It is that time of year again, and on behalf of the Atlantic County 4-H Model Railroad Club, I would like to cordially invite the members of this forum to attend the third Atlantic City N Scale Gathering! Our first two shows were deemed enough of a success by our organizers that we have been approved to host it again!
Many of the previous year's concerns are being addressed for this year’s show, including the quantity of advertising, as well as the date conflictions that plagued us two years ago. Also of interest is our adoption of social media as an advertising outlet (more on that later).
As with previous years, this event is designed to introduce and raise awareness about N scale to the general public and future modelers, as well as give East Coast-based modelers who do not have the opportunity to travel to some of the larger N Scale-only conventions held throughout the years the feel of attending an N Scale only event.
Several operating layouts will be presented by several of the area's N-Trak groups, as well as the Atlantic County 4-H's own Model Railroad Club's home and modular layouts. Everyone who attends this event is encouraged to bring their own N Scale trains and equipment to operate on these layouts. Both DC and DCC Digital locomotives can be accommodated. Even if you have something to just show-off, bring it out to the show and converse amongst your fellow N Scale modelers.
I have been told specifically to stress the operations aspect of this event, as to remind you that all members of the public are welcome to run on any of the featured club layouts. With that being said, make sure you bring your equipment to ensure that you get the most out of your visit.Several vendors selling exclusively N Scale related merchandise, such as locomotives, rolling stock, structures, power supplies, etcetera, will also be present. A DCC Digital expert vendor Yankee Dabbler will also be on site, so if you have the need for anything digital, they will try their best to accommodate you. This event will be a great opportunity to search for that perfect N scale item. In addition to vendors of N Scale merchandise, food vendors will also be present (food items subject to additional costs).
Admission costs of this event are nonexistent (I.E. Free). As stated previously, this event is intended to give the overall feel of an N scale convention, so you are only required to bring yourself, and if you can, trains to run. No money is required to run, but donations are accepted. All proceeds benefit the Atlantic County 4-H model railroad club. Just be sure that if you plan on visiting the vendors, you bring the money required to buy that item you fall in love with!
Also, as in previous years, vendor and exhibitor spaces/tables and hookups are free of charge. If you require special accommodations, please contact us at through the below methods.
The following videos provide a taste of the trains run at last-year’s event. All credit goes to the New Jersey Southern (NJS) N-Trak club’s official videographer:
The technical details of the event for both visitors and exhibitors are as follows:
This event will take place at the Atlantic County 4-H Building on the Atlantic County 4-H Fairgrounds, located in Egg Harbor City, NJ, which is located approximately 20 miles (24 minutes) from Atlantic City, NJ, and 45 miles (47 minutes) from Philadelphia, PA. The address is as follows, and screenshots of maps are included as reference:
3210 New Jersey Route 50, South Egg Harbor, NJ 082150
The Event will be a total of three days for vendors/exhibitors, and two for the general public. An itinerary of events is as follows:
Friday, April 22, 2016 (Vendors and Exhibitors Only)
-Building Opens at 12:00 Noon, but closes at approximately 10:00 PM (No Public Access)
Saturday, April 23, 2016 (First Day)
- Doors open at 8:00 AM for Exhibitors.
- The show is open to the public starting at 10:00 AM, and closes to the public at 4:00 PM.
- Starting at 4:00 PM, vendors and exhibitors are permitted to run trains freely on club layouts until 5:00PM.
- At 5:00 PM, members of the 4-H Model Railroad Club will be hosting a dinner for all vendors, exhibitors, and members of the general public who remain. Dinner will be provided by the 4-H Model Railroad Club and cost will be $8.00 per head (all proceeds benefit the 4-H model railroad club).
- At the close of dinner, layouts will re-open and everyone is invited to continue running trains on any of the several operating layouts.
Sunday, April 24, 2016 (Second Day)
- Doors open at 8:00 AM for Exhibitors.
- The show is open to the public starting at 10:00 AM, and closes to the public at 3:00 PM.
- At 3:00 PM, the doors close to the public, and layout and vendor cleanup begins.
*Hotel accommodations are still being made for vendors who require them. Details will be released as they become available.*
I will continue to post updates to this thread once new information becomes available, and encourage you to post in this thread in regards to any questions or concerns you may have, or if you just need something clarified. Also feel free to PM me with any concerns. as stated previously, we are currently working on expanding our social media outlets, so make sure to be on the lookout for updates concerning that. The following addresses may be of some help as well:
General Questions: acnscalegathering@gmail.com
christianjdavis1@aol.com
Layout/Participant Information: njsntrak@gmail.com
sd40blue@verizon.net
(609) 234 - 6843 (Erik Seidelmann)
Vendor Information: kernc101@comcast.net
(609) 517 - 8849 (John Kern)
I thank you for taking the time to read this and hope you can attend!
