A long overdue update....

It's been waaaay too long since we've updated the blog site and a lot has happened! The 2009 WAGRS Open House was a success again! A big "Thanks!" goes to everyone who participated! On average, attendance was down from the 700+ of 2007 to a more workable 400-500 visitors each (which the hosts agree was easier on them!)
In addition, Claudia Rollstin, Jim and Suzie Carter and Steve, Patsy and Eric Stockham attended the 2009 Battery Steam-up at Marty Cozad's place in Neb. City. Once again, nearly 100 large scale enthusiasts met for a three day train fest complete with dealer's area, workshop/staging as well as the Fri. night BBQ and Sat. night banquet. This is quickly becoming the must attend event in the Midwest US!
On a personal note: The Stockham's were surprised and somewhat flabbergasted when we were approached by a couple of visitors from our July 4TH Open House who asked if we would have a problem with them submitting our Garden Railroad for consideration for inclusion on the Salina Area Master Gardener's tour for 2010! We chuckled, thanked them for the compliment and promptly forgot about the whole thing. Well, about 4 weeks later we got a call from the selection comittee wanting to know if we could arrange a time for them to come over and inspect our garden(!) Three ladies showed up on that next Saturday and we ran trains for them. They loved it! Apparently, having a train running through your garden is something out of the ordinary (imagine that!) Anyway, we are now scheduled to be included on their tour next Summer (which will include 800+ guests! What have we gotten ourselves into?)
The Mac's Trax Train Show in McPherson was held on Dec. 12 and 13 with Fred and Millie Hein's M&M Railway keeping the visitors enthralled. If you haven't had a chance to see this portable large scale layout you don't know what you are missing! As of the last time I talked the Fred, they were planning on setting the layout up at the Wichita Train Show at the Cessena Activity Center early in 2010. Details to follow as I get new information.

WAGRS Tour, September 19th!

The annual WAGRS tour is scheduled for September 19th throughout Wichita, Derby, Augusta, and Newton. Below is the list of the layouts and their address/

#2 Belmont in Augusta, Kansas. This layout has been featured in Garden Railways Magazine.

7145 Blueberry Lane, Derby.
1425 N. Broadway, Wichita
2434 N. Amidon, Wichita
200 S.W. 2nd, Newton
6356 N. Seneca, Wichita
2015 E. Blake, Wichita

There is no charge for the tours and all layouts will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Many thanks to the WAGRS members opening their homes for the tour.

Headin' to Nebraska!

Several members of WAGRS will be heading to Nebraska the weekend of Sept. 25-27 for Marty's September Steam Up. Marty has a layout about the size of a football field at his country home in Nebraska City. Around 100 RCS runners show up from all over the country to descend on Marty and Carrie's home to run trains all weekend, and attend a dinner on Saturday night. This will be the 4th year we have attended this event. We have a great time every year. Along with the Steam Up, Nebraska City is the home of Arbor Day Farm and the Lied Lodge. It is the perfect season to head over to the Apple House and Orchard and hand pick apples from the trees. There is also an incredible nature trail and 50ft tree house at the Arbor Day Farm. I hear the Arbor Day Links is a nice golf course, but I haven't had the opportunity to play it. We also enjoyed the apple pie and wine tasting. For any question, call Jim or Steve who are for sure attending. It is a great event.

HAGRS show is next.

The summer is coming to a close, and the last major garden railway event for the mid-west is the Heart of America Garden Railway Show in Kansas City on August 14 & 15. This show is at the Overland Park International Trade Center. Many members of the WAGRS club are going to support and help Fred and Millie with their new portable layout. If you can make it to KC, please give Fred and Millie a call so they can let you know the times they really need the help.

On another note, some news from the northern branch of WAGRS. Our garden railroad was chosen this weekend to be included on the Salina Master Gardeners June tour next year. This is quite an honor for us. We may need some help that day from club members to be available to answer questions from the public about our hobby. We'll let you know closer to next summer.

NGRC 2009 is history

Nine total members of the Wichita Garden Railway Society attended the National Garden Railway Convention in Denver last week. Members toured Denver area layouts as well as took part in workshops, the trade show, and several met up at the BBQ at the Colorado Railroad Museum. I don't know about the other 8 members of the club, but I had a blast with what we took part in. Steve also enjoyed getting his Dad, Jim out to see several layouts and the show. With the National show in the books, we now look forward to helping Fred and Millie present their traveling layout at the Heart of America Show in Kansas City in August. Please note, that the HAGRS show is now August 14-15. It was moved back a week. Fred and Millie will be heading to KC on Thursday to set up the layout. Steve and Eric are heading up Friday morning to also help. Anyone who can come to KC would be greatly appreciated. Tear down will be Saturday after the show closes. Any and all help for the tear down is also greatly appreciated. There are lots of great priced motel rooms in the area as low at $50.00 Check the HAGRS website or your favorite travel web site for some great deals! See you in KC!

Godspeed as you travel to Denver!

Many of the WAGRS members are heading to Denver this week for the National Garden Railway Convention. As you embark on your travels, we wish everyone a safe and fun trip. We will look for everyone at the picnic, in the convention center, and maybe at some of the railroads on the tours. Just FYI, we will have our cell phone, it is 785-822-7322 if anyone has any questions while in Denver. Steve lived in Denver for 5 years, and know the town as well as his home town. If you have a GPS, TAKE IT, it is invaluable, especially for the tour! Be safe, and have a great time!

Wow, what an Open House!

As we relayed to the club earlier this week, Steve and Patsy had an Open House for the railroad in Salina for Independence Day. The Salina Journal ran a front page story on their railroad on Thursday, July 2nd and the result was over 300 people coming to see the railroad. Steve let the young kids have a chance at the controls. It was "priceless" to see the smiles on the faces of young and old as they watched two trains work their way through the garden for nearly 4 hours. This is why we love this hobby!