2012 National Model Railroad Convention

This video takes a look at three different scales of model railroads that were on display at the 2012 National Model Railroad Convention and presented on the layout tour.

Of course, these weren’t they only layouts on display. Scales ranged from the very tiny to those so large they had to be displayed outdoors. The outdoor layouts employed a waterproof sound system with marine speakers like those on this website to provide the proper ambiance.

Of the scales displayed in this video, the first is a look at Gene Heflin’s G scale layout which included some really incredibly detailed farming equipment and an amazing playground complete with children and a moving carousel. The engine produced some great, realistic audio.

Next is Walt Gabehart’s N scale layout. Detailed brick buildings, period automobiles, telephone poles and more highlight this stop on the tour. Also an incredibly detailed yard, makes this a world class layout.

Last is Bob Jackson’s S scale layout. This larger scale is impressive to say the least and allows for even greater detail in all of the models.

In this video, Jeff Schulz from Model Railroad Hobbyist Magazine interviews Shane Wilson from Horizon Hobby. He is the product manager from Athearn Trains which is a favorite product line among model railroad enthusiasts. Shane said that one of the company’s new strategies is to make new announcements at the major train shows and conventions.

Shane had two announcements for the 2012 National Convention. The first was a replica of an FGE refrigerator car which has never been mass produced in plastic before. It will be available in an “as delivered” version and also a modernized version depending on which era you would like to represent in your model train. A new feature for this car will be recorded sound specific to refrigerator cars which will play when this model is in action.

Shane also announced production of three new locomotives to be available in 2013.

The 2014 National Model Railroad Convention will be held in Cleveland, Ohio, July 13th through the 19th at the New Cleveland Convention Center. Model railroaders from all over the country will descend on the city for another year of one of the greatest model train events annually held!

Why Cleveland? This area of Ohio has a rich railroad history and it was the original home of the Electro-motive engineering company and the Winton Engine company. The Van Sweringen brothers, owners of the NKP, C&O and Erie railroads, built Cleveland Terminal Tower in 1923 as a combination “union station” and office building. Cleveland is located along the East-West mainlines of CSX and NS providing numerous railfanning hotspots!

Other things to do in Cleveland include the MetroParks Zoo & Rain Forest, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cedar Point Amusement Park, and the Cleveland Museum of Art. Getting there is easy. It is located on I-71, I-77, I-80 and I-90. You can’t miss it! It is also home to the Hopkins International Airport which is a hub for United and Continental. Amtrak services Cleveland with two trains daily in each direction!

For more information about this great event, visit www.2014cleveland.org