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O Scale National Conventions  ¤  from the pages of 48/ft,O Scale News

	Year	Location City/State	Title/Sponsor(s)	Memorabilia/Events
1	1969	Indianapolis, IN	SONC #1 Vane A. Jones, chairman	AUCTION.  MEET CAR.
2	1970	Indianapolis, IN	SONC #2 Vane A. Jones	AUCTION.  MEET CAR.
3	1971	Indianapolis, IN	SONC '71 Vane A. Jones	AUCTION.  MEET CAR.
4	1972	Indianapolis, IN	SONC '72 Vane A. Jones	AUCTION.  MEET CAR.
5	1973	Indianapolis, IN	SONC '73 Vane A. Jones	AUCTION.  MEET CAR.
6	1974	Louisville, KY	SONC '74	MEET CAR.
7	1975	Cleveland, OH  (held at Holiday Inn,  Hudson, Ohio)	SONC '75	MEET CAR.
8	1976	Alsip, IL	SONC '76	MEET CAR.
9	1977	St. Louis, MO	SONC '77	MEET CAR.
10	1978	Philadelphia, PA  (King of Prussia,  Pennsylvania)	SONC '78	MEET CAR.
11	1979	San Mateo, CA  (20 miles from  San Francisco)	Golden Gate '79 Jerry White, chairman; host Bay Area O Scalers	LOCOMOTIVE TUG-OF-WAR CONTEST. MEET CARS: Reynolds/Athearn 40' box car kit, lettered for 1979 OSNC Golden Gate convention with two different paint schemes with trucks and Kadee couplers, (1) gold lettering on a blue car and (2) blue lettering on a gold car. ($14)
12	1980	Cincinnati, OH (held at Drawbridge Motor Inn, Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky)	SONC '80 Bob Salerno, chairman; Fred L. Stout, III, registrar; and Cincinnati O Scalers	MEET CAR.
13	1981	Washington, DC (held at Sheraton Inn - New Carrollton, Maryland)	SONC '81 National Scale O Convention '81 Dan McAuliffe, registrar; John Armstrong & others sponsored show along with the National Capital O Scalers	MEET CAR.
14	1982	Lafayette, IN  (held at Holiday Inn North - West Lafayette, Indiana)	SONC '82 National O Scale Convention bid and initial work by Doug & Arlene McGill; host listed as the Tippecanoe O Scalers	AUCTION. SWITCHING CONTEST. MEET CAR.
15	1983	Cleveland, OH  (held at Holiday Inn;  Hudson, Ohio)	SONC '83 co-chairmen Bob Boeddner and Al Stauffer, Jr.	NO PROTOTYPE TOURS. ADDED FEES: $6 more for Spouse, and $3 additional per child. MEET CAR.
16	1984	Chicago, IL  (held at Holiday  Inn-O'Hare, Rosemont,  Illinois)	CHICAGO '84 Mike Hill of Hills Hobbies, host and the Chicago Area 'O' Scalers (a loosely-organized group included Joseph . Bak, Jr., Greg Heier, Larry Kotula, Dave Phillips and, heck, ALL the O Scalers in the area! Most just didn't know they were drafted.)	SWITCHING CONTEST. MEET CARS. PAPERWEIGHT.
17	1985	Hershey, PA	SONC '85 George & Mary Eschbach, Atalee Taylor and the Hershey '85 Committee	MEET CAR: (1) The prototypical Hershey Corporation car (based on Weaver 50' single-door box car) in a chocolate brown (the color of light milk chocolate), white lettering, and a silver roof; HERX reporting marks and (2) "1985 Natl. O Scale Conv." on the lower edge of door. Car numbers sold at the convention were 2271, 2279 and 2285 ($15; unassembled, less trucks and couplers).
18	1986	San Francisco, CA (held at the Marriott Hotel in Burlingame, California)	SONC '86 The 2nd Golden Gate Convention Bob DuPont and Bay Area O Scalers	LOCOMOTIVE TUG-OF-WAR CONTEST. AUCTION. MEET CAR: Athearn reefer produced for the convention by Locomotive Workshop.
19	1987	Scranton, PA  (actually held at the  Pocono Hershey Hotel, in  White Haven,  Pennsylvania)	1987 O Scale National Convention Bob & Gerrie Salerno and 1987 SONC Committee	MEET CARS: A Weaver covered hopper custom decorated for the Delaware Lackawanna & Western. Tuscan plastic with "The Route of Phoebe Snow" reporting marks in several road numbers including DL&W 19231 and 19239. Printed on end sheets of this car is "Full Steam Ahead" and "STEAMTOWN National O Scale Convention," Conversation piece.
20	1988	San Antonio, TX	O'le '88 "O" Scale Convention hosts Lorell Joiner & the Great Southern Hobby Cartel	MEET CAR: A black, blue, and silver stock car kit with convention lettering produced by Locomotive Workshop. Very few available. BEST SIDE-TRIP: Dealer dinner at Lorrell Joiner's home and tour of his fantastic Great Southern 2-Rail O Scale layout.
21	1989	Stamford, CT	Atlantic Trunk Lines '89 — The O Scale National Convention sponsored by the Stamford Model Railroad Club	MEET CARS(?): There was no clearly official convention car. Locomotive Workshop had an undecorated car kit with Scale O National Convention dry transfers and the Stamford Model Railroad Club (aka the host) had a special Athearn car available at the layout.
22	1990	Dearborn, MI  (at Dearborn Hyatt,  Dearborn, Michigan)	1990 "O" Scale National Convention Pat Mucci and the Detroit Model Railroad Club	MEET CARS: (1) Weaver 50' ribbed-side box car custom painted for the Detroit & Mackinac with map of Michigan and "YES M!CH!GAN" in white on the right side of the door and small Scale O National Convention logo, several roadnumbers; (2) Weaver PS-2 hopper with several numbers.
23	1991	High Point, NC	Tarheel '91, O Scale National Convention Tom Smink and the SONC '91 Committee	MEET CAR: Weaver box car custom decorated for the High Point, Thomasville & Denton.
24	1992	Chicago, IL	1992 O Scale National Convention hosted by Mike Hill (Hill's Hobbies & Collectors' Shop) and Ron Sebastian (Des Plaines Hobbies)	Mike Hill's HUDSON POWER DISPLAY... a huge display of O Scale Hudsons showing just about every road name and variation built over the years. MEET CARS: (1) InterMountain steel reefer kit decorated CNW/NWX yellow and green in four numbers; (2) Red Caboose GP-9 in similar C&NW green and yellow paint scheme.
25	1993	Indianapolis, IN	Indy '93, The 25th Anniversary O Scale National Convention hosted by Corey & Ginger Jones and Indy O Scalers	MEET CAR: Weaver PS-2 two-bay Monon covered hopper, light gray with slanted lettering. Numbers include 56015, 56016 and 56019; data note on the side - "RBLT 6-93." T-SHIRT, HAT, OTHER MEMENTOS. 1st YEAR, for O SCALE HALL OF FAME: Started by Corey & Ginger Jones who created the first wood and brass plaque. Bob Smith, Bob Weaver & Vane Jones were inducted (in that order) after a popular vote was held with ballots in registration packet listing a field of five nominees and a space for a "write-in" candidate. MEET TRAGEDY: hospitalization during meet and death of Corey Jones on the last day of this show; he had been ill for many years, and this was his last project with Ginger.
26	1994	Denver, CO	'94 Denver O Scale National Convention Frank Angstead, registration chairman hosted by Denver Society of Model Railroaders,	MEET CARS: Three choices made by InterMountain! (1) steel reefer decorated for Colorado Midland (numbers include 1994 and 62394); (2) D&GW 40' steel box car and (3) C&S hopper. Several roadnumbers each.
27	1995	Teaneck, NJ	New Jersey '95, "O" Scale National Convention hosted by the New York Society of Model Engineers	MEET CARS: InterMountain Erie-Lackawanna express boxcar custom decorated gray with a maroon band and yellow striping separating the gray and maroon, black roof, and maroon ladders. Car numbers 118, 127 and 136 were sold during the abbreviated convention. T-SHIRT. Gray & blue-black convention logo NYSME steamer 1485 racing through a crowned O & KING OF ALL SCALES MEET TRAGEDY? NJ HOCKEY! Due to a strike, a NJ hockey team was in the same hotel as the NJ '95 and they won the playoffs. Who could expect the New Jersey Devils would win the Stanley Cup in Summer? — a totally unexpected curse. Chaos ensued. The sales were cut short and the hotel staff closed everything down in a confused rush as NJ police and state troopers began to move into the area to control celebrating sports fans (and from my view, a herd of angry brides whose weddings were moved to outlying hotels or canceled). Marriott employees were just nuts. NYSME should be congratulated for carrying on and still having the banquet. They rearranged events instead of running for the hills. Lots of layouts open on the tours — excellent convention.
28	1996	San Antonio, TX	'O' le 96 O Scale National Convention hosts Lorell Joiner & the Great Southern Hobby Cartel	MEET CARS: InterMountain box car correctly lettered for Texas & Pacific and numbered "TP1996" with small "return to" placard. BEST SIDE TRIP Dealer dinner at Lorrell Joiner's home and tour of his fantastic Great Southern 2-Rail O Scale layout.
29	1997	St. Louis, MO	St. Louis "O" Scale '97 The O Scale National Convention hosts Big Bend Model Railroad Club & Layouts Unlimited	MEET CAR: From the All-Nation Lines, the S&O 40' steel box car #716097.
30	1998	Marlboro, MA	'98 New England, The O Scale National Convention   hosts Metrowest O Scalers &   tbe Southern New England O   Scale Club	MEET CARS: The early 1950's 53' 6" TOFC Flat Car with trailers and chain tie downs made by Berkshire Valley, Inc. Decorated for Boston & Maine and New Haven. MEET TRAGEDY / ODD ACCIDENT? Hall with unexpected "roof-fall" adding to electrical and other maintenance problems. No one was directly injured by a sudden waterfall (thousands of gallons of rainwater) and ceiling fall, but it destroyed a pricy camera lens, part of a portable layout owned by the New England O Scalers, and caused damage to many fine O Scale models including several belonging to the Skillfingers' Gary Cliborn). Hotel blamed weather, but settlements were eventually paid after the hall failed follow-up inspections by building department.
31	1999	Atlanta, GA	'99 Atlanta, The O Scale National Convention hosts New Peachtree Model Railroad Club and John Peppers / Father's Trains	MEET CARS: InterMountain 40' Ready-To-Run box cars. First, Chattahoochee Industrial Railroad ("BETTER BY A DAM SITE" and "31st National O Scale Convention in Atlanta"; red and blue cross, silver car body with black lettering. Second, Atlantic & Western with "31st National O Scale Convention in Atlanta" on side. Several roadnumbers for each car. M.I.A.: Convention committee "forgot" O Scale Hall of Fame and skipped traction awards. Blame the heat?
32	2000	New Orleans, LA	O Scale 2000, Inc. The 32nd O Scale National Convention hosted by The Baton Rouge O Scalers	SWITCHING CONTEST. Won by Scott Cliborn (of Skillfingers). MEET CARS: Built-up box cars lettered (1) KCS "Southern Belle" and (2) Louisiana & Arkansas. Made by InterMountain with three numbers for each car. FAVORITE MEMORY: streetcar rides through the city on the expanded city lines. Great way to see the town. T-SHIRT. Classic white golf shirt with small O Scale 2000 and red/white/blue train logo embroidered on one side.
33	2001	Stamford, CT	The First of the New Millenium The 33rd O Scale National Convention Mike Crandall & the Stamford Model Railroad Club	MEET CARS: built-up black & orange New Haven box car by InterMountain. A limited-run of 125 convention cars were built, including numbers 36809, 36816, 36828 and 36831. MEET BONUS Rapid shuttle to club layout that ran steadily for hours. ATTENDANCE: 653 paid full registrations.
34	2002	Chicago, IL (held at Hyatt Regency- O'Hare; Rosemont, Illinois)	Return of the Century The O Scale National Convention Ron & Sue Sebastian of Des Plaines Hobbies and the Chicago Area "O" Scalers including John Kamacher, Larry Kotula, Sam McCoy, Dave Phillips, Greg Heier, Joy Forsberg and a host of additional helpers.	MEET CARS: (1) InterMountain Railway Company Ready-To-Run and a very few Kits: USRA gondolas. R-T-R 2-Rail and 3-Rail O Scale, some 2-Rail kits. C&NW, CB&Q, and M&StL USRA Gons. (2) Red Caboose Ready-To-Run, 2-Rail or 3-Rail O Scale. NWX reefers: C&NW (gray) or C&NW (green/yellow). (3) Atlas O, LLC Ready-To-Run, 3-Rail or 2-Rail O Scale, C&NW or Milw Road USRA box car ODD MEET MEMORY: the hundreds of young male & female HULK wanna-be's (pierced, tattooed, and tanned to an awful shade of burnt toast) seen wandering the halls from a neighboring health food and clothing fair. A few showed interest in our more mellow hobby, most merely flexed and munched on protein bars. Very surreal.
35	2003	Dallas, TX (held at Sheraton Grand,  Irving, Texas)	Where the Eagle Meets the Chief, The 2003 O Scale National Convention hosts John Smith owner of Pecos River Brass, the Dallas-Fort Worth "O" Scale Club and the gracious "Eagle Committee" (in alphabetical order): Larry Barnes, Phil Camp, Rick Graves, Dick Kuelbs, Chuck Lind, Tracy Mitchell, Michael Ross, John Thornton, George Wallace, & Mike C. Walter.	NEW?   Sunday to Wednesday. "relaxi-con" — modelers and dealers had plenty of free time. Pro musicians playing for the BBQ on Sunday and the banquet, John Smith's band — a unique touch. Vendors also appreciated Boy Scouts who worked set-up. MEET CARS  (5 cars) #1 & 2. PRB (plastic) AAR 50' double-door box car in 2 paint schemes: Santa Fe Texas Chief (cir. 1948) and the Texas & Pacific. 2 numbers. #3. Weaver 4-bay 100-ton hopper, black with Texas Western reporting marks (TW is host's layout). #4 & 5. Kit for Weaver 60' ACF covered hopper with PRB brass underbody to convert it to a grain car. Two road names: Santa Fe (red or mineral brown,) and Missouri Pacific (gray). All cars have die-cast trucks & Kadee couplers. ATTENDANCE  159 paid full registrations; the smallest number in several years not counting those who bought "day passes." Socializing and relaxation were the trademark of this group. 1ST MEET SONG  "The Eagle Meets The Chief" written for 2003 convention, recorded by John Smith's large jazz band, The Pecos River Brass. This is available on the 2nd PRB (the band) CD titled "The Eagle Meets the Chief" — and other railroad songs arranged by John Smith. Still available for $18, listen to a sample and order from Pecos River Brass. Excellent recording quality on both this and PRB's other CD (ask); wonderful to listen to in car or at home; and a copy of the only song ever written for an O Scale National Convention. CONTEST ROOM  Judged contest w/NMRA MMRs — 67 entries including photos — at least 1/2 were narrow gauge. Judging was hard. Odd entry? The detailed streamlined wood-burning diesel loco.
36	2004	Washington, DC (Hyatt Crystal City at Alexandria, Virginia)	The 2004 O Scale National Convention, Linking Quarter Inch Scale Modelers host Capitol Area O Scalers	SWITCHING CONTEST. (Timesaver style, no limit on moves and person to complete problem the fastest will win). Two prizes awarded. After no one was able to match dealer Beth Marshall's time, the gentleman in 2nd place (who had taken twice as long) was awarded a prize representing both the "men" and "non-dealers" in attendence. MEET CAR(s(: There were four cars. #1, 2, & 3 were produced by Atlas O, and #4 by Red Caboose #4. From Red Caboose, was a 40' FGEX reefer (Fruit Grower's Express) with 6 road #'s, Kadee couplers, plastic trucks and steels wheels. #1, Atlas O 40' RFP USRA box car; #2 & 3 were Atlas O 70-Ton hoppers. #2 Western Maryland scheme with the ball herald and #3 is decorated in the black "as-delivered" Chesapeake & Ohio paint scheme.
37	2005	St. Louis, MO (Gateway Center east of  St. Louis — across the  river — in Collinsville,  Illinois)	The 2005 O Scale National Convention, The Trail of the Frisco Flyer host Big Bend Railroad Club Convention Chair Paul R. Metzler, Registrar Forest Trent	MEET CAR(s): Atlas O reefer (yellow American Refrigerator Transit Co., 2-Rail O Scale $64.95, 3-Rail O Scale $62.95. $8 shipping charge) Small, but friendly meet. Favorite local railfan site: 100-foot-plus trackside water tower shaped like a giant condiment bottle (Brooks catsup).
38	2006	Parsippany, NJ (Hilton Parsippany)	The 2006 O Scale National Convention host New York Society of Model Engineers	MEET CAR: to be announced
39	2007	Indianapolis, IN (Marriott Center)	The 2007 O Scale National Convention hosts Jim Canter & Joe Gionnovario	Originally the bid was accepted by Joe G. for PA, and later amended to be a SHORTER September Convention held at same time/same place as Indianapolis Fall "O" Scale Meet with Jim Canter taking over the #1 spot as sponsor.…  MEET CAR: to be announced
40	2008	Worcester, MA DCA Center	The 2008 O Scale National Convention hosts Southern New England Model Railroad Club	MEET CAR: to be announced

2-Rail O Scale Wheel Tread Size Variations

Just to make things really difficult there are four standard wheel tread sizes that are non-"mix & match" if you are seeking steady operation.

#1 is .172 — the pre-1950's NMRA standard wheel tread size for O gauge. THE wheel tread of choice for many modelers and still recommended by OSN's Bob Turner. NEW .172 sets may be purchased from NorthWest Short Line and found on many new high-end models in 2002!

#2 is .145 — the current NMRA standard wheel tread size for O gauge.

#3 is .135 — the NMRA standard wheel tread size for O traction.

#4 is .115 — the accepted wheel tread size for finescale / Proto:48 O gauge modelers. Though even here, we've heard of P:48'rs using both .135 and .115 in different places.

Four choices? If your name is "Dee Rail," no problem — mix and match and enjoy chipping the paint. Blame track, cuss the caboose, buy new wheelsets or move over to 3-Rail O Scale track where there are even more choices in shape and size for both rail and wheel. We tend to adopt standards that work with the local club and friends and though we've moved cross-country several times the old standard works in O gauge and newer NMRA standards seem to work with On3 or On30 equipment.

Gate VI Publishing * 48/ft., O Scale News * PO Box 51 * Elmhurst, Illinois 60126-0051 * E-mail osn@foxvalley.net