I went to the National Train Show on Saturday and it was by far the best day of my life.
First, I met Tony Koester, who is one of my favorite model railroaders, I even bought one of his books and he was kind enough to give me his autograph!
I also got to see the staff of Model Railroader and some other "famous" people.
I got two books "Prototype to Layout" by Tony Koester, and "The V&O Story" by Allen McClelland, I also got a freight car.
Glad you didn't go crazy and buy a locomtoive...
I am really thinking I need to go to Grand Rapids next yeat
Justin,Congratulations on meeting TK..
He is also one of my favorite modelers.
Sounds like a GREAT day!
Ralph
Sounds like a lot of win! Though thank god i couldn't be there, i think i'd go broke. besides, to much stuff to do on my layout as it is!
I agree with Green Elite Cab, It's like going to Wonderland, but I would go home broke.
Hey, that's great!!!!!!! Someday, maybe someday they'll have the national show here in Phoenix. Whats that you say, nobody will attend if it's 110 degrees out... we have the MLB All-stars game here tomorrow, and I don't hear too many people complaining, so why not a train show?
No doubt, I'm jealous, but I'm glad you got to meet some real good folks.
Don, do people really complain about that? I've been to Phoenix and it wasn't too bad. You just have to carry a water bottle or chew gum to keep from going dry. Besides, the events are indoors.
Mike Kieran Wrote:Don, do people really complain about that? I've been to Phoenix and it wasn't too bad. You just have to carry a water bottle or chew gum to keep from going dry. Besides, the events are indoors.
Yeah, you're right, even the game tomorrow is in a domed and air conditioned ballpark. Some people can't take it, like last week when it got up to 118, that's hot, but remember, it's a dry heat. When the humidity is in the single digits and the dew point is negative, it's dry. Still, it's rare to see any national conventions being held here in the summer. It's been years since we've even seen one of the traveling train shows, like " World's Greatest Hobby" or "Great Train Expo" here and we're the sixth largest city in the country. I don't know, but someone must not like coming here.
I think we are all a little jealous Justin, meeting T.K and the MR staffers.
You showed great restraint by only buying two books and a freight car.
Glad you didnt by lunch that would have cost more than all the above items and really broken the budget.
Damn those convention and sports caterers charge like wounded bulls.
Mark
ezdays Wrote:Mike Kieran Wrote:Don, do people really complain about that? I've been to Phoenix and it wasn't too bad. You just have to carry a water bottle or chew gum to keep from going dry. Besides, the events are indoors.
Yeah, you're right, even the game tomorrow is in a domed and air conditioned ballpark. Some people can't take it, like last week when it got up to 118, that's hot, but remember, it's a dry heat. When the humidity is in the single digits and the dew point is negative, it's dry. Still, it's rare to see any national conventions being held here in the summer. It's been years since we've even seen one of the traveling train shows, like " World's Greatest Hobby" or "Great Train Expo" here and we're the sixth largest city in the country. I don't know, but someone must not like coming here.
If they can hold conventions in Vegas, they can hold them in Phoenix. It's just a shame that conventions aren't held in New York City. I understand some things may be expensive, but the railroad history here is phenomenal. I just wish that there were more than 2 model railroad clubs and more model railroads in the city itself.
I agree, those big shows tend to be in the Mid-west or the West Coast. I think that last national train how to be in this area was phildelphia in 2006. On the other hand, that springfield show is always there in massachusetts, maybe they figure they don't need to bring that national train show out east.
To hold the convention, a local group has to make a proposal, convince the committee that they can handle it, and then get it voted in from the competition of several other bids. It took Toronto 50 years to get their second convention.
I met Allan McClelland at the Toronto convention -- after he made a presentation he sat beside us in the lunch area.
