Railroadfan Spring Meet 2012 - Durand MI 6/2/12

[~Z~]

admin edit: poll is done, meet location is now Durand MI 6/2/12.

With over 30 different people voting for the winning choice, Durand Michigan on 6/2/12 is the date of the meet. Haven't had a Michigan meet organized for this site before, but it's about time we try it and see how it goes. Use this thread for setting up carpooling, or PM another member that you know is going. I'd imagine people will be showing up shortly after sunrise, and a few will stay after sunset. I'll try my best to be there from sun up till sun down.

For those that haven't gone to these meets before, it's very informal; just hang out, watch trains, chit-chat, and head to the bar if you care to.
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Alrighty, time to get voting on when and where to have the spring meet. Here's what I've came up with as some possibilities based on TW's unofficial poll. Poll will run until 4/14 at 2:28pm. Weekend of May 19th is Durand RR days, 26th is Memorial day weekend which is typically slow, and June 17 is fathers day weekend, but the 16th would be the day of the meet. This is a one day meet, but as usual, feel free to come earlier and stay later if you'd like to. I understand Durand isn't the haven for train activity, but since we've never had a Michigan meet, it's on the table. Chesterton is also a new location but might be a bit far for most, but left the option up as it was #2 on the poll. Don't worry, fall meet will likely be somewhere in Ohio for those in that viewing area.

Please vote for any of these possibilities that would work for you, up to 6 votes allowed, and revoting is turned on in case you need to revote.

June 2nd - Durand Michigan

June 2nd - Chesterton Indiana

June 9th - Durand Michigan

June 9th - Chesterton Indiana

June 16th - Durand Michigan

June 16th - Chesterton Indiana

[AARR]

If voting were to end right now the Chesteron people would be pissed

[GLC 392]

If we do Chesterton on the 16th i will be able to make it my Vacation starts then and i will be in Chicago that week.

[Norm]

I cast my vote for Durand because I can afford the gas for the eighty mile round trip and it sounds like things there have picked up considerably since I left there last May.

[Evan]

I casted my vote for Durand. Like Z said its no train haven, but its a great place for the meet! plus its a lot closer than Indiana.

[Jochs]

I voted for Chesterton because I am only 50 miles away from there, about the same distance for me to go to Elkhart.
Durand is about 150 miles away, and Deshler is about 190 miles away from me.

That wasteland east of Porter Jct between Amtrak and CSX looks like a good place for a railfan park, but I doubt that will ever happen.

[~Z~]

With over 30 different people voting for the winning choice, Durand Michigan on 6/2/12 is the date of the meet. Haven't had a Michigan meet organized for this site before, but it's about time we try it and see how it goes. Use this thread for setting up carpooling, or PM another member that you know is going. I'd imagine people will be showing up shortly after sunrise, and a few will stay after sunset. I'll try my best to be there from sun up till sun down.

For those that haven't gone to these meets before, it's very informal; just hang out, watch trains, chit-chat, and head to the bar if you care to.

[bnsfben]

I'm looking forward to the Durand meet! I am hoping I can make it, that is a very busy time of the year for me... I graduate on June 5th so a lot of stuff going on. I'll try my best to be there.

[SD80MAC]

I'm planning on being there, looking forward to it.

If anyone's unsure about food options (in the past we've tried to cook food on site, but it usually ended up being difficult to coordinate and there seemed to never be enough!), there's a McDonalds, Wendy's, Subway and a Little Ceasers all within 5 minutes of the depot. There are also a few great restaraunts across the tracks downtown like Nick's and the Iron Horse.

[Clay320]

Should be there, looking forward to seeing everyone!

[Raildudes dad]

There should be a grill and tools with any left over lighter fluid and charcoal stored in the freight house basement. There is a grocery store a couple blocks away so no one needs to stress over who's bring what if there's a desire to grill on the platform. If you want to bring stuff to grill, it would be helpful to post that info so there's some variety and it can be coordinated somewhat,. otherwise it's off to the store. I was the grill master a couple years and we did NOT run out of food. I've never left hungry

[PAT.C]

SD80MAC / There are also a few great restaraunts across the tracks downtown like Nick's and the Iron Horse.

A YOUNG MAN WISE BEYOND HIS YEARS.

[TrainWatcher]

Iron Horse is always good. Looking forward to seeing a few familiar faces... and word has it AARR's coming with Mrs. AARR's goodies

[AARR]

and word has it AARR's coming with Mrs. AARR's goodies

That is the plan

[TrainWatcher]

So I guess I'll ask the question as this thing is in a few weeks... We having a BBQ or is it fend for yourself food wise? If we are BBQin then I'll bring a couple packages of Brats and Dogs, with Buns of course.

[MKT_fan11]

So I guess I'll ask the question as this thing is in a few weeks... We having a BBQ or is it fend for yourself food wise? If we are BBQin then I'll bring a couple packages of Brats and Dogs, with Buns of course.

There's supposed to be a grill at the station somewhere. Might even be some charcoal left from years past. Best bet is to wait and see. If you really want to bring your own food to cook, I'm sure there will be plenty of people who will gladly share your food. In the past, we've run over to the grocery store to pick up extra supplies and food once we knew who actually wanted to eat and who preferred a McDonald's run or a proper sit-down meal. Short version- if you bring it, they'll eat it.

[PAT.C]

ALL PRIOR RRFAN MEETS WERE BRING YOURSELF AND TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.

THE DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURAN MEETS ORGANIZED ON OTHER BOARDS DID THE COOKOUT THING.

IF SOME WANT TO DO THE GRILL GIG - HAVE AT IT, BUT IT IS NOT MANDATORY .

AS FOR ME ATTENDING- CHANGE OF PLANS. I WILL BE OUT OF TOWN ON THAT DAY.

[AARR]

and word has it AARR's coming with Mrs. AARR's goodies

That is the plan

This is still the plan

[TrainWatcher]

and word has it AARR's coming with Mrs. AARR's goodies

That is the plan

This is still the plan

Making my mouth water already AARR...

[tsinoms]

Well.... with my work schedule only making me work Mon-Thu, looks like I'm all clear for going to durand!
Goal for the meet for me? Meet Mr. Irrelavent.