June 18-22, 2008
Holiday Inn Houston Southwest
11160 Southwest Freeway (US 59 S at Beltway 8)
Houston, Texas 77031
Click on the Registration Iron Horse to access the convention registration form!
Last Site Update: May 7
Minor change to registration page and posted updated schedule - click here for PDF
April 22: updated activities page (Contest and Operating Sessions) and registration form.
April 18: Updated schedule page to reflect earlier contest entry deadline.
April 15: Updated registration page to reflect early registration deadline extension to May 18.
April 9: Posted revised Super Layout Tour information (returns to hotel 6 p.m.).
For site information or comments, email:
tom@houstonncrowd.org
We’re planning five great days of trains and socializing, so save the dates now!
From the opening activities on Wednesday afternoon until the Iron Horse rides into the sunset on Sunday morning, you’ll have all the railroading fun you could possibly want.
Click here or on the Activities Iron Horse for details on the convention events and schedule, and also to see pictures of some of the model railroads featured on this year's layout tours.
The Iron Horse '08 will pull into the Holiday Inn Houston Southwest, near the intersection of Hwy 59 South and Beltway 8, on June 18.
For those of you who were at the ’04 convention, it’ll be like coming home! We’ve arranged a great room rate of just $75 per night. More hotel information is available via the link at left.
In addition, we will reprise the very popular Super Tour, an all day Saturday bus excursion, lunch included, to some of the best layouts in the Houston area. If you don’t want to just watch, you’ll also have the chance to operate on a number of these layouts.
We’ll have a few big trains for you to look at as well. The Prototype Tours will include heavy rail, light rail and rail car manufacturing and repair.
How about an evening of BBQ, socializing and riding behind an assortment of steam and diesel engines?
Included in your registration will be a trip to Zube Park and the huge Houston Area Live Steamers layout. You’ll have time to ride the trains, hang around the steaming bays, or just kick back, relax and chat with friends.
Of course, there will be clinics and more clinics! The clinic program kicks off Wednesday evening and runs through Saturday, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to pick your favorite topic.
For something really special, be sure to check out the Progressive Clinic in the Display Room. Tracy Mitchell, MMR, and a cast of thousands (well, maybe a dozen) will direct this ongoing event.
Along with the Progressive Clinic, the Display Room will host other activities including the Switching Contest, the Company Store, Jim Long’s LSR Historical Display and other things that we don’t even know about yet.
Chuck Lind has a new and improved contest for 2008; you’ll definitely want to participate in this one. Speaking of participation, don’t forget the Silent Auction, where you’ll find treasures galore: Bring yours to sell as well!
The LSR Awards Banquet is Saturday night and we’re fortunate to have as our featured speaker Brian Marsh, CEO of Overland Models. Some of you heard his excellent presentation at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum a while back; we’re all looking forward to having Brian in Houston next year.
Non-Rails, you have not been forgotten! Be sure to come to the Wednesday evening social get-together and preview of upcoming activities. You can look forward to at least a half-dozen craft clinics on a wide variety of topics, and who knows, we might even sneak in a surprise event!
We’re also planning a Non-Rails trip to Old Town Spring with its vast array of antique, collectible, crafts and specialty food shops, all topped off with a Dutch treat luncheon at Puffabelly’s alongside the Union Pacific mainline in a recreated small town station!
Updated information will be posted here as it becomes available.
See you in June!