2023 March “O” Scale Meet Update
February 16, 2024
NEW:
The March Meet in Chicago; March 14-17, 2024 is quickly approaching. The schedule is complete and posted on our website. We added a clinic on Sunday at 10:00am: Custom Turnout Building with James Schultz. As we begin to wind down the 2024 March Meet, a few of us might have the patience to sit down and learn James’ techniques for turnout construction.
Regarding the health of the March O Scale Meet; as of today, compared to same date in 2023; meet registrations are up 10%, table sales up 31% and the hotel room block AT THE WESTIN is full, for the second time. We still have 17 tables available.
We previously reported that our hotel room block was full. Last Friday, we were able to obtain an additional small block of rooms, however they sold out over the weekend. Currently the Westin is completely sold out of Double Queen rooms, at any price. There might be some King rooms available outside our block, however short of that the hotel is full.
For those who desire double queen rooms, we negotiated a special rate of $139 with the Embassy Suites across Butterfield Road, south of the hotel. It’s a 5 minute drive or 15 minute walk. (Please note; There is a $12.50 per day charge for parking.)
Those who still need rooms and wish to take advantage of this rate, must do so using the following link:
https://www.hilton.com/en/book...NK%2CEN%2CDirectLink
REMINDERS:
Ken Burney is coordinating Ride Sharing for the Illinois Railway Museum Guided Tour as well as Layout Tours. Email Ken: w.k.burney@outlook.com or contact him on Facebook if you need a ride and especially if you’re willing to take along a fellow O Scaler.
For the Friday night General O Scale Discussion Meeting, Roger Lewis of Wasatch Models has agreed to moderate. He’ll discuss his latest California Zephyr project and open the floor up to further discussion based on what we bring for show and tell or what we care to discuss.
Thursday March 14 is Ted Schnepf’s annual March Meet Operating Session. Like last year, this has been moved from Friday to Thursday to allow for a longer operating session as well as to provide Ted with more time on Friday for his dealer set up. There is still room for more operators. Please see the Layout Tour section of our website for mark-up information. If you haven’t yet participated, SIGN UP! This session is designed with unfamiliar operators in mind, so don’t let lack of experience stop you!
Friday will be dealer set up from 1 pm-9 pm. There will also be a guided tour at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, IL beginning at 1 pm with Nick Kallas. Enter the grounds through the normal entrance off the parking lot. Proceed to the Office on Central Ave (across from the refreshment stand) and check in there. The General O Scale Discussion Meeting is planned for 6:30 pm with the Proto:48 Discussion Meeting following at 8:00 pm. As in previous years, the value of these meetings is dependent on group participation. So, bring along that interesting special project you’re working on to share with the group.
Saturday, dealer access begins at 8:00 am for final set up and at 9:00 am sharp, the doors open for trading etc. Trading ends at 5pm. Model Contest entries are due by 11:00 am. Please bring along a model to enter in the contest if you can. The success of this contest is also dependent on group participation. O Scale Central will have a membership meeting at 11:00 am. Sarah Griessenboeck will host a 3-D printing round table clinic at 12:30 pm. Jim Rindt a clinic on Modeling a town for a museum display at 2:00 pm. and Eric Bacchi a clinic on Modeling O Scale in small spaces at 3:00 pm.
Ken Burney’s Facebook: 2-Rail O Scale & Proto:48 Model Railroading Meet and Greet at 4:00 pm will conclude Saturday’s meeting room schedule. Ken is putting some extra effort into this year's meeting, so attend if you can. Those unfamiliar with Facebook are strongly encouraged to attend so you can learn what you’ve been missing with Ken’s group along with other similar Facebook interest groups.
Lastly, David Vaughn will host a NKP Modelers Meeting at a time to be determined
The Saturday evening Social, sponsored by O Scale Central, will run from 7:00 pm - Midnight in the foyer. A cash bar will be set up between 7 pm and 11 pm. This was a new addition in 2023 and was very well received. It cut down on the unwanted bar room noise, while allowing O Scalers to socialize. There was an O Scale multimedia show organized by Doug Meyer in the background, which we’ll have again this year. We hope everyone considers stopping by once or twice, whether you’re staying in at the hotel or going out for dinner or layout tours.
Sunday, the doors open at 9 am and the meet ends at 2 pm. Everyone’s cooperation was appreciated with the early shut down last year. For 2024, we’re back to a 2 pm end time. That being the case, we’re asking all dealers to refrain from early pack up before 12 noon.
Check the website for Layout tours starting Thursday and ending Sunday. Of special note that everybody should be aware of is the Rockford Club Open House on Thursday, Saturday AND Sunday. Thursday was just added a couple days ago.
With regards to the 2025 March O Scale Meet: The dates will be March 20-23 2025. Same format as this year. Dealers and attendees can pre-register at the 2024 pricing at the meet. Subsequent 2025 pricing will be determined based on the final number of tables sold this year along with attendance and pre-registrations. If we have enough in every category, there won’t be much of an increase. Hotel Room Rates will be $128 per night for 2025. For those who stay in hotels on a regular basis, comparably speaking, you’ll recognize how reasonable this is. We continue to work to keep all costs as low as possible.
The March “O” Scale Meet Committee
Website: www.MarchMeet.net
Email: ChicagoMeet@yahoo.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarchOScaleMeet
