Frisco Mini-Convention in Springfield, March 24, 2018

Discussion in 'Conventions and Meets' started by Ron Williams (RIP), Nov 13, 2017.

  1. Here is an update on our plans for the "Mini-Convention" to be held during the Ozarks Model Railroad Assn's 40th Annual Spring Train Show 9am to 3pm, Saturday, March 24, Springfield (MO) Expo Center at 635 St. Louis St. (FMIG members attended our first show so to commemorate that we are setting aside space for a "mini-convention" during the show.)

    Frisco.org members may pre-register by sending a check payable to OMRA along with names of those attending to Ron Williams, 3129 S. Chambery Ave, Springfield, MO 65804. Registration is $7 for adults, children under 12 are free. Include your return address and I will send your name tags to you. Also include your phone and email please. When you arrive at the Expo Center go to the Frisco line with your name tag(s) and you will be admitted without delay. The deadline for Frisco members to advance register is March 5. There will be signage directing you to the "convention" room. There is a limit of 75 people for the "convention" room.

    Activities will include: Best Frisco Model will be selected by popular vote from Frisco.org attendees only. Let me know if you are bringing a model and space requirements so I will know how many tables to provide.

    The presentation agenda (in no particular order and starting around 9:30-10am) includes: "Four Seasons of 1522" by Charlie Dischinger. This will be an entertaining presentation featuring photos and music. Charlie's career of 34 years included locomotive fireman, engineer, yardmaster and local chairman of the BLE. He was one of the founding members of the FMIG and a charter member of the OMRA. He is Master Model Railroader #186.

    Keith Robinson will show how to install decoders. Keith is an electronics hobbyist and Frisco modeler who has been very active in the Kansas City area. He has been installing Soundtraxx Tsunami sound decoders in locomotives since 2010, passing the 600th installation mark in 2017. His first article, published in Railroad Model Craftsman's November, 2017 issue was about "Installing Sound in an Atlas S-2".

    Ken McElreath is a lifelong model railroader. Like Keith, he grew up in Cape Girardeau, MO. He enjoys realistic modeling and operations, along with the research efforts to capture prototype settings. A previous layout set in Birmingham, AL was featured in the November, 2003 Railroad Model Craftsman. His clinic will present a case for a secondary urban yard as a focal point for realistic and interesting modeling on a medium sized HO layout. He will trace the history and function of the "Frisco's Birmingham Ninth Avenue Yard"

    "The Fabulous Frisco in Springfield" is the title for Pat Hiatte's presention. He will look at how the railroad developed in Springfield and train service in 1914, 1954, 1964, and 1980 on the even of the BN merger.

    Pat started with the Frisco in St. Louis in 1974 and retired from the BNSF in 2009. He worked in corporate communications his whole career. Over his 35 years with the railroad he also worked in Springfield, MO; Billings, MT; Overland Park, KS and wound up in Ft. Worth, TX.

    The session will conclude with a Round Table Discussion facilitated by Pat featuring several retired Frisco employees including Tom Buyan, engineer; Joe Felin, equipment operator; Bill Houser, brakeman/conductor/engineer; Tommy Pike, machinist; Jerry Sanders, engineer; Gary Smith, machinist and Steve Taylor, car man. A similar round table was the highlight of the 2011 Convention in Springfield.

    At 3:00pm the Railroad Historical Museum in Grant Beach Park will be open until 5pm (weather permitting). This is where the Frisco's 4524 steam engine is located along with several cars, a caboose, mini-depot and lots of railroadiana. You can get more details when you talk with John Wollard, president at the museum booth during the show.

    Ron White has offered to host an operating session for 10 to 12 people who will let me know in advance. Starting time will be in the 4-4:30 time period. Directions to his home will be provided at the conclusion. If you are interested in learning more about operations be sure to sign up. There is a limit to the number of people that can participate.

    In addition to the clinics the Train Show will feature 150+ tables, hopefully with just the bargain you've been looking for. There are 12 modular model railroads scheduled plus activities for young and old like Train Simulator, Switching Challenge, Chief Whistle Blower, Kiddy Train ride, door prizes and food. This is a family event so save the date and plan to bring the kids.

    Room reservations are optional. The University Plaza is across the street from the Expo Center, 417-7333, rates range from $109 to $129 for Saturday. The Holiday Inn Express is 3-4 blocks east at 1117 E. St. Louis St. Their rates begin at $99.84. 417-862-0070.

    Best Frisco Model Trophy 2018.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2018
  2. paul slavens

    paul slavens Member

    Sounds like fun to me. I plan to go
     
  3. Joe Lovett

    Joe Lovett Member

    I'll try to go also.

    Joe
     
  4. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    We are planing a trip to StL around then. If so, and if it works out, I'd definitely love to include the OMR/FMIG events into a bit of a side trip. March 24 is on my calendar.
    Thanks for the notice Ron!
    Ken
     
    Ozarktraveler likes this.
  5. Friscotony

    Friscotony Member

    I will put it on the calendar

    Tony LaLumia
     
  6. kenmc

    kenmc KenMc Frisco.org Supporter

    Ron,

    I would be pleased to present my clinic on Secondary Yards as a model railroad layout focus, using the Frisco's
    Birmingham Ninth Avenue yard as an example prototype.

    I gave this clinic at the NMRA SER convention last June, and the attendees liked it. It offers both prototype and modeling interest.

    Heck, we should expand this event into a significant Frisco aficionados' gathering. The core work is already in place.

    Ken McElreath
     
    Ozarktraveler likes this.
  7. Oldguy

    Oldguy Member Frisco.org Supporter

    I'll be there as always, but will be busy selling excess stuff.
     
  8. Ken,
    Thanks for volunteering. We are working on the schedule now so will have to confirm back. But the topic would be great. I'm "pencilling" you into the schedule right now. Ron
     
    Ozarktraveler likes this.
  9. Any chance the Freemo layout guys can come with you? We always look for new layouts to share.
     
  10. klrwhizkid

    klrwhizkid Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    As Ron indicated, I volunteered to do a clinic on decoder installations. A preview of the type of insight available is my article in the November 2017 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman.
     
  11. pbender

    pbender Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Ron,

    I would love to go, but I'm not sure I can make that work. Unfortunately, that is the weekend between the end of our Spring Break and our Easter Break.

    Paul
     
  12. Ozarktraveler

    Ozarktraveler Member

    Count me in.
     
    Joe Lovett likes this.
  13. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    The railroad I work for is discussing cancelling the Winter psgr train out of Ft. Smith this season (runs on Saturdays). If that's so, I may be free to attend if I can make it. So, my name can be placed on the "Definite Maybe" list.
     
  14. Friscotony

    Friscotony Member

    I have passed your thoughts on Free-mo to Dusty Mccoy, the basic leader of the group. Will let you know when I hear from them. I assume it would be a 1 day show as we have in the past. They will want to know what is going on Saturday night.

    Tony
     
    Joe Lovett likes this.
  15. yardmaster

    yardmaster Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Ron -
    I'm exceedingly happy about this, and am putting it on my calendar. I'd normally be slated to work the Mizzou home baseball game that day, but this early out, it's no problem.

    I can probably even convince my almost-18 year old to come along. I think a couple of the folks here met him when he was a wee lad; now he's 6' tall and hasn't cut his hair in exactly one year. At any rate, it would be great to meet more of the Frisco folks, and perhaps I can get off my tush and have some models finished to show.

    Best Regards,
     
  16. Two possible options following the end of the show/convention. Tour of the Railroad Historical Museum and its Frisco 4524 or operate on Ron White's KC Sub model railroad. Nothing planned for the evening.
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2018
    Ozarktraveler likes this.
  17. What AV requirements will you have for your presentation on March 24? Please advise your email address also? Thanks. Ron Williams
     
  18. kenmc

    kenmc KenMc Frisco.org Supporter

    Ron,

    My presentation is via PowerPoint. I assume you will supply a laptop and projector. I can send the presentation to you via email and also bring a memory stick as backup.

    Thank you.

    Ken
     
  19. Any updates on this? I'd love to see a schedule/list of FMIG activities as well as the usual train-related fun at the OMRA show.
     
    Ozarktraveler likes this.
  20. Peddling Joe

    Peddling Joe Frisco Employee

    As a historical museum, we have been struggling for years to educate the public of the fact the Frisco Museum apparently originated in Ash Grove, MO. & later moved to Commercial St. in Springfield, MO and went defunct in the 1980's era.
    The Railroad Historical Museum, Inc
    . & traces its history back to 1954 when the locomotive 4524 was donated to the city of Springfield.
    It was incorporated in 1986 when the Honorable Sec'y. of State Roy Blunt (Now U.S. Senator) signed paperwork.
    We will be honored to have the FMIG people visit not only the 4524 but also the newly built 1890's era replicarural depot and lots of railroad memorabilia
     
    Joe Lovett likes this.

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