Had a disappointing experience over the weekend with the Midwest Region NMRA Convention held in Rockford, IL. I volunteered my layout for the layout tour back in February and was very much looking forward to sharing the layout with lots of people. I have been on layout tours in Texas and also in Missouri and have always had good experiences. Not so with this convention. I was open 2 hours Friday, 4 hours Saturday and 4 hours on Sunday. A total of two people showed up the whole weekend. Turns out the convention had made a mistake on my layout tour map and also had my address wrong on the list. The two that finally showed up late Sunday did not have much appreciation for N scale and spent the whole time telling me about this great HO layout they saw on Saturday. I was in no mood to hear about someone elses HO layout, but I as was polite as I could be. They were nice enough to show me the maps and the mistakes. Said they had problems with a number of the other layouts as well. Oh well. I had a lot of quality one on one time with my layout! Daryl UPRR Rochelle Sub
Daryl, What a shame! I think you have one of the best N-scale layouts out there and to have them foul things up like that is just short of criminal. Out of the 20 or 30 visitors you SHOULD'VE had, I'm sure at least 5 or 6 would have been hooked on N-scale after the visit....great for the hobby and N-scale. I've only seen pics of your layout online....but it's not just the pics but the control system, detection, signaling.....the whole package in my opinion makes it a step above the rest. I'm not sure exactly where you reside, but I make it up to Illinois (Aurora) about 3-4 times per year so I would love to come see your layout someday. Anyway, hopefully you'll have better luck next time around.
Daryl, I'm sorry to hear the tour was a wash. Sounds like the mapmakers had a case of H.U.B disease when they wrote up the tour maps. As for the rude visitors, I'm into N scale myself, but I enjoy seeing model railroads of ALL scales, gauges, and eras. If I just wanted to see HO layouts, I would have just gone to HO layouts, and not made any comments like these insensitive folks made. I've seen the MPEG files you've put on your site, and I'm impressed as all get-out. You'e shown what can be done in N scale when it comes to modern Class 1 action (and this is coming from a modeler of shortlines in N, and the Frisco in HO). I haven't seen your layout in person (Grand Junction, CO is a little ways away from Rochelle, IL), but it's on a list of Layouts I'd Like To See in Person. Wonder if Allen Keller knows about your work....
I agree with Doug and Friscabob. Your layout should have been placed in the best spot. I love those working signals and that double crossover.
Rochelle is about 40 miles west of Aurora at the intersection of I88 and I39. Let me know when you're in Aurora again and I'll send you GOOD directions and the correct address! Daryl
Well, even though I lived in Elmhurst, Ill at one time; I'm notwup here in sometimes sunny Vancouver, BC. The reason I didn't do the NMRA layout tours here in Vancouver last year was that there was no N scale layouts. If I was going to pay money, I definitely wanted to see something in my scale. I also enjoy contemporary mainline rail roading, so I know I would have enjoyed your layout. I did check out your new layout, read about the twins, saw your old layout, and appreciated your talent.
sorry to hear about your tour , daryl , anyone who has gone on a tour or has been a layout host should know that you ALWAYS THANK THE HOST !!!!! for being open and showing their layout. what would happen if no one opened because no one or only a few showed up!! i have gotten many great ideas from other layouts and if not just talking to the host will always give you some new insight , but as others have remarked , i too have seen the photos of your layout on trainboard and it is one of the finest i have seen ( love those signals ! )
Daryl, I did some design work for Borg-Warner in Loves Park, Ill and would have enjoyed visiting your layout but the local Hobby Shop there in downtown Rockford wouldn't even call any of his customers or clubs to ask permission for me to talk, much less visit! I came back to Texas with a bad taste in my mouth. I have had to turn away a couple of visitors when I didn't have anything to show, or was ill, but normally they are welcome. It is usually a thrill to see what other people have done, but it doesn't matter to me what scale they work in. I happen to enjoy HO, but even 027 Lionel layouts can be fun. Just "blow them off" as wise guys. If the truth were known, they probably don't have the skill to turn an engine "on" much less know how to run one. At least they didn't steal anything. That happens too often with visitors!
Daryl, i'm really sorry to hear what happened i can assure you that it is the loss of the tour not to see your magnificant layout. i can understand your dissappointment I have spent countless hours working on my layout but I have very little modelling friends in this area to share it with. I am however planning a modelling night for a group of HO modellers i know of.
Daryl, I live in Crystal Lake and would like to see your layout someday. Email me at dmurphy@depaul.edu
