Age Levels for the National Garden Railway Convention?

[PVT Kanaka]

All,

Planning has begun for NEXT year's annual sojourn to the Mainland.  We tend to get routed through San Francisco, and we are considering extending the layover to hit a day or two of the convention.  The clan has NEVER seen any model trains for sale, and our Triple O is the only garden railroad they remember seeing.  Still, it is a drag on all if it is in general an adult affair.  The crew will range in age from pre-K to second grade.

Thanks in advance!

 

Eric

[Rene Schweitzer]

Are you asking if there are kids at the national conventions? 

I've attended about 12 conventions, and for the most part, adults are the primary attendees. However, I have seen familes, mostly on the railroad tours, and I think that's great. I would think your kids would find it interesting. Riding a bus for 8 hours might be challenging given their young ages--it might be helpful if you can drive or ride along with someone so you have time for breaks/meals

The Bay Area has hosted a number of conventions, and are well versed in planning. It's a beautiful area with lots to see outside of the convention. You might wish to contact the group with a question about activities for families. They have a form here: http://ngrc2016.org/infoquestion

[ttrigg]

By all means take the family!

Day 0, Talk to the family about what you have done with your layout, and that they are to try to learn from what they see that others have done. Ensure ample drinks, snacks, and diversionary devices (travel games) are properly stowed in a backpack or two.

Day 1, Take a tour: After a quick exploration have each child tell you their favorite part of the layout and why. Video this for each child AND yourself. That evening playback and talk about if any can be added to your empire.

Day 2, Walk the show floor. At each "table" ask "How can we use this? Would it improve our empire?" Delay lunch about an hour or two. During lunch talk about if there is anything you really have to have for your empire. Then ask for a vote, continue looking around or go someplace else for the afternoon.

[PVT Kanaka]

Reen & Tom,

Thanks to you both.  We were looking to make this a stop on a longer trip, and this gives us some perspectives we can weigh over the summer before we commit.

Aloha,

Eric

[ttrigg]

Another quick tip. Make sure you make a pocket sized photo albm of your layout for the little ones to share on the bus with the other tour members. Every tour I've been on has been livened up by many folks sharing photos of their layout. In fact, on one trip the bus driver actually stood up, blew his whistle and said "Are you folks going to get off and look at this garden railroad?" Seems like Garden Railroaders here on the mainland like to share their empires.

[vsmith]

Keep in mind, next years show is in the Bay Area, there's TONS of things to do when your kids get bored with the convention. Take a day to visit the other attractions within a days drive. My suggestions: California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, Roaring Camp &Big Trees RR in Santa Cruz, Niles Canyon RR museum.

[ttrigg]

Got to agree with Vic.

Roaring Camp & Big Trees is a must see must ride.

[PVT Kanaka]

Fuel for the fire!  Mahalo!  

 

Eric

[Mark_S]

A couple of other thoughts about next year - If flying into the bay area, we have several airports: San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose - You may be able to get a better deal at something other than SFO. Amtrak also serves the bay area with the Coast Starlight - you can get to the NGRS venue from the Amtrak station on light rail. Another local train that is worth taking if you have the time is the Skunk train up in Mendocino.

[PVT Kanaka]

Thanks, Mark!  That does expand our options and airlines.

The Hawaiian Railway Society's line in Ewa and the Kilohana Plantation's little railroad are pretty much the family's exposure to "full size" (both are 3 ft gauge) railroads.  This could be a really neat stopover on next year's trip!