he Eastern Model Railroad Meet  (ironic since, recently, the eastern division of the sunshine region of the NMRA was recently abolished) was held today, way way down in Vero Beach today. Since two N-Trakers were asked to come down and speak (me, on TT&TO, and Reverend Jim, because I badgered him into speaking last minute on T-Trak because “Weren’t you a public speaker?” works really well. We also had Joel Morse (“Layout planning for operations”) and Host Chip Pecere (“Designing your layout before construction”). Interesting, two other people cancelled out of the one Jim covered (“Introduction to T-Trak Modelling”) (Including no-show Shannon S). At the end, Al Sohl crashed the party with a clinic on making rocks with some sort of dangerous-looking chemical mix.

I really did like Joel’s operation-orientated one, and he seemed to like mine enough to extend an invite for a special ops session next time I’m on the west coast. And Jim’s was good, with him winging it faster than an humming bird (and after a recent hospital stay). His voice was (to me) a little wavery and I almost hauled him off the stage but he wrapped it up and didn’t die.

Robert spiels through nonsense and hopes the audience doesn’t call him out on it (Photo: Rev Jim)

I was really pleased with my clinic – I’d tuned it since the last time and really let it rip. With all the practice, it went down like smooth bourbon. And I provoked lots of questions, most of which were answered later in my clinic. I remember, right before lunch, listening to Joel and thinking, “Oh crap! I’m next!”) But I nailed it and was very pleased with it.

Chip did invite Jim and myself to go see his almost-ready-for-ops layout and I did want to see it but Jim and I both had long drives ahead and, with heavy weather blowing in, had to scoot. But I’m going to make a special trip over there soon – if I can, I’ll open invites to the club.

But it was a great day, and like any great and challenging days, I’m tired and glad I’m on the other side of it.

>>>BUY A BOOK. MY SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS MAKE NO MONEY<<<

P.S. – Did you know four double T-Trak modules will EASILY fit in the back of a two-door mini? Possibly this will be my next clinic. Jim, you should have mentioned it in your talk!