October 8, 2008

The VBR&S hosted a group of Richmond area modelers operating on several Lynchburg area layouts on this Saturday. Chris Schieck was to have hosted the guys for the morning op session, and Tom Nelson in the afternoon. Chris is taking Cancer treatments in Texas however, so the VBR&S agreed to be the morning substitute.

Tom Nelson brought one of Chris' favorite cars over bring up the markers on a southbound Southern passenger train. We're all thinking of you Chris, and hope to have you back hosting sessions soon.

Wayland Moore agreed to be our dispatcher, and looks like he has the chore totally under control.

Robbie Alvis worked Monroe Yard with Bob Burke. In fact he and Bob handled the entire yard themselves successfully. Usually we assign three guys here.

Phil Taylor seems to be enjoying a meet on James River Trestle. Well, as soon as Bill Cox gets around to building the Trestle. Right now it's a bridge with no visible means of support over track cleaning supplies.

The ever elusive Mike Garber has turned his back on the camera, but we did catch the equally elusive Bill McMillian.

Ahh, there's Mike Garber, also pleased with the meet on James River Trestle.

Ken Montero is helping out in Monroe Yard. He's getting a local ready to head north.

Keith Stillman has passengers loading at Charlottesville with a south bound passenger train.

Jerry Ritter did the Yard duties in Charlottesville for the Southern and the C&O.

It was good to have Howard Heltman back on the VBR&S. He moved to PA a few years ago, but missed operating with us, so he took his old job in Richmond back at least for a while. Not that's a model railroader!

Bob Burke is supervising in Monroe as a Yard Master should. Robbie and Howie are doing the work.

I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did. Good job guys...see you next time.

May 4, 2008 Session

It has been a while since the regular VBR&S crew had run the layout. Operations got under way at 2pm real time (12:00 midnight fast time).

Keith Stillman is watching his train roll through Charlottesville.

Mike Garber has a northbound N&W/Southern passenger train crossing Blackwater Creek in Lynchburg.

Steve Canfield is at Charlottesville watching his train approach the C&O Crossing.

Steve Robbins is doing local switching at Rockfish.

Wayland Moore not only wore the proper attire, but he has his northbound passenger train rolling just past Black Water Creek in Lynchburg.

Our Yardmaster Dan George (the hardest working guy on the railroad...he says) has everything under control at Monroe Yard as Gary Quale looks on.

Dan Mulhearn was our dispatcher, and kept the railroad moving.

Derek Wimberly is sitting down on the job, of course that's what you do when working Piney River on the Virginia Blue Ridge portion of the VBR&S. It's on the lower level.

Gary Quale must be watching Dan George again. Gary ran the north end of Monroe Yard.

Jerry Ritter has the Lynchburg Local heading for Monroe.

Bob Burke worked the south end of Monroe Yard.

After the session we all adjourned to the house for the real reason these guys drive this far...another fantastic dinner prepared my my lovely wife Tina!

That's her discussing those roses Steve Canfield brought her. He is no doubt getting a second helping of spaghetti!

Wayland, Dan, Jim, Steve and Jerry are filling their plates.

Thanks to everyone who came. It makes it all worthwhile when I see the layout come alive.