While it'll be hard to top last year's "Steamin' to Winona" TLR convention, this year's "Twin Ports Express" is surely going to give it a run for the money. The convention promises a full range of prototype tours and clinics, as well as our own train to Two Harbors, MN.


The center of all our activities will be the amazing Duluth Depot, home of the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. Because we'll hold all clinics, receptions, and the model contest there, we'll have no "official" convention hotel. Instead, convention-goers will be able to find their own hotel rooms at rates they find comfortable. 

There's no host group for the Twin Ports Express, so all groundwork is being done by your TLR Board of Directors. Details may change as convention time approaches, but here's the way the event stacks up at present.

THURSDAY: This is an optional "no host" day, but there's so much to do in Duluth, you may want to come a day early. Visit the 589-foot William A. Irvin, go railfanning (we'll provide a Duluth railfan guide in your convention packet),watch the various large ships going visiting Duluth, or do any of the hundreds of other activities this great city provides. Convention registration opens in the afternoon at the Depot.

FRIDAY: Registration's open at the Depot all day. The Convention will get into full-swing on Friday morning with the opening of the contest room, and five clinics. At noon, buses will leave for the afternoon tours to Hallett Dock, Cenex Harvest States Grain, and Midwest Energy Resources Company (MERC).

SATURDAY will be another jam-packed day. Attendees can use part of their morning for breakfast, railfanning, and exploring. At 10 a.m. we'll gather at the Depot to board the Twin Ports Express - a three-car train (two Great Northern coaches and a baggage car) chartered especially for our convention, which will take us on a picturesque 6-hour lakeside trip to Two Harbors, MN. The motive power will be either the Lake Superior Scenic Railroad's DMIR SD18 or Soo Line GP-30. Box lunches will be provided. 

During the two-hour layover in Two Harbors we'll have time to explore the Two Harbors lighthouse, the Dwan/3M Museum, the Edna G tugboat, the Two Harbors Depot Museum, or either of the antiques stores in town. If time permits, there will be a photo run-by on the way back. We'll return to the Duluth Depot by 4 pm. You can also visit Carr's Hobby Shop in Duluth.

At 6 p.m. we'll board a Vista Fleet Cruise boat and be treated to the TLR banquet while cruising bustling Duluth harbor. The boat should return by 9 p.m. and the Contest Room will be opened for interested viewers.

Non Rail: We'll also have non-rail activities, including trips to the Great Lakes Aquarium and the Glensheen Estate. We'll also include time for museum visits, shopping and lunch. Transportation will be provided.



Remember: the convention is open only to NMRA members and their significant others (who don't need to be members) - no exceptions. So if your NMRA membership expires before May 2 or is already past-due, now's the time to get it renewed. If you bought a RailPass membership for the Winona or Twin Cities conventions, you cannot get another RailPass this year. Visit www.nmra.org for membership details.


                  
Future Conventions:          

2009 Convention will be in Hutchinson, MN  see schedule page

2005 Convention: River City 2005 - May 19-22 in Mason City - Joint Meet with the Chicago & North Western Historical Society

2006 Convention: NorthStar '06 - May 5-7 in the Twin Cities

2007 Convention: Steamin' to Winona - Winona, MN - June 8th - June 10th, 2007    Convention Activities   Contest Photo

2008 Twin Ports Express Duluth, MN    May 2nd, 3rd & 4th, 2008         Convention Activities          Contest Photo's

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updated  6/23/08