[SEL] trip over the pond

[Paul Pavlinovich]

Hi Craig,
You'll need 3 to 4 days just to see all of Portland (including the swap 
meet) let alone take it in!!

Mt. Pleasant is a smaller show than Portland, but IMHO much more 
interesting show from a variety perspective. For me, Portland is the 
socialising show with the list people. At Portland you'll find plenty of 
engines, plenty of tractors  and a few small ancillary displays like 
steam traction, a sawmill, a blacksmith (if you're lucky) and most 
importantly really good company in the various list compounds - both 
during and after show hours over in the campground. Stay in the 
campground - I've tent and camper camped - both are great, but watch 
those low lying areas - I've been flooded out once! The Portland day 
starts around 5am and finishes about 4am. Plenty of time for sleep. It 
does taper off though - on the last day its more like a 9am start but 
no-one goes to sleep any earlier. Far too much beer to drink and 
bullshit to spread around the fire!

At Mt. Pleasant you won't find that same atmosphere (unless you know a 
group of people there) but you will find much more variety. There is a 
huge steam turn out. Several sawmills. Some truly big engines (eat your 
heart out Portland OFES - these ARE bigger!). Electric trams (trolleys 
or streetcars to the yanks!) servicing the camp ground. A steam railway 
with Shay, Climax and (I think) a Heisler locomotive. There are historic 
displays and re-enactments (or were the year I went - dunno if that is 
normal).

Portland needs trams/trolleys too - the sites are probably about the 
same size - at the end of five days at Portland your feet will hurt - 
unless of course, you spend the entire show sitting on your butt in the 
list compound in which case that might hurt instead :)

That said, if I could only attend one show on a US trip it would be 
Portland - I've seen enough engines to last a lifetime, its the people 
that are more important to me these days.

Regards
Paul

craig morrison wrote:
> Hi ,
>        I'm coming over to attend Portland in August then on to Mount Pleasant. I was wondering is there any other shows on the same weekend as Mount pleasant that I could attend, or will I need the full 5 days to see it.
>
>
> Craig in Scotland
>