Special Guests & Banquet

Special Guests

We are pleased to announced that we will have multiple special guests for this year’s convention.

Keynote Speaker Bruce Blalock

Bruce worked for the Union Pacific Railroad, the Durango and Silverton Railroad, and the Austin Steam Train. He is qualified as a conductor, diesel engineer and steam engineer. He models the MKT and Rio Grande in O scale in both standard gauge and narrow gauge. Bruce also has experience as a graphic designer and marketer, and restored the Katy House in Smithville, Texas, into a popular bed and breakfast.

Bruce will be our banquet’s keynote speaker. If you’ve heard him speak before, you’ll know he’s a fantastic storyteller, with many tales to share. It will be an entertaining banquet, for sure.

Cinthia and Stephen Priest, MMR

Cinthia and Stephen are well-known in the model railroading community. Cinthia is the Senior Editor of the NMRA Magazine, and is active in the Women in Model Railroading Special Interest Group. Stephen is a former editor of Scale Rails and Railroad Model Craftsman. Both work with Whitewater Productions.

Cinthia and Stephen will be presenting clinics at the convention this year – you won’t want to miss them.

Banquet

The banquet, held Saturday evening, is always one of the highlights of the convention. In addition to an excellent BBQ dinner, we will hear Bruce talk and announce the contest and raffle winners. Who knows, there may even be some additional surprises in store! And don’t forget – we’ll also get a sneak preview at the 2027 Lone Star Region convention.

The cost of the dinner is included in full adult and minor (6-17) registration fees (both rail and non-rail). If you have a child under 6 who would like to receive a dinner (or are attending Saturday on a Day Pass), make sure you purchase additional banquet ticket(s) for them.

And don’t forget – we’ll have a reception before the banquet. Always a great time, with opportunities to renew friendships and make new ones.