September 16 - 17, 2000

Burn Camp Set-Up

By Dave Freshwater

The International Association of Fire Fighters runs an annual camp for kids who have been burned in a fire. Arlington Fire Company 5 conducted a cook out for the kids, and we provided an opportunity for them to run trains on September 24th.

Mat and Brian Chibbaro brought Boulder Junction and the Pipsqueak Division for the layout highlight. Paul Diley brought all three of his modules. OLI Tower, AD Tower and Clark’s Mill rounded out the POFFs, although we did make a pseudo-POFF from the 3-foot and 1-foot bridge modules to balance the layout. Brian Brendel and Bill Baldwin were on hand to help with the set-up and put together an Operation Lifesaver display. We had short trains running on all lines by the time the campers arrived.

As throttles were turned over to the kids, we started searching for heavier cars for the trains. Slot trains were the order of the day. When we weren’t racing engines alone, there were three lap races for trains. You had to bring your whole consist around to win, reinforcing the rabbit and the hare parable. Time seemed to run as quickly as the trains themselves. We ran a little beyond our planned time because we didn’t realize what time it was.

Next year, we are on the calendar for the Burn Camp itself in Harrisonburg, VA, and likely this event. If you get the chance, bring a module or come help out. It’s some work, but letting the kids have fun is worth it. The best line of the day came from the camper who, when told that a helicopter was landing, said, “I’ll stay here. I can drive the trains here. They aren’t going to let me drive the helicopter.”