The Gateway 2001 NMRA National Convention is hosted by the Gateway Division of the Mid-Continent Region. The Gateway Division is an IRS 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization with over twenty years of successful train show experience. Our members are involved in model railroading, prototype steam engine restoration, promotion of the hobby and the NMRA, railroad historical societies, and other charitable organizations.

Interactive Master Schedule and Convention General Information and Policy is now online.

See our special updates page for tour additions, changes and cancellations, as well as tours and events which have sold out.

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.

East St. Louis Park with arch in background, photo by Brad Joseph

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.

National Train Show
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.

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.

Junior College
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.