The Unconventional Convention

SIGs / Groups

Sure, we will have the usual SIGs, but...

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

Groups on board...

• National Association of S Gaugers — The NASG is the umbrella organization representing and supporting the 3/16" or 1:64 S scale model railroading community. NASG has combined their annual national convention with the NMRA's, to provide more bang for your convention dollar. One registration entitles conventioneers to unrestricted access to all the activities, as well as the National Train Show^®. Be sure to check out the NASG activities at the "dedicated NASG webpage".
  
  
• Layout Design SIG — The LDSIG's prime purpose is to help modelers design and build a model railroad to enhance future operations with minimum space and cost, while avoiding common design flaws, and include prototypical and model design features that maximize operating interest and visual interest. For more information about LDSIG clinics, tours, and activities, see the "Layout Design SIG Activities & Schedule" page.
  
  
• Operations SIG — The OPSIG's principal purpose is to discuss, develop and disseminate ways of operating model railroads to realistically emulate practices of the prototype railroads. For more information about OPSIG clinics, operating sessions, and activities, see the "Operations SIG Activities & Schedule" page.
  
  
• Railroad Prototype Modelers — RPM's mission is multi-faceted, with promoting the prototype modeling of all eras at the top of the list. Additionally, they want to develop greater knowledge and understanding of prototype railroading, it's history, and it's cultural and economic significance. There will be a full RPM meet as part of Extra 2011 West. The activities will include clinics specifically aimed at prototype modelers and model displays of locomotives, equipment, and structure models. Bring your prototype models so all can enjoy and share them.
  
  Dates and times are:
  Wednesday - 12:00 noon to 8:00 PM
  Thursday - 12:00 noon to 8:00 PM
  
  Models will be on display in a monitored and secure room in the Convention Center.
  
  There are also a range of clinics which compliment the RPM event including ones on a number of prototype railroads (Central California Traction; Chinese steam; Colorado & Southern; Modesto Empire Traction Company; Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad; Northwestern Pacific Railroad; Pacific Fruit Express; Sierra Railway; Southern Pacific Railroad (diesels, passenger cars, Sacramento Shops, and SP steam); SP Narrow Gauge; State Belt Railroad; streamlined trains in California; West Side Lumber Company; and Yosemite Valley Railroad), modeling techniques (airbrushing, building with brass; and rapid prototyping), freight and passenger equipment (freight car weathering; intermodal well cars; making RTR freight cars really RTR; SP freight cars you can model; SP business cars; Tangent Scale Models), and prototype research (prototype research panel discussion and using the California State Railroad Museum library and archives). Clinic presenters include Tony Koester, Richard Hendrickson, Timothy Costello, Tony Thompson, and Kyle Wyatt, Curator for the California State Railroad Museum.
  
  
• Northwestern Pacific Railroad Historical Society — The NWPRRHS is dedicated to preserving the rich and colorful heritage of Northern California's Redwood Empire railroading. They accomplish this through acquisition, preservation and display efforts, as well as through gathering oral histories of people who have contributed to its regional history. A NWP clinics track will be presented on Tuesday. See the Clinics List for more information.

Other groups and SIGs are welcome to participate in the Extra 2011 West NMRA National Convention. Contact Groups Coordinator Seth Neumann for more information.

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Groups Coordinator, Seth Neumann
S Scale Co-Coordinator, Ed Loizeaux
S Scale Co-Coordinator, Lee Johnson
Assistant S Scale Coordinator, John Gibson
RPM Coordinator, Tim Costello

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