2011 National Train Show

Packing up for the trip was met with mixed emotions, having moved into our new home less than two months earlier.

The lady in the shop next door was shocked and asked why we were leaving the center after such a sort time! We reassured her that we would be back.

Bob took these pictures as we loaded the modules into the trailer to make sure we could remember how we did it for the return trip.

They are also a good reference for future trips. The long box of plexiglas went in first, under the two bundles of corners on the right side. Then the two 30" Gilbert Siding modules to the left. Behind them were the two 24" Gilbert Siding modules with their control panel on top, slid forward to prevent movement in a sudden stop.

The remaining three pairs of modules fit in sideways, a 24" pair in front, a 30" pair in the middle, and the last 24" pair at the rear of the trailer. The final yard module rested on top of the frontmost of those pairs, held in place by the 30" pair and the sloping back edge of the corner modules so it wouldn't move. It had no module to pair with because the delicate trestle module went separately in Alex's truck.

The last items in were the club box with clamps, bridge rails, tools, etc., and the hand truck. All the more fragile accessories and trains went in Mike's and Alex's trucks with the furniture dollies we used to move the modules.

During the convention, we stuck a head inside the Convention Center. It is cavernous! 135,000 square feet. Bob figures 42 houses his size would fit inside.

Our space was to be just to the right of the loading door in this corner.

Thursday was spent setting up, testing, and fixing things shaken loose during the trailer ride up. We were pleased that the damage was minimal and easily repaired. As you can see, we were placed next to the San Francisco Lego Train Club, which meant we had lots of kids in the area during the show. We strategically placed the Gilbert Siding on that side of the layout to attract kids from the Legos to our operating accessories. The strategy worked well.

Off the end of our layout were the coffee & smoothies stand and the mens room. We think we had one of the best locations in the show!!! Here, Alex, Raulf, and Mike work on setting up the yard.

Initially, everything was piled up in the middle and we assembled the layout around it, gradually moving things from the piles to the layout.

And the show grew up around us.

We got the skirting and banners up, and it was show time!

During the show, Bob bought some animals to enhance the hill on the east end of the Gilbert Siding. Can you find the rabbit, possum, and two skunks?

There are five animals visible in this shot, plus a raccoon hiding behind one of the trees. Along with the down trees added before the show, they really improve the module.

As always, the ability to interact with the operating accessories on the Gilbert Siding proved a hit with adults and kids alike.