N Scale Convention-Medford

First let me say it was regrettable, and Dick feels awful about not thanking the Z Scale club for attending at the event. It was simply a matter of being tired beyond belief as volunteers, and was inadvertently left on the notepad, not spoken. This will be well remedied in the magazine.

Note that I use the word volunteer- no one is paid in the NSE. it is a huge undertaking, and takes hundreds if not thousands of hours in a year. Even a proven (over) workhorse like former Boeing standout Dean Daughenbaugh found it too much and 'retired' to help Fred with the special runs. There is no "bringing in" all of the top people. Everyone pays their own airfare.

Interesting thread with a lot of old wounds, that are clearly felt strongly, but may have already been dealt with at an organizational level. At least we try to listen, and have made changes all along that do reflect many of the things that are being said. We continue to make those changes, and are reviewing the results and comments of the Medford convention even as we speak for modifications to the Milwaukee convention.

Before I talk about that, I'll say this: it was by design that the N Scale Collector became the N Scale Enthusiast. The 'design' was the survey that we did of members that indicated that over 92% of the membership of the N Scale Collector were a member of a club, had a layout, had a module of some format. operated regularly on someone else's layout, or were gathering things to build a layout. I suspect thats not unlike the makeup of the group that attends this forum with regularity. While they are also interested in "collecting", the definition changed from person to person, with most subscribing to my personal definition- a collector is someone who has more trains than they can put on their layout at any one time. Your definition can vary. Some of us are builders and weatherers (that includes myself) some of us are pristine-o-holics (also guilty on a certain level) that simply like the art of model railroading. Again, speaking personally, I appreciate the art of printing, the art of weathering, and the art of scratchbuilding equally, and have overindulged in all of them. As some of you know, I routinely run a stack train that is weathered based purely on photos for every container, car, and locomotive in it. I also have a clean, in the box, factory air preserved Daylight that I set on the shelf just to admire. Collecting and, I dare say, the NSE are not just one definition.

The core of our convention is cameraderie. Meeting up with other train-crazy folks to celebrate the nuance and variety of N Scale train love is a great way to spend a weekend once a year. In fact, it is the highlight for many, and for some the only time life lets them be their true self. For work, I also attend ComiCon every year and I see no less enthusiasm at an N Scale convention than I do at that nerdfest. its just nerds of a different stripe. Or nerds on a different track....

That cameraderie is fostered around get togethers, room sales, layouts, tours, and other functions that are fun. Yes, we do have traditions. The auction, the big tour, and the trainride are regular features. We get a lot of families at the convention, so we tend toward things that families will enjoy. That said, Layouts are regular features. If you look at the NVNtrak event and the SoCalN event, those were some pretty darn big layouts, and the centerpiece of their convention.

With the demise of the Ntrak National, the NSE decided to step up to offer a National convention. Someone said that is presumptuous. I'm curious how you came to that conclusion, as the goal here was to offer something rather than nothing. This convention was different than our other conventions in that the emphasis was placed more on the modeling and less on the collecting. This was easy for us, as we found out that most of our members were collectors out of interest, as an adjunct to the rest of their N Scale interests. Seemed like a natural. To that end, we paired up with the NVNtrak folks who had the wherewithall to put on a national on their own. This was a co-located convention, and was the genesis for the format we have now.

I invite you to check out the "how to get a convention in your area" which lets you know what we need for a convention location. Note that the most important person is the local anchor. Note that layouts are crucial to the event. We want them, we love them, we operate on them. At NO time do we look down on them, as was (i hope) incorrectly stated here. The problem is, there were insufficient clubs local to Medford, and no space if they were there. The hotel was maxed out with what we had.

As to home layouts, I point you to this very forum, where last October forum member upguy asked for layout suggestions that we could go visit. In order to make a tour there has to be enough to make renting the busses worthwhile, and simply put, there was not. We don't care what the scale is, we appreciate the work, In Houston, we went to N, HO, and G scale layouts. We have been to O scale and S Scale layouts over the years as well. In Medford, we went to the inch and a half scale Train Mountain, probably the biggest layout we've ever been to. it is a must do for the convention. We do it whenever we can.

Clinics have been added as a regular feature due to popular demand. Interestingly, we have had clinics since Tacoma and Reno. Heavy rotation at Hershey, and very well attended. The thing about clinics is that there is nothing a convention organizer can do except ask. If no one steps up, there is no clinic. and if a clinic is given and few attend, the presenter is less likely to do it again. In Medford's case, we had a lack of volunteers even though we asked on several forums and in the magazine. Milwaukee will be better. there are some clinicians already committed. If you have something you would like to share, PLEASE volunteer. It will be worth your while.

Gosh, this is getting long. sorry. Lots to respond to. I'll try to wrap up.

The bottom line is that the NSE puts on a convention that IS an expanded mission. We love N Scale as much as anyone, and do anything we can to promote it. Thats why all of our 'shows' offer the local club the opportunity to open the show to the public. Medford is an anomaly in that it was too small, and too isolated to make it a true example of the conventions that we like. That said, I'm told it was fun, it was trains, and it stands as a job well done.

Yes, next year will be different and bigger. Will it be better? that's entirely up to you. Volunteer. Do a clinic. Bring a module. Get involved. If you don't like who you are working with, work with someone else. The way to make this grow is to work together. If you want to discuss more, ny email address is under "contact" at the NSE website

Best-

George Johnsen
Chairman- Volunteer and pretty hacked off that work made me miss this year's convention of the NSE

 

Thanks for you reply and comments, George.
I suppose there was probably a better way to air our concerns and opinions, but this was convenient and fueled by a similar passion.
Good to know it didn't fall on deaf ears.
Looking forward to seeing you at the next BIG layout.
My faith in humanity is being restored, now off to bug the NMRA and nTrak.......

 

George answered many of the questions, but not the issue of how difficult it can be for local groups to work with the NSC/NSE. I've heard that theme from several of the local group organizers, although I will admit I haven't heard anything since Louisville.

 

George Johnsen, thx for the thoughtful reply. Thx to all the volunteers for doing your best and for trying to listen and respond as best you can. As George said, it's a huge year-long effort to put it on and it's all volunteers. We're all fortunate to have the NSE Convention.

 

Response to Roger's Valid Issue

Roger-

As with anything else, this is a growth thing. We have been adjusting our methods and people to try and get this totally under control. In years past, we relied exclusively on local folks to deal with relationships, and then interfaced to one or more people who admittedly had too much to do. Since then, we have tried to get a much more broad approach, and more help to get it done right. I don't think we are there yet, and are still working on it, but I know that the guys are trying. The goal is to provide what people want at a convention, and it is clear that the layouts are part of what people want.

For you and ANYONE else out there- if there are ANY problems dealing with this sort of thing, you are always welcome to talk to me directly, and I will attempt to "reeducate" the person in charge, or at least help with the understanding on both sides. I would put in my email address, but I had to re-signup to TB and can't post links or emails as yet.

George Johnsen

 

I can say from personal experience that this issue still existed at the Hershey convention last year.

 

Thanks, George,
I didn't think with you in there that the issue would continue and I'm glad to hear about the attitude change. There are a lot of folks that have negative feelings toward the NSC. I'll give the NSE a fair shot.

 

I wish not to through fuel on the fire, but in my humble opinion, a fair and reasonable discussion of this matter seems to required that egos and self agenda’s need to be checked at the door to opening, fairly and honestly discuss this matter. I think well want a convention that represents all the interests associated with the hobby. I am not an expect on conventions nor how to support and grow the hobby, but I do suggest that agendas may well be getting in the way of level resolution to the issues raised.


If one looks at the NSE web site, they may well come away with a view that NSE has not changed from its original goal of satisfying the collectors. In my humble opinion the writing on their web site needs to be reviewed in light of their words that they want to represent the interests of all N Scalers.


I have attended a large number of conventions, retreats, etc and note that not all have satisfied my needs or desires, at the time and there was good & bad associated with all. I think the old phrase....you can not please all the folks all the time.....might apply to conventions.

 

PennsyPride- I would love to have you contact me directly with specifics. Can't deal with what i am unaware of. Use a private message or my contact email on the NSE website.

Farish- you are correct, in that the current NSE website is a retread of the NSC information. Right now, we don't have anyone who has volunteered to update all of pages that need updating. Currently our website is primarily dealing with a few communication points. The auction, which has really become a great way to pick up good prices for runners or fill out a collection if that is your interest. Convention information in that it is a consistent way to get the information out to people who do not receive the magazine. The Special Run sales, which run the gamut from cars of interest for prototype operators or for the fantasy folks. In this little way, we do try to please many, but as you say, it is impossible to do 100%. Note that it is our opinion that the speculator market is dead. The days of high prices artificially inflated are over, and I personally doubt very much that they will ever return. That means that true collecting is back to stay. You purchase because you like it, not because you think it will be worth more tomorrow. That isn't to say that auctions, etc are no longer valid, as rare is always going to be rare. What it does say that the days of the 'evil collector' buying up everything so the runner can't get to it are over, as that 'evil collector' has figured out there are better ways to advance their agenda. (witness the fall in prices of brass, beanie babies, franklin mint collectibles, hotwheels, etc. it isn't just N Scale. Now, Star Wars figures..... THERE is a speculator's market


Interestingly, I hope I don't have an agenda (at least that I am aware of) other than keeping the hobby strong. I am a prototype modeler, an Ntrak module owner, a club member, and a collector of things that interest me. I like the people that like trains, and have chosen N Scale as the most acceptable compromise between the trains I like (mile long intermodal) the reliability of operation of realistic consists, and the variety available to own. I also appreciate the toolmaker's and printer's arts, so I collect things that I find beautiful, historically important, or just interesting. Talk about multiple personality disorder! Representing all interests, even all of my own, is a daunting challenge for a convention, but one I love to try. Given that NSE conventions have layouts, clinics, auctions, and tours, lets discuss what other interests we can serve at our convention, to make it a truly open forum.

In my personal opinion, the reduction in the number of conventions is a natural outgrowth of the economic reality of putting a convention on. When I chaired the Long Beach N Scale Convention in 1996, the hotel costs were covered by the number of rooms that were taken in the hotel. The banquet cost under $15 per person, and the breakfast was an $8 buffet ( I don't remember what the sell price was, but suffice to say t was lower then than it is now, by more than just the cost of living index) . Flight costs were similarly low for people visiting from far off places. This made it reasonable for people to attend Long Beach, and also go to RunniN' TraiNs with NVNtrak the same year. (still have my red line route caboose!) Recent years have seen hotels demanding huge upfront cash deposits, and don't get me started on the glamor of air travel and its cost to attendees at this point. These realities have priced any manufacturer or attendee out of attending the slate of shows they need to do in a year. NMRA National, NWest, NEast, and the Chicago Hobby Show used to be the must-do tour for an N Scale diehard. Add Amherst or Springfield, or Trainfest, and you have a pretty full travel calendar. Now, The NMRA has downsized, and to co-locate with them has become cost prohibitive, and Ntrak no longer offers NWest/NEast conventions for a myriad of reasons, most of which are cost and hours. All of that is to say a single convention really is the answer, and I don't care who puts it on, but someone has to come to the party that is good at serving their market, well funded, and well organized to pull it off. I can tell you this, NSE is trying, and it takes a lot to get it there. (Special Runs are big part of the funding effort, so thanks to all of you who support Fred's efforts.) That said, we know it isn't perfect, and welcome any new blood that has ideas without personal or business agendas.

I am certainly open to anyone who wants to volunteer to create content for the website, as we are for the creation of content for the magazine. I have scheduled the conversation to expand our "Author Car" program to web content authors, and if you, or any one else, have any ideas for an expansion of the web offerings I would love to hear them. Do note, however, that i do not wish to duplicate any of the already well established things like the forums here, or other working resources out there. The efforts of those providers are to be savored, not duplicated. If you have any ideas that we could provide a home for that don't conflict with already established venues, we are absolutely open.

And- if you have great ideas you want to see happen, volunteer. That's how it gets better.

George J