On March 28th and 29th, 2003 an East Coast contingent of the SFRH&MS met in Fort Washington, PA. The meet was hosted by the GATSME Model RR Club, whose expansive and highly detailed model railroad has been featured in Model Railroader Magazine. About 30 enthusiasts enjoyed operating sessions, displays, seminars and not to mention, each other’s company. This core group of extremely motivated Santa Fe modelers has conducted meets for many years throughout the mid Atlantic region as well as in New England. This event has traditionally been open to members and non-members alike, having drawn the curious from as far west as Chicago.
Special thanks go out to clinicians Lou Nost, and Al Iezzi for their informative presentations and to George Weissgerber and Ed Wilson for their key roles in organizing the meet. Thanks also to GATSME members Bill Hubbard, Val Pistilli, Walt Kopf, Dave Deihl, and Bob and Darryl Rule for their assistance in helping us maintain our timetables and continually keeping our trains in the clear. Special recognition goes out to the vendors who donated door prizes. They include Kalmbach Publishing, Accurail, Lifelike, Carstens, Kadee, E-R Models and Tony’s Trains,
This is a very special group of extreme model railroaders who might never have come together under any other circumstances except for a common bond formed by a love for dreaming, and following the creative pursuit of modeling the Santa Fe Railway. Stay tuned for announcements for next year’s event. And think about sharing your knowledge by offering to do a clinic.