The library is on the campus of Texas A&M University in College Station (Texas).
The atrium was large - we fitted all our modules with room to spare. It was also the grandest place we have set up in. With a glass roof, the layout was usually lit with natural sunlight which made a big difference. We are used to gloomy artificial light in exhibition halls! With the exception of radio throttle problems on the last day, the layout ran with all but the most minor of glitches.
Lots of people were interested. Unlike shows, most of the people were members of the general public and they still expressed a lot of interest in one form or another. I think we were a hit
We also had more than the usual "little interfering fingers" problem. I'm not quite sure why. Distracted parents perhaps, although we also had to have our stanchions fairly close in a couple of places, and we were relatively short staffed on the last weekend.
My Tomix Thomas was a big hit, and continues to be a reliable runner. I can't believe how ecstatic those kids get!
The layout configuration uses the N-Trak standard, but we choose to use both Blue and Alt-Blue. This results in four through tracks on most of the modules. Rather than the usual square shape, we have a smaller loop with branches coming off it. Each branch is terminated in loop module. Two DC lines (the two blues) ran around the loop. The other two lines ran DCC and ran around one or both of the branches. We also have the mountain line implemented on four modules. This runs as a closed loop returning on the front (orange) line.
The two DCC lines typically ran multiple (2-4) trains.
Period and location is typically whatever we feel like, although most if not all club members try to get a train self-consistent (eg. no wooden box cars with a modern SD90 diesel!).
Most of my stuff ran well. I had the V2 hauling 40 wagons - mixture of heavy (loaded coal wagons, and the Dapol wagons) and lighter (most Peco and Farish). Later on yesterday, I had the same train being hauled by the J94 - which did very well. Far better than the real thing
The V2 is clearly a stronger puller than last time I tried it with <30 wagons. I haven't touched it, so I think the tender pickups might have loosened off a bit on their own (some have reported success at improving performance by loosening them).
The Americanized Flying Scotsman proves to be fragile. It runs, but would never be capable of handling conventional running condition. This was half expected - it was never a great runner before the conversion. Alas my photos of it have blur, but one of the better images is below.
With 5 days of running, it was possible to maintain and fix things whilst other trains were running. This proved useful as my J39 is now a bit quieter (free running loco axles needed lubricating), and my FRED (flashing red emergency device) now works properly - these hook on the rear car and replaced cabooses about 15-20 years ago. Yes I have one that works in N, taking power from the rails.
The actual exhibition itself was aimed at the general public. Things like displays of what each car type carries, Presidential trains (typically election trains or funeral trains), model collections (including some of Sinatra's), etc. There was a cab mockup (ie. very simple simulator) for kids, a running video of the UP 4141 naming ceremony,etc. One of the museum custodians was telling me that UP 4141 will be retired after 1 million miles and donated to the museum. This is the engine we saw up at Fort Worth a few months back. Painted in Air Force One colours, it is still remarkably clean!
Richard
