Category Archives: Aviation

Dec. 26, 2022. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. A boy points to one of the model trains traveling on the Long Island Garden Railway Society display in the atrium of the Cradle of Aviation Museum.

Model Trains Now & Then at Cradle of Aviation Museum

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
December 31, 2022

‘When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.’ – Max Planck (1858-1947)

Long Island Garden Railway Society holiday displays

At the Cradle of Aviation Museum this December 26th, I enjoyed capturing photos of the Long Island Garden Railway Society’s display for the winter holidays, as I did 10 years ago on December 26, 2012.

• 2012:  

model trains at cam

Dec. 26, 2012. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. – The Long Island Garden Railway Society large-scale model train display surrounds a large decorated tree during winter holidays at Cradle of Aviation Museum. Grumman Blue Angels F-11 Tiger jet is suspended from ceiling. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Though the 2012 and 2022 model train displays I covered were by the same large scale model train organization, LIGRS, at the same museum, CAM, there were also differences – including in my photography equipment, experience, goals, and the COVID-19 impact.

• 2012:  

model trains at cam

Dec. 26, 2012 – Garden City, New York, U.S.  G scale New York Central engine passes by the carousel in the carnival theme section of the Long Island Garden Railway Society display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Photography Equipment

When covering the event in 2012, I used my Nikon D74 DSLR full-frame camera, with a zoom lens, the Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 lG ED – arguably the best prime lens, to use as a sole lens, to cover such an event.

A few days ago, I used my Nikon Z9 mirrorless full-frame camera with a macro lens, the Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S – an outstanding lens to capture macro, closeup photos of small subjects such as model trains.

This year, had my goal been covering the event and location thoroughly, I would’ve also used a second lens- for example, my Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 A prime lens or my iPhone Pro. My goal was to work on capturing the best photos possible with my macro lens.

• 2012:  

model trains at cam

Dec. 26, 2012 – Garden City, New York, U.S. This young boy came with his family to see the Long Island Garden Railway Society display in atrium of the Cradle of Aviation Museum. A member of LIGRS is in the center area, available to answer visitors’ questions. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Experience with Place & Subject

The Cradle of Aviation Museum is the Long Island museum I’ve photographed the longest and most often. For over a decade, I’ve loved photographing a wide variety of locations there, repeatedly, from morning to to dusk and night.

And over the past ten years I’ve covered model train events at several places and by several passionate organizations on Long Island, often more than once.  

This year, after covering the atrium ground floor display, I asked myself, ‘Time to walk up the stairs to cover this from the upper levels?’ and answered, ‘Not really.’

• 2022:  

Garden City, NY, U.S. December 26, 2022.

Dec. 26, 2022. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. A young woman G scale model train figure stands next to a classic red pickup truck with ‘Coca-Cola’ on door at the Long Island Garden Railway Society display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

COVID-19 impact

The model train display looked a bit toned down this year.

It’s been years since spring 2020 when New York became an epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduce one’s risk of being hospitalized or worse due to the virus. Wearing N95 or KN95 masks significantly reduces the chance of transmitting or getting COVID-19.

But many of Long Island’s museums and clubs are still negatively impacted by COVID-19 – with lower average rates of attendance and participation.

• 2022:  

Garden City, NY, U.S. December 26, 2022.

Dec. 26, 2022. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. A bright yellow Denver & Rio Grande Western Passenger Coach G scale car is in the Long Island Garden Railway Society display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

2022 side view of train in Feature Photo:

Garden City, NY, U.S. December 26, 2022.

Dec. 26, 2022. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. A 1931 American Locomotive Company Superheater, seen here in closeup, is part of he Long Island Garden Railway Society display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

About LIGRS’ display:

G scale model trains circle the large festive tree in CAM’s atrium. They pass through many themed areas, including an old-fashioned drive-in theater and a train station.

It’s no surprise the Long Island Garden Railway Society choose G scale, which is both the largest scale model train (ratio of 1:22.5) and most popular outdoor scale model train. 

The large size, durability, and ruggedness of G scale model trains make them ideal for large indoor areas, and for outdoors – even in the snow!

• 2022:  

Garden City, NY, U.S. December 26, 2022.

Dec. 26, 2022. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. A Santa Claus G scale model train figure rings a bell as he stands next to an antique car at the Long Island Garden Railway Society display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)


FEATURE PHOTO (at top): Dec. 26, 2022. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. A young boy points to a model train traveling around the Long Island Garden Railway Society display of model trains at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. 


Year round at Cradle of Aviation Museum:

Along with special exhibits and events, the air & space museum has the jetBlue Sky Theater Planetarium and world class permanent exhibits – many with historic Long Island roots.

Cradle of Aviation StoreBefore leaving CAM this week, I went to the Museum Store and bought my toddler grandson a couple of souvenirs: an adorable pilot’s hat and plush toy version of the genuine U.S. Navy Grumman F11 Tiger Jet suspended from the atrium.


my CAM Model Trains galleries: 2012 photos • 2022 photos

Long Island Garden Railway Society:  ligrs.clubmembership form

Cradle of Aviation Museum

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Garden City, New York, U.S. September 29, 2022. FRED HAISE, former NASA astronaut; smiles and waves to audience as he leaves after discussing his autobiography ‘Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut's Journey' in the updated JetBlue Theater Planetarium at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry, annparry.com).

Fred Haise: ‘Never Panic Early’ at Cradle of Aviation Museum

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
October 5, 2022

an Apollo 13 astronaut’s journey

Former NASA astronaut FRED HAISE came to the Cradle of Aviation Museum last week for a discussion and book signing about his autobiography ‘Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey.’ 

VIDEO: (17.5 minutes) Fred Haise at Cradle of Aviation MuseumThe sold-out audience greeted Haise with long, loud applause when he entered the updated JetBlue Sky Theater Planetarium with a huge moon laser-projected at the top of the full-dome.

  • my Photo Gallery – Fred Haise at Cradle of Aviation Museum (Plus, click each photo below to see larger one.)
Couple of Guys fundraiser

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. Sept. 29, 2022. FRED HAISE, former NASA astronaut, is about to discuss his autobiography ‘Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey’ at Cradle of Aviation Museum. BILL MOORE, book co-author, is behind him. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Thanks to the lively way Haise shared some dangerous times during his career – notably when the Apollo 13 spacecraft was damaged on its way to the Moon on April 13, 1970 – the time seemed to fly by fast enough to escape Earth’s gravity.

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. Sept. 29, 2022. ANDREW PARTON. President of the Cradle of Aviation Museum, is introducing Fred Haise, former NASA astronaut, who will discuss his autobiography ‘Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey’ in the updated JetBlue Theater Planetarium.(© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

The book’s co-author, BILL MOORE, was on stage with Haise, and after the discussion they both signed visitors’ books in front of the Museum Store.

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. Sept. 29, 2022. L-R, FRED HAISE, former NASA astronaut, and co-author BILL MOORE are on stage to discuss Haise’s autobiography ‘Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey’ in the JetBlue Theater Planetarium at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

I’ve enjoyed seeing Fred Haise several times at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. As THOMAS RIEDY, a trustee of the museum, said shortly before the event, the Cradle is very lucky that Haise is so supportive, visiting so frequently over the years.

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. Sept. 29, 2022. L-R, FRED HAISE, former NASA astronaut, and co-author BILL MOORE are on stage as they discuss Haise’s autobiography ‘Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey’ in the JetBlue Theater Planetarium at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

‘Never Panic Early’

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. Sept. 29, 2022. At lower left, L-R, FRED HAISE, former NASA astronaut, with co-author BILL MOORE, discusses ‘Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey’ in the JetBlue Theater Planetarium at Cradle of Aviation Museum. Pictures of Haise’s career are projected on the dome. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

‘Never Panic Early’

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. September 29, 2022. FRED HAISE (at right in red tie) NASA astronaut, chats with audience members after he discussed his autobiography ‘Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey’ at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

‘Never Panic Early’

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. Sept. 29, 2022. FRED HAISE, at left, NASA astronaut, inscribes his autobiographical book ‘Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey’ for family of the young boy he’s talking with at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)


FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post) Garden City, N.Y., U.S. Sept. 29, 2022. FRED HAISE, former NASA astronaut, smiles and waves to audience after his discussion of autobiography ‘Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey’ in JetBlue Theater Planetarium at Cradle of Aviation Museum.


Fred Haise ‘Never Panic Early’: my PHOTO GALLERY

Video (top of post):  vimeo.com/757716910

Cradle of Aviation Museum:  cradleofaviation.org

Fred Haise:  fredhaise.space  • ‘Never Panic Early’

CONTACT ME

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. Sept. 29, 2022. L-R, THOMAS RIEDY, a trustee of Cradle of Aviation Museum, and ANDREW PARTON, President of CAM, look up at full-dome of  JetBlue Theater Planetarium before event when Fred Haise, former NASA astronaut, discusses his autobiography ‘Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey.’ (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)