Pete- There are currently just shy of 500 signed up. The focus of the conventions has been about all of N Scale for a number of years, now, and the emphasis on pure collecting has changed as the market has changed. For this years example, we invited different forms of modular layouts (only limited by what space the hotel made available to us) and many clinicians to offer views and tips on layouts, modeling, and DCC. yes, there is still the auction, but even that has changed into less about the ultra rare collector cars, and more about things you missed when they were released. Online registration is closed now, as Dick O. is in transit from The east coast to the west, but there will be onsite registration starting on opening day. The public show on Saturday is getting good play in the local media, so it should all be a good time. See you there? George Johnsen
So, it's no longer purely a fan-fest for collectors/accumulators of Micro-Trains cars? Is there likely to be anything for sale of interest to (and within the budget of) John Q. N-Scaler - or will the tables be filled with "ultra-rare/one-of-a-kind/out-of-production/factory misprinted" merchandise being resold at ridiculous markups by vendors intent on making a killing? Will there still be separate special-run cars available for those who order chicken versus roast beef at the banquet?
I am still looking for the MT giraffe gondolas. I was going to do a whole unit train of them and now they are nowhere to be found. Sort of like an endangered species or something. So what's up with that?
If its like the last one I went to a few years ago there were piles and piles of MT cars at sticker price...didn't pay a lot for any of them. Plenty to choose from - there will still be the high priced ones, but a lot more of the affordable ones. Peter
I'll be at the show and I know of at least one dealer who sells MT cars (and many other brands) at about 40% off sticker. There will be quite a bit of 3D printed N scale items on display. I'm looking forwards to seeing what the members of the N3D group has been cranking out. Also, some pretty cool "old" roads from Zoomco (photos attached). My modules of the Dunsmuir, CA area will be in the FreeMo-N layout. Should be a great time. Stop by and say hello! -Ryan
Yeah, I was blown away when I saw them on a video. Here's the link to his page: https://www.facebook.com/Zoomco
Interesting site. There is a video on there of a train operating over some of the worst track I've ever seen. Yikes!!!
I have only been to two NSC-cons (pre-name change) and while there was and perhaps always will be that segment of the market present, I think it's really unfair to paint the entire convention with such a vitriolic brush. Believe it or not (and I suspect you do not), there is actual camaraderie at these gatherings as well, not just "investment swapping." Before you ask, I choose not to go because the dates previously intersected important dates (i.e. my wedding anniversary) and when moved to June, ran up against the end of the school year. (Why our local districts decide to have three weeks of breaks and have the school year end after the Summer Solstice is something I cannot get my head around, and it's off topic anyway.)
Well, in a word, no, it isn't just about collector high price cars. It hasn't been for a number of years. Since we grew from the N Scale Collector to the N Scale Enthusiast, we broadened the offerings, along with the appeal, to all of N Scale. While in the early days (more than 10 years ago), there were a majority of tables that had the expensive stuff, the market has changed dramatically, and the content of even the personal collection tables reflects those changes. Last year there were several tables of $3 cars right next to tables with the $100 oddities, but by far the mix is in favor of runners rather than the old school collectors. Yes, the auction still brings out some of the high end stuff, but room sales, Swaparama, and other offerings are a good mix. The Vendor spread is from the most discounted mass marketers to the most local specialty, to things you don't find anywhere else. Note that since the show is open to what people bring, I can't guarantee that there will be something that you want, but I can guarantee there will be things in all price ranges, and things you have never seen before. Couple that with a good number of manufacturers displaying and talking N, and it is a good time for sure. The NSE special run department produces projects in concert with Atlas, Intermountain, Fox Valley, Bluford Shops, N Scale Architect, N Scale Kits, as well as Micro Trains Line to keep it interesting, and I think you will notice that there is a good mix of prototype and fantasy cars as well. The banquet cars are a gift from Micro Trains, so I guess you could say its an equal party favor for you if you have chicken or beef. At the end of the day, the convention is what you make it. It has never been just about the sales. It has always been about the hobby and the people that play in it. The train rides, layout tours, clinics, museum trips, and such are fun if you choose to participate. If you are just registered for the convention and there to buy, I suggest going to every room sale you can, as bargains abound. George
The San Diego convention had plenty of room sale and good deals on cars. There was the collector segment, as I'm sure there still is, but for me, the majority of purchases I made were good deals.
The convention I attended would have been held at least 10 years ago - when the location was within a day's round-trip drive - although I only went to the public show on Saturday. Perhaps my expectations, back then, were unrealistic, but the show was disappointingly MTL-centric. Most local train shows seemed to be overpopulated with same old guys peddling Lionel junk that appeared to have been rescued from the dump, so I was looking for a show that concentrated on N scale, though one that was not so tightly focused on Micro-Trains products. Unfortunately, I only saw the sale tables in the hotel ballroom - the room sales (where the best deals were supposedly squirreled away) were in some secret separate location known only to the cognoscenti. I had been hoping to acquire one of the souvenir MTL convention cars, however they were only available to those who had signed up for the whole magillah, including the banquet. It's encouraging to hear that the scope of the convention has been expanded. I'll give it another chance the next it comes with my travelling range.
I'm going to go and give it a shot. I can't make it to Portland for that convention, so I'm going to try this one out. I figured it would be a great chance to meet some of the Silicon Valley FreemoN guys and some of the Modutrak members who are traveling in for the event.
I would go, company is sending me to Napa Valley anyways, and could change my return to Friday evening. However I got no ride from the airport from the convention. So gonna have to skip it.
And then there are the informal late night "Bull" secessions where anyone and everyone can show up where some gracious soul opens up his hotel room for the meeting. Folks sitting along the edge of the beds, dragging chairs in from other rooms or just standing in the doorway. Some legendary discussions have transpired and a good time had by all.
It used to be about the Collectors. Its now about N Scale, all of N Scale. I've been attending since 2004. I look forward to seeing all of my friends now from all over the world. Its well worth the effort to attend one of these conventions. Houston recently had flooding and several NSE friends contacted me by phone and by email to make sure that I was okay and didn't suffer any damage. N Scale and Friendships are what its all about. I don't know of a better group of people than those that make up the NSE! My prediction for this convention is a great time will be had by all and past friendships will be rekindled! See everyone on Thursday as long as Amtrak cooperates!
We have come so far in N scale over all. But some big things we could use are: GP39-2 GP9 ph 3 U28B And Atlas makes chassis and some parts for all of them. Lately it seems Atlas has been making one year's worth of announcements in the catalogue. Maybe one or more of these will make it into the next catalogue.
