2007 Convention: August Update

If you have ever repainted three times the black/white part line on a restroom commode for a coach whose roof does not remove - You may be an Obsessive-Compulsive Modeler. If there is no corner of your basement that has not received the [Layout] Locating Engineer’s measuring gaze – You may be an O-C Modeler. If there is no visible means of support beneath your layout, other than collections of kit boxes, scenery supplies, and detailing parts - You may be an O-C Modeler.

If you have ever attended an Extreme Clinic and concluded “This guy is only scratching the surface of a spectrum of infinite possibilities to which I could address the remainder of my declining lifetime’s creative energies” - You may be in need of serious professional help. And, while we can’t offer that requisite aid, our Hosts and Clinicians may be just the ones to push you over that edge!

Convention Headquarters

By the time your read this, it is expected that 50% of the (minimum) room-reservation target (at the Best Western Sovereign Hotel) will have been met. As an advisory: to receive the convention–package room rates, booking must be conducted WITH THE HOTEL – not On-Line or with the Best Western reservation system - by September 18 to take advantage of the offer. [Use the 518-489-2981 telephone or 518-489-8967 FAX numbers.]

Displays & Attendees

See the accompanying pictures of Dominic Bourgeois’ Downtown Schenectady, NY, modules, coming down from Montreal for both this and the Bridge Line conventions. He and Ken Goslett also will give us the Clinical view from Canada of prototype and modeling. The insights and efforts of the “Eh”-Team should both amaze and inspire.

{Also expected in attendance are some vendors doubling as Clinicians, modelers from the Niagara Frontier Region, the Mid-East Region, Germany, etc., and one or two hobby notables that we swear are only here to enjoy themselves [nudge-nudge, wink-wink].}

Also, the Central New York Division will be representing the Fall 2008 NER Syracuse Convention. An informational table will be located in the Hospitality (Guilder) Room, along with those for other educational purposes.

General Clinics

See the adjacent schedule. This list is still subject to change, since some repeats of clinics may be offered and other clinics are being pursued. Should the advanced registration numbers indicate their need, early Friday Clinics may be provided, also. [See Further Updates at end of this blurb.]

The Saturday Guided Bus and Car-Pool Tours

The Morning Port of Albany Tour, the Afternoon Amtrak Turbo Maintenance Facility Tour in Rensselaer, NY, the Morning Non-Rail Tour, and the Afternoon Erie Canal tour are still on our agenda.

[For all of the above, it would be wise to have rain gear, sturdy shoes, and long pants.]

Self-Guided Tours

The Self-Guided Tours Map Book is just about ready for distribution in early to mid-September. See the adjacent schedule for hosts and layouts. [Unfortunately, Jack Wright’s Schoharie Valley Railway, the Schoharie Valley Model RR Club, and Marcel Zucchino’s Adirondack Northern had to be removed from the list, for personal reasons.]

Layout Operations

Layout Operations are still as listed in the Registration Package. Except at Lou Sassi’s Layout, operating positions are still available, as of this writing.

Self-Guided Tours & Clinics/Displays

Download as a PDF.