I was just wondering how many members from here are planning on attending either the convention or train show next month? It's only a few weeks away!
I'm sure there are a lot of different reasons why many of you won't to be attending, but for now I'd kind of like to stick to the subject of those who are going, if you don't mind.
You can get all of the details at www.nmra.org if you need more info.
Jim
It may only be a few weeks away but it's also about $3,000.00 and 2,000 miles away. I'll be there if the Powerball or MegaMillions will cooperate with me in the next couple of weeks.
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
It´d be certainly a great thing to attend, but it is some 5,000 miles and way to many $$$ away for me.
I went to Hartford, Connecticut, last year for one day. It really was a great experience, and I'd heartily recommend it to anyone. Hartford is less than a 2-hour drive for me, though.
One of these days, after I retire and have time on my hands, maybe I'll take in the whole show for a week.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I am going despite it is 1,014 miles away (one way). On the return trip home, I will stop at Rochelle, Deshler, Fostoria and Buffalo for railfanning. A nice two weeks trip.
In the past I went to Hartford, Detroit, Philadelphia and will also attend the 2012 Grand Rapids convention.
Jack W.
I am planning on going. I have family in Chicago so my time will be split between the convention and family. I am not doing too many of the tours because of the dollars involved but I will try and get as many clinics in as possible. Hopefully I will get to do some sightseeing without the guided tour expense.
Maybe we can get some of us to meet somewhere. I would like to meet some of the people who talk on this forum.
Since I am planning on driving from Arizona, this will be my vacation. We also plan on stopping in Branson on the way home.
Joe
I'm still on the fence. Its only 2 1/2 hours away for me, but I'm only interested in the vendors, and train products, not the convention.
The NMRA's National Conventions are a wonderful and educational experience. I've attended a number of them over the decades. However, the rising price to attend them is progressively shutting out all but a wealthly clique that religiously attends every convention. I no longer know many hobbyists with families that can afford/justify a several thousand dollar trip for themselves, without the family, in the middle of summer vacation, just for a hobby interest. The best most of us can maybe hope for is one day at the NMRA's National Train Show in Milwaukee.
CNJ831
Like CNJ831, have attended several in the past, and was part of the planning committee for the one held in Kansas City in 1998, and my wife was chairing the women's activities. But after that, starting the Sunday after the convention ended on Saturday, I started as pastor of a new congregation, and for 10 years following, could not justify the expense or time to go to national. Now I am out of the habit. However, the regionals are also good events, I just attended the Mid Con. Region convention in Cedar Rapids Ia a few weeks ago. Saw some great layouts, enjoyed the fellowship of other modelers and NMRA members, many of whom I seldom get to see.
But, I also agree it has become an activity for those who have a lot of money to spend, time to give and a family willing to go. At my age, 74, I probably have attended my last.
Bob
I have been to several National's, and plan to attend this one as it is the 75th, and is in Milwaukee. My last one was in 2006. The activities are good, and the National Train Show is great. The cost is always expensive - that's just a fact of life for any type of convention. It's one of those things that should be done at least once. I am planning to ride Amtrak to the convention.this year. The schedule perfect, and the cost of fuel/parking at the hotel is far more than the Amtrak ticket!
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
CNJ831 a several thousand dollar trip
a several thousand dollar trip
Guess I'm just a smart travel shopper. I'm attending from a couple thousand air miles away, and I'm sure not spending "several thousand dollars".
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
Wish I could as it's within one day driving range for me, but time / money won't allow it. I was one of the earliest to reserve a spot at the 50th anniversary convention in 1985, also in Milwaukee, but for similar reasons ended up not being able to go.
cuyama CNJ831 a several thousand dollar trip Guess I'm just a smart travel shopper. I'm attending from a couple thousand air miles away, and I'm sure not spending "several thousand dollars".
I guess you must be really smart, since when I did the math earlier this year it came out to just short of $2,000 to attend the full convention. Then I still needed transportation to and from, about $600 additional in my case. Include a few hundred in funds for misc. and that's pretty close to several thousand dollars in my book.
Yes, if you really skimp, only going on a couple of tours, no special clinics, plus eat at Burger King three times a day, you can get away with somewhat less expense, but then the convention and its experience loses an awful lot.
CNJ831 when I did the math earlier this year it came out to just short of $2,000 to attend the full convention. Then I still needed transportation to and from, about $600 additional in my case. Include a few hundred in funds for misc. and that's pretty close to several thousand dollars in my book.
when I did the math earlier this year it came out to just short of $2,000 to attend the full convention. Then I still needed transportation to and from, about $600 additional in my case. Include a few hundred in funds for misc. and that's pretty close to several thousand dollars in my book.
Your costs add up to about $3,000, which isn't "several thousand dollars" the way most folks use the word "several".
Hyperbole is fun, I know, but facts are facts. No, it's not the cheapest way to spend a week, but I think it's worth it.
CNJ831 I guess you must be really smart
I guess you must be really smart
Thanks for noticing.
I went to the show in Anahiem (across the street from Disneyland) and had no desire to go to Hartford last year. This year with it being the 75th anniversary and with my family in Chicago I could rationalize going.I figure the cheapest I will get away with is $2000.00 and that is if I am frugal. I am used to long distance hauls so it will be an easy 2 day drive for me as long as the weather is reasonable. I am staying at some Hotels that are more reasonable than the Hilton. What I can't believe is that so much stuff is sold out and it makes me wonder who is going if it is not members of this Forum.
Even though I was hoping to keep the discussion to who is planning on going, I will butt in and agree that, yes, they can be expensive. No question about it. Especially if you stay at the convention hotel by yourself.
But in some cities, like Hartford and Milwaukee, it is possible to stay about 10-15 minutes away and get a room for about $60 a night (I just checked). So five nights at $60 is quite a bit less than $140. Or you can save a lot by sharing a room. If you have a vehicle (which you can hopefully afford to rent by staying at a lesser priced hotel) then you can drive to some reasonably priced family restaurants and not be forced to eat high priced hotel food. Parking downtown seems to be in the $5-10 a day range, which isn't outrageous these days.
So conventions aren't inexpensive, but there are some ways to reduce the costs a bit.
cuyamaJohn, you need a better travel agent. I'm traveling a lot farther than you would, I think, and paying less than that for flights (it helps to fly to Chicago and drive the free-mileage rental car to Milwaukee, in my case). Registration for the full convention is only $175 and I believe that includes free train show admission. Day-long layout tours are $40 and include transportation. The vast majority of clinics are free with registration.
Well, judging by what you say either your interests in the convention are very narrowly focused, or you're in for some surprises as to just exactly what you'll get to see when you're there. The truly instructional, hands on, clinics are a separate expense. The numerous layout tours have always proven vastly more interesting to most modelers relative to the handful of prototype tours and there are often several layout tours per day...each at extra cost. Hope you made the right choices.
CNJ831Hope you made the right choices. CNJ831
Hope you made the right choices.
I detect a hint of jealousy
I will not be at the actual convention, but I will be part of the large Free-Mo set up at the National Train Show. Can't wait to get there, hang out with friends, run some trains and see all the new stuff.
If anyone here is going, stop on by the layout and ask for Ricky
Ricky
Being on the planning committee, I will be working the registration desk for most of the early part of the convention and thus won't be going on any tours (and some of them are layouts we do not normally get to go to at our NMRA divisional meets here in Milwaukee). I do hope to be able to catch some clinics however, and the banquet. The downtown Milwaukee hotels tend to be costly but there are alternatives particularly if you can get transport downtown.
I will be going to the train show but have been reliably assured that while it is very nice and includes good vendors, those of us who go to Milwaukee's Trainfest in the fall won't be all that excited by it. We'll see. I may get shopped out by this weekend's train show in Galesburg IL.
I look forward to meeting some Forum members at the convention. If you see my name tag by all means introduce yourself.
Dave Nelson
Since 1984 I attended every convention with the exception of 2007 when work got in the way. That makes me a veteran that keeps coming back. In early years I enjoyed the many tours, layouts and the train show. Now I spend more time with my friends and volunteering to make a better convention for everyone else.
Over the week my plan includes clinics, op sessions, some local railfanning, the train show and the inside activities. I will be helping the Extra 2011 team, promoting the NMRA convention in Sacramento next year. They are offering a $99 registration fee as a limited time offer -- sign up now.
For east coast model railroaders, I will be providing information on the Mid-Eastern Region convention in Princeton, NJ Sept 30 to Oct 3. Look for me around the convention -- I am 6' 5" and usually wearing a hat to keep the sun off my head.
NOTE: The NMRA Board of Directors meeting is open to all members on Friday July 9 and Saturday July 10. The annual business meeting is scheduled for Saturday July 17th at 9 PM after the banquet. Try to attend one or both and see the NMRA in action.
Eric Dervinis
HHPATH56 According to my understanding, one does not "Sign Up" for any of the Clinics, ahead of time. Is this correct ???
Bob,
You are correct. Almost all of the clinics require no sign up. Just walk in, sit down and learn. The rooms are usually large enough for all interested attendees.
Only the Modeling with the Masters clinics require a sign up and the payment of a separate fee. These are hands-on clinics where you learn to build a model. The fee covers the cost of materials and tools.
See you in Milwaukee,
hardcoal I will be helping the Extra 2011 team, promoting the NMRA convention in Sacramento next year. They are offering a $99 registration fee as a limited time offer -- sign up now.
I will be helping the Extra 2011 team, promoting the NMRA convention in Sacramento next year. They are offering a $99 registration fee as a limited time offer -- sign up now.
HHPATH56Why didn't the Schedule of Clinics mention that you do not have to sign up, but just "walk in" ? With some 1500 registrants at the NMRA75 convention, unlimited entrance is the only way to do it!
Honestly, Bob, I think it's a pretty much understood situation for nearly all NMRAers and certainly anyone who has previously attended any NMRA function, whether at the Division, Regional, or National level. The "general" clinics are always presented free of charge and without need to sign up for, for registered attendees. Only the registration, special hands-on clinics (where you do generally learn the most in a short time in the way of modeling skills), layout and prototype tours, and the banquet are pay-to-attend functions.
This will be the first National I've attended where I wasn't involved in bringing a layout for the Train Show or the Convention itself. It'll be a change to go to a National and not have to work for a change!
I figure the next time I'll get back to bringing a layout will be to take the Operations Road Show layout to Grand Rapids in 2012 for hands-on operating clinics like my bunch did for Toronto, Cincinnati, Detroit and Hartford.
Time to hit up Chowhound for its recommendations for meals in Milwaukee during the week!
-Fritz Milhaupt, Publications Editor, Pere Marquette Historical Society, Inc.http://www.pmhistsoc.org
I Jim I have been lucky to go to the last three national conventions and would say to everyone on this list you should go to at least one in your life time. Its hard to say just how enjoyable they are, its wall to wall model railroading with people who feel the say as i do. What more could i ask.
Nobby from across the pond