Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris

This, our 14th and final Doubleheaders Layout tour was like the 13 before it, lots of fun. The layout has had it last public appearance other than on the blog, and the panoramic picture above will be as far as it ever gets. From here on in I will be taking it apart.

Being part of the annual layout tour over the years has provided me with lots of motivation. Nothing like 300-400 visitors to force you to get something done on the layout!

Our first layout tour in 1992 was quite a bit different that the one we just had. Back in ’92 Port Kelsey was just beginning as a 2’x10′ module with the trackwork completed and some of the structures in place and is now part of the current Port Kelsey.

Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris

Geez, look at the hair. Anyway, at the time we were moving out of the apartment in which the layout was built so we could not have the tour there. Instead we decided to set the layout up in the registration hall and move it to our new apartment after the tour was over.

I could not get the layout out of the room in which it was built, so I cut it in half! Once cut, I built two Masonite covers for the sections and hoisted them out the window. To take the layout to the registration hall I borrowed a pickup truck from a friend. Unfortunately, the truck proved to be way too small, so one half of the layout went into the back of Russ’s (my brothers) Camero. To keep it from tumbling out we lashed it to the car with some extension cords. I drove behind him down the 401 (the busiest stretch of highway in Canada) and prayed it didn’t fall out onto the highway!

Somehow it survived the trip and we set it up in the school auditorium for the day. After that first tour I was hooked, and have looked forward to our annual open house ever since.

Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris

This year was sunny but pretty cold, so the turnout wasn’t too bad. In the past we have had everything from snow, freezing rain, rain, and the worst for attendance; a warm sunny day. The total number of visitors was down this year with only 220 people stopping by. Usually we average at least 300 and have had up to 400.

As you can imagine having 300 people tromp through the house can be a bit “interesting”, but in our 14 years we have never had a problem with anyone. Model Railroaders are a pretty good lot.

Oh the humanity!

Needless to say, having windows that can open is a bonus.

Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris

Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris

Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris

Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris

Clark

This year we had Clark Kooning help us out. Anyone who has met Clark will not soon forget him! He is the Canadian Director of the NMRA, and founder of the Modeling with the Masters program, a great modeler and lots of fun to be around!

Here he is preaching the gospel to Harvey. Poor, poor Harvey.

Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris

Hi there. Want to see my throttle?

Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris

Hey there big boy….

Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris

Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris

Thanks Clark! Always a blast….

My favorite visitor this year was Trevor Marshall’s Mother-in-law. She was visiting from Saskatoon and got dragged out for the day. She is one of those people you instantly like! A silver haired woman who I could tell from our short conversation was very wise. Being Scottish she quickly noticed my collection of fine single malt Scotch. Her remark of “A great collection of single malts… I trust all the bottles are empty?” made my day.

Yes, they are all empty.

Image Copyright (c) 2006 Tim Warris

Well, I guess this is it. We have come to the end of our days with the Doubleheaders layout tour. Hopefully, when one door closes another one opens.

-Tim

* * Update- Tour Day attendance was 762. We had 220 here.

Posted by: | 04-09-2006 | 04:04 PM
Posted in: Uncategorized