The National Dog Show (11/19/2022)

November 19, 2022 (continued)

Our day is not over yet! We drove to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA, to meet Brynne at the National Dog Show.

The gentleman on the left wears
a natty suit, but also shoes that allow
him to trot while showing his dog

There was still judging of breeds: Border Collies (KSS)

After parading around the ring, the dogs are then
individually inspected by the judge (on the left)

Is this Lois J's sister's Scottish Deerhound? (KSS)

Giant Schnauzer

Kent is amused with the Komondor

Brussels Griffon is the better-looking inspiration for
the Ewoks of Star Wars by George Lucas

Oh, my, is this the standard look
for Standard Poodles?

A pair of Salukis

Best in Show judging was in a much larger show ring

It had been a long day for us, so we did not last until the final winner of Best in Show was announced. However, it appears we will not know who the winner is until the competition is aired on Thanksgiving Day?

National Toy Train Museum (11/19/2022)

Saturday, November 19, 2022 (continued)

After lunch, it was time to visit the National Toy Train Museum, which is also the headquarters of the Train Collectors Association.

National Toy Train Museum (1997, late 19C Victorian style)

National Toy Train Museum weathervane

Tamiko with a 7-1/4"-scale New York Central & Hudson
River Railroad 4-4-0 Tender Steam Locomotive

Another scale, the Buddy "L" Outdoor Railroad
(est 1921) is a 3-1/4"-gauge

The National Toy Train Museum has one of the largest collections of toy trains in the world, with models on display from the 1800s through the present day, plus all accessories.

TCA Reserve Collection with Dorfan and Knapp brands (KSS)

The oldest toy train I identified: Fallow #400 Steam
Locomotive "Columbia" (c 1870s), a tin floor toy

The CM-25 Flying Scotsman, a one-of-a-kind
Commemorative Set (c 1969), toured the United States

Märklin Central Station (c 1903)

Märklin Wonderwheel (c 1956) demonstrated
the traction of Märklin HO locomotives,
which by running on the inside track
powered the wheel to turn

Children's train ride-on toys

O-gauge model railroad layout; at the museum trains ran
for short periods of time when a spectator pressed a button;
buttons also activated things like the hot air balloon

Popular these days is to have a drive-in movie theater
using a mobile phone or small tablet for the screen

Here also it was periodically night time; this O-gauge
display features Department 56 buildings (KSS)

The Lego model train layout with a modern
double-deck commuter car

A vineyard in the Lego model train layout

The train set up around the Christmas tree

HO-gauge layout with a roundhouse

HO-gauge Mail Pouch advertisement barn (KSS)

See who is patronizing the donut shop! (KSS)

Yet some of the police force is at work,
perhaps frisking an alleged shoplifter

This is the logging compound of the American Flyer S-gauge

One display case was full of Circus Trains

Americana section of the Large-scale or G-scale layout,
which was popular for use in outdoor gardens

Lionel Standard Gauge Roundhouse

The Standard Gauge layout featured the Blue Comet Train
and the Pink Model Train/Girls' Set

O-gauge City Hall maybe?

Vintage model buildings

Next: The National Dog Show.

Strasburg Railroad: Santa's Paradise Express (11/19/2022)

Saturday, November 19, 2022

We had reservations for the 11:00 excursion of the Strasburg Railroad, Santa's Paradise Express (the train goes to Paradise, PA).

East Strasburg Railroad Station (1882 as the
East Petersburg station, moved here in 1960)

The Strasburg Railroad was chartered in 1832, making it the oldest continuously operating railroad in North America. It is the most visited heritage railroad in the continental United States, after being purchased by a group of rail fans in 1958. Besides the tourist excursions, the Strasburg Railroad also hauls freight.

Santa's Paradise Express awaits passengers

It's a very long passenger train

Instead of Platform 9-3/4 (Harry Potter),
they have Lamppost 9-3/4!

Chalkboard sign for Santa's Paradise Express

Norfolk & Western Railroad Steam Locomotive #475 (1906)
is ready to pull the train (backwards)

Inside the Susquehanna Coach Car #92 (1910)

The coach cars are heated by coal-fired
potbellied stoves at each end of the car

We still had plenty of time before departure to browse shops and ...

"Cranky Cars" for the kids to hand crank

The pint-sized Pufferbelly and Pump Car train

Gaviolitzer (began as a Gavioli Fair Organ c 1905, then
in 1926 remade as a Wurlitzer Band Organ)

The train ride begins and at several street crossings
there were the ubiquitous rail fans

Our view of the steam from the locomotive
as we pass through farmland

Oh my, part of the huge Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
(began 1996 as a corn maze, closed for the season)

Umm, we stopped in Paradise, PA between the Imperial
Marble & Granite Services and the Amtrak tracks

Fortunately, the "kids" were kept entertained
by a Brass Duet, a Caroler Quartet, and...
Santa Claus!

A professional photographer was on hand for photos

A small gift from Santa

Heading back through bucolic scenery

After the train ride, we hurried to beat the rush to the Red Caboose Motel & Restaurant.

Red Caboose Motel and Casey Jones Restaurant

I had wanted to stay at the Red Caboose Motel,
but they required a two-night stay

There are also accommodations at the Shady Rest Hotel,
in addition to 38 cabooses, a baggage car, and a mail car

The Casey Jones Restaurant is in two passenger cars
that flank the gift shop

Casey Jones Restaurant, named in honor of the engineer
who was the only casualty in the 1900 crash of his train
into the rear of a slower train, because he stayed on the brakes

Kent inside the restaurant

A cup of the Lancaster County Chicken and Corn Soup
(soup?!!)

A new plant for me: Viburnum nudum
‘Winterthur’/Smooth Witherod Viburnum

Next: National Toy Train Museum.