Harry Huckemeyer
All of us from the Short Line Model Railroad Club would like to wish you all a joyous and fun-filled holiday season. It’s that time of the year when we all join together with families and friends to share some fond memories of the past, and perhaps make plans on how we move on into the future. Locally, there is so much to see, as the holiday spirit moves in with an abundance of sparkling lights in the major malls and the streets, and most neighborhoods join in with the festivities with creative decorations almost everywhere you go.
If you have youngsters or visitors in town, you may want to take some time out in the evening to visit McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, a short trip up the 101 in the heart of Scottsdale. You won’t be disappointed, as there is a train ride and a carousel located in the park, along with a wonderful holiday array of lights throughout the 15-acre park for all to enjoy. Another possibility is the Polar Express which is fun for the young and runs out of Williams in season. There you can also enjoy a trip up to the Grand Canyon for any of your first-time visitors.
Keep your calendars handy, as during the month there are many opportunities to take advantage of both locally and around the surrounding areas if you’re willing to travel a few miles around town. Once again, the ABTO (Arizona Big Train Operators) will be having their annual Holiday Open House Celebration in the evenings of December 9 and 10 and December 16 and 17. Typically, the times these Open Houses run are between 5:30-8:30 p.m. on the evenings that they are open. You can check locations and times for the individual locations around the area online at www.azbigtrains.org. Be careful, as all locations are not open on all four of the days that the event is scheduled. If you are unfamiliar with this, these are the large “G” scale outdoor garden layouts, and there are approximately 15 that will be showing in various locations around the Valley.
Many thanks to those who stopped by to chat with us throughout the year. For those interested, the timing may be right, as our club has moved in a somewhat different direction in an effort to stay current with the latest in model railroading technology, and also affords us the opportunity to expand and provide a more reliable and mobile product.
Our next meeting to start out the new year is scheduled for January 13, 2018, in the Lakeview Room located in the SunBird Community Center off Riggs Road in Chandler. Anybody who is interested is always welcome. If you would like any additional information, please feel free to call at 480-802-4976, and I can be contacted by email at [email protected]. Wishing you all a Happy Holiday Season and a safe and healthy New Year. v