Monthly the local division of the NMRA meets here in Lansing. They're a great bunch of guys, interested in model RR projects, same as I am. The meetings are always enjoyable and entertaining.
Yearly the local region of the NMRA puts on a convention somewhere in the region. The conventions are lots of fun, with clinics, layout tours, prototype tours, etc. No "trading pits." There is apparently a mentality that says "I will get even with those people many years ago who would not make the gauge they should have made, by boycotting NMRA gatherings. I will deny them the honor and the pleasure of my presence. That'll teach 'em." There's a term for that kind of thinking, but I can't remember how it's spelled right now. I suspect the real reason S gaugers don't show up is that they don't want their knowledge of railroading or their modelling abilities compared to others. Tom Hawley -- Lansing Mich
