Chris Walas.... 'Futuropolis,' Fairplex's fantasy corner (at the Los Angeles County Fair) Here is a look at the Fantasy Corner that a number of MLS members have been working on; In this photo, you can see four of the five lines we have operational. Track 1 is our ground level main line for Futuropolis (that's it to the right of the yellow toolbox). Track 2 is temporarily up on blocks and circles the Black crane and base of the red rocket as it continues around Futuropolis itself. Track 3 travels around Futuropolis and out to the Haunted Castle and Mad Doctor's Lab on the arched stone bridges. Track 4 is is the elevated track that carries the copper airship in circles. Futuropolis is the main structure and is a Jules Verne style base. The airship wound up being rushed into completion for the fair, but still has an effect with it's rotating props and a couple of lights. Our own Rick Raively laser cut the acrylic "Futuropolis" sign! Here on the back (and incomplete) side of Futuropolis, you can see the rocket (bearing MLS markings!) and the Observatorium. Here you can see the Goblin Express loco as it passes the same point. The Futuropolis Aeronautical Squadron prepare for flight as the Goblin Express passes below. At the base of Futuropolis is the roundhouse that will (next year) house a number of futuristic designs! Below Futuropolis is a small traingle next to a pond that we've built a seaside village with a point-to-point line out onto a pier. The water's not in , but here you can see the Crimson Herring transporting a submarine back and forth. Here on track 2 you can see the smaller "atomic engine" pulling it's consist as the main Futuropolis engine (the aqua Submarine engine) passes underneath. Track three circles around overhead through the mad Lab (center top) and the Bridge Tower (top left). Gomer is standing watch in the bridge tower! Here's a shot of the Goblin Exspress as it winds its way from the castle through the lab and over the GRR's two mainlines. Here it is again crossing the fallen bridge into the castle! At the base of the Mad Lab is the Gypsy camp. And in between the castle and lab is the treacherous footbridge! While there's still plenty to do, I think we've got a pretty good show for the visitors this year. I want to acknowledge all the good people who have worked so hard on this; Steve and Yolanda Borges Doug Archer Rick Raively Cloyce (sorry, Cloyce, I don't have your last name!!). Cloyce is our on site Fairplex all-around great guy! And the Saturday Morning Crew, who have put in a LOT of their own time and resources; Gary Olmstead, who did our electrical rigging as well as a bit of everything else. Alan Prichard, who built the pier, designed the Futuropolis sign, as well as general work. My good friend John Corradini, without whom none of this would have ever gotten finished! My hope is that for next year, we can get more of an MLS presence on the corner. It's not too bad of a sales ad! Chris