The National Model Railroaders Mid-Eastern Region will hold it’s 2007 Annual Convention in Lynchburg, Virginia on the days of October 18-21, 2007 at the Kirkley Hotel and Conference Center. Host for the event will be the MER’s James River Division.
The three days will feature a number of interesting displays, workshops and exhibits. Some of the topics in workshop this year include:
- Locomotive Sound Systems by Ron Gareis. An overview of locomotive sound systems including the QSI, LokSound, Soundtraxx Tsunami and the new unveiled PCM “blueline” sound system. Ron’s clinic will focus on how to set the sound and motion of any of these systems to your own personal preferences.
- Building a Laser Kit Billboard by Chris Jessee. This hands-on clinic will teach you how to build a wood roadside billboard structure kit that you can use on your layout.
- Electronic Mini-clinic by Mike Maloney. This clinic will focus on two short topics: wiring on a foam base, and how to create neon lights for your layouts.
- Build a Wood Milk Station by Martin Brechbiel. This workshop will show you how to construct a wood milk station in HO or O scale. This one costs an extra $15, and is limited to the first 15 registrants. Bring your own tools, but the model kit and glue are provided.
- Animation by Bill Day. In this clinic you will learn how to build an animated roll-up warehouse door. At least the key part of it. Participants (only 20, and at at an additional cost of $10) must finish the door at home, and install a Tortoise switch machine to make it operable.
- Building a Wood Flat Car by Martin Brechbiel. You bring the tools, Martin will supply the expertise and kit to show you how to build a wood flat car in O scale. (again, limited to the first 15 people at $15)
- How To Construct Pine and Cypress Trees by Mike Hart. Mike will demonstrate how to create pine and cypress trees using sticks,clay, caulk and tree roots, fashioning a very realistic product.
As well as many other hands-on clinics, including Advanced Resin Casting, Animation, Working with Decals, Digital Scratch Building, Painting Backdrops, Virginia Blue Ridge RR, Ceiling Tile Rocks, Diesel Kitbash, CADRail1, CADRail 2, and an NTrak Modular layout.
There will be many contests to compete in as well. Main categories are models (with eleven sub-categories: Motive Power:steam, Motive Power: Diesel, Traction, Freight Car, Caboose/Cabin Car, Passenger Car, Non- revenue, Structure:On Line, Structure:Off Line, On-Line Diorama, Off-Line Diorama), photography (four categories), arts & crafts (three categories) and ten special awards.
As many as fifteen different layouts will be featured this year around the Lynchburg area. Many of these can be viewed during or just after completion of the convention.
There are various accommodations available nearby with a banquet buffet scheduled for Saturday night. The Registration form is available here . Register early as workshops will fill up fast.
