Pacific Coast Region / NMRA
Sierra Memories 2008 Convention
April 30 to May 4, 2008


Registration Clinics Layout Tours Video Tours Hotel/RV Parks
Excursions Contests Non-Rail Activities LD / Ops SIGs Train Show
Company Store Banquet Convention Car Sightseeing Fresno Facts
Ticket Office Links Committee Meeting Schedule Merit Badge
News & Updates Daily Schedule - UPDATED 4/15/08 (pdf) Home

News & Updates (Most recent on top)
5/01/08 NEWS!
The Contest Room will close at 10:00 am Saturday, May 3, for judging.
4/25/08 Additions:
- Ron & Dave Baker layout tour, Friday, May 2, 6:00 - 9:00 PM. Layout tours grid updated.
- Added steam locomotive sound byte to "Excursions" page
4/20/08 NEWS!
The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine RR steam excursion is almost sold out!

Additions:
- John Houlihan layout tour, Wednesday, April 30, 7:00 - 11:00 PM
- Video tours for The Belmont Group and Jim Niell's layouts
- Dave Clemens' "Case for Operations" clinic, 1:00 PM, Thursday, May 1
- Jim Providenza's "Agent-Operator" clinic, 2:30 PM, Thursday, May 1
- Seth Neumann's " Model Railroad Communications" clinic, 4:00 PM, Thursday, May 1

Cancellations:
- Wednesday night van for layout tours
- Bob Sexton layout tour Friday, May 2 (Still open Wed and Thurs, 3:00 - 8:00 PM)
- Dave Viale layout tour Wednesday, April 30 (Still open Saturday for van/self-drive tour)
 

4/17/08 Additions:
- Non-Rail Luncheon at Marie Callender's, Saturday, 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM. No cost.
- "Resin Kit Assembly Tips and Techniques" clinic by Jack Burgess, 4:00 PM Friday
 
4/15/08 Additions:
- "Let's Get Dirty With Our Models" clinic by Giuseppe "Joe" Aymar

Changes:
- Non-Rail Bingo Night to Thursday; moved Movies Night to Friday
- Bob Jakl layout tour changed to Saturday-only van tour
- Updated Daily Schedule and Layout Tour Schedule PDF files

Cancellations:
- Bob Jakl layout tours on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Now Saturday only.
- Brewster Bird's "Railfanning Throughout the Modern Era" clinic
 

4/12/08 Changes:
- Registration desk times changed on Daily Schedule.
- Changed Non-Rails trip fares: Visalia:Reduced to $10.00; Pelco:Increased to $5.00

Cancellations:
- Jack Burgess' "Following the Yosemite Valley Railroad" clinic
 

4/10/08 - Updated days and times for Schaumburg, Tadlock, Kolm, Bird, and Morden clinics
- Updated Daily Schedule and Layout Tour Schedule grids
4/08/08 - Leon & Zac Emory's layout tour changed from 1:00-9:00 PM, to new time of 3:00-7:00 PM, both Wednesday and Friday.
4/05/08 - Vendor sales tables SOLD OUT!
- Added videos for Clay Cunningham's and Gary Saxton's layouts on "Layout Tours" and "Video Tours" pages
- Updated Daily Schedule clinics
4/03/08 - Added times and dates for layout tours on "Layout Tours" page
- Added new photo page for Steve Silva's layout
- Updated Daily Schedule clinics
4/02/08 - Added new photos of John Houlihan's layout, including link to videos.
- Added link to videos on Chuck Harmon's San Joaquin Central photos page.
- Added page on Railroading Merit Badge program.
3/30/08 - Added times and dates to clinics entries on "Clinics" page.
- Added new "Video Tours" page to replace "Prototype Tours" page.
3/28/08 - Added write-up for Boy Scouts of America Railroading merit badge program and updated description of several clinics on "Clinics" page.
3/26/08 - Added videos for Chuck Harmon's, Roy Ogle's, and Marlin Costello's layouts on "Layout Tours" page
- Added video of Hillcrest & Wahtoke RR on "Excursions" page
- Rescheduled Rich Kolm's clinic from 4:00 PM Friday to 10:00 AM Thursday.
3/23/08 - Added Ron & Dave Baker's layout to layout tours. Total: 22
3/20/08 - Added operating sessions dates and times on Layout Tours", "LD/Ops SIGs", and "Daily Schedule" pages
3/19/08 - Fixed broken links on "Layout Tours" and "LD/Ops SIGs" page (Marlin Costello, Chuck Harmon)
- Added new links on "Layout Tours" page (Fresno Model RR Club, Jim Niell)
3/18/08 - Added Chuck Harmon's San Joaquin Central to Ops SIG's operating sessions
3/16/08 - Contest entries CANNOT be picked up until after the Banquet. See "Contests" page for more information.
- No refunds after April 15, 2008
- Jay Smith joined the committee as a volunteer at large
- Added Irish Tracklayer to Train Show
- Added McKenzie Brothers Timber Co. Sn3 layout to Train Show
- Added committee meeting for March 29, 2008
- Non-rails need to bring money for no-host lunch Thursday in Visalia and $20.00 for extra-fare transportation.
- Added video of John Houlihan's layout on "Layout Tours" page
3/14/08 - Added link to Sierra Memories flyer on home page
3/13/08 - Rob Saberenyi's Free-Mo clinic has been cancelled. Total: 44
3/12/08 - Updated Daily Schedule
- Added countdown timer to start date and time of Sierra Memories
3/11/08 - Added Tom Davis' O-scale layout to layout tours: Total: 21
- Added Fresno Model Railroad to Train Show.
3/04/08 - Removed Chuck Geiger's N-scale layout from layout tours. Total: 20
3/03/08 - Added Steve Silva's G-scale layout to layout tours. Total: 21 layouts
- Added Mike Massee Photography to Train Show.
3/01/08 - Full-fare registration raised to $115.00
2/29/08 - Added THREE new layouts to Layout Tours, for a total of 20:
  • Rob Briney's HO-scale layout
  • Clay Cunningham's HO-scale layout
  • Leon & Zac Emory's HO-scale layout

- Added new clinic by Pat LaTorres
- Contest entries CANNOT be picked up until after the banquet.
- Updated Daily Schedule

2/27/08 - Added Bob Jakl's O-scale layout to Layout Tours. Website
- REGISTER NOW! Only 2 days left to save $10.00.
2/26/08 - Be sure to register by February 29th to save yourself $10.00!
2/24/08 - Volunteers are needed to assist in the Company Store, Contest Room, and with clinic room set-ups. Sign up at the Registration Desk.
- Vans will be available for layout tours Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings, leaving from the hotel at 6:00 PM. Fare: $10.00.
- Chocolate blind tasting added to Non-Rail program Friday afternoon.
- Updated Daily Schedule
2/13/08 - Added Dave Viale's O-scale layout to Layout Tours
- Added list of past PCR Convention cars
2/12/08 - Added new clinic by Bill Schaumburg
- Revised "Clinics" page format
2/11/08 - Added Vern Johnson's G-scale garden railroad to Layout Tours
2/10/08 - Added new clinics by Tony Thompson (4) and Bruce Morden
- Added new "Non-Rail" activities and information
- Added Jim Niell's Southern Pacific-Mojave Division to Layout Tours
2/08/08 - Darryl Huffman's scenery clinic has been cancelled.
2/06/08 - Added online registration form for Train Show vendors & exhibitors
2/04/08 - Added California Central Coast On30 Modular Group to Train Show
- Added new car to Company Store product offerings
- Tom Sciara joined the Committee as Operating Sessions Chairman
1/23/08 - Updated Daily Schedule with clinic schedule times.
- Added new clinics by Jack Burgess and John Huber
- Added new operating session on Ed Matheny's layout.
- Added photos and activities on "Non-Rail Activities" page.
- Convention cars arrived today from manufacturer!
1/18/08 - Added layouts of Rob Briney, Marlin Costello, and Jim Niell to the Operations SIG's operating sessions.
1/17/08 - Added the Daylight Valley Lines (HO & N) of the Fresno Model RR Club to the Layout Tours.
1/16/08 - Added the Minarets and Western HO layout of Paul Johnson to the Layout Tours.
1/15/08 - The direct and toll-free number to make reservations at the Ramada University is 1-800-241-0756. Use group code "NMRA".
1/14/08 - The Ramada University must be called directly at (559) 224-4040 to get the special convention room rate. Use group code "NMRA" when making reservations.
1/01/08 - Added new "Hotel/RV Parks" page.
12/15/07 - Chuck Geiger joined the Committee as the Door Prizes Chairman.
12/01/07 - Added excursion to the Hillcrest & Wahtoke RR.
7/14/07 - Chuck Wolfson joined the Committee as the Train Show & Modular Display Area Chairman.
6/04/07 - Sign up to present a clinic or put your layout on the layout tours. Go to the "Clinics" or "Layout Tours" pages for more.
6/01/07 - Full Fare Registration increased to $105.00 until midnight February 29, 2008.
5/22/07 - August Convention Committee meeting moved to August 18, 2007. To be held at the Daylight Division meet in San Luis Obispo.
5/12/07 - Jim Posey joined the Committee as the Layout Tours Chairman
5/06/07 - The "Really Early Registration" convention-only cost of $95.00 has been extended through midnight May 31, 2007.
4/30/07 - Committee shirts are now available from John Houlihan. New volunteers can order theirs when they sign up for work.
4/28/07 - The Contest Room will be open for viewing through Sunday morning, with judging on Saturday morning.
 

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This page was last updated 05/01/08