SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP (SIG) ACTIVITIES

Several SIGs will conduct programs and activities in conjunction with AS2008. Since SIGs are not directly affiliated with the NMRA, participation in SIG events requires membership in the sponsoring SIG. Sign-ups for extra fare events planned by SIGs in conjunction with the convention are all handled through the AS2008 registration form.

Participants are expected to provide their own transportation to off-site SIG events and travel is at the participant’s own risk. All transportation for SIG events will be coordinated through the sponsoring SIG.

If sign-ups exceed capacity for limited capacity events, the sponsoring SIG will determine the means by which to select attendees. 

There will be a room at the convention dedicated for SIG use to hold meetings, mount displays, and provide general information. All convention attendees are welcome to come to the room, see the displays, visit with members and other convention goers, and learn more about the SIGs. Members are encouraged to visit the room for late breaking information, rideshare coordination, or just to say hello.

Layout Design SIG (LDSIG)

The Layout Design SIG will be holding their annual layout tour and picnic on Wednesday. Due to the distance involved, special tours of Santa Barbara and San Diego layouts are being scheduled separately from the Wednesday tour and picnic. Registration for the Wednesday tour and picnic must be made through the AS2008 registration form. You must be an LDSIG member to participate in this event.

LDSIG activities in the SIG room include informative displays with track plan diagrams, layout photographs, 3-D mock-ups, and priority lists of design features to help modelers learn how others have solved layout design problems. Design-related clinic schedules, and descriptions of open-house layouts for the Wednesday tour will be posted. The Layout Design SIG offers a free design consultation service. Stop by for an available consultation period. Bring your list of "Givens and Druthers," proposed track plans etc., to obtain valuable help.

We are planning a series of clinics focusing on layout design. The clinics will give real examples of design challenges and solutions to assist you in designing your dream layout. All these clinics are open to all convention attendees.

Click for LDSIG clinic schedule.

Please see the AS2008 registration package or the LDSIG web site (www.ldsig.org) for more information or contact the LDSIG coordinator Bruce Morden (bdmorden@sbceo.org).

Operations SIG (OpSIG)

The Operations SIG will be organizing operating sessions for OpSIG members on local layouts located throughout Southern California. As at past conventions, most sessions will be organized for Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings. However, due to the fact that some stellar operations-oriented layouts are located a significant distance away, OpSIG is organizing two special days of operations:

·     For those that wish to spend a day in Santa Barbara, OpSIG is organizing an Operations Day on the  Saturday before the convention (7/12) in Santa Barbara.

·     For those that wish to spend a day in San Diego, OpSIG is organizing an Operations Day on the last Saturday of the convention (7/19) in San Diego.

Attendees of operations sessions must provide their own transportation (carpool or otherwise). Attendees are encouraged to volunteer to carpool and share a ride.

Click on OPSIG # below to go to a PDF with layout description and information.

Please see the AS2008 registration package or the OpSIG web site (http://www.opsig.org) for more information or contact the OpSIG Coordinator, Kent Iverson (nmra@witches-brew.com, (310) 376-7400). Registration for all OpSIG sessions must be made through the AS2008 registration form.