I just realized that a week has passed since the 7th Annual NOSS Inter-State
Get Together last Saturday, 09/28/13. Although this was my second time at the
event, it was my first visit to the Sudimak residence, where Sharron graciously
hosted the event.
Sharron noticed my Pittsburgh S-Gaugers shirt and welcomed me to her home. I
was promptly shown the basement stairs as she could read the longing in my eyes
to get a long awaited look at the famous Penn Creek Western layout. I was
told the layout was still being put together, due to renovations to the
electrical service, but being my first time I couldn't tell. As long as I could
run my I-1, I was happy!
John Henning greeted me and introduced me to the members and out-of-town
guests. Following a tour of the layout, my PRR I-1 was assigned to the second
level for its first run since I acquired it. John loaned me the tender from
Jack's I-1 to get me started while he couplerized my tender. Thanks, Jack,
for your efforts and the 802 coupler!
The I-1 was connected to the 10-15 cars waiting an engine and I started it
around the layout. Several attendees noticed that the caboose was not of the
Pennsy variety and I was asked to stop the engine while a Pennsy portal
windowed caboose was placed on the rear. This is a scale event you know!
Now that the train was as realistic as we could get it, I proceeded to
slowly accelerate the train. My fears were laid to rest as I got to see
that the I-1 could creep and accelerate as slowly as I hoped it would. This is
my only brass locomotive and I was not sure it was money well spent. I think it
will serve me very well once my layout is completed.
Clinic time put an end to my train running. That's OK as the clinics were well
worth the time. Ed Kirstatter showed us how to make realistic coal loads for
hoppers, something a lot of us need to do. Mike Lytle presented a look at the
many ways the new X-29 boxcar kit can be used to model various boxcars. Thanks
Ed and Mike for your efforts and for your video presentations.
What better food to serve a group of men, and a few women than chili. There
were two pots of delicious chili on hand along with a veggie tray, pistachio
and many other desserts and drinks. The weather was ideal for a picnic on the
deck.
A group photo ended our outdoor activities and it was now time to spend some
money. I found a great deal on some 802 couplers and a coupler adjusting plier.
This event attracted S-Scalers from Buffalo NY, Pittsburgh PA (me), and several
locations in Ohio near the border of West Virginia. Sharron gave the word that
she would like to continue this event into the future as Jack would have
wanted. I hope so!
My thanks to the NOSS group and Sharron, the host, and all those who made the
day a success. I will be there next year and promise not to write such a
lengthy review.
Bob South
