The Lone Star Region (Texas and Louisiana) of the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) annual convention is just around the corner.

Several CentraMod club members are on the planning committee, led by chairman Bob Alston. Other club members include Dan Ladd, Gordon Locke, Mike Cleveland, and Kennedy Gauger. Richard Zamudio’s layout is part of the layout tour and will be available for operating sessions.

If you are already an NMRA member and registered for the convention, the excitement is building. If not and you are interested in attending the convention, if you have either never been an NMRA member or not for the past two years, you can become a member for a trial period of 6-months for only $9.95.

You would be able to attend and participate in the convention activities after paying the $95 registration fee.

The registration fee covers more than 60 clinics, a train ride (with meal) on the Bertram Flyer run by Austin Steam Train, layout tours in the Austin metro area, tickets to a banquet on Saturday night and a breakfast on Sunday morning.

Of particular note, you will have the opportunity to learn operations on an industrial switching layout developed by Dave Barrow (published in a series of Model Railroader articles during the fall of 1996 — we have these issues in our library).

Other eventes include a silent auction (if you have items that you would like to sell) and model contest. Dan Ladd will be entering his model of the Temple Depot he constructed for the historical layout.

There are many other activities included in the registration fee as well as numerous optional, extra fare items. Check out the convention website, www.hillcountryspecial.org for additional details.