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NMRA Convention in Hartford

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NMRA Convention in Hartford
Posted by DavidGSmith on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 10:39 AM

 Is any one planning to attend. Please no flaming of the NMRA. I will be there for the whole week.

Dave

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 10:49 AM

I can't come, but a a friend may be running some of my locos on the HUB Division...

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Posted by IRONROOSTER on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 10:54 AM

I have heard good things about the National.  Have fun.  I only have time to go to the local division meets and they're pretty good also.

Enjoy

Paul

If you're having fun, you're doing it the right way.
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Posted by howmus on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 11:33 AM

Sadly, no.  Don't have the $$$ it would take to be there.  Hopefully next time it comes near enough I will go.

I went to the NFR Regional Convention this year and had a blast!  Maybe a few years from now when my debt is retired.

Have fun all of you that will be going!

73 

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 12:30 PM

I'll probably drive down on Saturday and take in the show.  Pretty good list of exhibitors.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by ALCOS4EVER on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 1:56 PM

     I will be there all three days with Amherst Belt Lines modular group. Come and see us. We are going to have one of the largest layouts we have ever had. I'm looking forward to it because I've never been to the "national" show.

"I've spent most of my money and time on trains, the rest I've just wasted."Geeked

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Posted by Guilford Guy on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 5:05 PM

Maybe I'll run into you again Mr B. I'll be there with some of Tyler's locomotives and rolling stock on the Hub Div, and will have a module in the Kiddie Club's layout which is wedged between ABEL, and the Hub Div.

Alex

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Posted by sparkyjay31 on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 5:15 PM
I'm certainly going to try. Looks like it will be raining all weekend anyway. Might as well go somewhere where I can have fun.
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Posted by fmilhaupt on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 8:24 PM

I'll be there with the Operations Road Show Wabash layout (http://www.railsonwheels.com/ors) in the SIGs room at the Convention Center.

Operating slots will be available for the morning and afternoon operating sessions on our 30'x60' layout. Three-hour sessions will be held Monday through Thursday, though only a morning session will be available on Wednesday. Sign-up for sessions is in the SIG room.

Our layout uses timetables and train orders to control operation, with car routing using car cards and waybills. We provide instruction and any needed assistance. It is a low-stress way to learn this method of operation.

Jeff Fryman from our team will give a clinic on designing layout paperwork on Sunday night. I will be sitting on the panel for the LDSIG discussion of staging versus active fiddle yards on Thursday morning.

 

-Fritz Milhaupt, Publications Editor, Pere Marquette Historical Society, Inc.
http://www.pmhistsoc.org

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Posted by Pruitt on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 5:18 AM

I'll be there all week. I'm presenting a Clinic - "Helix Design Considerations, and Building the Behemoth Helix." First "showing" will be 10:00 pm (!) Sunday. Second is 1:00 Monday (most clinics are given twice).

 Never been to a national before - I'm looking forward to it!

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Posted by Left Coast Rail on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 1:49 PM
I went to the 2008 Convention in Anaheim and it was well worth the time and effort. Great clinics, prototype and layout tours. The show on the weekend is is the icing on the cake. I hope everyone going this year has a great time.
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Posted by CNJ831 on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 2:41 PM

I'm really very surprised at the meager number of individuals replying that they'll be attending the Hartford convention - only about half a dozen out of a forum claiming 60,000 members! It will be very interesting to see what the final convention attendance figures are, given the current state of the economy. Nevertheless, I expect to see the National Train Show do quite well at the door, because of New England's high percentage of show-going model railroaders. Just look how well the Amherst show does annually.

CNJ831 

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Posted by DavidGSmith on Friday, July 3, 2009 11:35 AM

 Thanks for the replies. Sorry I did not get back sooner, family prblems, now sorted out.

Will keep an eye out for those going.

Dave

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Posted by pastorbob on Friday, July 3, 2009 12:06 PM

No, after going for several years, just getting too expensive when you are retired.  And, that is a pretty good distance from Kansas City, so just not willing to do it.

Bob

Bob Miller http://www.atsfmodelrailroads.com/
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Posted by jalajoie on Friday, July 3, 2009 12:38 PM

Count me in, I was to Philadelphia and Detroit and will also be to Milwaukee WI in 2010 and Grand Rapids MI in 2012.

For me it is a 7 hours drive one way to Hartford. I will leave on Friday morning and return home Sunday. I intend to spend $ 400.00 US on trains, the max amount I can bring through the custom. 

Jack W.

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Posted by R. T. POTEET on Friday, July 3, 2009 12:54 PM

I had about a 25 day vacation planned--10 days driving and 15 days with other activities including the convention--and I was going to couple my trip to Hartford with some extensive visits to historic sites in the region and along the way; I kind of figured that this was going to be my last romp into the Northeast. I was working at the time I formulated my plans but my job evaporated and my bills didn't and I'm afraid the trip to Hartford was quite a ways over my budget this year.

I have expectations for Milwaukee next year and Sacramento the year following and then getting to Grand Rapids in 2012; I understand that the 2013 convention is going to be in Atlanta. If true that would tender an opportunity for my wife and I to visit quite a few inlaws and outlaws along the way.

I have attended six conventions and I have yet to be disappointed; I would like to attend at least ten in my lifetime and if I can make Milwaukee, Sacramento, Grand Rapids, and Atlanta(?) I'll have done it. I usually enjoy the clinics not only finding them interesting but informative at the same time and browsing the auction. And of course the National Train Show is always absolutely fantastic!

From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet

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Posted by joe27 on Friday, July 3, 2009 12:58 PM

I went to Anahiem last year and had a blast. Lots to see and much more to buy. Unfortunetly I will not be able to go this year due to economic reasons. However I am in the track laying stages of my new layout, so what more could I ask for.

Joe

wilting in Arizona

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Posted by CTValleyRR on Friday, July 3, 2009 1:28 PM

CNJ831

I'm really very surprised at the meager number of individuals replying that they'll be attending the Hartford convention - only about half a dozen out of a forum claiming 60,000 members! It will be very interesting to see what the final convention attendance figures are, given the current state of the economy. Nevertheless, I expect to see the National Train Show do quite well at the door, because of New England's high percentage of show-going model railroaders. Just look how well the Amherst show does annually.

CNJ831 

I definately wouldn't judge potential attendance by the number of "me toos" who reply to a forum post.

Depends on a lot of things, not the least of which is the fact that most posting on these boards occurs on weekends.

I will be attending all day on Friday, bur because my annual pilgrimage to the beach begins on Saturday, I have to do the whole thing in a day.  Unfortunately, I picked my weeks for the time-share before I knew the dates for the train show.

I think the recession will definately put a damper on things.  I know I don't have nearly as much to spend as I would like. But really, it's good to admire the layouts (my kids will probably spend all day at the Lego layout), and see the manufacturers with their new offerings.  Sometimes, you pick up a bargain or two.  I'll have a list of my desired aquisitions with the Walthers MSRP, and if I can find things at a significant discount over that, I'll probably buy them.

Plus, I still hope to find a DL-109 in New Haven livery....

Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford

"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford

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