While 2008 seems quite a ways off, the planning for most aspects of such an event takes years. Such is the case with the layout and facility tours.
At this time we are seeking home layouts in all scales (especially N-scale as we usually are under-represented in N) for the tour program. Specifically, we need layouts that will be at least 50% completed by July 2008. The layout owner need not be an NMRA member to participate in the layout tour program.
I’m writing to you to ask your help in recommending home layouts in Southern California for the layout tour program, whether the layout is yours or a friend’s. We’re not asking anyone to commit to showing their layout just now, however, we would like to begin discussing the layout tour with interested layout owners as soon as possible.
NMRA 2008 CONVENTION
LAYOUT TOUR FACT SHEET
What: The Annual Convention of the National Model Railroad Association
When: July 13-20, 2008 (Sunday-Sunday)
Where: Anaheim Marriott (Next Door To Anaheim Convention Center)
700 West Convention Way
Anaheim CA 92802
714-750-8000
Convention Chairman:
Bill Mergard
5210 Carmelynn Street
Torrance CA 90503-1906
310-371-1971
Layout Tour Chairman:
Bob Chaparro
22372 Canaveras
Mission Viejo, CA 92691-1608
949-770-5158
Only registered convention attendees will be allowed to visit home and club layouts. We probably will register 1,800 persons for this convention, but not all persons participate in the layout tours. These tours will be conducted by official convention tour guides on a set schedule. Visitors will be transported by bus in groups of up to 55 persons, with the number of visitors allowed at any one time in the layout area limited to what can be comfortably and safely accommodated.
The NMRA thanks you for helping to make this a great hobby.
NMRA 2008 CONVENTION
LAYOUT TOUR PROGRAM
HOSTING A LAYOUT TOUR:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Who would be coming to my home?
A: Only members of the National Model Railroad Association who have registered for the Convention. Convention attendance ranges from 1,500 to 2,000 persons, however, not all attendees go on the layout tours.
Q: When is the Convention?
A: July 13 - 20, 2008 (Sunday-Sunday) in Anaheim.
Q: What scale of railroad are you looking for?
A: We are looking for all scales plus garden railroads.
Q: What is the geographic area covered by the layout tour program?
A: As this is a National Convention, we will cover Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego and Ventura Counties plus western Riverside and San Bernardino Counties and the Santa Barbara area.
Q: How good does my layout need to be to participate in the tour?
A: Your layout should be tidy, operational and generally free from frequent derailments and electrical problems. Scenery should be at least 50% complete by the time of the Convention.
Q: How many times would I be expected to display my layout during the convention?
A: We would like to have several tour groups visit your layout on different days. If this is not possible, then one day for two or three tour groups would be the minimum.
Q: When would I be expected to be open?
A: The tour program will operate Monday, July 14, through Saturday afternoon, July 19. Tours will be grouped into morning, afternoon and evening sessions. The weekday morning and afternoon tour sessions are the ones for which we need layouts the most.
Q: Is the tour program insured?
A: Yes. The NMRA carries one million dollars in liability insurance for these types of events.
Q: What do visitors do when they visit a home layout?
A: Mostly they come to see and photograph your layout and ask questions about how you planned and constructed the layout, what your overall concept is, and what your next projects are. They may want to ask about particular motive power, rolling stock, and structures or your trackwork and control systems.
Q: How many people would come to my home and how would they arrive?
A: Each tour group will consist of 30 to 50 people. All visitors will arrive in chartered buses on a fixed schedule. If you have a small layout or access is otherwise limited, and there is another layout in your vicinity, we can split the tour group and rotate between the two layouts.
Q: If I go to the trouble of hosting a tour, can I be sure people will come?
A: Due to the large number of attendees, nearly all tours at NMRA National Conventions are by advance reserved bus seat. Thus, the tours have an eager audience, with guaranteed attendance!
Q: How would the tour group be managed during the visit?
A: Each tour group will be under the direction of a Tour Leader. Based on the capacity of your layout room, the visitors will be admitted to the layout room in numbers that can be comfortably and safely accommodated.
Q: What if I want to invite the attendees to operate my layout?
A: Each tour group will be visiting your layout for between thirty and fifty minutes. If you care to share the controls within the scheduled visit, that is fine. If you have a very large railroad and are experienced with multiple operators, we can discuss having a special operating session lasting several hours or more.
Q: How should I prepare for a layout tour?
A: We have a set of guidelines for advanced preparation and day-of-the-tour preparation which we will provide to you. Additionally, a Convention representative will meet with you well in advance of the tour to discuss access, safety and any other concerns that you may have.
Q: Should I invite the general public to attend?
A: We ask that you not schedule any visits by the general public that would conflict with your scheduled tour times.
Q: What if I need to change my scheduled tour times or dates?
A: You will be given phone numbers for both the Convention Desk at the Convention Headquarters and the Layout Tour Chairman. We can make adjustments and cancellations to within hours of your schedule tour times.
Additional Questions? Contact:
Bob Chaparro, Layout Tour Chairman
22372 Canaveras
Mission Viejo, CA 92691-1608
949-770-5158