O Scale National Convention Layout Tours

Looks like no one else is going.  Too bad.

Another question.  Do any of you know of any vendors that will be at the show that talk 3RS?  Or is it all 2R?  Thanks.

Ron

Sorry I do not know anything about the convention to help you but I noticed you are a CAP pilot. I went through the entire cadet program in Ohio back in 1963 till 1970, Ohio Wing, 1407 Squadron at Akron-Canton Airport. Many great memories in CAP! We had tail draggers, L-16 and T-Craft. You still active?

Eric,

Yes I am, but splitting time between CAP and the train clubs.  I'm involved in the cadet program, mostly aerospace education related.  Operationally, I have a medical condition that prevents me from passing a flight physical so no more pilot time.  I still support CAP search and rescue as an observer, scanner, and soon to be aerial photographer (FEMA loves us for this).  With a few exceptions, CAP only flies C-172s and C-182s now.  We are always looking for non-pilot volunteers so come on back.

I'll be attending it, mostly for the layout tours. I believe Keystonned Ed (Ed Rappe), John Sethian, and Christopher N&W from the forum will have their layouts open. If anything, there's some serious PRR modelling going on down around those parts!

CAPPilot posted:

Another question.  Do any of you know of any vendors that will be at the show that talk 3RS?  Or is it all 2R?  Thanks.

I will be there representing Sunset Models and Golden Gate Depot. While I am personally a 2 rail modeler I can talk 3 rail half intelligently - which obviously means half unintelligently. I have spoken to you at the TCA shows in York since I always do them for 3rd Rail and Golden Gate Depot.

Slugger posted:

I'll be attending it, mostly for the layout tours. I believe Keystonned Ed (Ed Rappe), John Sethian, and Christopher N&W from the forum will have their layouts open. If anything, there's some serious PRR modelling going on down around those parts!

Those guys have great layouts, but they are 2R.  I'm interested in seeing what Rick and Gary have done in 3RS.

rheil posted:

CAPPilot posted:

Another question.  Do any of you know of any vendors that will be at the show that talk 3RS?  Or is it all 2R?  Thanks.

I will be there representing Sunset Models and Golden Gate Depot. While I am personally a 2 rail modeler I can talk 3 rail half intelligently - which obviously means half unintelligently. I have spoken to you at the TCA shows in York since I always do them for 3rd Rail and Golden Gate Depot.

Since I have somehow acquired a lot of 3-rail GGD and 3rd Rail items over the years (plastic and brass), learning how to convert them to kadees is on my list.

You know whats funny here, not one person on here has said where it is, or when it is.

eddie g posted:

You know whats funny here, not one person on here has said where it is, or when it is.

Probably because they all know where and when it is, since it is a 2-Rail SCALE show (generally discussed fully on the OGR 2-Rail SCALE Forum). Thus, it isn't funny at all.

CAPPilot posted:

Slugger posted:

I'll be attending it, mostly for the layout tours. I believe Keystonned Ed (Ed Rappe), John Sethian, and Christopher N&W from the forum will have their layouts open. If anything, there's some serious PRR modelling going on down around those parts!

Those guys have great layouts, but they are 2R.  I'm interested in seeing what Rick and Gary have done in 3RS.

I've seen both several times - well worth your going to see them.  One thing to remember is that they are both in VA which while perhaps not obvious means that you have to cross the Potomac (twice).  Traffic can be impressively challenging for those of us that actually know where we are going; for others, it can be something from Dante's Inferno.  I don't know when they are scheduled to be open but consider avoiding that trip during the 4-5 hour rush hour that increases in intensity on Friday afternoons.

Hot Water posted:

eddie g posted:

You know whats funny here, not one person on here has said where it is, or when it is.

Probably because they all know where and when it is, since it is a 2-Rail SCALE show (generally discussed fully on the OGR 2-Rail SCALE Forum). Thus, it isn't funny at all.

Eddie, my bad: The convention will be held August 22-26, 2018 at the Rockville Hilton Hotel, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852.  I'm sure non 2-rail modelers, even Tin Plate collectors, are welcomed.

Jack, I think they may be changing their philosophy just a tiny bit.  It is called the "2018 O Scale National Convention, A Fresh Look at O Scale" and has 3RS layouts on the layout tours.  The convention cars can be ordered either as 2 rail or 3 rail.  Not like the big jump when the sponsors of this forum went from O Scale Railroading to O Gauge Railroading, but maybe a small attempt to broaden their base.

Dave,

Thank you.  Looking forward to the convention.

Thank you  Ron.

Hi, both of these layouts are well worth the trip. Both layouts are well done and nicely scenicked. Gary's layout was designed by the local group's founder, John Armstrong, and some of the scratchbuilt buildings on his layout are fantastic. I know they have both done a lot of conversions of 2 rail cars, and Gary has converted a lot of high end brass cars.

I don't have anything to do with this convention except have my layout on tour. I guess one thing I'd like to clear up is that I'm not exactly sure what the "fresh look" is referring to but Rick's layout definitely, and I think Gary's was on the DC 2004 0 Scale Convention tour. Both Gary and Rick have been regulars in our local group for as long as I have been and longer, hosting frequently. Two rail and 3 rail convention cars also were available at the 2004 Convention as well as a 3 rail modular layout. No offense taken or meant by any of this.

I am going. I get on Amtrak 5:13 Monday morning in Omaha and arrive in Rockville, MD 1 pm Tuesday. As a Vietnam Vet first thing Wednesday morning I am headed to the Vietnam Memorial in DC. I plan to see a few more things in DC as well. The train stops 5 minutes from the hotel.

Dick

mwb posted:

CAPPilot posted:

Slugger posted:

I'll be attending it, mostly for the layout tours. I believe Keystonned Ed (Ed Rappe), John Sethian, and Christopher N&W from the forum will have their layouts open. If anything, there's some serious PRR modelling going on down around those parts!

Those guys have great layouts, but they are 2R.  I'm interested in seeing what Rick and Gary have done in 3RS.

I've seen both several times - well worth your going to see them.  One thing to remember is that they are both in VA which while perhaps not obvious means that you have to cross the Potomac (twice).  Traffic can be impressively challenging for those of us that actually know where we are going; for others, it can be something from Dante's Inferno.  I don't know when they are scheduled to be open but consider avoiding that trip during the 4-5 hour rush hour that increases in intensity on Friday afternoons.

Always good advice. If Friday rush hour traffic is anything like Atlanta's, then I'm sure it starts by 1 pm....

The Red Line of the Metro system is the one with a stop just a few minutes away from the hotel.

However, the Red Line is also undergoing a lot of major closures and it would behoove anyone planning on using the Metro system to regularly check on closures, delays, etc. this summer.

CAPPilot posted:

Eric,

Yes I am, but splitting time between CAP and the train clubs.  I'm involved in the cadet program, mostly aerospace education related.  Operationally, I have a medical condition that prevents me from passing a flight physical so no more pilot time.  I still support CAP search and rescue as an observer, scanner, and soon to be aerial photographer (FEMA loves us for this).  With a few exceptions, CAP only flies C-172s and C-182s now.  We are always looking for non-pilot volunteers so come on back.

Ron,

Thanks for your service in Civil Air Patrol. Many people do not realize the service CAP members accomplish as volunteers in search and rescue operations, disaster relief and training of our youth in the aviation and aerospace fields. 

I have spent the last 35 years in the private sector managing recovery operations after natural disasters and with my experiences as a CAP cadet in my youth I can vouch for all the good that is done by CAP.

Right now I am looking forward to playing with all these trains I have collected over the years but who knows, I may get tired of all that in time and decide to join again as a senior this time. Only problem is I doubt my old blue serge would still fit me! 

Slugger posted:

I'll be attending it, mostly for the layout tours. I believe Keystonned Ed (Ed Rappe), John Sethian, and Christopher N&W from the forum will have their layouts open. If anything, there's some serious PRR modelling going on down around those parts!

I just visied Keystone Ed's layout last night for my Birthday and I was extremely impressed! Big layout! Lots of PRR, and a lot of research went into the planning of that layout and it really shows! I was blown away of the gauntlet track for the "scales" of the hopper cars!

eddie g posted:

You know whats funny here, not one person on here has said where it is, or when it is.

Nor do those attending need a count down to when it starts.  Why do you think that is?   John in Lansing, ILL