The Menu bar subjects provide information on each of the stated topics. Use the Action buttons at the top of the page for Registration, Registration Cancellation, Contacting the Registrar, Hotel Booking, and others.

NOTE: Use Register Now button at the top of the page to register for the 2023 PSR Convention or to add items to your registration.

Convention Hats, Polo and Denim Shirts can be ordered through Daylight Sales using the Daylite Sales Button at the top of the page.

Convention Sponsors

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enjoying a coach class ride

Dale Angell Toy Man

After 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, June 7, Reservations Must Be Made at the Door of the Convention.

Grand Canyon Special 2023

Pacific Southwest Region Convention

June 7-11, 2023 Flagstaff Arizona

Presented by the Arizona Division

Welcome to the exciting Grand Canyon Special 2023 Convention. Flagstaff Arizona, with over 100 trains passing through each day, is the centerpiece of the Convention with excursions to Williams, and the train to the Grand Canyon. Nestled in the pines of the Arizona High Country, the City of Flagstaff offers cool summer temperatures and a rich diversity of downtown attractions and activities along historic Route 66. The High-Country Convention Center is the venue, and the theme is Steam to the Grand Canyon . There are clinics and activities for everyone including a series of clinics dedicated to the Grand Canyon excursion. The format is new, unique and exciting, featuring two days of indoor convention activities with the third day devoted to the Steam Train and the Grand Canyon.

Bring your Family, Bring your Friends!!

Grand Canyon Railroad Mikado 4960 will depart promptly at 8:30 AM on Saturday, June 10. You can choose one of four classes of cars, and the day before the ride you can visit the engine house where 4960 will be fired. The highlight of the ride is the destination to the Grand Canyon. The return trip features a stop and photo run-by of the train before returning to Williams. NMRA members can bring guests on this exclusive rail trip to one of the seven wonders of the natural world.

This Convention has something for everyone

The convention kicks-off with an Ice Cream Social at the 1899 Restaurant Patio. The clinics on Thursday and Friday will have railroading topics from Large Scale railroads to the latest in Layout Command Control (LCC) and everything in between. A unique feature of this convention is that one clinic in every time slot will be dedicated to the Grand Canyon excursion. Topics will include the geography, geology and history of the Grand Canyon, Harvey Houses (in Williams and the Canyon) the Harvey Girls, the Grand Canyon Railroad, and local history and attractions in Williams and Flagstaff. Everybody wins on Thursday night at the Hobo Auction. Friday night features rail-fanning at the Amtrak Depot (did we mention there are over 100 trains per day through Flagstaff!) and tour downtown Flagstaff and historic Route 66. Saturday night concludes with an awards banquet featuring guest speaker Dale Angell.

Don’t miss Dale Angell Speaking at the Banquet

Toy Man Dale Angell searches the land looking for people who have perfected the "high art of screwing around". Builders of model trains, hot rods, tree houses, filmmakers and artists who blow things up. He will be riding the train and then sharing his unique view of the world.

A Few Things to Know about Flagstaff

There are some things you need to keep in mind while you plan your trip. Flagstaff is located at 7000 feet elevation in the country's largest Ponderosa Pine forest. The air is thinner and drier here and it will take you a few days to acclimate to your surroundings. Breathing will become easier with time, but hydration is important immediately. You will need to drink a lot of water from the moment you arrive. The thinner air also means that sunscreen and lip balm are recommended when going outdoors.

June is the warmest month with daytime temperatures in the 80's or perhaps low 90's. Mornings are often 50 to 60 degrees. Wear layers so that you can adapt as the temperature changes. You might even want to bring an umbrella even though our daily monsoon rains don’t usually start until July. Bring comfortable shoes since most attractions at the convention are within walking distance of the hotel or a short auto trip.

Average temperatures at the Grand Canyon in June are a high of 82 and a low of 43 with little chance of rain. The elevation is 6800 feet so the same breathing, hydration and sun-screen protections apply as in Flagstaff. There will be water, soda, drinks and snacks available on the train.

Layouts will be open for tours in Phoenix on Wednesday mid-day so that you can stop on your way to Flagstaff, then stop at the Flagstaff Model Railroad Club and still arrive in time for Dinner and the Ice Cream Social.

How to get to Flagstaff

Driving is probably the best way to get to Flagstaff

I-40 from the East or West
I-17 North from Phoenix

Amtrak - daily service

Train from the East arrives in the Evening
Train from the West arrives early AM

By Air

United subsidiary through Phoenix
Direct flights from Dallas/Fort Worth
Fly to Phoenix and take a shuttle from Phoenix to Flagstaff (via I-17)

Shuttle Bus

There are several shuttle services offering inexpensive fares from Phoenix

This website will accept reservations for the convention and the train until 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, June 7. After that time, you can still register at the door for either the convention or the Pullman or Coach Class train cars. The banquet is sold out! There are a few Swap Meet tables still available.

Hotel Rooms: The Room Block at the Drury has expired. Rooms may be available but are not guaranteed. Close-by alternatives include:
- Country Inn & Suites 928 774-8888
- Comfort Inn 928 774-2225
- Courtyard by Marriott 928 774-5800
Train Reservations: A special arrangement has been made to allow additional ticket sales. Seats are still available on both the Pulllman and the Coach Car.
Box Lunches are sold out.
Convention Tickets may still be purchased on this website until 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, June 7. After that time you must purchase at the door—price remains the same! The banquet is sold out!
Swap Meet Tables can be purchased in advance. Get your table reserved for Friday afternoon, June 9—Call Craig Faris at 623 340-3529, or cafaris@cox.net.

high country conference center

1899 patio

El Tovar Harvey House

Route 66 downtown Flagstaff

Special Operating Session for the Convention

Click the "Operations" Tab above for details. To reserve a job see Page 2 of the Tab.

We have arranged for a SPECIAL OPERATING SESSION on the 3,750 sq foot Wyoming Division HO model railroad just out of Sedona 56 miles from the Drury Inn. You can operate on a faithful model of the Union Pacific on its 505 mile double track historic line between Cheyenne and Ogden. The year is 1957 and the route includes the climb up Sherman Hill on Tracks 1 and 2 and the Harriman Cutoff, Track 3, then across Wyoming and over the Wasatch Mountains down to Ogden. Run 1957 Big Boys, Challengers, FEF's and other steamers, the early diesels, the three gas turbines and smaller steam yard switchers and E and PA type streamliners. See a few photos in the "Operations" tab above or go to the website at Wyoming Division to see all about the layout including several published articles.

June 5, 2023	After 12;00 Noon on Wednesday, June 7 Reservations Must Be Made at the Door of the Convention.
June 4, 2023	Banquet Tickets and Train Box Lunches are sold out.
May 31, 2023	Clinic descriptions are now available. Click on the menu bar "Clinic" Discriptions and then click on the link in the resulting website page.
May 22, 2023	Extended Train Registration Period until Wednesday, Jun 8
May 15, 2023	Room Block at the Drury Hotel expired
May 1, 2023	Added Description of Engine House Tour under “Tours” Added Layout Drawing of the Drury Hotel and High Country Convention Center under “Convention” at left side of the page.
Apr 24, 2023	New Menu Button has been added for the Hobo Breakfast.
Apr 22, 2023	Convention merchandise available for purchase at the company stores has been added to the website. Shirts and hats may be ordered in advance from Daylight Sales, and a link to their website has been added.
Apr 18, 2023	A Café Car serving snacks, sandwiches, sodas, beer and wine has been added to the train for your traveling enjoyment.
Apr 14, 2023	The schedule for the clinics has been updated to reflect those clinics that will appear in the Timetable at the Convention.
Mar 14, 2023	Frank Baker’s “Building with Frank” Extra Fare Clinic added. Cost: $35
Feb 28, 2023	The First Class car is sold out on the GCR.
Feb 20, 2023	New Clinics and Tours have been added.
Feb 19, 2023	Information regarding the convention swap meet has been added. Click on the new menu bar option Swap Meet.
Feb 16, 2023	Convention Sponsors added to the website.
Feb 8, 2023	New Extra Fare Tours have been added. Check them out on the Tours Page. You may purchase them at the time you register for the convention or later at the registration desk if you have already register for the convention. New Clinics have been added. Check them out on the Clinics page.
Feb 6, 2023	ave been added. Check them out!! The Action buttons related to registering, contacting the Registrar, Registration Cancellations and others have been moved to the top of the website page(s) for easy viewing and access.
Jan 19, 2023	Hotel room reservations may be made in the date range for the convention of June 7 thru June 11 only. Any reservation outside of this range must be made separately at the then current Drury rate.
Jan 17, 2023	Website has a new Convention News Pop-up window option. Discount train and convention prices are in effect to April 1, 2023.