Yuku free message boards

Just a few things I thought of, based on what I have seen here and in Harrisburg:

Last year the boys from Harris Tower, the NRRHS, or something like that, were given a sort of free pass for opening the tower up for us to see. There were quite a few of them in attendance, and I am sure there are some dual members, so to speak. So I got to thinking... there are some "PRR family" guys (PC CR etc) who are probably not going to ever join up as they are too busy pursuing their own specific Societies, etc. Why not let members bring a guest with the price of admission? My hunch is that at least some of the presentations would have an interest for them. They may patronize the vendors, but I guess it would be pretty lightly. And I don't think this would dilute the product or otherwise lessen what is kind of a pure PRR experience.

Another idea is to seek out some additional vendors on a kind of targeted basis. Having visited both Des Plaines Hobbies and put in a live appearance at NKP, the makers of passenger cars sides... well I think these guys have enough PRR going on that they should maybe get an invitation... not a discount or anything, but just a call that "hey we are doing this on this date and would love to have you" kind of thing. There was really nothing to see at NKP... it's in the back room of a gas station, but I think I could guarantee some sales if this guy would show up with his sides dislayed. Only some of it is on the web. I personally scored some Budd diner sides and some modernized combine sides. Its only about an hour or so trip for both these companies... I wouldn't expect them to do Harrisburg, but to not have them in Indiana ... well i don't think anyone benefits when that happens.

The Funaro folks were there and sold out their GLca stock. I had wanted some, but I figured that it would be best to let the Midwest guys, who do not see them every three months or so at Timonium, to have their shot before I took any. The point being that you CAN sell good PRR stuff at the conventions, and they are not very close to Indiana. So being closer ought to be a big selling point for vendors that do have PRR stuff, but may not have heard about it.

I guess I am a bit prejudiced beyond normal with things PRR. I have read some of the "quasi-negative" comments on other forums. They are true, but not enough for me to consider this anything but a pleasant weekend.

I hope someone photographed Davecrafts stuff. MP54s with smaller pantographs, better trucks and what appeared to be a motor in an least one unit. He also had BP20s, one finished and one in progress. Semi-scratch built!

Still bleeding Tuscan Red,

Bill

One of the topics presented at the convention was about the Tyrone and Clearfield Branch, which spun off the Bald Eagle branch a few miles ouside of Tyrone. So the other day when in Altoona-Tyrone did a "drive-by" into Vail. I think I found the place where the T&C diverged, and the Philipsburg pike Rt 350 appears to rougly parallel the line. The aerial photos in Mapquest still show the line, but it appears relatively inaccessible. Especially "the Big Fill". Anyhow i'd like to contact the guy who did this (to me) great presentation. Anybody know who this gentleman is, or could forward my e-address to him?
I remember thinking that the cars that fell off the big-fill may well still be down there at the bottom. Seems a worthwhile railcheology pursuit!

Bill