Oops!..posted this on the wrong forum…
Anyone heading for Anaheim next week?..this will be my first!
Any suggestions as to activities and clinics?
Sam
Yep, be there all week. Check out my clinics:
DCC: The good, the bad, and the ugly
Things I’ve learned in 15 years of using DCC - includes the ahas, the uh ohs, and the OH NO’s!
Siskiyou Line Potpourri
Recent photos of my HO Siksiyou Line layout, recent op session information, recent news, and what my latest model railroading projects are.
I’m going, first timer also. I’ve just been looking over the schedule of clinics and drawing up my game plan. I’ve also got a reservation for the Colton Yard tour.
If you are from out of the area and are thinking about doing some sight seeing away from the convention, Disneyland is right next door to the Anaheim Convention Center. Angel’s Stadium is a couple of miles away but they won’t be playing until Friday (Boston) due to the All Star Game break.
I suggest you check out the Metrolink schedule if you are planning to head up to L.A. and want to avoid the freeways and parking hassles. The Anaheim Metrolink station is about two miles from the convention and it takes less than an hour to get to Union Station in downtown L.A. The last Metrolink train back to Anaheim leaves Union Station at 6:30 pm but there are a couple of Amtrak trains that run later in the evening.
There is a good spot to grab lunch a block away from Union Station called Phillippes. It has been there forever, the food is good (deli style), prices reasonable and it is a real popular spot with downtown workers so try to avoid the noontime rush. Olivera Street which is the original settlement that spawned L.A. is right across the street from Union Station. Plenty of pretty good mexican food and shopping for souvenirs.
Continuing on the rail theme, you can transfer to one of the Metrorail (light rail) lines at Union Station. The Red Line has stops in Hollywood and Universal City/[url=http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/park_overview.html]Universal Studio[
Going to miss it this year. Take as many clinics and tours as you can. Seeing other layouts gives some great ideas and also some things you dont want to do. Do not miss the train show, its usually great. As a registered person for the convention you get 1/2 day at the show without the public, Friday morning. A good time to meet the manufacturers and talk to them. Have fun!!! The bar in the conventoin hotel is a great place to meet other modelers.
Dave
Is the NMRA event different than the National Train Show? I know they’re taking place at the same time. I guess the question is this, because I’m not a member of the NMRA, can I only attend the National Train Show on the closing weekend?
Yes, the NMRA convention proper comes before the National Train Show and is several days of clinic how-tos, prototype and layout tours, modeling contests and other events. You have to be an NMRA member to attend the convention – and if you’re not a member you can get a mini-membership to the NMRA when you register.
Convention attendees get the first several hours of the train show to themselves, after which time the National Train Show gets opened to the general public.
Thanks! Glad I checked before driving down.
I will be there for the NTS, part of the Free-Mo set-up, I’ll be the middle aged bald guy! If you attend and come by the layout, ask for Rick from Southern Kansas Free-Mo.
Rick
If your not an NMRA member you can still go to the open to the public National train Show on the 19th and 20th.
I’m going and it will be my first convention. I’m local and am planning on going to clinics (Logging and Lumbering / Photography) on Thursday and the train show on Friday. I can’t decide if I should spend Wednesday (and the $'s) on the “Southern California Excursion Tour”.
Anyone have an suggestions?
Thanks,
Marty
Oh yeah … I also have business card size pictures of my layout with my website on the back. Is it too crazy to pass them out to people I meet at the convention?