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CLUB DISPLAY AT HOME AND GARDEN SHOW

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Garden RR Society set up a very popular G gauge floor layout at the Suburban Home and Garden Show, held at the Fort Washington Expo Center from February 26 to 29, 2004. Here are some pictures taken during the last few hours of the Show and the breakdown afterward.

The trains were very popular throughout the show.  In the distance is a model of Independence Hall, one of many from the big outdoor garden railroad at the Morris Arboretum.  These buildings depict historical structures from throughout the Philadelphia area.  They were built by Paul Busse from natural materials like bark, leaves, twigs, and acorns over a frame of Gatorboard.

The Ladybug Eggliner stops at the Wayne Station.  SEPGRS's floor layout design has included this track, along with the elevated line and main lines, for many years.  But this is the first time it has been embellished with mulch, ground cover, track ballast, running water, plants, and these wonderful buildings.

That Climax is really flying with its train!  Actually the blur is from the camera setting.  The buildings, plants, and mulch really added to the appeal of this layout.

Watch out! The speeding Budd Car is about to crash into a freight train!  Actually the car is speeding AWAY from the steam engine and they didn't crash.  This time.

BREAKDOWN - Within 45 minutes, the fifteen-person crew had all the track, highline structure, ballast, plants, and buildings picked up and the trailer loaded.  Next is the job of scooping up the mulch, cleaning and rolling up the carpets, and loading up the Arboretum's trucks.  Here we see Jack with the shovel and Tom with the carpet, with the buildings and plants set aside while we wait for our turn to get the trucks into the building.  In the black shirt in the back is Iana, who coordinated the Morris Arboretum's valuable contribution to this layout.

Rob, our official Trailer Packing Expert!  Our Club Trailer has lots of shelves and carrying cases that help make this an efficient operation.

Rob, Larry, Tom, and Bruce were among the many club members who set up, operated, cleaned up, and visited during the four days of the show.  Tom is the Layout Coordinator, and did a wonderful job of designing, scheduling, and leading this effort.  Thanks Tom, and thanks to everyone who helped!