What a week ! The
small city of Diamondhead was the focus of what is certainly the Premier
Steam Event for those of us who play with small scale live steamers.
Before continuing, let me thank you, one and all, for traveling to the
Steamup and helping us carry on what is now a tradition - 20 years (and
still counting)
The most
recognizable thing that greeted us all was the new trackage. This was the
result of two of our regulars doing some amazing volunteer effort in
conceptualizing the need, sorting out the barriers, and most important,
getting funding to our track maven, Richard Jacobs. Will Lindley and Torry
Krutzke did the year long collecting of voluntary donations from you all
and the vigor that this pair displayed through the year resulted in what
has to be one of the finest portable tracks in the world. Richard and his
cohorts will be setting up this track for you for at least another twenty
years!
The week went along
at a somewhat anticipated pace. The day crowd and the all night crowd
seldom met, except where food was concerned. Steamers from thirty states
and five foreign countries ( in which I include Canada ) registered and
enjoyed the seven or so days of meeting old and new friends while sharing
the sheer enjoyment of this most eccentric of the model rail hobby. Our
weather was rather brisk outside the building, but all was cozy indoors.
The volunteer staff
was an asset that made everything click, and Bruce Gathman and his crew
ran our Flea Market with utmost precision as about $50,000 in transactions
gave attendees new old locomotives to play with and take home until next
year. Bob Pope had a vigorous crowd attempting to set records in the
Drawbar Pull and he promises to do it again in 2014.
