o the show day started auspiciously. First, I got panhandled by a bum outside the donut shop at 5:30am : “Gimme a donut”. Then, in the pre-dawn darkness, I swung into the fairgrounds access road only to find a gate closed against me – I skidded and stopped in time, but if I’d hit that chainlink mesh I could have severely strained myself. Then it was touch and go, getting the trailer down the right road to the dock so we could get ready to set up. But Jeff handled it eighteen-foot show barge right onto the spot, we had workers and we got right to work. It was muggy and unpleasant but the layout went up without fuss.

Lots of people showed up to run. I handled Rail Boss duties in the AM and even ran a bit during that time – the Boss actually keeps track of who is out (and if they are running oversized trains). Even through we’d mentioned this in our last meeting as our way to prefect deadlocking, I heard from the PM Boss that someone actually fussed about being told we were at capacity. Please, we’re not doing this to deny you access – we’re trying to give everyone (including the visitors) a vibrant and moving railroad. Don’t “Karen” us on this.

An unaccountably empty northbound limestone train passes a static train (meaning it’s full of states), right on the Florida/Georgia border. Man, all this strange stuff – I’m surprised Big Foot isn’t here. Wait… (Photo: John DV)

I know that Kyle gets an award (posthumously) for taking on a three-headed hellhound; a trio of kids who were climbing the walls, screaming and yelling. I felt bad for him (not to the point that I pried any of them off him). Me, I don’t have kids, and I don’t like kids. I’ll take them on when I have to. As far as the “future of our hobby” advocates go, most of them weren’t here today so yes, tell me more about your philosophy.

Not much else to say – we had an interesting mix of trains and generally pull in the crowds. Saw a lot of people I know and reconnected with a few. Handshakes all around. And yes, it was hot but Mike, myself and Zach were on site to help Jeff unload and get the layout put away. Again, Jeff gets my most exhausted thanks for dropping the trailer off on his lonesome.

Went home, had a glass of wine and fell asleep on the sofa. Man, long day but a good one. Thanks for all for attending, supporting and running. Our club is always the top draw.

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