What a great time the fam and I had this past weekend in Perry GA attending the SELSTS 2008!
It was quite a haul to get us there...3.5 kids, $3.40/gallon diesel, and 5.5 hours with 33' Camper in tow...but it was all worth the trip!
First, Hats off to the Event Promoter Harry Hartman and J&J Promotions and -Aristocraft Trains and Polk Family!
Secondly, thanks to the different LS Train Groups/Clubs that participated, seeing trains run made the kids day!
In addition, all the Vendors and folks who were there teaching techniques to help the not so talented=me! Yogi has some of the best "why didn't I think of that?" techniques ever! The Phoenix Sound Brothers were very helpful. I tried to buy multiple items from St. Aubins, but they didn't have what I was looking for...but they did try-really hard!
I did take a few photos from the days happenings...We got down late on Friday evening, so we only attended for the majority of Saturday...!
Here is the "New" AC C-16 that many of you have been waiting for!
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cale_nelson/SELSTS08/280.jpg)
It was a "pretty" "little" engine...if you do 1/24 you'll be happy!
Seems I wasn't the only "Dummy" at the show!
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cale_nelson/SELSTS08/dummy.jpg)
The folks at the Live Steam Track were Brave! -allowing my kids to touch and hold some "cold" engines...I was a nervous wreck!
Here is an "Americanized" Garrett...I believe it won the model contest!
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cale_nelson/SELSTS08/gar1.jpg)
There were some Beautifully Detailed entries!
Speaking of Boys...Here are my "Cowboys"...they kept most show attendees entertained with their gun slinging antics!
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cale_nelson/SELSTS08/Boys.jpg)
Here is the FL groups floor layout! Very Impressive...my kids wanted to spend most of their "down time" here!
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cale_nelson/SELSTS08/FGRS.jpg)
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cale_nelson/SELSTS08/boys2.jpg)
My wife had 2 show favorites...The Famous Sundance Central Modular Display...and the Gent making Figures from AL Foil!
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cale_nelson/SELSTS08/SCRR1.jpg)
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cale_nelson/SELSTS08/Welder.jpg)
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cale_nelson/SELSTS08/garage1.jpg)
Much like my Bride, I was totally taken in by the SCRR Display...the Craftsmanship was Remarkable!!!
Here is my Crew-resting...wating on Dad to find the "deal" he traveled to get! ....and there is Ted Yarbrough in the background.
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cale_nelson/SELSTS08/crew.jpg)
And Speaking of Deal! Here is the In-Famous Marty Cozad holding my "Deal"...Finally A B-Mann Climax just for me!
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cale_nelson/SELSTS08/marty.jpg)
Again, I really enjoyed the Entire Show, and would encourage each of you to try to attend one of these events! We camped just across the Interstate and had a Blast!
...oh and on the way home, I asked my eldest, Eli..."what was your favorite part of the train show?"......His answer....
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cale_nelson/SELSTS08/thomas.jpg)
Thomas!
Hope to see Y'all in May 2009!!!
Cale and Family
Special Thanks to the folks from the GGRS for allowing me to "Test Drive" on the club layout before I purchased the Climax !