:cool6xb: Friends of the Burlington Northern Railroad:cool6xb: 2007 Convention, July 11-14, Bismarck/Mandan, ND (02/28/2007) Our convention this year is being held in conjunction with the Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association’s convention. The convention is being held at the Seven Seas Inn and Conference Center, 2611 Old Red Trail, Mandan, ND 58554, phone 1-800-597-7327. Rooms cost $72 per night and are being held until June 27th. To receive this rate you must mention the Friends of the Burlington Northern Railroad (or the NPRHA). The hotel is located just off I-94 exit 152. Highlights of the convention include: Guest speaker Rollin Bredenberg, BNSF Vice President of Service Design & Performance Tour of the BNSF North Line to Zap on Friday including stops at a coal mine, a coal gasification plant, and grain shuttle elevator Orientation and Guided Railfanning with Cordell Booke, an engineer for BNSF Other tours including the Ft. Lincoln Trolley, Camp Hancock, and Buckstop Junction Display of BN Memorabilia Collection by Peter Ferch BN Model Displays and Operating HO and N Layouts FOBNR Photo Display Flea Market Model Railroad Tours Agenda (All times are Central Daylight Time (CDT) and are subject to change.) Wednesday, July 11 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM Registration in hotel 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Dinner on your own 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Welcome, presentation by Cordell Booke, local BNSF engineer 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM Membership meeting 9:30 PM – ?:?? PM Member photo/video presentation Thursday, July 12 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Late registration in hotel 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Modelling clinics, run models on our layouts 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch on your own 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Ft. Lincoln Trolley, Camp Hancock, Buckstop Jct 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Picnic and tour of ND State RR (with NPRHA) 9:00 PM – ?:?? PM Member photo/video presentation -or- FOBNR Board Meeting Friday, July 13 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM BNSF North Line tour (with NPRHA) 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM Banquet and speaker, followed by an auction 9:00 PM – ?:?? PM Member photo/video presentation Saturday, July 14 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM Early-bird guided railfan tour by Cordell Booke 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Flea market with NPRHA 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch on your own 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Visit local model railroads 5:30 PM – ?:?? PM NPRHA social/banquet for those who are interested (extra cost) Check the FOBNR web site: www.fobnr.org for up-to-date information.
Hey guys, just a reminder....it's not too late! Gas is a little cheaper now, so give it a second thought if that was holding you back! Kurt, it was in Spokane three years ago. Seattle is probably on the radar at some point, especially if an "insider" could set up some tours or railfan events.
Updates Hopefully DOug will post updates and photos as the convention goes on. Should have started today.
George, Unfortunately I had to cancel my trip. I will try to get updates from the other guys after the convention.
It used to be possible to tour Interbay. But with today's "security" concerns, I wonder if this is now completely off limits? Boxcab E50
Generally speaking, BNSF has been very "open" to the FOBNR group since any tours are set up well in advance, planned out, controlled access type of events. It usually does take someone that either works there or knows someone higher up that is responsible for a specific area of the system to get something setup though. Probably doesn't hurt that we are responsible and gracious guests when we do get an opportunity for an "insider" tour. We mind our P's and Q's and don't act foolish...well except for the occassional drooling accident. :embarassed::teeth: I just wish we could get more people to make the conventions. (myself included, obviously) A great railroad with great history, a great group of railfans and modelers, fantastic tours, cheap dues...what's not to like?
Something interesting, at least for me. I've noticed a distinct lack of excited chatter, before any of the conventions this year. I wonder why? So, I wonder if the number of attendees is down? Or? Boxcab E50
Not any surprise as the cost of fuel has kept many away from travel this year. Do I travel or buy the next hot loco? It's a dilemma especially to a modeler with family and vacation plans. We've had a roughly 50% increase in the price of oil in something like 7 months.
Which trickles down through everything else. Food is up. Clothing is up. Supplies at the hardware store up. Utilities up. TV cable up. Etc, etc, etc. Household income is NOT up. Not ours. If there is any discretionary money left, I fear it disappears very soon. We're definitely staying home this summer. :sad: Boxcab E50
What's cable tv? Model RR retail prices have not risen from Atlas, Kato, Walthers, Intermountain which makes purchases in this industry a bargain.
It's something I'm about ready to cancel... Especially after this thieving company took away NFL Network, and made it an extra charge. :zip: Quite frankly, with present economics, price increases by manufacturers, no matter how badly needed, might hurt more than help. :sad: Boxcab E50
