Spring meet 2014 - Chesterton IN 6/7

[~Z~]

It's almost spring, so let's get the spring meet into action! We chatted about this in the chat room for a bit, and now popping up on a thread about where to have the spring meet.... with the announcement of the NKP 765 runs, how about we do Butler Indiana on May 3rd? Per this photo:
http://i.imgur.com/uBFLJzF.jpg
appears that NKP 765 will be running from Elkhart to Bryan OH and back each day. If we meet in Butler should be able to see the steam engine go by twice during the day. With a historical low around 44 on the 3rd, probably too cold to camp overnight in Deshler or sleep in cars, so just do a one long day meet?

Other thought would be Chesterton Indiana, possible one day meet too. If we went that route, could chat with Caribou Plastics or Curlys Custom Cycles to see if we could park at their business, which is near the junction in Chesterton, or park on the north side at Lincoln and Wagner St parking area and hang around there.

We can possibly do Deshler stuff in the fall.... so please vote for either Butler on May 3rd, or Chesterton for a date later in May to be picked on a 2nd vote.
You have the option of voting for up to both choices. If you can make either of the locations/dates, vote for both. Voting open for 5 days, and the winning will be stated on March 21st. Enabled revoting as well in case you mess up or your plans change.

Remember to make plans to carpool with others if wanted, and let me know any questions you may have.

----------------

Now that the vote for location is done, with 32 to 13 for Chesterton over Butler, we'll indeed do Chesterton IN. Dates available are May 31st and June 7th, please vote for your pick. You have the option of voting for up to both choices. If you can make either date, vote for both. Voting open for 3 days, and the winning will be stated on March 29th. Enabled revoting as well in case you mess up or your plans change.
We'll likely have a number of people spending the nights either in their cars somewhere or at a hotel, but main meet date is Saturday.
Current thought is to meet near Wagner Rd and Lincoln St.

[rsinoms]

I Believe Chesterton Is A Good Idea For Two Reasons. One Because Hotel Options And Locations Are Many. Two Because The 765 Defeats The Purpose Of The Meet Because People Wanna Chase It. The TraffiC On The Line Will Suck And Too Many Retard Inconsiderate Foamers, Plus Its A Cluster f. Sorry For The Caps, Its My Phone.

[StupidFlee​t]

With a historical low around 44 on the 3rd, probably too cold to camp overnight in Deshler or sleep in cars, so just do a one long day meet?

That is not too cold at all. I'm comfortable in my car down to about 20.

[Saturnalia]

Don't forget NS is adding that third main track between 485 and 482 this spring/summer, which could effect things like trains counts and speeds. Pick the wrong weekend, and the line could be severely effected if they choose to cut-over the signals, switches, etc on the same date.

[MagnumForce]

765 is running Elkhart - Bryan on the 3rd, with that in mind you either want to be no where near the Chicago line on that day or chasing along the thing on US 6. For that reason alone I think Butler is out and on top of that I still think Butler is a horrible location for a meet.

[rsinoms]

+1 brent

[jkh2cpu]

If Butler doesn't win the vote, how's about Chesterton on a weekend other that the 3-4 of May.

John.

[PAT.C]

I PLAN ON BEING IN THE WATERLOO /BUTLER/ EDGERTON AREA FOR THE 765 RUN.

AS FOR CHESTERTON - WHERE IS THE PARK WITH PORTAJON / COVERED PAVILION WITH ELECTRICITY / AND PLENTY OF ROOM TO CAMP OVERNIGHT [AND DRINK BEER AND HAVE A BONFIRE AND GET LOUD AND STUPID AND ETC...] IN A SAFE SETTING ?
ANSWER - DESHLER .

[jkh2cpu]

Pat: If you get to Edgerton, OH, don't miss the Wye action at Bryan, Ohio. That should have some great shots. Just need to remember fresh batteries and your best foam filter. Mine usually works

John.

[TrainWatcher]

Not even interested in either choice. As for the 765 factor, she'll be around most of June and July locally, and I don't feel like driving 3+ hours plus getting a hotel room. And as other wise minds have mentioned the foamer chase on US 6, I don't want ANY part of it (learned from the first chase back in 2012 with Big Frank). Deshler/Fostoria has been nice as it is somewhat a drive, but also enough around to do and as others have said camp/eat/ and just relax (which is why I go to these things). Heck, even if you'd have said "let's do at Marion" i'd be game. But, otherwise it's a no from me.

[MagnumForce]

I PLAN ON BEING IN THE WATERLOO /BUTLER/ EDGERTON AREA FOR THE 765 RUN.

AS FOR CHESTERTON - WHERE IS THE PARK WITH PORTAJON / COVERED PAVILION WITH ELECTRICITY / AND PLENTY OF ROOM TO CAMP OVERNIGHT [AND DRINK BEER AND HAVE A BONFIRE AND GET LOUD AND STUPID AND ETC...] IN A SAFE SETTING ?
ANSWER - DESHLER .

QFT

[conrailmike]

I haven't been able to make the last few meets, but I know I'd rather have someplace like Deshler as a central meeting place. I mean, I know as far as train watching it's overdone but it can't be beat for having a place for everyone to hangout at. Maybe a date later in May or early June? What about doing the meet in conjunction with Derfest again? Or did that not work out good last time? Like James said, heck I'd even go to Marion.

[MagnumForce]

Derfest worked out great, we had an awesome time.

[LSRC]

Deshler/Fostoria is great, but it's been done many times. Butler's okay, but it isn't the most spectacular of locations.

I think the Chesterton idea is great. With ATCS, if it dies, there's always the B&O, NKP, etc not too far away. Besides, why not try someplace new?

[Racer]

I would prefer Deshler for the same reasons stated above. It was a decent distance balance for people driving from both the west and east side of the state.

[Y@]

If you don't pick Deshler, you might as well not have a meet.

[GreatLakesRailfan]

IIRC, there's already several things scheduled for the first weekend in May, but I can't remember what most of them are.

I voted for Chesterton, although if my schedule will allow it, I'm also game for an Illinois meet, even if it's not an Official Railroadfan.com Meet.

However, despite everything else, I'll probably head down to the Chicago Line on the 3rd, pick a spot and watch the 765, the foam and the freight action. We caught several interesting freight trains between 765's trips to Lafayette in the fall and there should be plenty of action between the 765's trips through Butler or any other location that weekend. The foam and the 765 should just be icing on the cake. I'd show for a Butler gathering on the 3rd too, just to see how the group handles a foam intrusion when the 765 shows up.

[rsinoms]

I think it is stupid everyone is complaining about not going to deshler. I am sick of those places because we do them in both spring and fall. This offers a nice change of pace with lots of variety and fun times. Food is super abundant in chesterton plus countless hotels, so no real reason to put up such a fuss. The real problem for james, chris and other eastsiders is that it is a 3.5 hour drive and thats too far? I've gone to the last 3 deshler meets and never once have I complained about the fact I had a longer drive than anyone else. If you are going to sit and complain about where we wanna meet then dont come. save us the trouble of having to hear you whine.

What seems fair?!?!?!

Drive time for Deshler Meet


Drive time for Chesterton Meet


So you want some cheese to go with that whine?

[justalurker66]

Don't let an event intended to bring people on the site together tear people apart. No whine, just a preference.

May those who choose to meet have a good time together regardless of the location or date chosen.

[Jeff L]

I vote the Chesterton date for MAY 31