The Unconventional Convention

Welcome to Sacramento, California!

Sacramento has long been a railroad town. The Central Pacific Railroad began building eastward from Sacramento in 1863, and celebrated the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad at Promontory, Utah, five years later. It was home to the vast Southern Pacific Railroad Shops. It is now home to the California State Railroad Museum, one of the premier railroad museums in the country, located in Old Sacramento, less than 1½ miles from the Convention Hotel. With 53 historic buildings, Old Sacramento has more buildings of historic value condensed into its 28 acres than most areas of similar size in the West.

Sacramento will be the home of the combined 2011 National Conventions of the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) and the National Association of S Gaugers (NASG). That's right - two national conventions in one. The EXTRA 2011 WEST CONVENTION promises to be The Unconventional Convention!

Layout tours...sure!

But how about self-guided layout tours before and after the Convention? How about taking the Capital Corridor commuter train to see some of the well-known San Francisco Bay Area layouts during the week?

Railroad tours...sure!

But how about riding the famous Sierra Railroad? The Sierra RR is known as “The Movie Railroad,” since its historic locomotives and cars have starred in hundreds of film and TV productions, including High Noon, Back to the Future 3, and Petticoat Junction. How about a chartered ride on the Sacramento River Train with a chance to win a cab ride? How about a railfan bus trip over historic Donner Summit with a visit to Donner Lake State Park (where the Donner Party wintered in 1846-47), and lunch in Truckee where helpers were once stationed and snow plows and rotaries line up to battle the snow piling up on Donner Summit?

Clinics...sure!

But how about clinic presenters whose names you recognize, but who rarely put on a clinic? How about clinics on subjects you never see at other conventions? Check out the "Clinics" page for more info.

And for something different...

The National Association of S Gaugers (NASG) has combined their annual national convention with the NMRA's. The result is a bigger and better convention for all. One registration gives unrestricted access to all activities of both organizations. All S-related activities may be found on a dedicated webpage on this website at the "NASG" page.

While it is still in the planning stage, the X2011 West National Convention Committee hopes, in addition to LDSIG, OPSIG, and now NASG, to also include some other special interest groups representing historical societies with some special presentations, and regional groups including the Bay Area Garden Railway Society, Sacramento Valley Live Steamers and many others.

NOW is the time to plan to attend
Extra 2011 West Convention
July 3 to 9, 2011
Sacramento, California
as we begin our second 75 years of promoting the great hobby of
model railroading!

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California State Railroad Museum
Used with permission.

Convention Hotel