Announcing the National Z Scale Convention

Joe D'Amato Aug 13, 2009

  1. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    I have been sort of a bystander when it comes to Z scale. However I was fortunate to have known Bill K. He would always let me run my Nn3 trains on their Z-Bend layout at train shows in Houston. Got a lot of goofy looks from folks but it was fun. Bill was always coming up with little projects for me to do for him. I tagged along on the trip to the NTS 2001 in St. Louis. I helped drive Chad Bryan's truck that was pulling a trailer full of modules. We stopped in Dallas to pick up Billy Roden's gang and their modules. What a trip. Somewhere on a farm road in rural Missouri, we had to stop and photograph everyone under a sign for cross road named "Z". Of course being the odd man out, modeling N, I got to take the picture.
     
  2. HOexplorer

    HOexplorer TrainBoard Supporter

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    Dom, Medford's runway is 8800 ft. I think that will land most anything. Cheers, Jim CCRR
     
  3. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    At the 2005 NTS, Bill showed me those cars Russell, and I have to say, that is some excellent work! Until Bill said so, I could not tell they were made from European prototype cars. [​IMG]
     
  4. Joe D'Amato

    Joe D'Amato TrainBoard Member

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    Just to update.

    We are getting a lot of great committments from manufacturers and dealers for the show. Eric has all the planning well in hand, even looking at the menu for the meals right now. Hopefully something with a North West theme. Got word from the Marklin Folks that they will be there in force for sure as will some of the Main Stream Model Railroad Magazines. Others folks are still working with their schedules, so I won't speak for them... and as we have a firm list of who will be there, I'll post it. Loren will be doing his "Good Weather" Dance that week as well, while Karin hangs her head in shame. :eek:)

    Cheers

    Joe
    MTL
     
  5. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    Thanks, I had fun with that project. Bill was always doing things for me so I had to find ways to pay him back.;)
     
  6. Loren

    Loren TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yeah yeah, they all know about my "good weather dance", but what you failed to tell them is that you joined me that one time.

    Joe, you are a great guy and fun to pal around with, but that dance is serious business and as you recall, when you stripped off all your clothes to expose that red thong, well, you know the rest of the story. We had hurricane force winds and it rained almost 2" in 15 minutes. We lost many old growth trees here in Medford and you well recall how Parks and Recreation banned you from all future public gatherings.

    So, do me a favor and keep the thong at home next time I do the dance, or at least keep your pants on.........:eek:)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 17, 2010
  7. kevsmith

    kevsmith TrainBoard Member

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    over the pond

    Well I'm going to try and get there. I'll probably fly into LAX go and see my folks in Santa Barbara and drive up. Is there going to be anything like a display area? I'll bring some of my Nickel Plate Road conversions to show. I won't be able to bring anything as big as the Cuyahoga layout unforunately unless I can find a 'sugar daddy' sponsor!
     
  8. Joe D'Amato

    Joe D'Amato TrainBoard Member

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    Yes there will be display areas and model contests. We are also making room for modules to be set up so we all can run trains there. So, everyone is encouraged to bring their latest or greatest to hook up and pull some freight.

    Joe
     
  9. BillMock

    BillMock TrainBoard Member

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    This is really sounding like an amazing gathering.
    We should look into setting up a webcam for the rest of the folks who are unable to be there in person. That way everybody can watch the Loren & Joe "dance-off" competition.
    Any local charity organizations that we might want to help out with "blind actions"? I could donate some rolling stock and stuff.
    Bill Mock
     
  10. GN-Z-phile

    GN-Z-phile TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for *that* mental image!

     
  11. Fred Ladd

    Fred Ladd TrainBoard Member

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    I hope Loren and Joe gets the dance step right this time--last time we got flooded out in Columbus ;)
     
  12. TechRepJapan

    TechRepJapan Permanently dispatched

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    That's a visual image I didn't need implanted in my brain first thing in the morning...
     
  13. Loren

    Loren TrainBoard Supporter

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    You're right Alex,.......man, talk about low tide......

    Since Saturday will be an open house for the public to see our trains, maybe we should just get one of those portable cages and stick Joe in it somewhere in the corner.

    Let's see, if we put him behind a curtain and advertise "see Sasquatch up close and personal" and sell tickets for 50 cents a peek, I'll bet MTL can recoup all their initial investment and turn a tidy profit. :eek:)
     
  14. Glenn Woodle

    Glenn Woodle TrainBoard Member

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    As long as Joe is stuck in a cage, give him an airbrush & some paint. Have a Joe's custom weathered paintjob on some model. Get Badger/Testors etc to sponsor the booth. Not limited to rolling stock. Could have clinics on painting the laser wood kits. If Woodland SCenics let you take home a tree, take home something else!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 27, 2009
  15. david f.

    david f. TrainBoard Supporter

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    you know ... that's kind of an inspired idea. you know how you got to shows, fairs, carnivals, and there is someone there to draw you in charicature or something. how about something similar with "decorate while you wait" at the Z scale convention.

    it could be a 1/2 hour time slot with joe doing a quick 2 minute "weather" on a car of your choice (MTL stock) or bring you own (all for a fee, of course). he could do 20-30 cars and people who pay for the priviledge would have a "one of kind made it at the Z scale convention by joe himself" momento. kind of like autographing a book.

    or if tom mann would come, we could to a "special fund" or charity cause and let both tom and joe do some quick weathering for a fee or dontation to the charity (good paper coverage for MTL in their hometown -- or the model magazines!).

    i know, it sounds kind of crazy, but who wouldn't pay to take home a "one of kind" hand made, sovenier of the convention. it's not like MTL will run out of cars or something.

    loren could make trees, jeff and robert could do "a DCC conversion while you wait." jurg could take pictures of any attendees favorite model on a nice diorama to then print out on special Z convention letterhead. everyone goes away with a special memory!

    are we on a roll here, or what?
    dave f.
     
  16. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    David, I always say you are the smartest man in z scale. :D If they all agree to your suggestions, I am there! I check the flights to Medford, and the segment to Medford in on a DH4. I know my airplanes, but I didnt know what is a DH4, so I google it. This is what it came back with. The Only Flying Dh-4 !
     
  17. Othello

    Othello TrainBoard Member

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    DH-4 is a Bombardier Q400; a stretch version of the Dash 8 turbo-prop aircraft :)

    Darn it! I'd love to go, but it's right in the middle of my third-job busy season. I could learn a TON from all of you! At least we'll all hear about it on the board. Those of you attending MUST post pictures :)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 26, 2009
  18. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I know Othello, but the other DH4 sounds funnier. :D In one of the airliner conventions, I took a Dash8-200 excursion flight. It was very comfortable and quiet then.
     
  19. Othello

    Othello TrainBoard Member

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    The "real" DH4 would certainly make it classy arrival, even if you had to go baggage class...goggles and all!

    Hmmm...a Z layout at an airport...maybe a commuter train...just a thought.
     
  20. Joe D'Amato

    Joe D'Amato TrainBoard Member

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    I...like it!! Sure, I could set something up to do that. I was planning on doing a special train set, engine(s) cars and track to a NW Theme, possible CORP with custom made modern log cars etc, all weathered and in a custom box for one of the grand prizes. I think there are a bunch of things like that we all do that would be valued by others...I have a few of Dave's pieces that I really love and are important to me. I'm sure any of us would love to get a piece of work by any of us...Cool idea.

    And, if Tim comes in a DH4, I'll get out the yellow shirt and the landing paddles and help guide you in at the end of the runway. :eek:)

    Joe

     

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