For further information, click below - Facility
- Timetable
- Limestone mine tour
- Boone Scenic Valley RR
- Contests
- Clinics
- Train Show
- Door Prizes
- Layout Tours
- Non Rail Events
- Banquet
- Registration
| TimetableRemember, please check the convention timetable in your registration package and the announcement boards as times may change. Thursday | Friday | Noon-10pm | Registration | 4 pm-8 pm | Contest Room open for entries | 7:30 pm-10 pm | Clinics | 6 pm-9 pm | Layout Tours Possible Operating Session |
| 8 am-6 pm | Registration (Register before 10 am for train ride) | 10 am-noon | Non Rail Event | 8 am-10 am | Contest Room open for entries | 8 am-10 am | Clinics | 7:30 am-noon | Limestone mine tour | noon-5 pm | Boone Scenic Valley RR | 6 pm-9 pm | Contest Room open | 7:30 pm-9 pm | Clinics | 6 pm-9 pm | Layout Tours TLR Region Board Meeting |
| Saturday | Sunday | 8 am-9 am | MCOR Board Meeting | 9:15 am-9:30 am | MCOR Member Meeting | 9 am-4 pm | Train Show - Open to public $5 entry | |
9 am-4 pm | Clinics | 8 am-11 am | Contest Room open for entries | 11 am-2 pm | Contest Room closed for judging | 2 pm-3 pm | Model Pickup at Contest Room | 6 pm-???? | Awards Banquet |
| 9 am-??? | TLR Membership Meeting | 10 am-2 pm | Train Show Registration ($5) | 10 am-3 pm | Train Show |
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Limestone Mine TourWe will be touring the Martin Marietta Ames Mine. Groups will be determined when you register and time slots assigned at that point. There will be a mandatory safety briefing prior to getting aboard the bus and heading to the mine. ContestsThe 2017 convention will include a combination of judged and popular vote contests. Confirmed Contest Categories:Judged (Model) | Judged (Photo) | Steam Locomotive Diesel/OMP Locomotive Traction Passenger Car Freight Car Caboose Non-Revenue Car Structure Display Railroad Pass | Black and White Model Black and White Prototype Color Model Color Prototype |
Switching ContestWe will also have the Oak Hill Local switching contest! Try your hand at either the brakeman or conductor puzzles - the object is to complete the switching list in the minimum numbers of moves/time! Modeler's ShowcaseWe will have also have a modeler's showcase for display only entries! ClinicsThere will be clinics on a wide range of topics. The following are confirmed and this is the tenantative clinic timetable.Please check with the timetable and the announcement board for any last minute changes: Thursday Evening:7:30 PM _The St. Louis Division turns 4_ by Stephen Priest, MMR8:45 PM _Evaluation and Documentation_ by Ryan Moats, MMRFriday Morning:8:00 AM _Little Things, Big Difference_ by Stephen Priest, MMR9:10 AM _Interesting Flat Car Loads_ by Rich MahaneyFriday Evening:7:30 PM _Junctions, Interchanges, And Diamonds For Your Model Railroad_ by Rich Mahaney7:30 PM _Division Superintendent Gathering, moderated by Fred Headon, MMR and Gerry Leone, MMRSaturday:9:00 AM _Modeling a Grocery Distribution Business_ by Douglas Harding9:00 AM _Computers in Model Railroading_ by Dr. John Bate10:15 AM _Meet the President_ by Charley Getz, NMRA President12:30 PM _Grade Crossings_ by Fred Headon, MMR12:30 PM _Custom Decals for Model RR_ by Dave Roeder, MMR1:45 PM _Scratch-building Board-by-board, and More_ by Mike Engler, MMR1:45 PM _Bridges_ by John Hotvet, MMR3:00 PM _Using JMRI for Operations_ by Mark Juett3:00 PM _Creating Realistic and Enjoyable Passenger Operations_ by Drake HokansonIf you wish to offer a clinic, please contact Gerry Miller. Train ShowOpen to the general public and convention attendees on Saturday, the train show will include over 70 tables for dealers, a silent auction, display layouts, and much more. This is our opportunity to share the National Model Railroad Association, Mid-Continent Region, and the Thousand Lakes Region with others who have not yet gotten on board.Door Prizeshere will be more door prizes than anyone will have time to count. The biggest activity of the weekend is to collect all of the prizes.Layout ToursA big part of any convention and train show, we are planning to visit the following layouts Central Iowa during the convention: Thursday NightFriday NightSundayNon Rail EventThe non-rail event will be Friday morning and touring Reiman Gardens. Situated on a 17-acre site, the year-round attraction features distinct gardens both indoors and outdoors on a 17-acre campus, a Conservatory with seasonal displays, a 2,500-square foot Butterfly Wing with emergence cases, a Gift Shop, and beauty for all to enjoy and share. There may also be a tour of Iowa State University.BanquetThe Annual Awards Banquet and Regional Annual Meetings will be held at the Convention Hotel. These will include a buffet dinner, door prizes, contest prizes, auctions, and Region Presentations. |