@rcgrier3406
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If you go to the show website, click on “For Exhibitors”, then on “Exhibitor Info”, and then there’s a link to Show Floorplans under that page that lists booth numbers. You’ll have to go through the Exhibitor List to find booth numbers for any exhibitors you’re interested in visiting.
Whichever way you guys decide to go, I still have this M.C.Escher “Relativity” build together. It’s all in grayscale (mostly LBG with some DBG) and it’s on a 32×32 MILS’d base but the top is only partial so it would work on the top of a vertical stack but not on the bottom.
@rcgrier3406 I like this idea, perhaps that would clear up what “gauge” our trains are (people ask -Lionel? -American Flyer?) Do I need to somehow claim those spots on the dbg plates?
@greg, the “DNALOGEL” that you added to the sign-up spreadsheet is enough for me!! I changed the text color to Bold Yellow so it stands out!!Is there any empty table space where it would be good to display a LEGOLAND sign that I made around ’06? It might be good for attracting people from a distance.
@greg, as you know we just opened up the sign-up sheet for people to claim spaces, so we won’t know what kind of empty space there might be in any of the three areas for a few weeks.One possibility I can offer right now is on the back leg (towards the windows) of the RC Train/City area. Right now I have (12) DBG MILS’d blanks along the inside of the “box” to fill out space that doesn’t really work for the rail yard. You could put your (8) LEGOLAND letters facing forward and centered right on those MILS’d blanks. From a line-of-sight standpoint, they would be clearly visible to anyone walking up to our area as they look over the City modulars.
Here’s the link to the sign-up sheet for reserving space, including instructions at the top (thanks Krista for pulling this together). You should only be signing up in the white squares or rectangles. There are three distinct areas:
* RED – Display Only Area. White rectangles represent 1/4 of a 72″x30″ table, just like at Ross Park Mall.
* BLUE – 9v Train/Worlds Area. White squares represent 10″x10″ spaces (32×32 baseplate). Sign up for as many as you think you’ll need. MOC’s in this area do not need to be MILS’d, or even on baseplates, we’re just using that to define the size of the spaces.
* GREEN – RC Train/City Area. White squares represent 10″x10″ spaces (32×32 baseplate). MOC’s or Modulars in this area should be MILS’d if at all possible.
For all areas, please make sure you fill out the CYAN table (bottom left) with your name, initials, any special needs, and a quick summary of what you’re displaying so that others with similar themes can group them with yours if they want to. If you’re displaying in 2 different areas and they’re distinctly different in terms of needs or what you’re displaying, then please make 2 separate entries.
For the BLUE 9vTrain/Worlds area, please coordinate with other members to group your similar themed builds together as much as possible.
If you have questions, post them here and we’ll try to answer them as quickly as we can.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JNZfPUWKn0mnOgEj50TjKDGU4GpHX8ii77cxBuHdC4k/edit?usp=sharing
If you weren’t able to attend the Q1 meeting, here’s a pic of the Pittsburgh Habitats (in stackable configuration) submitted at the meeting for this build challenge.
Bottom Left: Nick – Pittsburgh Toilet
Bottom Middle: Nick – Incline
Bottom Right: Nick – Andy Warhol
Middle Left: Bob – Mr. Rogers Trolley
Middle Right: Kristin – Pittsburgh Toilet
Top: Jonny – Mr. Rogers NeighborhoodWe settled on Layout #2 at the Q1 Meeting yesterday. Attached is the current Train Layout and Tables Layout, which has been updated to address the tweak mentioned above by @gabevistica (good catch Gabe!), and to add commercial tables being provided by Gabe and Josh (@jcorcoran15).
With those tables added, we still need (1) 6 ft. (72″x30″) commercial table to complete the double-up on the left side. Post here if you have one that you’re willing to let us use for this event.
As we said again at the meeting, the goal is to have at least (2) LUG members staffing each shift at this event. Please sign up for whatever you can once you’re able to commit. The sign-up link is at the top of this thread.
Krista will prepare a sign-up sheet for space similar to what she did for the Ross Park Mall event and will post here so watch for it to sign up for your spaces.
So the main big train part is on the right in layout 2, the middle-ish part is the 9V for the lands and the left is random/other displays? If so, think we could fit 4 lands in.
@argonvesher, that’s right. The “middle-ish” area in Layout #2 is for “lands” or “worlds” and has a single track 9v loop running around it. Overall dimensions are 15′-0 across the front by 6′-8 deep, and there’s space for the equivalent of (93) 32×32 baseplates inside the loop so lots of room to work with. The plan is to cover those wooden topped MEGA/LUG/Laura tables with black tablecloths to hide the wood so that anything placed in there does not have to be MILS’d or on full baseplates. The front and right side (where the “notch” is) will be protected by sneeze guards, and we’ll obviously have power there (for the 9v trains) available for anything motorized in the “lands” that needs it.@rcgrier3406 the space you have allocated for me (in Layout #2 which appears to be the favorite so far) works. I may want/need to take the “Pond” area and the several “blank” areas (4 of them) around my area as well.
@timf, no problem. I remembered that we did the pond 2 years ago in front of your buildings and put it in to fill space for now. The green blank spaces around your area are all available, and I can shift Tom’s Food Trucks over and up one 32×32 space if we need to. We just need to keep clearance for the Schnable car when it goes around that lower right corner.@gabevistica, we plan to put a speed controller at each end of the R-40 loop to feed power from both ends to help with the voltage drop. And yes, the LUG owns (6) 72×30 regular commercial folding tables.
@joshhall and I have two layouts to put forth for your consideration and comments. In doing these, we tried to make the best use of our (17) LUG tables, (2) Mega tables and (4) Laura tables to carry the trains, incorporate Michael’s Behemoth Bridge, eliminate the separation between the areas that we’ve had in prior years as best we can, all while staying within 60 ft. x 20 ft. area the H&G show gives us. We’ve also been able to configure both layouts using what we’ve had previously in our MILS inventory plus what’s been added from 2024 Project Support such that we won’t need to borrow MILS Track from Phil this year.
Layout #1 was very similar to last year’s with essentially everything train related inside one big “box”, eliminated the separation between areas and had a larger Display Only area. We’re not even going to put that out for consideration because we think we’ve moved past that.
Layout #2 has a separate “box” for the long radius curve track with the Behemoth Bridge on the bullpen side for access, a second area outside of the box for 2 or 3 “Worlds” with a 9v train loop running around it, and then a Display Only area to fill out the space. I included a “notch” between the “box” and the “9v Worlds” area for public access to get a closer look at (and pictures of) Michael’s Bridge and Gabe’s Big Crane in action, both of which would be behind sneeze guards for protection.
Layout #3 has a smaller “box” for the long radius curve track with the Behemoth Bridge still on the bullpen side for access, a 35 ft. long “Front” area for multiple “Worlds” with a 9v train loop running through it, and then an even smaller Display Only area to fill out the space. We ran double track across the front of this area with loops on either end so that the trains would run in front of anything we display. There’s room for 3 baseplates deep of displays across the front plus more room inside each loop. In addition, I’ve shown (2) 6 ft. commercial tables that can be placed behind the LUG tables to accommodate “Worlds” that need more than 3 baseplates deep, or for “Live Builds” as some of you like to do at these events.
For both “Box” area layouts I’ve already blocked out space for my Incline, Michael’s Bridge, Gabe’s Big Crane, Tim’s tall buildings, Tom’s Food Trucks and a rail yard, and there’s still room for city MOC’s and roads on the front side. We’ve determined that while it might be desirable there’s no good way to put Michael’s Bridge in the front of the “Box” area and still be able to protect it behind sneeze guards, or to restrict access into the box from the public.
For the 9v “Worlds” areas in both layouts, these can be grouped in “Worlds” or can be just individual displays. We plan to put black tablecloths down on the wooden LUG tables because we know that not everything that will go in these areas will be MILS’d (we still need to check and see if we have enough). These areas will be protected by sneeze guards and table drapes as long as we have enough, and if not by stanchions. We will also use stanchions in the Display Only area as well as we have in the past.
Fire away with your comments and questions, and I’ll try to answer them as best I can. Josh will put up an opinion poll shortly to help us keep track of which layout people prefer, and for sure this will be a topic of discussion at the Q1 meeting.
I finally got around to uploading some short videos from this event. To view them, click the link below.
No surprise that my favorite is the last one. It’s one of the only places where you can see a working LEGO Model of the Duquesne Incline and then look up and see the real Incline across the river!!
@gabevistica, I started working on a layout today, both for the train area and for the display only tables. It’s not exactly following Josh’s U-shaped idea, but I’m trying to come up with something that makes the best use of our (17) LUG tables and (2) Mega tables for the train area, accommodates Michael’s Behemoth Bridge, eliminates the separation between the areas that we’ve had in prior years as best we can, all while staying within 60 ft. x 20 ft. area the H&G show gives us. I hope to have a first draft out for comments later this week.
I think I’ll have a minimum 3×3 baseplates/30″x30″ area for your crane in the Train area (maybe even 30″x40″) that I can block out.
@thoga1109, it was good to see you at the Ross Park Mall event yesterday. I’ll also block out an area for your Food Truck display in the train area. I’m thinking 3 wide by 2 deep baseplates (96 x 64 studs) so that there’s room for your Brickheads there too.Pictures from this event have been uploaded to the Gallery. To view them, click on the Gallery link at the top right of any page, and then click on the “2025-01 Locomotion Weekend” folder.
And I’ll add my “thank you’s” to all staffed and contributed to the display. Tear down went very smoothly last night. We had everything broken down and packed up in the crates, bins and boxes in an hour, and loaded into everyone’s cars before 5:30 pm! By contrast, some of the other model train clubs there were still taking their tables apart as we were heading out the door. Just another nod to the benefits of modularization!!
As a side note, I was approached by a representative of Marketing and Group Sales for the Duquesne Incline and asked if I’d be interested in displaying my Incline at the Upper Station for a day later this spring or summer once the weather gets warmer. Of course, I said Yes!! Apparently, the Trolley Museum does something up there 2-3 times a year. There was also a member of the Iron City N-Scale Modelers that was approached and asked the same about his N-Scale motorized Incline that was there this weekend. We all exchanged contact information, and I’ll post once something gets set up. Should be good PR for the LUG.
I’ll load pictures to the Gallery in the next couple of days, as well as a link to some videos.
All set up and ready to go!! Things went pretty smoothly today. Couple of minor issues to tend to, but nothing insurmountable. We were done and out of there by 4:30 pm, so about 3 1/2 hours to set up.
All of the 9v loops have all been tested, but the two outer loops have not (no RC trains there yet). We’ll leave that to @playingwithechoes when you arrive in the morning. Just a heads up, there are some table sag issues on these outer loops. We leveled them out as best we could, but further adjustments may be needed.
If you’re coming to staff tomorrow or Sunday, you can get in as early as 9 am if you go through the security entrance. Most of us are shooting to be there by around 9:30 am.
Couple of pics attached below.
Couple of logistical reminders for this weekend’s event:
* We’re in PointView Hall, which is on the 3rd floor of the PPG Pavillion (above where the PIXAR exhibit has been). Access to the loading dock is off of North Shore Drive on the stadium side of the building (see map below).
* Our time slot at the loading dock starts at 1:00 pm today, and we’re the last group to unload so things should be clear any time after that. If no one’s there when you arrive you’ll need to buzz in at the door (to the right of the dock) so a staff member can come down and escort you to our space. They usually have carts available, but there’s no guarantee. Once you get unloaded you’ll need to move your car out of the loading dock area to one of the Science Center parking lots.
* If you’re not unloading anything you can come in through main entrance, turn left past the gift shop and take the elevators across from the staircase to the 3rd floor.
* Bring your parking ticket in with you each day and the staff up in the event area will have stickers to put on the back to cover parking.
* The event hours are 10 am – 4 pm Saturday and Sunday. The Science Center opens at 10 am, so if you arrive before that you’ll need to go in through the Security entrance which is through the double red doors on the Casino side of the building (another map below). Tell them you’re from Steel City LUG and that you’re there for Locomotion Weekend. You’ll probably be asked to sign in. From there go down the hallway and then all the way through the Cafe. The elevators to PointView hall are across from the staircase. Again, there is no guarantee of carts being available so if you’re bringing more than you can carry in on Saturday or Sunday please plan accordingly.
* Teardown starts at 4 pm on Sunday and based on past experience we should be out of there by 6 pm. The biggest logistical challenge is usually getting access to the loading dock since all the other groups there will also be trying to load out at the same time.My cell phone number is 724-841-6085 if you have any issues.
@gabevistica, what I’ve found that works is to attach one photo with the original post and then go back and “Edit” the post after it’s up to add more photos. Doing it that way they stack up with your original post. You have to add them one at a time, and it’s a pain, but it works.
Hi @jrosie, we’d be glad to have you back and can certainly make space available for your HP train like we did last year. Look forward to seeing you there!
Never too late @joshhall!! I moved my train station, eliminated some roads and put all 3 baseplates of your wheat field on the right side of the layout, plus I put a green blank in line with them for @playingwithechoes tractor.
I also made some changes to update where we’ll put @greg’s Train Shed (2 baseplates) and Switch Tower (1 baseplate) at the end of the rail yard. Finally, I added some green blanks in the corners for some trees that @timf and I usually build during the event. There are a couple of 16×32 spaces left, but if no one takes them we’ll fill them with green blanks and trees.
Revised layout is attached.
@gabevistica, the folks will be in the event hall with the stickers. No need to go to the front desk or pay for entry into the Science Center. Just go directly up to the event hall.
@gabevistica, I’ll be there at 1 pm to unload, and will have a full carload of MILS bases, track, etc. to bring upstairs. They usually have carts available, and there’s an elevator right by the North Shore Drive loading dock (see attached). First hour or so will be unloading and getting the venue tables set-up, arranged the way we want them and then leveled so it will be 2:30 or so before we actually start putting down MILS bases and track.
We’re in Pointview Hall, which is on the 3rd floor of the PPG Pavillion (above where the PIXAR exhibit has been). If you’re not unloading anything and just want to come in the main entrance, turn left past the gift shop and the elevators are across from the staircase. Bring your parking ticket with you and the CSC people will have stickers to put on the back to cover parking.
@playingwithechoes, I’ll have lots of plant parts there, but I don’t have any “crops” per se. I think @joshhall has parts for a wheat field, but I’ll let him confirm that. The green 32×32 will be in place and ready when you arrive Saturday morning.
Here’s the latest layout. There are (4) open 32×32 spaces left, all at the corners. If no-one takes them, we’ll put 32×32 green blanks there and build some trees during the event to fill them out.
There are also (7) 16×32 spaces left. I have (2) 16×32 modular buildings that aren’t on the layout yet. I’ll add them during set-up if no-one takes these spaces, along with 16×32 green blanks to fill in any holes.
