FNG East Formed

Friday Night Operators are at it again. This year, the FNGers have decided to split into two groups as we have grown so large no one layout can accomodate everyone in an evening. Some people feel that they never get a chance to visit other layouts as the roster is always full.

Therefore, we grouped together some of the operators from the east end and formed a smaller subdivision if you want to call it that.

The Eastenders, as we call ourselves, even though Dave Primeau thinks it sounds like a Brit TV show, consist of Chris Lyon, Bob Hobbs, Jim McSherry, Joel Racine, Dave Primeau, Malcom Campbell, Ron Newby, Monique Bonneau and Fred Adams.

So far, we have visited Mike Hamer's B&M layout and this past Friday, we were at Dave Primeau's B&M in Vermont in the Fall.

Next Friday. October 30th, we are going across the mighty Ottawa River to visit Michel Boucher and his wonderful D&H empire.

Ron Newby is posting videos of the layouts on the forum & Youtube for those who are interested. The Youtube urls are: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecmGY7v20Hk and www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCqAAF_SU1Y.

We'll keep you posted as to what is happening as it happens;

So far our schedule is a follows:

October 30 Michel Boucher
November 6 Jim McSherry
November 13 Open
November 20 Mike Hamer
November 27 Ron Newby
December 4 Fred & Monique
December 11 Chris Lyon

If anyone would like us to visit their layout please let us know as we still want to operate with our friends to the west of us.

Good railroading everyone.

Bill Scobie's Sn3 Colorado Southern

The FNGers had a great time operating Bill's layout. This realistic presentation of Colorado narrow gauge is amazing. Hope you enjoy the photos.

Mike Hamer's B&M - A "Fraction of the Action"

Yes, a bunch of the boys descended my layout for an ops session and we certainly enjoyed ourselves. A crew is busily blocking traffic at Lowell Junction for an outbound manifest freight.

Jim and Fred are all smiles as they work the yard at the entranceway to the room. The layout is located inside an 11X13 spare bedroom in my basement.


We catch the outbound manifest freight behind an ABA lashup of F's after they stopped in North Dover to set out traffic and lift cars. They've departed town and reached the crossing with the Maine Central. Joel and Bob are in care of this train.

A sampling of the traffic on the sidings in North Dover. The mainline curves through the outbound end of town. We see two D&H freightcars today, one on the north siding and one on the south siding.

Later in the session, Chris and Ron headed into the layout room to care for Maine Central traffic.

They brought MEC train #391, "The Oil Can" into town. This is a unit train of tankers. They will exchange empties for loads. The fuel is used to run the paper mills in the interior of Maine.

We will say "Goodbye" with this final shot of our trio of F's taking their train across the New England River Bridge.

That's Bob, myself and Chris on the far sofa with Fred, Ron and Joel to the right. A few other folks from the session are out of the picture. I hope you enjoyed this fraction of the action in a typical Friday Night Group operating session.

Mike Hamers B&M

Here is Mikes busy town yard. Where are the boy's?

Here's Fred...grinning....next to his brand new 10 wheeler with Tsunami sound.

It was a great evening running trains and kabitzen. Ron and I arrived late after setting up the modules for the Gatineau show. Only a few pictures turned out though Mike has more to post.

Dave Primeau: New DCC

I am sure that all of the FNGers will want an opportunity to operate Dave's layout with DCC. This New England HO Scale railroad is full of action with trains arriving from all over the North East through White River Junction. Some of the boys were over giving it the field test last Friday. It ran like a charm and it was fun taking a few photos of this fall landscape with many detailed structures and scenery. Hope you enjoy the shots.

Here is Joel with Dave getting the run-down on Saint Johnsbury.

Saint Johnsbury 40 Ton Switcher.

Fred waiting for his train to arrive

Here's Bob testing out all the buttons on his controller. He was operating White River Junction.

Dave's upcoming session is an open: first come first serve; so get your call in.