Page 8 - November December 2011

‘I Remember It Well’
Arriving at the latest convention, and doing a complete circuit of the hotel, looking for that final parking spot, I thought that perhaps this was not a good omen, and as we were about to do another circuit I spotted what looked like a parking slot through the fence in front of next door. So I hastened to have a look, and as the property didn’t look that well used I took a chance. When I arrived at the hotel front desk, I explained the situation and was told it was the staff car park and all would be well, as they were very busy this weekend.
Then we went to our room, settled in only to discover that the loo wouldn’t flush due to the lack of water, so trying to inform the staff, we discovered that the phone didn’t work either. I strolled down to the desk and explained the situation and they very quickly sent a man, who fixed the phone but was unable to fix the loo. They immediately offered us their last room but by this time we were unpacked and settled. So they offered to re­pack for us and deliver all our ‘goods and chattels’ to the far side of the hotel. We suggested that they supply us with a bucket and we would cope for a couple of days.
These things sorted, we settled down to an excellent weekend which we both thoroughly enjoyed, each in our own particular way, my wife meeting her friends and participating in some retail therapy, and myself getting my fix of watching trains and chatting away to anyone interested. Mind you, I did buy a few wagons as well.
I haven’t been to many NMRA Conventions, but of the ones that I have been to, I think that this one was the best. Top marks for letting the public in, it’s been a long time coming. I had some quite long and useful conversations with several non­ members, some of whom were amazed at the smooth running of the trains and the contents of the show, and I suspect that they might well join in time.
In the past, a lot of the NMRA have acted more like a secret society than a welcoming body. So when we started our group we promoted ourselves as being friendly and welcoming, really engaging with the public and growing from two to 34 in ten
Allan Dobson
years. We too have also lost our fair share on the way, mainly due to job moves rather than disappointment in us, but we are still growing.
My previous conventions were Peterborough, Cheltenham and Swindon; the first one I took a layout to, the second one I took a baby to. The baby was my granddaughter, who was less than a year old; my daughter was ill at the time and the two children were shared out between the grandparents – we had the young­ est. I had to phone the hotel the day before to see if we could bring an extra one.
At the Banquet we sat as usual around the round table, with a high chair between us, and I must admit that she was no trouble all the weekend. We were, however, asked whether we had had her late in life, which was quite amusing as we were then 64 and 58 – mind you, it would be quite possible now 15 years later. We explained the situation to the table at large and all was well.
We also enjoyed the entertainment, which we thought was very good, some of the songs and music bringing back many varied and happy memories.
I particularly enjoyed the contest entries and admire their attention to the details. I am myself too slap­happy to even think about a having a go. I can do, and have done, knocked up a layout in six months which some might admire – laymen of course! But in these later years perhaps it is better to fill it up and have it running than never see it finished, as I can always tinker and improve it along the way.
I have always thought that the hobby should be big enough for all of us, from the rivet counters to the slap­happy like me, so that’s just a few thoughts from me.
But ‘I remember It Well’. I do.
[Ed’s Note: Actually some public admission has been part of most conventions on and off since the Avisford Park, Arundel one in the early 1980s. Vic Stone organised that, and we had posters in local model shops etc.]
8 ROUNDHOUSE
Santa Fe in your back garden!
David Nash sends photos of his garden railroad – Wow! Look at that rockwork!!