Joint Convention with MPHS in 2014

The Missouri Pacific Historical Society annual convention was held last weekend in North Little Rock, AR. At the general membership meeting, it was decided that there could be a joint convention with the Frisco group in 2014.

I have offered to host this convention and would very much like to make this a joint affair between both groups. I have a few ideas, but I would like to hear from the members of this forum before I proceed any further.

It will have to be on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday immediately prior to Columbus Day and it must be in Southwest Missouri at a location with relevance to the MP and SLSF.

I'm open to any and all thoughts, comments and suggestions. What do you guys and gals think about this possibility?

 

Hello,

I would recommend Aurora, Mo. as a good location. Both lines meet and there are several railway sites in town including a station, a large grain mill and Frisco had a branch line that went north to Mount Vernon where there are more rail items. At one time the branch line went even further North to meet with the line from Springfield to Kansas City. I lived there as a boy at one time and cut my teeth on the yard and mill area.

Joe

 

Aurora, would be a really good place to have it. Depending on the date I might be able to attend. That was my home territory.
Bill Jackson

 

How about Lamar, MO? The major Frisco line from KC to Springfield (this stretch was the ash grove sub) and the Mop came through as well (I believe it was the White River sub but I'm not sure.) And most of the original track is still in place (though none of the industries are still in businesses, except for the grain elevator but BNSF cut the connection to it and the MNA interchange.) As far as museums and artifacts the old mill building is still somewhat standing, as well as the oil dealer but neither are used. There is a caboose on display. But for actual museums the closest one is over at Carona, KS which is an hour away and I know that was were every one went at the first Frisco convention but maybe it could work again. There's also plenty of places to rail fan.
I don't know what Aurora has, but here in Lamar the Thiebaud Auditorium would be an excellent place to have it. And Lamar has two hotels. A Super 8 (I know it doesn't sound that good, but it is consistently at in the top rankings in the US for Super 8's) and there is also the Blue Top INN which has been completely remodeled recently and I have heard great things about it. There's also Nevada, MO and Pittsburg, KS each 30 minutes away with more hotels and Joplin which is 45 minutes away. I guess Joplin and Pittsburg were also towns that had both (plus MKT, KCS and others)

While I'm busy with High School I would be happy to do what ever I need to to help get it organized here in Lamar since I live here.
Ethan

 

Joplin

RBob

 

Lamar and Joplin are both good places. You get KCS in Joplin also. At least close to Joplin.
Bill Jackson
Might be good to see if Layout tours, are available close to those areas.

 

Oh boy!!! A Mop vs Frisco convention!! Ought to be great!

Seriously:

Sounds good. Hopefully I can make it to the convention. (I like the Mop, too!)

Andre

 

I like the significance of Aurora, because there was an interchange here between the MoPac Carthage Sub ( on the white river line ) and the Frisco's Springfield Sub between Springfield and Monett. After the MoPac abandoned most of thier Springfield branch, which departed the white river line at Crane, the MoPac used trackage rights from Aurora to Springfield to reach the remaining track at Springfield.

Of course, as others have said, I am not sure Aurora has facilities to host a convention..... So, for practical reasons, Joplin and Springfield are probably the best locations in Southwest Missouri for a joint convention.

Paul

 

My question would be how do you allocate time, activities, etc. to either the Frisco or MoPac? Are there enough clinics to be able to fill 3 days? Would you have to have the Mop guys give up some of their clinic, meeting time to allow for Frisco stuff or would each group expect a full ride of the the time for that group? I personally do not have a desire to attend Mop related clinics. They were a fine road, but I would also feel the same about Katy, KCS, etc.

Just some thoughts.

Tony L.

 

I believe Joplin, Missouri would be the best location in Southwest Missouri for a joint Mop/Frisco convention. The Mop depot has been reconstructed as a restaurant and a Mop roundhouse is still standing in Joplin. The Frisco station and office building has also been converted into an apartment building. You also have the Missouri and Northern Arkansas shortline which operates both the Mops and Frisco's track that is left in town. Joplin also has several large motels with convention rooms and plenty of activities for spouses. I would be willing to help out with a Joplin convention. The local model railroad club from Joplin also has a traveling layout that could be setup at the convention site.

John Chambers

 

Even assuming someone (anyone) wants to go to southwest Missouri, and I say that as one whose whole family comes from Joplin, why would we go there (or Aurora or Lamar or other small town) for a convention? Wouldn't we be better off in either St. Louis or Kansas City, where there are better accommodations, more things to do (especially for spouses and other non-combatants), more 1:1 rail action, more hobby shops, better restaurants and a larger potential attendance base?

GS

 

Its a good point, my youngest lives in KC. I do not know about Mopac. We might do a joint CB&Q or Katy or KCS. KC would be a great choice. I going up there anyway.
Bill Jackson

 

Kevin has said he is willing to host the convention and it needed to be in Southwest Missouri, before we talk about changing that let him answer as to why it needs to be in this area. If he is willing to do the most difficult job of hosting and putting it together, unless someone else volunteers to do it, we need to defer to him. Please remember that the first convention was held in Pittsburg, Kansas for the main reason as I was willing to put it together and we had a facility available for free and a group willing to help. People willing to host and help are what makes a convention a success, not just the location. I have helped or put on conventions for the MPHS, KRHS, KCSHS and this group as well as over 20 years of model railroad conventions and the Katy Days city wide celebration in Parsons, the success of all of them all came down to the people hosting and the work put into it. I think we have had great Frisco get togethers so far because of that, so lets help out anyway we can no matter where it's held to make sure it is a success.

John Chambers

 

Well said John!

 

Sounds good. I hope I can attend when/where it happens.

 

Suppose we will need to see what Kevin comes up with, I think I said about everywhere was good. We did get a little carried away. We need a host first, where would be good for Kevin? I don't know where is close for him and Mopac.
Bill Jackson

 

The only way I see this working is if all of the clinics put on can be a combination of Frisco/Mop interest in each one such as interchange points, interlocking towers, etc. If this is not possible, then it seams to me we would be better with two separate conventions but they could be held at the same time and place.

 

What I see as a workable alternative to Richard's suggestion is an agenda where there are concurrent clinics -- some even being presented twice (similar to RPM in Naperville). I've only been to one Frisco and one MoP convention and can say that the clinics at both were outstanding. I think that many of us have overlapping interests and would be interested in the historical and modeling clinics and tours from both organizations. Actually, I see that as the prime mover (no pun intended) of a joint convention. Additionally, I suspect that a joint convention would generate attendance greater than what two individual conventions would. This is very exciting and I'd like to be a part of the project.

Maybe what we should do is form a small "steering" committee of a few Frisco.org members and a few MPHS members to explore this further. There are some organizational things that need to be discussed, too.

Jim Senese
Claremore, Okla.

 

I think Jim is correct in that we need to have a small working group to look into this if Kevin is willing I would like to volunteer to help him.

John Chambers