The NMRA 2018 National Convention

August 5-12, 2018

You have found the official on-line home of the NMRA 2018 National Convention. This is the place to obtain the latest information on the convention happenings.

The mission of the Kansas City Convention Planning committee is to create a first-class model railroad convention in a town with a rich railroad history.

Please visit this site often, as new content is added all the time.

Refund policy

The Convention Schedule is POSTED!

We are using Sched.com to host the online schedule for the 2018 Convention!

Sched has many great features, including:
• live and dynamic updates to the schedule
• support for mobile devices
• ability to personalize you schedule
• ability to download schedule for mobile devices, including outlook, iCal, and apple calendars

Take me to the embedded schedule page!

Check out the Convention CafePress Store!

You want a logo water bottle? BOOM! Done.

You want a logo mouse pad? BOOM! Done.

You want a 16 ounce logo beverage glass? Boom! DONE!

CafePress is the world's best online gift and on-demand fulfillment center. We have selected an assortment of neat convention logo items for your enjoyment. Pay online and have them shipped directly to you! It's a great time to be alive!

I need more stuff! Take me to the Convention CafePress Store!

The Extra Fare Store is now OPEN!

We are very excited and proud to announce that the Extra Fare store is NOW OPEN to all registered convention attendees.

The Early Bird registrants have given feedback, and the consensus is in — these tours ROCK!

Some things to consider when purchasing Extra Fare tours and other items:

All purchasing will be completed online
Add items to your shopping cart, selecting the quantity of each items. Some items have special options (for example, you need to select a scale for the MWTM turnout building session)
PayPal is used to process purchases, but you DON'T need to have a PayPal account. Major credit cards are accepted.
DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT AFTER YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR SELECTIONS!
Check back frequently, as new tours and event will be added as they become available! All updates will be posted on this web site and the Convention Facebook Pages.

GO TO THE EXTRA FARE STORE!

Make Conventions GREAT Again!

New Polo Shirts available…now with a POCKET!!

You inquired.

You cajoled.

You begged.

You DEMANDED!

We listened! Now available for immediate shipping or pick up at the convention - the famous 2018 Convention Polo WITH POCKET!

Same great quality. Same great color that you love. Same flattering fit.

BUT. WITH. A. POCKET!

What?! Pockets?! I must have one!!!

Convention Cars are AVAILABLE!

This year, we are pleased to offer not one, not two, but SIX convention cars!

With the diverse railroading history and heritage in Kansas City, we just couldn't pick a single prototype, so we decided to go the full Monte and present paint schemes for six of KC's most prominent and historical fallen flags and current railroads!

The Pullman Standard 4750 covered hopper was one of the most common freight cars of the 1970s and 1980s. Still found in service today these cars were designed and produced by the Pullman Standard Company and built by the tens-of-thousands starting in 1972.

The Accu-Rail 4750 three-bay covered hopper was selected because of its excellent and accurate design, fine detail, and affordability. All artwork is unique to our convention and was designed by the modelers that serve on the convention committee using photographs and data from the real cars.

These truly unique cars will be bundled into two three-packs, each available starting now. Take a little piece of Kansas City railroading home with you. You will love these cars.

Available in sets of three, these easy to assemble kits will find a place of pride on any layout!

HO ONLY, EASY TO ASSEMBLE KITS.

$75 picked up at the convention, $12 per set shipping and handling is available.

Set 2 - Rock Island, Missouri-Kansas-Texas, Union Pacific

Both sets are now available in the Company Store!

Set 2 - Kansas City Southern, Missouri Pacific, Santa Fe

I gotta have them!! Take me to the Company Store

The National Train Show…

Are you a Model Train Dealer looking for information on how to sell at the weekend National Train Show?
Are you a vendor looking for load-in, load-out information for the National Train Show?
Are you a modular layout owner looking to sign up for the big layout at the National Train Show?

IF SO, YOU'VE COME TO THE WRONG PLACE!!

Take me to the NATIONAL TRAIN SHOW page!!

New T-shirts are available! KC Round Three Fashion Tees!

Did you know that the NMRA was established in since 1935? Did you also know that the National Convention has been held in Kansas City twice already (in 1984 and 1998)?

So 2018 makes Round 3 in KC!

Be a part of history and make a bold statement with your very own KC Round Three 1935-2018 Convention T Shirt!

Featuring a new Kansas City identifier on both the front and the back, with the convention logo on the sleeve, this quality shirt will be sure to turn heads wherever and whenever you wear it.

All sizes are available for immediate shipping or pick-up at the convention!

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Banquet Speaker Announced!

We are pleased and honored to announce that TONY KOESTER will be the featured speaker at the 2018 Convention Banquet.

Tony Koester is the editor of Model Railroad Planning and contributing editor to Model Railroader, and writes the popular Trains of Thought column and numerous feature articles.

He edited Railroad Model Craftsman from 1969 into 1981, when he joined Bell Laboratories. Tony retired from a 20-year career in telecommunications in 2001. He has written eight books for Kalmbach on various topics from realistic operation and multi-deck layout design to scenery, prototype modeling, and his former Allegheny Midland Railroad.

Tony's Banquet Presentation is titled: "Model Railroading is Fun ... ny!"

NMRA Honorary Life Member, National Nominating Committee chair, Tony will share some behind-the-scenes anecdotes about several of the hobby's better-known personalities.

We are very excited to hear what Tony has to say about our fine hobby. Look for more banquet details and sign-up information in the coming weeks.

General Interest Tour Descriptions are now POSTED!

We are fortunate to have a multitude of interesting activities for locals and visitors alike.

At the NMRA National Convention in Kansas City, you will have the opportunity to experience the best that the Midwest has to offer, in terms of

Go to the GENERAL INTEREST TOURS PAGE for more interest on some of the tours offered during convention week.

Covention Schedule! Plan your week

We have a full week planned with clinics, layout tours, prototype tour, general tours, and more! Check out the schedule and plan your week!

Go to the embedded schedule page

Company Store is OPEN! Quality Convention Apparel at Affordable Prices

You asked for it, we made it happen! Our Premium Modelers Apparel is now available for online ordering and delivery. Any combination of items can be delivered directly to your door for a flat $8 shipping! Or you can order now to beat the rush and we'll have your order ready for pickup at the Convention.

Go to the Company Store

Extra Fare Store is OPEN! Everything is up to date in Kansas City

Visit the extra fare store to purchase tours, extra fare clinics and Modeling with the Masters programs.

Go to the Extra Fare Store

Kansas City Model Railroad Layouts We have basements and we know how to fill them!

What comes to mind with you think of Kansas City? The Royals! Ok, what else? BBQ! Okay...what else. Stockyards! Fine, but about 40 years too late. How about model railroad layouts! YES! KC is the home to many fine layouts of all scales and sizes. Layout tours will run every day all over the metro area. Be sure to check it out!

Go to the KC Model Layout Page

General Interest Tours Presenting the best that Kansas City has to offer!

Kansas City has much more than trains! Museums, wineries, shopping, cultural events - KC has it all. And we have assembled some of the most popular non-rail destinations. In the mood for some BBQ? We have that, too!

Go to the General Interest Tours Page

Upcoming Conventions

Salt Lake City 2019

Planning for the Salt Lake City convention is well underway. It is going to be an EPIC convention being held the same year as the 150 year anniversary of the driving of the Golden Spike!