Announcing the National Z Scale Convention

Hi all,

After many month of planning, letters went out last week to manufacturers and vendors regarding our efforts in establishing a yearly Z Convention starting in 2010. Ben gave me the ok today to post the particulars:

"Micro-Trains Line will host the first National Z Scale Convention™ in Medford, Oregon on April 30th – May 1st 2010! The convention will have a variety of events including a tour of the Micro-Trains factory, a private trip to Medford’s Railroad Park w/ BBQ dinner, a public show day, clinics, contests and a dinner banquet! More information coming this September."

We have a ton of stuff in the works to make this a fun and interesting visit to the Rogue Valley and a chance to run trains with new and old friends. Management here is working out the long term plans for this Event, and once we get the particulars ironed out, we'll be posting and looking for help.

As I get more information on who will be there and what clinics/contests we will be hosting, I'll post them.

Looking forward to meeting everyone.

Cheers

Joe
MTL

 

Joe,
This sounds like an excellent idea!! I'll have to see what I can do about making it there for the event. Maybe if I start walking there now....................

 

Only 800 miles away! Much better than the east coast - not that I have anything against the east coast mind you. Should be able to make this.

David L.

 

I think this is a great idea. About 2900 miles for me, though. So, walking is probably out of the question. Although, If I start out following I-70, I might cross trails with Thom. It sounds like fun. Maybe my luck will change by then and I'll be able to go by plane.
Dan S.

 

I would like to go too, but logisitcs is a little complicated for me these days.

 

Any of you Easterners can plan ahead and fly in to SFO (ah, San Francisco) or our other airports (SJC and OAK) if you can find a better deal there. Heck, even Sacramento (SAC). We can pick you up there and boondoggle ya up there. Just about 5 hrs north. Beautiful Lake Shasta, Dunsmuir, Yreka, etc.
.

 

Very tempting, Jeff.

 

well, i want to go! busy month for me as the week prior i'll be in san jose! then come home and leave like thurs. night (or day) for medford. then leave the following friday for minnesota to attend my daughter's graduation from law school. one-two-three! i hope airfare isn't sky high then!!!.
dave f.

 

Randy,

Forget the logistics, just point your nose West and go..........

 

David,
You are a busy man about that time, but it takes a busy man to get something done.
Love to see you come.

 

Sweet!!! I'm soooo there!!:teeth:

 

I'm on board!!!!!!!!!!!

 

OK, I plan to come. First we will have the ZMOD Show in Oslo and then the Z Convention in Oregon

 

Good news Jurg!
It will be great to meet you and many of the other fine modelers that frequent these forums.

 

For me it's about 6000 miles... Not really close. Won't be easy for me but who knows...

Dom

 

Dom

all you need is a plane, you fly it:tb-biggrin: and pick me up on the way?

Mike.

 

I would very much like to attend but find it way to far to travel. I hope the numbers are great and it can become a yearly ritual. All scales should be notified and encouraged to attend-- we don't want to preach only to the chior, gotta get convertz.
Fred

 

We realize Medford is a long way for some. That's why we intend to develop this so it can go on the road and work in conjunction with the NTS show. Next year the NTS show will be in Milwaukee Wisconson, many consider the epicenter of Model Railroading in the US. I can't think of another venue that will draw the numbers it will and provide a great chance for even more Z Scalers to get together for a second time that year (less formally I suspect). The mechanics of this are still in the works and we suspect some of the "cream" of Z will rise to the occasion and begin to form leadership and formalize this even more.

I know there are concerns about "First" being used and this is in no way designed to diminish or stomp on other events in the past. What we are trying to do is put together something that will occure on a predictable, yearly basis and become an interactive gathering of Z Scale. As we move forward, I suspect MTL will step back and let members take control much the way it happens with the N Scale Collector's Society.

I hope semantics will not get in the way of something that will benifit the scale and give us all something to own a part of and look forward to each year. We've seen an explosion in Z Scale over the past few years and we felt it was time, and the scale had matured enough to take the next step and form a Society and move forward. Unlike any other scale, I think Z modelers have really pushed the envelope on so many fronts that we need to showcase what we are doing and educate others that we are more than the impression made by others. If you can't make it here next year there's still an opportunity to become part of the organization...more on that to follow.

Cheers

Joe
MTL

 

Right on Kurt, You get 5 extra 'atta boys' for your participation. Welcome.