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NERX Convention car is still available!

Didn’t get around to building our popular NREX virtual convention car?  There’s still time to DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS and DOWNLOAD DECAL ARTWORK. Please check out our CONTESTS page for the special model and photo contest categories for models built using our artwork.

NERx Presentations:  Missed all or part of either our 2020 virtual convention or our recent NERx weekend??  Like to watch something a second time? Lnks to the entire event are available on our NERx webxite.  Just browse and click and sit back, and enjoy.

NMRA on FACEBOOK and YOUTUBE:   NMRA national pages



Lowell National Park:   The showpiece of “21”. Be sure to check out our Lowell fan trips or visit the park on your own.  While you are there, be sure to get your Senior National  Park Pass.

Minuteman National Historic Park

20 minutes from convention center

Visit where The Shot Heard ‘Round the World was fired, in nearby Lexington and Concord. Learn more about the beginnings of the American Revolution, and the United States.  You know it’s worthwhile if it’s a national park.

Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce:  Our convention is being held in one of the most beautiful and historic areas of Massachusetts during the fall foliage season. Please plan on staying several extra  days for exploration.  This site will give you a head start.

Boston & Lowell Railroad:  Andy Reynolds sent in this link.  Learn more about the early railroads in the convention vicinity and look for a clinic describing them.

Operations Special Interest Group:  The NMRA OPSIG group is quite active and  very willing to lend a helping hand to those wishing to learn more about operating their own model railroad.  Be sure to sign up for a Mill City 2020 convention operating  session early- the slots fill up quickly.

Model Railroad Hobbyist:   This virtual hobby publication is free of charge and is filled with high quality content each month.

Trains.com: Kalmbach Publications’s umbrella web site.  If it’s about model trains  of every size or shape or scale, you can find it there.

Conway Scenic Railroad:   A good friend of the HUB Division, the Conway Scenic Railroad offers beautiful excursions and dinner trains through New  Hampshire’s White Mountains.  Be sure to visit their beautifully restored  station, railroad equipment collection and round house exhibits.

Signs, signs, signs:   Over fifteen hundred FREE downloadable signs for use on your model railroads.  Categorized images include many categories and eras.

RailDesign Services:    An unusual enterprise offering various design and visual services, including layout, herald, decal and web page design.  They also will build models from kits or from scratch in any scale.

Bar Mills Model Works:  Another friend of the HUB Division, owner Art Fahie sells a vast number of themed wood kits.  Offerings range from modestly priced beginner structures to complex projects for experts.  Also there is a growing line of detail parts and accessories.  Their site features many videos of tips and techniques.

Railway Design Associates:  The late owner, Rod Guthrie, was a close friend and mentor- one of the more creative people we’ve encountered in the hobby.  He was able to get the feel of handwork into injection molded kits, much like Alan Armitage did years ago for Revell Models.  Rod’s best kits are still available.




NER on FACEBOOK:   NMRA Northeastern Region pages

ON THE ROAD to Westford- Public transportation to Westford, Mass.  If you are traveling to Boston’s North Station, take an MBTA commuter train to Lowell. Unfortunately most Amtrak trains terminate at Boston’s South Station.  It’s a long walk and easy to get lost.  Easiest way is to use Uber or Lyft or take a taxi.  If you are game, there is public transportation between the stations.  From Lowell to the Convention Hotel, you can either use public transportation or a ride service.  Unless you really like riding commuter trains, it is recommended to take an Uber or Lyft from South Station directly to the convention hotel.  If you are traveling via Worcester, Mass. the mileage toWestford is about the same as Boston.  Again, Uber or Lyft is recommended  Unfortunately, The Westford Regency Hoteldoes not have a shuttle service.

Massachusetts Covidvirus Travel Guidelines

We will plan to be adhering to the Massachusetts Guidelines at the time when the convention registration is open, but please check the link above and our web pages for additional guidance. Please also check our different venues as some, such as trips, operating sessions, and layout tours a may have different requirements.

Senior Lifetime National Park Pass

     Planning to visit the Lowell or Minuteman National Park during the convention?  If you are 62 or older, don’t forget to bring your National park Pass.  Don’t already have one?  You can obtain one on the spot at any National Park.