[markoles]

Kris,

Welcome to MLS!! Why bother reinventing the wheel?  If you have a question, ask.  There's a lot of good people here, and you likely get many different opinions on subjects.

There are a couple of us on this board that are in Central PA.  I'm in Lancaster, and have an outdoor layout.  There are actually a fair number of large scalers in this area, but I don't really know many of them.  I was part of the Susquehanna Valley GRS, but that club wasn't for me.  I was part of a 7 garden railroad tour in October.  They were all based in Lancaster County, but I have no idea where those folks are located.   

Are you aware that there is a huge show in York for large scale only?  It is called the East Coast Large Scale train show (www.eclsts.com)  and it is being held at the York fairgrounds March 28-29.  If you want to see, hear, touch, and otherwise experience large scale, that's the place to do it.  If you do go, keep your eyes open for nametags, and don't be shy!

Mark

 

[markoles]

Kris,

No - the ECLSTS is always held in late March - early April.  In January, there is a Greenberg Train Show, maybe that was it.  

Since the marks are already in the steering wheel, you may as well go to this large scale trains- only show.   You can get a feel for the entireity of large scale trains in one show. It is overwhelming, but it is a lot of fun.  There can be good deals made at the show, too.  Mostly, it is electric trains, but the PLS will be there with their live steam tracks, and more trains running. 

10-15 minutes of live steaming: you want a Mallard OO Scale Electric Live steamer.  I have actually used mine every day for the past 2 weeks, run for 20-30 minutes at a time.  

Mark