexico Rail RunNers. And come to think of it you may be right that we did have balloons on club members modules at one time. I think a former member, Carl Sowell from El Paso, had balloons on one of his modules. Carl had a number of excellent modules, and he would bring them up to Albuquerque for our Shows, especially the State Fair in September. We also did several GATS Shows in El Paso with him. We miss having him join us now. Carl is a Trainboard member, so maybe he will see this thread and reply. Buzz Lenander
No unfortunately not Pete. At the time I wasn't a NMRA member so wasn't able to go on the tour. I did meet Mike & Robin Fifer there at the Marriot and saw quite a few nice layouts at the show. Since I've joined the Arizona Chapter of the NMRA so next year when I attend I shall be able to go on the tour. Sorry I missed. I really like your city though I must say, everytime out is a better time each time. Ballon Fest is next on the agenda PS: in my WWW travels I happen to find this little Gem Hot Air Ballon Ornaments just N Scale size below is the link http://www.fullahotair.com/index.php?cPath=1_69_67
