Birthdays in Akron

[SAH]

Spent the weekend in Akron, O celebrating birthdays.  A community celebration in Tallmadge, OH marking 200 yrs.  A picnic at the founder of the AC&Y's estate (now an Ohio state park site) to mark 100 yrs since the founding of the AC&Y.  Ice cream & cake at my mother-in-laws home to mark xxx yrs for my wife and morther-in-law.  Better judgement and years of experience tell me the xxx best not be filled in - but between the two of 'em they've got the AC&Y beat.   ;D ;D

More importantly  got out to do some fossil hunting and see some real trains.
Spent Fri with a couple of AC&Y fans driving west from Akron to see what we could see.

A signature AC&Y caboose preserved in Copley, OH.  Would be a scratch build or serious kitbash in N but hey, someday . . . . .
[img width= height=]http://lh6.google.com/image/sahspencer/RoA8ud6ohoI/AAAAAAAAAFI/2iFRexvHnYw/s800/ACY%20Cab%2063%200875%20s.jpg[/img]

Stopped in Spencer and met some folks who will likely be able to help with some info for the Spencer project.  The NKP Spencer depot stood just to the left of the signal and pole.  The elevator looks just the same as it has for years
[img width= height=]http://lh6.google.com/image/sahspencer/RoA8vd6ohpI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/FvlaXCtlvyI/s800/SPencer%20El%2070622%200892.jpg[/img]

Worked our way west to New London.  Caught a CSX mostly trash train (P. U.) on what used to be the Big Four.  Got zapped by a cloud just as I snapped the photo.  You can see the AC&Y right of way between the signals as it went west to cross the Big 4.  The former interchange track now allows the W&LE to connect to the CSX and run on to Greenwich and then back to it's own line.
[img width= height=]http://lh3.google.com/image/sahspencer/RoA8wt6ohqI/AAAAAAAAAFY/eUnC3ogFL-A/s800/CSX%20at%20Hiles%2070622%200909%20s.jpg[/img]

Had a great day talking trains and history.  I learned A LOT from my companions.

Saturday was birthday celebration day.  I got away on Sunday, taking lots of pics as I worked my way to Sterling.  Started out sunny but turned overcast.  I got to meet The Donkey (Mitch) before I had to head back to Akron.  They have a cool setup to watch trains there.  You can see the Sterling gang to the left of the lead loco.
[img width= height=]http://lh3.google.com/image/sahspencer/RoA8xt6ohrI/AAAAAAAAAFg/bwWyYIRZbPU/s800/SX%20Sterling%2070622%200985.jpg[/img]

And if it's too hot you can take pics from beneath a shade tree.
[img width= height=]http://lh4.google.com/image/sahspencer/RoA8y96ohsI/AAAAAAAAAFo/LDxcPQvHnmY/s800/Sterling%20Under%20Tree%200986s.jpg[/img]

All in all a great weekend.  It was fun to get out and take some train photos again.  First time with a digi-cam.  Geez, I wish I had one of those puppies back when I was really active trackside.

Steve

[Chris333]

I'll take a Birthday party like that any day