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The Count Down is On - Six Weeks to Go!

Greetings!

The end is in sight! In six short weeks we will gather in Southbridge, Massachusetts at the Wellsworth Hotel and Conference Center for our next in-person Regional Convention. Have you registered yet? If not, what are you waiting for? We have an exciting lineup that is certain to increase your knowledge and excitement for this great hobby.

All our conventions create the challenge of picking and choose between all of the events happening throughout the weekend. Let's take a look at the schedule of events for this year.

Visit the convention website to learn more!

Our combo packages give you the full convention experience while saving money. Enjoy the Thursday Welcome Reception / Tailgate Party, the Saturday Evening Banquet, the Sunday Morning Awards Breakfast, and full Convention Registration priced at $205 for NMRA members.

The registration price without meals is $105 for NMRA members. Food options can be added based on your needs and interest.

Can't come for the full weekend? We have added one-day registrations for Friday or Saturday that you can purchase on-line or at the convention.

Register online by credit card via the Convention Website by clicking here or you can pay by mailing in a check (see the registration page for more details). Register today!

The convention hotel is sold-out on Friday evening. Rooms are available on Thursday or Saturday. The Wellsworth Hotel and Conference Center offers complimentary parking, an on-site fitness center, an indoor swimming pool, a hot tub, and a business center. The hotel restaurant, Shades Lounge, is a full service restaurant and bar that is open in the evenings. We have a room waiting for you at the convention hotel so be sure to reserve your room today!

We have secured a small block of double rooms at the Publick House, 4 miles from the convention hotel in the neighboring town of Sturbridge, Massachusetts. They are offering us a rate of $129 per night for each of the nights of your stay. Book today as availability is very limited. On the Group side of the form, enter your dates and the code 1026EY.

There are several hotels in the Sturbridge area if you are not able to secure a room at one of our convention hotels. Reach out to us if you need assistance or suggestions on where to stay.

Our convention opens Thursday afternoon with activities at the hotel and in the surrounding area.

Join Mike Tylick, MMR for an afternoon of rail-fanning in nearby Palmer, Massachusetts. Palmer is known as the Town of Seven Railroads, now home to the busy CSX Boston Line, the New England Central Railroad and the Massachusetts Central. It also features the Steaming Tender Restaurant housed in the 1883 HH Richardson Union Station. Meet in the Steaming Tender parking lot at 1:30pm for an afternoon of fellowship and rail-fanning. Mike will share his tips and techniques that are sure to improve your photography! Enjoy a bite at the Steaming Tender before heading to the hotel.

There will also be two layouts open in the Palmer area. The Amherst Railway Society has their club house and expanding Garden Railroad open. You can also check out the latest innovations in N scale at the home of Dwight Sturtevant and his Palmer Model Railroad.

Speaking of layouts, there are several layouts open on Thursday as you make your way to the convention hotel. In addition to those mentioned above, we have the following layouts open for you to see.

Other layouts that are open on Thursday include:

• Mike Wlochowski's Corkscrew and Vineyard Railroad
• Kyle LeBlanc's Boston and Maine Blackstone Valley Railroad
• Tom Lavallee's Providence and Worcester
• Rich Hopkins Hopkinsville Junction Railroad

Check out the complete list on the layout tour page.

If railfanning is not your thing, be sure to stop by the convention hotel for a round of Mini Clinics. These short format clinics will start at 2:00pm and run until 6:00pm. Topics range from installing Tortoise switch machines to making wire trees.

Check out the full lineup of Mini Clinics on the convention website.

Join us Thursday evening for our Tailgate Party Welcome Reception. Enjoy some food and fellowship as we kick off the convention in style. Wear your favorite team colors and enjoy some outdoor games (weather permitting). Meet old friends or make some new ones.

See the gatherings page for complete details.

There is a full day of activities for you to enjoy on Friday. There is too much to list here, but some of the highlights include...

We have several outside tours available for convention registrants. We are featuring a guided tour of the Old Sturbridge Villiage, located just a few miles from the convention hotel. The tour is Friday morning starting at 10:00 am. Advanced registration is required.

You can also join us for a tour of the Connecticut Trolley Museum from 10:30am until 12:30pm. From there, travel nn miles to the Connecticut Eastern Railroad museum and check out vintage railroad structures and equipment.

See all the details on our Special Events page.

Courtesy of Model Railroader/Firecrown Media. Used with permission.

The June issue of Model Railroader featured this beautiful scene on Jim Dufor's Cheshire Branch railroad. We are pleased to announce his layout will be open on Friday! Be sure to check it out.

Other layouts that will be open on Friday include:

• Richard Godfrey's O-Scale Mountain Division.
• Scott Olson's O-Scale Pepperell Southeastern
• Tom Lavallee's Providence and Worcester
• Rich Hopkins Hopkinsville Junction Railroad

Check out the complete list on the layout tour page.

Friday is the start of the full clinic lineup. There will be 28 clinics on Friday starting at 8:00am. NER's own Tony Koester will be talking about his latest project, Modeling a Two-town Branch Line.

We also have a series of clinics on LCC, Signaling, and Animation among other topics.

You can also participate in sessions that build a T-Trak module, a Bar Mills Kit, or a Resin Car Kit. You even get to take them home with you when you are done! Pre-registration is required for these make-and-take sessions.

Check out the full lineup of Clinics on the convention website.

Saturday is the last full day of activities, and we have packed this one full of fantastic activities!

Our marquee event is a trip on the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat tour. There is still limited seating on this trip that will feature a trip along the Connecticut River. Enjoy the Fall views and fellowship of your fellow convention-goers on this epic journey.

See all the details on our Special Events page.

Our lineup of clinics on Saturday includes 17 sessions. Join Master Model Railroader Tom Oxnard as he explains how he scratch builds brick structures, including this factory complex pictured here. Other clinics include sessions on setting up Operations in JMRI, getting started in Photoshop Elements, and a hands-on session designing 3D models with Art Dutra (preregistration is required, but seats are available).

There is certainly something that will help improve your enjoyment of this diverse hobby.

Check out the complete list on the clinic page.

We conclude our day on Saturday with our annual banquet and keynote speaker.

This year's keynote will be delivered by retired teacher, coach, and athletic director John Mrazik. John is a member of the Mass Bay Railroad Enthusiasts and the Railroad Museum of New England. He is also a former member of NHRHTA who has contributed a number of articles over the years to the Shoreliner magazine. He has lectured many times to various groups throughout MA and CT on the topic of railroads.

His presentation will primarily cover a brief history and operations of the once busy New Haven’s Norwich & Worcester Branch and its connection with the Southbridge Branch. The PowerPoint will also include a look at some interesting and unusual events that took place on the branch. He is a local guy who managed to be trackside for much of the 50s & 60s and will share his observations and experiences during that time period.

Learn more about John and his railroad interests on the convention website.

We conclude the formal part of our program with our annual Awards Breakfast. Come celebrate all the accomplishments of our fellow modelers and enjoy a hearty New England Breakfast before making your way home.

The annual meeting of the Northeastern Region will be held immediately after breakfast. This is a great opportunity to hear about all that has happened this past year, and take a look into the future about what is yet to come!

Layout Tours have happened throughout the convention, but we have one last chance for you to see some fantastic layouts on your way home. We have a total of 11 layouts for you to see.

Bob Van Gelder's South River and Millville railroad highlights the list of beautiful layouts you can see. Due to aisle constraints, you must signup for a slot to see Bob's layout.

Other notable layouts include Chris Adam's New Haven Valley Line, and neighbor Bill Schneider's New York Ontario and Western layout. Mark Herrick's layout fetures BNSF in Montana, or catch live steam action at the Waushakum Live Steamers.

Check out the complete list on the layout tour page.