 |
| Open House 2005 |
| It never fails. For the past 5 years or so, it has always rained before or, on the day of our Open House tour. This year was no exception. It rained most of the day on Friday June 3rd and on Saturday morning. There was a light drizzle that kept things nice and wet durning set up which made this a real task for most of us.. Our TOUR Leader, George Clark, called for a late open/start time but, as always, there are those few that insist on waiting at the gate. After an hour or so, the rain stopped and the sun returned. The NBC Planning Editors were given info about the Tour and we did exchange email. (Amy Freeze also pushed this to them for us...thanks Amy) On June 2nd, I wasn't really sure if it would be "live" or a "taped" visit. There was talk that they would mention the Tour on the Friday night news as a "Blurb" maybe even using footage from my "Backyard Weather" from last year. I provided NBC with a special email address to announce so viwers could request a map. But all of this must have been "nixed" by their legal department because we are all private owners and, at private homes not, in a public place. Whatever it was, they didn't come, show a tape or, do a mention. So, even without NBC's plug, we all opened and, had a great day and, a decent turnout.. For the past few years I listed that my railroad would be open on Saturday & Sunday. This is the first year it's actually happend. The photos below are from both days. Enjoy the photos! |
| June 4th & 5th , 2005 |
|
 |
 |
 |
| The "Blimp Vistors" Over the West Berlin GR |
 |
 |
| A store at a local shopping center decided that the weekend of the 4th & 5th would be a good time to fly their advertising blimp. It could be seen from my backyard all weekend.. If you were at my RDC line and looked up then you saw it... Hmmm ! Maybe I should call the West Berlin the "Recreation Depot" and rent the blimp from them for the next open house.. |
| The "People" Visitors |
 |
| A few days before the Open House I was doing a last minute clean up on the railroad. I hear this buzzing and it sounds like a bi-plane of some sort. The sound gets louder and louder but no plane. Then what is it?? It's getting closer and closer then all of a sudden, out from the trees pops the GOODYEAR BLIMP! It was so low I sware they were taking pix of the railroad..(hehe) |
| Pete Eggink's "RS3 Fireball" has just backed out of it's carrier. The photo on the right is Pete's photo of the event. Ok..now you all know how Pete takes his famous photos. I prefer to lay on the ground to take my pix. Pete's "Lady Bug also made a little appearance. The ladies & kids all loved it. Thanks Pete.. You never let me down. Oh yeah.. Pete ran the Lady Bug on the concrete for a little boy who wanted to see if it was really battery powered. Then the kid wanted to know "Can you steer it?" |
 |
 |
 |
| Ladies at the Guest Book table. The woman on the right had never seen a Garden Railroad before. She stood there for 5 minutes taking it all in with a smile on her face.. The photo on the right is a close up of her face. A "FUJI Moment" captured forever. |
 |
 |
| Guys, on the other hand, look with dropped jaws or from a chair at the layout's edge and think I'm NUTS.. but that's OK.. I do have a lot of fun and that's what it's all about. Left to Right: Pete Eggink, Frank Ancher, Pete Werner , Bill Rodgers, Nick Peluso Jr. and a candid photo Gene Ewan. Gene had his first (non-rained out) Open House on Saturday June 4th to a large crowd. His GR is 10 years old and well established , |
 |
 |
| AND little girls get right up front. The McVeigh sisters take it all in as they watch the Dash 9 pass on track 1 followed by the "Blue Comet" on track 2 |
 |
 |
| And the boys Count 15....16....17....18 It happens at every Open House |
 |
| You're never too big for trains Dad & daughter having some afternoon fun. It's about having fun....Right? |
| Just a few scenes from the week-end |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Jumpin Cookin Workin |
 |
| Laughin Bathin Fishin Un-loadin |
 |
| And now the Trains |
FRONT BACK I printed up 40 cards. None remain..I should have printed more huh? |
 |
| The BLUE COMET It ran a total of 12 hours without a hitch. There was one minor wreck when it rear-ended the observation car. This was caused by operator error & a de-railment of a diner car which uncoupled from the train. The cowcatcher was pushed in and off in the accident. |
The West Berlin Card |
 |
| Someone say Wreck? |
 |
 |
THE READING MISHAP A major HIGH SPEED wreck caused by.. As Pete Eggink says..and I quote: "One thing I noticed about Open Houses - two trains on one track, plus a little talking to the guests, equals a wreck!" The SD45 was taken out of service due to the damage. It was replaced with a CSX Dash 9 which finished out the tour. |
 |
| My "Jim Thorpe" F3a & F3b in the Yard |
| Close up of jumper |
 |
 |
| Donkey & Shreik take a ride on one of James' "Troublesome Trucks" |
| The CMSL RDC did run on the elevated line and the PRR EggLiner ran on the ground point to point. No Photos.. you've seen them both before. |
 |
| Click the CSX photo for a small video of the last run on Sunday evening. |
The NMRA will not be advertising our tour next year due to their "Independence Junction 2006" meet and bus tours in July 2006. Some of the garden railroads that were on our tour will be on the NMRA's. I will not be on their tour. The fact of the matter is, that there may NOT be a South Jersey Tour next year due to the meet. This may be a great op for me to re-build a very tired and aging railroad. |
| SO.....I want to thank all of the people that attended my Open House this year. I really enjoyed your visit. I also want to thank Garden Railways Magazine for the promotional items that they provided for the Open House. And a very special thanks to Tom Weaver for making the PDF maps this year and, to Nick Peluso Jr. for his help in getting the West Berlin ready . See you all in 2007. Bob Whipple |
| In Closing.... |
 |
| CLICK LOGO |
| Other Trains |
| The Blue Comet Pacific and the SD45 have been repaired and are back in service. |
| The Railroad |
 |
 |
| The West Berlin Garden Railroad Pete's photo captures vistors early Saturday morning arriving to see the layout. All trains are at the North/East end just below the boy in the yellow shirt. The photo on the right is about where the folks are standing in Pete's photo. |