Photo of MCoR 2012 Regional Train Show by Richard Schumacher
The NMRA Mid-Continent Regional convention returned to St. Louis, the “Gateway” city, after an eight-year absence. The Gateway Division broke with tradition and started the convention a day early on Wednesday May 30 – which allowed us to pack the convention full of more activities – giving better value and a more exciting convention. Notable model railroaders, including Tony Koester, Bill Darnaby and Mont Switzer, presented clinics. Over forty quality layouts were available for viewing and interesting prototype/industry tours were available. Prototypical operating sessions (OpSIG) were available and space was included for Special Interest Groups (SIG): Operations (OpSIG), Layout Design (LDSIG) and Railroad Prototype Modelers (RPM), so that you could meet with them and discuss their group’s activities.
Wednesday, May 30, the convention started with registration at the Holiday Inn Southwest Convention Center. The Hotel, Convention and Train Show were all under one roof and provided excellent access to the St. Louis highway system and attractions. OpSIG prototypical operating sessions started Wednesday night.
Thursday, May 31, the convention was in full swing with a bus tour to Gateway Rail Services in Madison, Illinois, where passenger cars are repaired and refurbished; and notable model railroaders presented sixteen clinics. The Model Contest room was open to accept models for NMRA Judging, People’s Choice and/or Display. The day featured self-guided tours of over forty layouts and another evening prototypical operating session.
Friday, June 1, included a bus tour to the Union Pacific Car Shops in Desoto, Missouri with lunch at an old Railroad Hotel in Desoto; sixteen more clinic sessions; the model contest; more self-guided layout tours and the third evening prototypical operating session.
Saturday, June 2, a tour of American Model Builders was available. There were also eight clinics; model contest judging; even more layout tours, and the Train Show opened. In the evening, the dinner banquet was held at an unusual venue, the Museum Of Transportation, with dining under the train shed among the old passenger cars. The diners were entertained by the passing trains on the busy Union Pacific mainline next to the Museum. Tony Koester was the keynote speaker, and service and contest awards were given.
Service Awards
K.B. (Kenny) Johns Award: Philip Aylward
Contest Awards
Kenny Cline Award: Frances Hale MMR
Larry Long Award: Ron Gawedzinski
Sunday, June 3, the Train Show was open from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. when the 2012 MCoR Convention was wrapped up for this year.
Clinics: The twenty-three clinic topics were balanced between planning, operations and building…something for everyone.
Tony Koester: Multi-level Layout Design and Construction
Tony Koester: Creative Structure Kitbashing
Bill Darnaby: TT & TO Operations
Mont Switzer: Favorite Freight Car Projects
Brooks Stover MMR: Research and Building the BC&G in S-scale
Brooks Stover MMR: Scratchbuilding Structures Using Inexpensive Materials
Gary Hoover: Modeling the N&W in Steam
Dave Roeder MMR: Building Award Winning Models
Dave Roeder MMR: Layout Design: Kirkwood Cutoff
Randy Meyer MMR: Rock Casting & Coloring
Steve Brawley: Building a Static Grass Applicator
John Kalin: Building Wood Trestles
Dennis Brandt MMR: Building Turnouts with Fast Tracks
Doug Harding: Modeling Meat Packing
Doug Harding: Meat Packing & Operations
Larry Alfred MMR: Modeling Blank Walls
Rich Mahaney: Selecting Industries For Your Layout
Rich Mahaney: Iron Ore Operations & Car Ferries
Rich Mahaney: Quick Industries For Your Layout
Ryan Moats MMR: Documentation for AP Merit Judging
Ryan Moats MMR: AP Merit Judging
Pete Smith MMR: Building Wood Structures
Brad Slone MMR: Ft. Leonard Wood Bridges
