Looking for modelers here that would like to share thoughts, or help me to determine some things about certain roads and industries in Iowa, besides all the elevators. Lol. I am also lookin for other hobby shops besides the one in Des Moines... Thanks!
gcav, we ain't in Iowa, but there's a couple of us N scalers up in Mankato, Minn., who are kicking around the idea of starting a loose association with some others in the Twin Cities area. Most of us seem to have an interest in the C&NW and its offshoots, but the Milwaukee Road is no stranger. My fictional line is set in southwest Iowa in 1954 (although I'm heavy on the fiction). Jim
Wow! I am surprised! The only replies come from Minnesota and Nebraska? Lol! I appreciate the offers guys. The MVW is in my backyard. Boone is less than an hour from me. I have been contemplating re-modeling my layout, to represent more of where I am at. CA1930's
I have relatives in and around Boone, and a niece and nephew from up here attending school at Iowa State. An uncle was a career man with the C&NW, working out of Boone. I'd like to hear more about what you're planning for your layout. Maybe we can share some info. The 1930s would be a fabulous era to model! Eventually, I'd like to have the option of backdating my layout from the '50s to the '30s. Jim
Funny... I also have family around the Booneish area! Grandad worked in the tower in Grand Junction until shortly after I was born, and I've still got aunts and uncles and things in the area. Will you be attending the Kate Shelley Division swap meet in Boone this November?
When is it? I am surprised Mike at Boone hobby ain't told me about it.. I plan on being there Saturday afternoon....
I saw you gave the Boone meet a "thumbs up" in a thread from last spring. I'm also wondering what this year's date is. Didn't see anything online. Don't know if I'll get down there this year, but will have to make a point of it eventually. Jim
November 3rd. Just got the flyer from KSD in the mail a few days ago. Not sure what's up with their website, it's still got last years info up. The 3rd also happens to be the date of The Great Train Expo in Shakopee....
Ooh, I may have to hit Shakopee. I was a bit disappointed in the layouts at the last Twin Cities show I was at. This one should give me a good opportunity to show the kids some good layouts. This is at Canterbury, I assume? Jim
Yea I believe it is at Canterbury, though I'm not sure where there. My understanding is that it's similar to the Worlds Greatest Hobby tour, maybe without the manufacturers. More of an all ages show than the flea market swap meet type things that tend to be more of a surly grownup place. The KSD is a good one, they usually do a silent auction, a model and photo contest, of course a gym full of sale items, and some clinics too I think. Not a lot for kids there, but there are sometimes a few layouts on display.
I rode once when I was very little... like 20+ years ago. Last year after the KSD we stopped by the B&SVR to have a look at their sweet RS1. We got there just as the local speeder club was finishing a ride, which was way cool and made me seriously think about getting a speeder. Then we noticed a guy walking out of their engine shed with a younger guy and a young kid. It appeared as if they had just finished an informal tour so we walked over to find out what was up. The older man was a volunteer there and was more than happy to give us a look inside. He explained a little history of all the units they had, showed us through the new double deck commuter cars they were working on. Then the highlight of the afternoon, we hung out in the shop while they readied and started their FP9 for the evening dinner train! To quote they tour guide "This baby's geared for 112mph, so she crawls out of the shed so smooth, like a dream." The guy was super nice, very enthusiastic about explaining everything and answering all our questions. Damn if I can remember his name though. If it occurs to me I'll post it, he deserves credit.
Not sure if you know this, but they have a beautiful Mike now. And several other ride options. Nothing goes over 15 mph the tracks are to old. All the staff are volunteers, and they just completed a brand new museum. Its pretty impressive!
It's been close to 10 years since I've been on it. They were running the Japanese steamer at the time. Fun experience. I didn't know they had the FP or the Mike. Sounds like something my family will need to hit next year. We took a spin on the Georgetown loop out in Colorado a couple years ago, and the kids sure enjoyed that. Jim
Last big show I attended at Canterbury was about 8 years ago. It was on the ground floor of the main building. Can't remember if it was the World's Greatest Hobby tour or this one. gcav, sorry. We're not trying to hijack your thread. If it looks like you'll make it up to Shakopee, let us know. And I'll certainly do the same for our next trip to Boone. Jim
Hey its cool . Just waiting to see if I am the only Iowa N-scaler. I ran into someone at Boone hobby a month ago, that was from Minnesota sightseeing. Its a messy hobby shop, but it is full of surprises! And that steamer has always been Chinese. You must have missed the red flag on the smoke box door. Like both of you, I got family there too. Small world ain't it??
Not in Iowa, Western Colorado, but grew up in SW Iowa,(Woodbine). I run IAIS on my layout. Nephew worked for CNW, currently a Conductor for BNSF. Had a Uncle that retired from IC. Some great modeling opportunities for a Iowa Layout. Have a friend in Dyersville that is a "N" scaler and models Milw. If you are going to go to Kate Shelley, go south of Boone to Madrid,Ia. they built a bike path from Ankeney to Woodward on the Milw. Road line and did a new deck over the Des Moines River on the High Trestle. I will post a video of the trestle and os IAIS running on my layout. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y-iNftIuWg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi3ncEgA0rA&feature=relmfu http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jkunhlwWy0&feature=relmfu "N" Joy
D'oh! I couldn't quite remember what its origin was. I knew I should have looked it up, but I went ahead and guessed. And got the usual result. Midniteflyer, thanks for the tip on the Milwaukee Road bridge. I wasn't aware of that. I'll be checking your videos out shortly. Jim
I've heard the new museum is open finally, can't wait to check it out while were in town for the sale! If you're interested in a drive up here, the NMRA in Woodbury, MN has a swap meet in the spring that is pretty good. Seems to be MILW country up there, might be able to find some cool stuff. We enjoy bike rides on old right of ways. I didn't know about the Ankeny to Woodward one, thanks for the tip Midnite!
