Winona Open House - Part 3 - G-Scale Garden Train Railway - August 27, 2016

Blog entry and photos by Bob

It is fantastic to go to an open house to talk to other operators.  Working on your own layout you sometimes become isolated and single minded with making decisions and solving problems.  Many times there is something not right on a layout and it is my responsibly to fix it.  After weathering our locomotives and railcars, it was enlightening to see how others have done the same task.  Just the opportunity to ask, 'How did you do that?' is so beneficial.  Also, to discover what layouts people have built in their backyards, garages or basements. To find out how they keep it all running with different power supplies and track clearing methods.  I love talking about weeds because it has been our biggest problem in the layout.  In conclusion, it is comforting to know one is not alone in taking on mother-nature for the sole purpose of watching a little train go around in a backyard.

Winona Open House - Part 2 - G-Scale Train - August 27, 2016

Blog Entry & Photos by Bob

When we arrived at the beginning of the day, there was one diesel locomotive travelling the upper loop.  Shortly after, there was three operators fighting for a spot with an additional electric steam just starting up the lower loop.  Being able to run your trains on another person's layout is one of the best feelings.  To see your locomotive challenging the grade or venturing across your friend's bridge gets your imagination reeling. The Winona Garden Railway's 40 Creek Bridge is over 20 feet long and 5 feet high and is exhilarating to run.  With previous open houses, I have loaded up my locomotives and pretended they had travelled through the night to a distant rail line.  Feeling proud as spectators snap pictures and take videos of my little trains.  But today, I still enjoyed being the one who was taking the pictures and complimenting their operators.

Winona (G-Scale Garden Train) Open House - Part 1 - August 27, 2016 -

(Photos and Blog by Bob)

One of the biggest Southern Ontario events for G-Scalers is the Winona Garden Trains Yearly Open House for three reasons:

1 - The used item tent:  Let's face it, trains are expensive.  The chance to buy new additional items for your layout for half the price is a fabulous!

2 - Getting the chance to run your trains on a different layout:  To be able to show off your prized locomotives to admiring crowds snapping pictures is an awesome opportunity!

3 - Getting to meet the other operators:  Making contacts/new friends, learn and ask questions on how other people approach the hobby.

Lets get started with the used-item tent.  Please do not get me wrong, the store is still open with lots of new merchandise at very competitive prices,  but nothing beats a sun-faded, rusty-out clunker for $30.  There were buildings, bridges, track, locomotives, rolling stock, vehicles, people, books, videos as well as bits and pieces to choose from.  All sales were cash with everyone loading up  with arms-full of goodies.  The entrance to the tents opened at exactly 9am to give everyone a fair chance.  I showed alot of restraint to only walk away with x2 new center-beam railcars.

Please enjoy these assorted photos.  Have two more blogs to post about this event and will spread them out over the coming weeks.