Chicago's NTD seemed especially subdued.
Given, I didn't arrive until 2 P.M. (with the event running till 3) but the celebration seemed relatively desolate of attendees. It just seems to be getting downsized every year. I don't even know if they did any advertising.
So I breezed through the Great Hall in about ten minutes, briefly stopping to see the model railroads, grab a couple of pamplets from exhibitors, et al. Pretty much everyone there were the usual suspects, so I didn't have much need (or time) to stop and chat. One table did have some celebratory displays concerning the history of Pullman and its porters, that would have been nice to read.
It did appear like there was likely a kids section in the back room, but I didn't pop my head in thrre today. In the past, they have had coloring sheets and other basic activities. The room, itself, is worth visiting when open due to it's historical photographs.
No entertainment that I could discern. Again, subdued.
Off to my real interest in attending...private railcar tours. Of course, they make you walk through am Amtrak setup, first. I almost misssed the entry point because, for the first time ever, there was absolutely no line at all. I was able to walk right down the platform and board.
The Amtrak cars included a cafe car, transdorm, and about three Superliners (coach, diner, sleeper.) Since the crowd walking through was minimal, I had a chance to stop and chat a bit with the OBS personnel, very pleasantly.
Private cars included the Berlin, mainly a very nice bedroom car; Iowa Pacific's Prarie View dome car; their San Luis & Rio Grande diner, with streamlined, simple Art Deco seating; and the Warren R. Henry/Evelyn Henry pair, which they have had here before. Again, the slow and small crowd enabled effective visiting (not that the larger crowds of the past have ever kept me from doing that before) and I spent a few minutes with some other railfans as well as those representing the Pullman New Orleans service & Iowa Pacific.
As I left the platform, a lady and her very interested in trains son wanted to see the exhibit. But they were shutting down for the day, so were not allowed to pass through the gate. I advised and showed her how they could at least get an outside look see from another open platform, and explained that if they arrived earlier at next year's event, they'd get to walk through the cars. She said they would definitely do that.
This stroll also allowed me to see a couple of engines on display, including a Belt Railway of Chicago and an NS Operation Lifesaver painted unit. Additionally, Iowa Pacific had an E8 on display, in their colors.
Leaving the platform area, I returned to the Great Hall, where they were breaking down the setup. I took a few daylight photos of the terminal, since the small crowd allowed it. I also noticed a group of yellow shirted volunteers and a coordinator offering some sort of sign out instructions. I wonder who these volunteers are. Might not mind doing it myself in the future, helping people to appreciate trains.
Time for lunch. Down the street, under the old Chicago & Northwestern terminal, they have a French Market, where you can get all kinds of good everything to eat. So I ambled over, strolled through the options, and bought a lobster roll. Some guys skateboarding along Canal Street up a median strip ramp were entertaining when the light stopped traffic. I ate my delight from the sea while walking along Washington to Boul Mich. There I caught the #4 bus for the slow, but pleasant, trek to the University of Chicago, and attended Studs Fest, a city celebration of the legacy of Studs Terkel.
The last presenter of the night related a train story, too. Told of his remembrance listening on the radio to Studs, and wanting to grow up bbeing a blues artist, like some of the people he heard on the air. One day, he did like many musicians; got on the old I.C. And he took it.....North. To Hyde Park. Where there was a guitar shop, and some people to teach him.
Thanks, John and statusmaps.net!
