Re: What is the Narrow Gauge Convention

John...
I'd also heard about the narrow gauge convention for many years, but had never gone. By pure chance, it was held here in Portland, Oregon, last year. Having not a whole lot else to do with my time, I went. I was astonished at the quality of the event.
There is, of course, some fine model building on display. (I had a modest little entry that ended up with third prize for large-scale rod engines. A model, of course, of my #5.)
But, beside the model aspect, there is lots of other stuff of interest. (The convention is much bigger than I expected. Well over a thousand attendees.) Some things that come to mind: Meet Bob Brown, the editor of "The Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazette. Meet Steve Polkinghorn (an old friend of mine from the CC&N RR days), author of "Pino Grande", the definitive book on the Michigan-California Railroad. Meet John Coker, railroad artist. (I mention this with tongue in cheek.) Meet me.
I do hope you can make it to Saint Louis, where I will take you out for the dinner I owe you. (I had asked Clif Palmer to look you up on opening weekend, and do the honors, but he didn't succeed.)
I'm certain you would enjoy the event, and some of the people you would come accross.
Bob Keller