N Scale Convention-Medford

marty coil Jun 26, 2012

  1. Cajonpassfan

    Cajonpassfan TrainBoard Supporter

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    John (Sing), thanks for posting the great pics, you always do a great job. Sorry I couldn't have come. Looks like a fabulous convention!
    John (Petrowitz), what a great layout! It's so hard to do scenes that everybody knows with that kind of credibility! Makes me want to crawl into my train room and not come out for a long time; thanks for the inspiration!
    Regards, Otto K.
     
  2. x600

    x600 TrainBoard Member

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    Hey Cool! Big congrats to Dave!
     
  3. David K. Smith

    David K. Smith TrainBoard Supporter

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    Not to end things on a sour note, but while the convention organizers were all busily patting each other on their backs during the dinner drivel, not one word of thanks was expressed for the tremendous job the BAZ group did setting up a huge, gorgeous modular Z scale layout. Did no one else find this the height of thoughtlessness? Are they so N-centric that other scales don't exist in their minds? Either way, I felt it was insulting to the extreme.
     
  4. x600

    x600 TrainBoard Member

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    Did you ever wonder why there were no N-Scale layouts there?
    I'm still waiting for thanks for the Portland show.
    But that's ok, I had fun.
     
  5. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Carter is right. I took my fam with me to the 2009 NSC in Portland. We all had a ball! It was great to meet for the first time in person folks I have known for years thru these forums.
    DKS is one seriously talented guy. The aparatus underneath it I assume animates the whole thing?


     
  6. David K. Smith

    David K. Smith TrainBoard Supporter

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  7. North Bank Road

    North Bank Road TrainBoard Member

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    David,

    A little too late, but I know standing in line for the banquet, they were asking for the location of the Z scalers too invite them for the banquet as a thank you. Could have been better communicated. The facility really did hamper the display opportunities. I was expecting much more also.

    I saw just a bit of your modeling. Great stuff. Hope to see more in the future.

    Rick
     
  8. upguy

    upguy TrainBoard Member

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    I thought the Z scale layout was fantastic. It was great that the BAZ group was able to fill the N scale layout void that existed at the convention. I know that your modeling skills make my N scale layout look dull by comparison. Thanks for giving us something inspiring to look at.
     
  9. SecretWeapon

    SecretWeapon Passed away January 23, 2024 In Memoriam

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    You mean to tell me no one thanked you guys? WOW! Well I thank you. I'm glad I got to see you & Jim. That layout was magnificent!
     
  10. pdx1955

    pdx1955 TrainBoard Member

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    The only NSE Special Run that was heavily mentioned was the new upcoming SP water/fire tank car set. The cars have the appropriate handrails/walkways on top but are painted in that horrifically wrong baby blue body/aluminum roof colors. SP's MOW cars were painted lettering gray - I 've seen the picture that makes them look blue because of the lighting and the roof is heavily weathered/faded black not "aluminum". However the BN Hide loading cars and the GN MOW cars were also done very well.

    Peter
     
  11. pdx1955

    pdx1955 TrainBoard Member

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    It was mentioned at the banquet that there was no layouts available to be seen on tour. I didn't hear any thanks to any of the folks who brought the layouts - the focus was on next year's Milwaukee convention. With the room available, it would have been difficult to fit in too many Ntrak modules, however, there were no local ones available or folks were not willing to transport them there. There was the T-Trak display and a good sized portable N layout at least, but the Z layout stole the show. I thought the Z layout was great as well and so did that Medford Mail Tribune cameraman - must have shot 200 pictures following that CP train around the layout. Like others, I was expecting more, but I still had a good overall time.

    Peter
     
  12. x600

    x600 TrainBoard Member

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    It was my pleasure, Mike.
    Many of the people attending the convention appreciate having a layout there.
    Many of the organization and convention staff don't care if there IS a layout there.
    I won't get into my thought on which organization best represents ALL of N-Scale, but I will say that in my humble opinion, NSE (C), isn't it.
    NSE does a good job of representing SOME N-Scalers.
    After the fabulous job at Louisville, I couldn't let the convention come to our back yard without some of our best portable layouts there.
    It was an uphill battle to get what we had there, done. Not because of any of the layout people.
    WE had a good time. I know LOTS of the attendees enjoyed the N-Scale layouts, and that's what's important.
    There might have been an N-Scale layout in Medford if it was important to the organization.
    There was room in 2002.
    Back under my rock.......
     
  13. OC Engineer JD

    OC Engineer JD Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I loved your work at the Portland show also Greg......awesome modeling. Some of the best there. :)
     
  14. Doug A.

    Doug A. TrainBoard Supporter

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    Huh, to show how much I pay attention to the n-scale organizations, I didn't realize that what was the N-Scale Collector is now N-Scale Enthusiast? (or am I reading that wrong?) It seems like a GREAT move from the (PR?) perspective of....we need an all-encompassing n-scale organization, or at least some level of coordination between the various groups. But, from looking at the website it doesn't really seem that they've changed much. (and certainly haven't done any grass-roots campaigning to try and attract new blood if they do have some different mission)

    I've always felt that what I am interested in as an n-scaler really doesn't fall into any "organization". I'm not an "N-trak guy" (I did belong to a club for a while, and not knocking that at all) and I'm certainly not a "Collector". (and again, I think that's a great part of the hobby, just not my cup of tea) I also belonged to the NMRA for a bit, and it seems to be somewhat focused in the same direction as what I'm interested in, but their lack of support for N-scale is a deal breaker. (and trust me, that is no myth) I get that there is a lot of overlap between the organizations and that--from what I understand--you don't get painted as any particular stereotype at any of the N-scale conventions. But still...seems to be a hole to be filled.

    To add to that, we have two PRETTY GOOD competing magazines devoted to N, and neither of those are N-trak or Collector "focused". And I know there are pubs for those respective organizations too. So, just a lot of "division".

    So, I don't mean this to be "complaining" at all, just kinda curious if anyone else feels this way? And, I wonder if this lack of some central, strong organization to promote n-scale is why we languish at around 20% of the market. It seems to me that given the improvements in quality and advancements in technology, n-scale should be at least whittling away at HO's popularity SOMEWHAT, yet....despite the early 2000's being the "best half-decade of n-scale" product-wise, nothing's really changed. Probably due to sound in HO more than anything is my theory, but I do question what a strong, united organization would bring.

    I am reminded of high school, when we had elections for class president, et al. There were basically 3 major "cliques" and 2 of them all diluted their votes with 2 or 3 nominees, while the 3rd....the "thugs" banded together and voted in their guy/gal....and in every spot. (prez, VP, sec, treas, council rep, etc) "United we stand, divided we fall". ;-)
     
  15. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    As part of the hosting committee for the convention here in Houston (Sugar Land) the following year, we went round and round with the NSC board about having layouts at the show. It seems old traditions die hard. Before the joint conventions with the NSC and NTRAK in Chantilly and Louisville, they typically did not have any layouts at their conventions. Their focus was on the trains, especially on the cars, and not layouts. NTRAK is all about the layouts and then everything that goes on them. The feeling seems to be that everyone at the NSC event has to be a member and registered at the convention. Many folks in the NTRAK clubs just wanted to come to set up their modules and run trains, not participating in the convention otherwise. We could never reconcile the differences so many NTRAK clubs backed out of the Houston event.
     
  16. Doug A.

    Doug A. TrainBoard Supporter

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    Wow, that's a shame. Guess there really is some poking of sticks going on. Seems as complementary as those two seem to be that it would be a good way to hold the convention....almost as two separate conventions but with such a common interest and the ability to draw in new players. I regret that I haven't ever been able to attend an n-scale event but I hope to someday. They always seems to coincide with the BN convention, or other conflicts. Well that and I guess I would need to join one of the organizations, too. :-D
     
  17. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Has NSC/NSE become about "us" instead of what is best for everyone in N scale and model railroading- Which healthy growth for all would benefit NSE very directly? Has there been a loss of vision?
     
  18. porkypine52

    porkypine52 TrainBoard Member

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    NSE--Enthusiastic About N-Scale?? Or Just About Collecting.............

    I am seeing a real dis-service to N-Scale being done by the N-Scale Collectors/ group. Had a, I am sure, nice Convention in Medford Oregon. Which just happens to be the home of Micro-Trains Line, which is a fine company, by the way. NO home layout tours, only 5 clinics, no convention long Silent Auction, sounds like most of the BIG N-Scale Manufacturers were NOT there and one tour, which was to the MTL factory. Nice, but then MTL is closely tied in with NSE/C. A jet boat ride and several other trips, but most didn't look to be anything about railroads, model trains or N-Scale.
    I have always thought that an N-Scale Convention should be about promoting the Model Train Hobby, N-Scale in particular, not just the buying & selling of MTL cars and So-Called "Special-Runs" To me, an N-Scale Convention should be about N-Scale Trains, several Home layout tours with plenty of N-Scale layouts (HO and other BIG scale layouts if available). There should be as many Clinics as possible, How-To clinics, make & take clinics, video clinics, and just because a clinic is given in HO(the big stuff) doesn't mean it cannot be adapted to N-Scale, been there, seen that. Did I mention my favorite, SILENT AUCTIONS? A silent auction is one that starts as soon as the convention opens, if not before, and runs to the middle of the last day(usually the Saturday afternoon before the banquet). This is so that EVERYBODY can get in on the bidding and have a chance to enter item(s) in the auction. I have known several modelers, who have paid for their convention trips with items entered in the Silent Auctions. Model contests to NMRA judging standards. These are TOUGH, but fair, standards. And people can earn points toward their MMR (Master Model Railroader Certificate). The MMR is quite an accomplishment. There should be N-Scale layouts, Ntrak layouts, T-Track Layouts, portable layouts and really any other layouts that wanted to appear(if space is available). There are many more things that should be incorporated in ANY N-Scale Convention, I am just trying to advise on the HIGH POINTS(in my opinion) of any given N-Scale Convention.
    I was a member of KSONS(Kentuckiana Society of N-Scalers) in 2008 when we had the 2008 Derby City Express National N-Scale Convention here in Louisville KY. I saw first hand how the N-Scale Collectors/Enthusiastic group acted toward all of the fine N-Scale Modelers that attended the Convention. It was basically, their way or the highway. I got the distinct impression that all the NSC/E cared about was buying & selling MTL cars and who had the biggest, most, and most expensive MTL collection. Layouts, clinics, local vendors, and railroad/railfan/home layout tours were necessary side lines that got in the way of seeing who had the most extensive collection.

    Before I sign off I will state that I sincerely hope that the N-Scale Enthusiast organization DOES NOT become said "Voice for N-Scale" There is a whole bunch more to n-scale than collecting N-Scale Trains for the sake of collecting them. N-Scale is N-Scale and should not become confused with stamp , coin and other types of collecting things. We are Model Railroaders, not collectors.

    I will also state that I am a past, long time, member of KSONS, The N-Scale Collectors Organization and a 30+ year member of the NMRA. I was a Special-Run car collector (I have at least one of EVERY SPECIAL-RUN car issued[most cars I have 2 or more copies] until 1999. I am now just a NMRA member modeling in N-Scale.

    'Nuff Said
     
  19. Doug A.

    Doug A. TrainBoard Supporter

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    I'm not advocating that NSE become the voice, if that's what was interpreted. I just meant that with the name change it *seemed* that was what they might be trying to do.

    From all accounts, the collector market is kinda falling by the wayside, no? I know there will always be a collector market, but you hardly hear of MTL cars selling out on the first day and stuff like that anymore. So maybe the NSC to NSE change was a broadening of scope or something. I really don't have much knowledge of the organizations....I guess this topic just brought out some questions in my mind about the "state of the union".

    I remember Chantilly and Louisville being tagged as "OUTSTANDING" so I guess we want to emulate what was done there. Probably just a lot of hard work more than anything.
     
  20. subwayaz

    subwayaz TrainBoard Member

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    @ John Sing, thanks very much for the extensive photos as stated earlier felt like I was there.
     

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