2026 NASG Convention
Area Tours and Events
Welcome Reception
Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Time: 6pm to 9pm
Cost: free; included as part of your registration fee.
This ice-breaker event is a great way to get acquainted with others attending the Convention in a relaxed environment. It will take place at the hotel. See the Registration desk or follow the signs.
Tour #1 - Steam Railroading Institute
Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026
Time: 9am to 4pm
Cost: $85 per person participating.
Our luxury motor coach departs from the hotel at 9:00am, and we travel to the Steam Railroading Institute (SRI) in Owosso, MI. As well as being an active car repair shop, SRI is the home base and repair facility for Pere Marquette #1225, a Berkshire class steam locomotive (2-8-4). We will have a guided tour of the backshop, with an up-close view of work in progress. After that, we will reboard our bus for travel to our next destination. During this one-hour leg, we will enjoy boxed lunches (included in the fare; make your choices when registering to attend).
The second stop on the tour is the Detroit Model Railroad Club, which has been in operation since 1935. The members have constructed a massive, highly detailed, O-scale (2 rail) layout, which fills a former movie theater! All locomotives are controlled with DCC, and a dispatcher in the basement communicates with the engineers via headphones to coordinate train movements. Following this visit we return to the hotel, arriving there at 4:00pm.
External Web Site: Visit the SRI Web Site
External Web Site: Visit the Detroit MRR Club
Tour #2 - Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad
Date: Friday, August 7, 2026
Time: 9:30am to 4:30pm
Cost: $70 per person participating.
Our luxury motor coach departs from the hotel at 9:30am, and we travel to spend the day at Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad. This is two venues in one, and you will have full access to both. With more than thirty structures, Crossroads Village allows you to travel back to a simpler time in an authentic Great Lakes town reminiscent of the early 1900s. Watch traditional trades come to life through skilled artisans, and enjoy rides on the Charles W Parker Carousel and the Superior Wheel. Lunch during the day will be on your own at the onsite facilities.
The Huckleberry Railroad is a 3-foot gauge rail line that takes you on a 40-minute journey along the shores of Mott Lake, down a stretch of the historic Pere Marquette roadbed that was established in 1857, and back to Crossroads Village. The collection of cars includes 11 original and replica wooden coaches, and a classic red wooden caboose. The locomotive roster is made up of a diesel switch engine and two coal-fired steamers. Steam locomotive #464 is currently undergoing restoration, so steamer #152 or the diesel switcher will be used. Our group has reservations for the 2pm train ride, the last one of the day (register for Tour #2 by July 1 to be assured of a seat). Our motor coach will then return us to the Convention hotel by 4:30pm.
External Web Site: View the Park's Web Site
Banquet
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
Time: 6pm
Cost: $65 per person participating.
Just prior to our Saturday evening banquet we will offer a cash bar. Our banquet features a plated dinner which includes your choice of soup or salad, with a variety of selections, an entree (see choices in the Registration form), fresh-baked rolls and butter, dessert, with a variety of selections, and a choice of beverages (Starbucks® coffees, Tazo® teas, iced water, or iced tea). If you have special dietary needs, please contact our registrar, Tom Hawley (517-482-2048, or t.hawley@comcast.net).