Monday, August 13, 2007
Acela - Boston to Washington
I had planned to ride the MBTA Red Line from my hotel to Boston South Station but decided to forgo the rush hour with my luggage in tow and took a cab instead. With an over-tip it cost me $15 but I expect it was worth it. I'm now in the ClubAcela lounge, reserved for First Class passengers, and waiting for my 9:15 departure. The lounge is quite, has large soft chairs with soft drinks and snacks available as well as wireless internet. The Redcap informed me we would board at 8:45. I should be in Washington by 3:45. I hope to take a few pictures in-route and post them with my iPhone.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
NSC Convention - Wrapup
Today was the n-scale manufacturers breakfast. Reps from each company get up and discuss their future plans. Usually you can get the same information from them at their booth so not much is really new.
My ride to Boston was arranged with Neal Carnaby of Neal's N-Gauging Trains so after breakfast I helped him pack up and load up his room full of merchandise. I ended up riding with his wife, Erica, and and son Norman, which was okay because Neal's van doesn't have any AC. We had a little trouble finding the hotel in Boston but Erica got directions over the phone and we were soon there. The hotel was near a shopping center which I visited then ate supper nearby. Tomorrow I ride the Acela Express from Boston to Washington, top speed 150 mph.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
NSC Convention - Day four
Today at the convention was for for the public train show, a trip to the Connecticut Trolley Museum, clinics and the banquet. But first I walked over to the Walmart, about 1.6 miles, to replace my lost razor. Not really a good idea as the area is not pedestrian friendly.
I finally spent some money at the trainshow, buying some of the Branchline Trains kits I had seen during the tour yesterday and a set of Kato stack cars. Branchline makes some really nice laser cut building kits and I'll probably buy some more. Didn't make any clinics.
Did laundry so I would have clean clothes for the rest of the trip.
The banquet was fun though I didn't win but one door prize.
Friday, August 10, 2007
NSC Convention - Day three
The Swap-O-Rama started at nine am. All N scale stuff just for convention attendees. A few clinics today and tonight the Essex Dinner Train. It's supposed to rain all day so we'll see how that works out. Got a tour of Branchline Trains but missed the rest of the Swap-O-Rama and lunch. Went to my room for some junk food since the hotel restaurant was so expensive. It was a nasty rainy day all day and still going when we left for the Essex Clipper Dinner Train. Our bus windshield kept fogging up and the driver would wipe a little hole in the fogged up windshield to see. Made everyone very nervous. We arrived at the train station intact and a bit early so we had to wait for them to bring the train up. We were assigned to specific cars, even specific tables and were escorted to our table by a nicely dressed waiter. Now they knew exactly when were were coming and exactly what each person at each table had ordered so at this point, maybe after serving the salad, they should have been able to set our food in front of us. Not so. We waited and waited for food, finishing the appetizer, the salad and the bread then waiting some more. I just don't understand what the delay could have been. The waitress took drink orders and I ordered a coke, not knowing that a 8 oz. coke would cost $2.50. Dessert was also long in coming but eventually we finished our meal and de-boarded only to find that our busses were not there and after a call to the bus dispatcher it was determined that the dispatcher had no order to send busses. It was cold though not raining. Many were not prepared for standing around outside and some of the ladies used the hand dryers in the restroom to try to stay warm. The bus company recovered quickly however and our buses soon appeared. All in all, it was not the most fun I've ever had at a train show.
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