Page 4 - May June 1999

President’s Car...
Michael E. Spray
tryside and premises. Well done Keith and Carol Webb and their team.
The half yearly business meeting lasted a little less than an hour. As Trustee, Steve Park said there are still problems with the mailing of the Bulletin maga- zine. However the problem would be pursued until we had it corrected, and thanks are particularly due to John and Len Firth, and Vernon Stone, who are giv- ing much time and effort to get the mat- ter resolved.
Ted Smale, Supply Officer, is planning on retiring from this post at the convention this October after many years of good service. Many thanks to Ted, and would any member wishing to take on the job please get in touch with me.
In the April Presidents Car I mentioned the live steam NYC Niagara that I saw on TV. So far that has brought me one phone call from that well known member and pillar of society, Derek Milby, who could tell me that it runs on 10.5” track, weights some 3.5 tons and is 22 ft. long! The name of the owner, and the location, are still unknown. Anyone out there with more information, please get in touch. ●
Regarding the 1998 Convention post-mortem by Russ Cook, the convention chairman, I could hardly believe what I was reading. I had always thought that members and their partners attended conventions for an enjoyable weekend, to share our interest in a hobby and to enjoy each others’ company - something that I call fellowship. In this instance the organisers were made to feel ashamed of being in the or- ganisation. All this, and the loss of Russ and Sue’s grandson’s “trainbox”, and the rearrangement of Barry Owen’s N-Trak module by persons unknown. I hope those responsible feel very ashamed. As Region President I offer the Region’s apologies for the offence caused by a few, and a hearty thanks to Russ, Sue and their delightful family, for a great week- end.
The Spring Meet at Brunel University, Egham, Surrey, in the Runnymead cam- pus (or “Bunnymead”, as the locals call it due to the large population of enormous rabbits) was first class - beautiful coun-
Letters
Special
REPLIES TO...
JOHN WRIGHT’S “CONVENTION COMMENTS” (FEBRUARY 1999 ISSUE)
THAT WESTON MEET REPORT,
AND RUSS COOK’S CONVENTION POST-MORTEM
From Keith Webb
On John Wright’s Convention Comments in February’s Roundhouse. Some of his comments are quite correct and some he should have researched further.
The registration fee pays for the ‘extras’ provided at a convention, like - coaches to places of interest, entertainment for the Non-Rail attendees, the little mementoes we receive, layout expenses, administration, and lots of other things that we enjoy and take for granted. Bear in mind that unlike the exhibitions he has mentioned, we do not charge the traders for floor space - if we did this we would not need the registration fee.
Unfortunately (for John) he has never been to a convention or tried to organise one, so he does not appreciate this. Perhaps he should have requested a convention guide to research the subject first. None of us wish to pay more than is necessary.
I (and this is a personal view) agree with John on the fact that we should invite layouts from non-members, however there are lots of members with layouts who seem to not wish to be part of a database. Also when invited to attend functions decline, as the Spring Meet organisers can confirm. The reason I say this is that I offered to compile a database of available layouts back in ’97, (if John is the same John H Wright from Tyne & Wear who was one of the initial three responders, then he should have known this). This gives me the opportunity to point out that I had a very poor response. Alas the database is still very slim, as apathy, it seems, is rife.
(Ed, perhaps somebody can do an article on apathy in the NMRA along the lines that Spitting Image did for Rancour in the Tory Party) - [Ed:- Nah, they’re too apathetic.]
I also agree in part with John on the two day ‘shows’, as he puts it, (I think he means Meets). I agree that to set up a layout for something as small as a Meet, where it does not get fully appreciated, for one day, possibly puts layout owners off. On the other hand a two-day show wrecks your weekend, and the Sunday can really drag. I am afraid I also agree with John on the subject of clinics, but again it is down to people willing to
Popular Vote Contest ...at the NMRA/BR Brunel Spring Meet
Les Herriot - Contest Chairman
Nine entries were received as listed below. The winner of the Les Holland Memorial Trophy was item 5, Jim Burghall’s HO SD90/43 MAC for CP Rail.
Entries: (all HO except item 1)
1. O scale PRR scratch built coach. Nigel Hodgson
2. Roundhouse caboose, kitbashed to CPR shorty van. Keith Webb
3. CN SW1200RS kitbashed from Athearn switcher. Brendan Gash
4. CP Rail high short hood (ex NS SD40-2) kitbashed from Athearn. Jim Burghall
5. CP Rail SD90/43MAC. RPP body chassis plus Athearn bits & detail parts. Jim Burghall
6. City House, kitbashed from kits & parts. Brendan Gash
7. Superdetailed Walthers Trainline GP15 in UP livery. Tom Watson
8. Brass Pullman observation coach, fully detailed & painted. Tom Watson
9. SP caboose, full detail inside and out. Tom Watson
Recent Gold Spike Awards from Steve Park
George Gregory (deceased), Barry Peacock,
Don Annison, Tony Bagwell, Pete Durkin, Bob Lever, Brian Neville, Eric White, and Jonathan Small.
4 ROUNDHOUSE