Greetings,
below is a preview that will appear in the next NTRAK news letter covering the National NTRAK show in Danville, VA this coming September. We hope to see you all there.
Peter Schumann
Member LANS and RANTRAK
Preliminary Boarding Call
All Passengers Bound for 2010 NTRAK National Show
Danville, VA
September 24–26, 2010
Important Update: Show Attendees who intend to participate in free running sessions and/or operating sessions on The Danville Layout should immediately submit a registration form (find form at:
http://trainweb.org/nrmrc/2010show/registrationform.html). Operating slots will be filled this summer during a two-stage, e-mail only sign-up process. We need your e-mail address ASAP to ensure that you receive notice about the sign-up process. (Even if your final plans are uncertain, register NOW so we can provide you with the best experience. C'mon, it's FREE!)
So what is all the excitement about?
The 2010 NTRAK National Show will be held as part of the Danville Old 97 Rail Days in Danville, Virginia, September 24–26, 2010.The Eastern N Lines Partnership Clubs, along with the Danville Parks, Recreation & Tourism Dept., and the Danville Science Center are pleased to host this event and welcome you to Danville.
The DCC Layout (The Danville Layout) is the show centerpiece and the accomplishment of several NTRAK milestones over a period of eight years of development — a well conceived, dynamic, freshly scenic, proven NTRAK layout that combines the best qualities of DCC with loosely-structured prototype operations. Loaded with crossovers, rise-and-falls, freight and passenger destinations, long sidings, and reliable turnouts, the layout will offer operators a full roster of prototype operational chores, gently directed by a Dispatcher, without the presence of cards and fast clocks. We are focused on delivering simplicity and fun. Our theme — "Even a New Guy Can Do It".
We are working overtime to fine-tune the planned prototype operations sessions, with a final "rehearsal" scheduled for late June. Every detail of your experience is being attended to, from the information in your hands, to the optimization of "operating time" and "down-time", to the smooth and steady flow of traffic around the layout. In addition to formal operating sessions, we will provide ample free running periods on the layout, as well as free-running trains during operating sessions. A long train contest? A passenger train contest? Count on it.
If you prefer "Classical NTRAK" we have you covered. We are coordinating a second NTRAK layout (The Community Layout) with the Red Line Route being predominantly powered using Aristocraft wireless throttles. Attendees will have the option to throw the "magic switch", toggling between analog or DCC on dedicated tracks. T-TRAKers — we love you too! Visit the registration website for more details. But wait, there's more. . .check out the model railroad vendors and one or two other layouts, and a number of local and regional attractions.
Registration for the 2010 NTRAK National Train Show and Danville Old 97 Rail Days is now underway. Registration is free. Your only cost will be for travel, food and lodging. We will offer a Friday night dinner and Saturday night Banquet for which there will be a charge, collected by the dinner and banquet vendor.
For more information go to the Show's web site at:
http://trainweb.org/nrmrc/2010show/. Registration forms for modules for the Community Layout and the T-TRAK layout are available on the web site. The official hotel for the Show is the Holiday Inn Express. Room rate is $82 per night including breakfast and a reception for attendees on Thursday night September 23.
Mark your calendars for Danville 2010.
John Wallis
Chairman
For the Eastern N Lines Partnership
