Open House - June 5, 2010
This year it was all about passenger service in South Jersey.  Mmmm...an Open House with a theme! I looked at what trains I have and realized, I could cover the last 100 years of service in this region and, add a little whimsy to the mix too. Below you will find some photos that were taken on that hot & humid day (as always) by  Kurt Nelson, Ward Hutton, Tom Ball, Jim Bangert and myself. I'm not sure who took what but, they are all great shots that have captured yet another, Open House at the West Berlin Garden Railroad.
Enjoy!
Bachmann's NEW Percy circles my Eaglewing's barrel set up. The Sesame Street gang strikes up a march in the gondola. The kids really liked this one.
The PRR streamliner sat in idle with motors running on the siding all day long waiting. There just weren't enough passengers to take her out.
Also, waiting it's turn was the Amtrak BULLET in the WB railyard. She did leave and ran for a private party after hours
Bachmann's  READING #2005 (a special run for Boscov's department stores 15 + years ago)  ran all day long without a hitch. This is a pre-Annie version that has been know for problems.
The Blur Comet (as I call it) is seen here flying pass the streamliner and Amtrak Genesis on the right.  The real thing must have been amazing.
On display "ONLY"  was Bachmann's Blue Comet.  Many folks never knew she even existed. Nice collectors item for sure.
Double headed RDCs . The Cape May run was expanded by 4 feet and a new 5 amp power supply was added. Now smoke, sound and 2 RDCs can run the line.. And, what a sight it is.
Poor Thomas doesn't look too happy. He ran non-stop all day long to please the crowds. He told me that he's going to retire. I really don't blame him.
  The Amtrak Genesis rounds the curve at my control stand. This shot "almost" captures the entire train. Missing is the trailing Amtrak road-railer
This area is off limits to visitors as the sign above reads.
Layout Photos
Homies are always busy on the layout with cars and what not.
The girl on the steps ain't too bad either!
Willie & the Poor Boys playing a little tune at S.B.'s
I found "Pee-Guy"  on a hook  in a used CD/DVD store..Here he's taking a wiz behind the trunk. (It's just a fishing line tinted yellow.)
There were just 4 on the hook so, I bought them all. A friend bought 2 from me and I gave the last one as a gift.
Some visitors saw him, others didn't want to look.  Too Funny!
TWO  RARITIES in the same place.
The PT Crusier 1:24 and a 1:29 scale "mini-me".
A few years back I found the PT Cruiser in a gift shop on the boardwalk in Atlantic City. It was blue so I re-painted it to match my PT..wihich is "Cool Vanilla"  The figure is Drag Strip promoter "Broadway Bob Metzier".  I was visiting Bob Shaw's GRR and someone told me to "go look at that guy..he looks like you".  He didn't come out  on the WB until later in the day so, some missed this photo  OP. I didn't!
Hubba-Hubba...get that shot!
Ahhhh. Do you think using the fork-lift would be easier?
People Pix
First Timers & First Impressions ALWAYS make great photos
Liz & Ken Donahue chat with Jim Bangert in the shade.
This little guy told me that he visited all 3 GRR's that were open and recorded them on his digital recorder. When he left he told me that he still had 50 minutes remaining on it.. WOW! Watch for the DVD in stores soon!
Tom Ball sat here for some time trying to get all of the trains in one photo. I don't know if he did or not but, we have one that includes him and the shot..  Hehehehe!
In Closing
Crossbuck and FRED from the SRRNJ.
CNJ "W" sign was a gift from George Clark.
The RR sign a gift from Mert Gardner
Sun Set Shine on the rails at the end of the day.

Yet another Open House comes to a close.
Tom Ball, Kurt Nelson, Ward Hutton, Jim Bangart and Bob (Hello?) Whipple
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