N-Scale Conventions and organizations representing N-Scale

I too have reservations about the C to E. I have ZERO interest in cars that are made up specifically to sell as collector items. I don't begrudge those that do enjoy that aspect of the Hobby as their dollars help fund the tooling for cars that can be prototypically lettered and I am not forced to buy them.....except that to join the NSE I get one of those cars instead of one that I can actually use. Oh well.

I guess that less than 20 people are diehard Collectors who actually care about the auction and the daily market quotes on Kadee/Micro-Train cars. Most of the people that attend the conventions, joint or not, are Accumulators, not collectors. Some of them will buy cutesy cars but don't keep them in a hermetically sealed Mason Jar on Funk & Wagnall's porch. Some even lower, body mount couplers and weather their M-T cars, especially the ones that make the Collectors faint when they see them.

The NSC/NSE Conventions have been, overwhelmingly, a coming together of quality N Scalers. Maybe the BOD is dominated by the people who have interests in the Auction and Special Runs, but to me that is largely their problem. Micro-Trains might be interested in the viewpoints expressed here but remember they have to calculate if broadening the appeal of the NSE is in their best interests or they it would dilute focus on M-T products, special runs, etc.. that they now enjoy.

Charlie Vlk

 

I suspect that NSC/NSE will only become a true membership run operation when/if it stops beng a profit center for the people in charge. Since it isn't a 501(c)(3) it doesn't have to account for the funds.

 

You weren't there, then why comment?

 

Totally unnecessary.

 

Thanks, Charlie, Bob, Mike, George, and several others for the positive and insightful comments. This is the type of discussion that I hoped to stimulate and I appreciate the time given to this topic. I'm glad that my facetious tone didn't dilute the topic.

I certainly don't want this to be an us vs. them, but more of an some of US vs. some others of US. US being true N-Scale enthusiasts.
The end result that I hope to find, is an organization or group that best represents ALL of the aspects of the hobby and is inclusive.

I know that NSE and N-Trak needs to find common ground. The best conventions have featured both groups working together in a positive way. Like he said, What can it hurt? I see more people coming to the conventions and speaking with their wallets, which is what it's all about anyway. WGH cost money to get in, and many people come to buy more stuff. For our part, N-Trak, it's variants, and other portable N-Scale Layouts are there to stimulate interest, there for adding to the sales potential. Doesn't matter if it's a M-T circus car or a Train-Cat Bridge on a layout. Everyone benefits. By not supporting other facets of the SCALE, any group is only stepping on it's own tail.

NMRA also needs to address the underlying (and sometimes overt) ill feelings many N-Scalers have with that organization. I've heard about it from many n-scalers over the years. I think it's getting better, but it can still do more.
The NMRA convention and National Train Show will be coming to Portland OR. in 2015. Our club will be there, with bells on!! We'll have to see how well N-Scale is treated, as we have lots of active groups that I'm sure will be participating. Clinics and contest models in N will also tell the tale.

I'd still like to hear more thoughts and suggestions, I'm taking notes, but not quoting any one !!!

 

I want to keep this short... and I haven't read all of the posts yet.

After reading the posts about the Medford NSE(C) convention, I was very displeased with the comments regarding the dearth of N scale layout representation. It was great to have at least a beautiful Z scale layout represented, but, it IS AN N-SCALE convention after all.

I really believe that the NSE(C) is presently destroying the N Scale hobby by becoming a collector specific organization masquerading as a representative of all N scalers. I have resisted joining the organization even though I AM mostly a collector than a runner. I will offer the following analogy... albeit a bit of a stretch:

Can you imagine the world today if the NSE organization were representing automobile manufacturers?
Henry Ford and others would have built automobiles to be kept in their garages and and admired for their aesthetics... rarity and unusual characteristics... heaven forbid you actually got the tires dirty!!! There would be no need for a highway systems... afterall who would dare 'operate' these fine artifacts on those filty dirt roads anyway... that's what horses and other beasts of burden are for.

N scale already is looked down upon by larger scales because they have the physical number of members and 80 yrs of manufacturing which has encompassed more types of locomotives and rolling stock than N scale has been able to generate in its 40 yrs of existance. This organization is fracturing the bond which have been established over the past 40 yrs since N-Trak began to coalesce N scalers into a tighter knit group. Joining NSE(C) would only add the the demise of N scale... N-Trak needs to be revived and put back into the forefront of this segment of the model railroad community.

BEAR IN MIND... I AM MOSTLY A COLLECTOR... without the full package of runners, scratch builders, accumulators and collectors... we are a weak group.

 

Supporting Russ's comment: There's a fair amount of overlap as far as I can tell between the membership of the NSE and the subscribers to my Unofficial Micro-Trains Release Report.

I don't think too many of my UMTRR Gang Members keep their MTL accumulations pristinely boxed with factory air.

 

My understanding is that it is HIGHLY recommended that you be OUTSIDE when you let the factory air out...then all will be ok. Just sayin ;-)

 

Actually, the entire concept of factory air is kinda funny, considering that most if not all MTL plastic boxes have a small hole in the bottom. Result: the factory air is gone as soon as the car leaves the factory.

Back in 2001, I reviewed a fictional "Factory Air Tank Car" in the UMTRR as an April Fool's prank... I got letters about that one...

 

I'm liking it !

As all know I dont run much of anything thats even considered prototypical. I run what I like...what makes me happy. I have an old warehouse building that will be going on the New THERR. I am now gonna be on the lookout for a pressured tank car that I can try and reletter to "Factory Air Tank Car" and make the old warehouse into some fictionally named Model Train Manufacturing Company. The tank car will be parked out back with a hose going into a standpipe into the building. To funny...but my kind of scene...thnxs for the idea. LOL