I took my dancing lessons from Flava Flav, so just think of that second place plaque as Flava's big clock. Karen and Loren Snyder would have won prizes for their models had they entered in the modules contest, but I think they were not NMRA members. I bet they change their minds and join in time for the 2011 NTS in Sacramento. Z Scale mopped the floor in LA this year, so let's see if we can continue the trend, and score at all the NTS shows!
Great job! everything is really cool to look at. I'm impatient to have more info on the sprocket and gears and motors sections:bear-tongue:. Each year I check if the Canadian section of the NMRA is more into Z (we are currently not allowed to join the U.S section), but I get disappointed each time, it is mostly HO, and a little of N. Plus It takes 4 members to restart a section, because our East section "Alouette" is currently a dead bird. If only I would have been closer to you guys, I would definitely had join the group. Until the increase of Z popularity in the north East, I'll need to bug you guys for more info, it is the only way to gather useful tricks on modeling. Ben
I fail to understand why some people even bother to bring entries to a convention such as the Anaheim 2008 NMRA. There was a very large display of "N" that had about 30 to 40 modules. Many of them had nothing but a flat piece of plywood and very nice benchwork. The ONLY thing on the modules was trackwork. I am sure SOME train modelers would appreciate the trackwork, but believe me the general public does not - and I thought the trainshow was primarily for the general public. Dave George's Z layout which has parts only about 12" off the floor had kids and wheelchairs "all over the place" for 2.5 days, while at times the N-Track layout had no one, and I do mean NO ONE. [It was in sight of Mr Dave's 'Golden Blackhawk' layout]. The amount of HO in layouts really did not amount to too much so it is hard to understand why NMRA continues to keep the blinder's on. Maybe Z won't rule the world tomorrow, but NMRA should really wake up and "smell the coffee." --my "unbiased" opinion. ...don
Don, I think we got enough attention this time that things may be shifting. Mr. Dave has made a name for himself with his great display, but the Z-Bend Track modules have had to almost fight to get in to the NTS (even after the showing in Cinci). A couple of times, they forgot to mail us the registration packs even after we were on the mailing list. Well, this year, NTS staff came looking for me, wanting to make sure that Z is signed up for upcoming NTS's. And Tony Koester of MR's Great Model Railroads annual wants us to do an article for the 2010 edition (2009 line up is already set). Things are changing. We just have to keep up the momentum. Randy
Show overhead shots: Covers ZoCal (mostly lower amd upper left), Loren Snyder (upper right), Brad Stegman's volcano (BAZ BoyZ) and the BAZ BoyZ (upper). Western Pacific museum from Portola Valley on the left (the brown area). Many modules are interchanged (not all groups in specific areas: hey, it's the Z-Bend Track standard !!!) As you can see, we live by the Z-"BEND" Track standard !!!
I like all the different types and shapes off your modules. It makes for an interesting layout with lots off things to see and take pictures off.
O.K., but keep bugging them. Last year after Mr Dave won several awards [and he was asked to come to the Detroit NMRA/NTS], Scale Rails didn't even mention him in their first post-convention issue. There was some email exchanging the night before the next issue went to press and Dave then got a few photos of his layout. Scale Rails had to tear out one page that was going to be printed and substitute Dave's photos. I could never figure what came out from reading the index, but if you look at the color of the page numbers they are all a maroonish color EXCEPT the page with Dave's photos where the page number is in black. This is quite the opposite of the National N Scale Train show in Louisville a few weeks ago. Dave had been asked to come to that also -- and boy did we get treated nicely - especially Dave !! ...and he was the only Z on the floor of over 600 N Scale modules. ...don
Whooo! Model Railroad magazine! I'm trying to control myself here. I could write a full page about my issues with them, but I'll stay a gentlemen, let me just say about all my letters not responded to! The avoidance of Z scale subject in the magazine, and the famous Excluding everything from Quebec in all their contests and drawings, (just look in the fine print if anyone is in doubt) ,But I'm probably the only one on this earth who have so much grudge against them, so they don't care. I cancel my 15 years membership last year to replace them with Model Railroad craftman. It's the best desision I took. At least craftman talks a little more about Z than MR and have more scratchbuilding topics. Ben
A funny thing happened at the show, Me and Larry were chatting and Rob was right behind us so once in a while Rob used to comment from behind us. After a some time Larry asked Rob something and there was no response so he looked back and said "Holy Smokes look what happened to Rob", I looked back and took this picture Rob had shrunk down to 'G' scale. Actually he was a sweet little kid who liked Rob's layout so much that he sat there chatting with Rob for a long time eating ice-creams and watching the movie at the drive in. Kim
Looking down at the modules I think I remember someone saying that there was 23 scale miles of mainline on them! I don't think I saw that many mile on the other scales mods. Cheers, Jim CCRR
My first try at flash...There are ~300 high res photos and ~100Meg file. It will take ~7-10 minutes to download with DSL connection Page Title Play with the controls and you can zoom and pan or manually select the photos Kim
Gee, I don't know Kim. Weren't there more scenes than that?? This is almost better than being there. ...don
I managed to get my NMRA National Train Show 2008 layout photos up online, and for this Z scale audience, I thought you-all would be especially interested in the historic Western Pacific Z scale layout done by Model Railroader back in 1986: NMRA National Train Show 2008 Anaheim - Layouts Photo Gallery by atsf_arizona at pbase.com Displayed at the NMRA National Train Show 2008 in Anaheim. Owned by the Western Pacific Museum in Portola, Calif - they bought it off of eBay in early 2008 and are preserving it for display Hope you enjoy .
Here are some shots of Z that I took. John Sing, very nice to meet you at the show! The following eight shots are of the Z Scale Western Pacific.