The N Scale Architect actually makes an N Scale kit that replicates a load of one of these barrels. Really neat stuff. N Scale Railroading Magazine's #109, Sep/Oct 2018 issue has a detailed article on these loads. https://thenarch.com/product/naval-gun-load-kit-n/
Finally, after two days of running trains, checking out vendors, buying and selling, it was time for the big event on Saturday night, the banquet. This is where the raffle drawings of all the great prizes and then some. It was quite a turnout, with my guess being close to 300 people. Of course, this being a casino with the various function rooms it was a nice venue. Before the dinner began, we were entertained with music! I've heard about this and saw pictures but now I'm going to experience it first hand! At the ukulele, Eric Smith, CEO of Micro-Trains. Percussion accompaniment by Jumpei (apologies, did not get his last name) from Kato USA. I *think* Jumpei is the top guy at Kato USA. I thought it was a music serenade but it turned out it was a huge sing-a-long with the crowd and the words of the songs were put up on two large screens up front. A group Karaoke! Songs like Sweet Caroline, Country Road, Margaritaville, etc. I was screaming out "City of New Orleans" since this was a train show. But alas it fell on deaf ears. I guess they didn't have the words to throw up on the screens. While the songs were going on, each table went up one at a time to get their food, which was a buffet. The food was most excellent. They even had baked salmon. Yum! Someone I always go to the dessert first! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!! After dessert they started the raffle drawings which took quite a bit of time since there were so many awesome prizes and each time an item comes up, there was quiet and suspense in the air. "Am I going to get picked for the $1,000+ Scale Train set???" Unfortunately, the story of my life, I never win at these things. BUT, nobody goes home a loser! They had boxes of random MTL cars that if you go up to the front with a losing ticket, they just hand you a random car. Now that was nice of the organizers! At first I got a stock car, which I wasn't thrilled about. Then someone saw it and said he would trade with me. OK! I then ended up with a 60' gondola, which was better but not really my thing. Then another person wanted that and traded with me again. It turned out to be a fun few minutes of on the spot swap meet! I ended up with this which I was very happy with. The banquet was not cheap at $80 per person. But, the food was very good, you could have won a huge raffle prize, there was a fun sing-a-long, you got a freebie MTL car and it was something to experience. Also, everyone gets a special run NSE Convention car. So overall, the $80 wasn't too bad. Would I do it again? Most definitely if it was near where I live and driveable. If I had to fly there and rent a car, etc., that would send it over my limit. The entire event was not cheap. I must have spent over $1000 (hotel was $190/night ) which could have bought me a lot of N-Scale stuff. But it was the experience and an item on my bucket list. I was able to connect with a lot of old friends and made new ones. I met people from all over the US. With these long events where you stay in a hotel you tend to make more friends than a 4-hour train show at a church basement. Until next time....
Thank you kind sir! On the back of the case: The load is representative of the large Pinion gears like those on display in the front of the National Museum of Industrial History in Bethlehen, PA. They were used to turn pinch rollers inside steel mills across America. The gear is call the herringbone pinion gear, due to the herringbone shape of the gear teeth. They drove large pinch roller that squeezed the molten steel into the set shapes or dimensions. Very appropriate for the location of the convention.
MK, I like your storytelling and photography, it really illustrates the convention so well. Also, Microtrains is a class act with a the cars provided and Kato is fun, playing for the Karaoke. I appreciate the whole NSE documentary, very well done. - Tonkphilip
Hi Mike, Hindsight being 20/20 I wish I would have signed up for the Banquet. The meal and that gondola alone were worth the price of admission. Sadly I think Micro-Trains only made 300 of those cars and they do have a different car number than the 50' LV car that has been offered in the past. But all in all yes, it was a great convention, it was great seeing you again and finally meeting George Irwin. I've been subscribing to his Unofficial Micro-Trains Release report for years, but this was the first time I met him in person.
Wow, it HAS been a while since I stopped by here. Lots of reasons for that, nothing against TB. Rich S, it was great to meet you as well. In fact, I connected with more of the UMTRR Gang than at any of the other three conventions I've been to (Tacoma, Washington, and Nashville). Believe it or not, there are four people who have been to every one of the NSC/NSE gatherings-- that's thirty of them! Another highlight of the week for Colleen and I was finally getting to visit with Todd Treaster and see his amazing layout in person. And as for his N Scale accumulation-- well, Todd has things I've never heard of before, never mind seen! That wasn't an official event, but I do know that plenty of attendees made the 2 1/2 hour one way drive to Todd's, and it was worth every minute of that travel. The NNSC is about the trains, but it's also about the people and the connections.
Will this person PM me please or if anyone knows what his ID is on TrainBoard please let me know so I can PM him? He was at the Convention and did a lot of picture taking (more than me! only because I was enjoying the event ). He might even be the event's official photographer. He knew who I was! I kick myself for not noting your/his name. He complimented me on my Japan thread and mentioned multiple times that if the thread can be made into a book he would buy it. I'm letting the cat half way out of the bag as I went and did it as an experiment. More info by the weekend.
Terie Campoy and Steve Miller. They are the official photographers for the NSE and Terie runs the Model Contest, as well as updating the Armstrong Guide for the organization (at Jack's passing, he bequeathed the Guide to the NSE). Steve and Terie have been huge supporters of the NSE for many years. Steve is a stalwart of the East Valley Lines Club at Griffith Park. I don't actually know if they have Trainboard IDs, but I think they read it here. If you want, I am happy to forward anything directly to them. George
Thanks @George Johnsen ! Can you reach out to him to see if he has an ID on Trainboard? If not, then his email address? If he asks, tell him it's the guy with the Japan thread on Trainboard. I thought so he was the official photographer!
Hi George, Will you be able to attend the Altoona N Scale Weekend this year? Todd is once again opening his layout and collection for the attendees of the Altoona N Scale Weekend, both Friday Night and Saturday Night. Todd has a Facebook page for his layout ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/1755684164943067/ ) and asked if you are able to attend his layout, give him a RSVP as he always has goodies to eat and wants to make sure he has enough for everyone that will be attending. As usual because of my work Schedule I'll only be able to attend on Saturday.
