|
East St. Louis Park with arch in background, photo
by Brad Joseph
Layout and Prototype Tours
Hundreds of wonderful model
railroads are located with 45 minutes of the
convention hotel! Short bus trips mean you will get more
viewing time at lower cost. St. Louis also has eight
Class 1 major railroads, lots of prototype
tours, and railfan excursions with award winning
photographers.
 Inside Activities
Three world-class hotels have been selected for the
Convention and Train show. The vast majority of the
rooms are at the main convention hotel, the Regal. All
activities except for the National Train Show and the
NMRA Banquet (clinics, contests, auctions, tour
departures, etc.) will occur there in its 63,000 square
feet of function space (all on one level). For an
enlarged version of the Millennium (Regal) Hotel's main
convention level, click the small floor plan image at
the right.
The America's Center is a new, state-of-the art
convention center in the heart of downtown St. Louis. It
has over half a million square feet of exhibit area, all
on one level, with easy access and wide open space. It
is only minutes by walking (for those who wish to) or by
free shuttle bus from the convention hotels on the days
of the Train Show. The National Train Show (NTS) will be
open for convention attendees only Friday, July 13 from
10 am to 2 pm. The NTS will be open to the public, as
well as convention attendees, Friday, July 13 from 2 pm
to 7pm, Saturday, July 14 from 10am to 6 pm, and Sunday,
July 15 from 10 am to 5pm.
Admission to the National Train Show is
$9/day. A multi-day pass is available for $16.
Admission to the National Train Show is included in
convention registration.
Only the entire floor of the TWA Dome, home of
the St. Louis Rams, is large enough to contain all of
the vendors, manufacturer's displays, and modular
railroads which will be featured at the St. Louis
National Train Show! Click here for information on the National Train
Show.
St. Louis Area Attractions
Numerous attractions and
entertainment options are within walking distance of
the hotels. These include dozens of dining options to
meet every budget. St. Louis offers night life, theatre,
nationally recognized museums and parks, movies, major
league baseball, special events, riverboat gambling,
theme parks, and shopping and more shopping. We have
dozens of great nonrail tours
available!
Golf Tournament
The NMRA Golf Tournament will be played at the
beautiful Quail Creek Golf Course, designed by Hale
Irwin, in south St. Louis County. The Par 72 course
provides natural streams, rolling hills, Bermuda
fairways, and bent grass greens. The course will be in
top-notch shape. Wednesday, July 11, 7:30 am, 44503,
$65./p>
Railfan Photo Opportunities Abound!
National award winning prototype photographers will
conduct tours to great railfan
sites for all interests. Of course, there is
constant traffic across the MacArthur bridge in and out
of the Mill Valley yards, only a few blocks to the
southwest from the convention hotels. Pick up lunch at
Burger King, Rally's, Taco Bell, White Castle or
Hardee's down the street from the main convention hotel
and watch the trains roll by.
Location: South Exhibit Hall
Schedule:
Monday Afternoon 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Tuesday Morning 8:30 am to 11:30 am
Tuesday Afternoon 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Wednesday Morning 8:30 am to 11:30 am
Wednesday Afternoon 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
The Junior College Program is a hands-on learning
experience geared to kids. Some of the classes are
intended for younger kids, ages 6 to 10, and teach
things such as assembling sectional track, using a crane
to unload a gondola car, and some very simple switching
and train operation. Other classes are for somewhat
older or more experienced kids, and include instruction
in basic wiring, making trees and other scenery, using
an airbrush, and a chance to try out Microsoft’s new Train
Simulator program. Everyone will help out with the
class project: building a complete layout, which will
then be donated to St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
Kids are welcome to attend as much or as little of
each session as they wish. No need to sign up in
advance, just come see us and we’ll enroll you on the
spot! A parent will need to be present to sign each
child in; they do not have to stay, but are welcome to
do so if they wish.
Gateway 2001 and the NMRA wish to thank the generous
sponsors of the 2001 Junior College Program: Athearn,
Atlas, Bachman, Digitrax, InterMountain Railway Co., KAM
Industries, Kato, Lenz Elektronik, LGB, Microsoft,
Marklin, Roco, Testors Corp, Wangrow, and Woodland
Scenics.
|
