STEWART--As you may have already gathered, the folks involved in Cocoa Beach are, to a person, kind, outgoing, helpful, and easy to get to know. You'll quickly feel among friends even if you don't know another soul when you initially walk in.

Bruce is right about the availability of good food. My wife makes it a point to come to this particular meet because the selection of restaurants is so great.

One more thing--sign up for the Shake-N-Take Clinic (I'm assuming it will again occur) as soon as you can. It's well worth the experience.

Looking forward to seeing you there. Best Wishes--CARL

Carl G. Camann
Atlanta, Georgia

Hi Stuart,

I live near Sacramento. I depart at about noon on Wednesday, arriving very late on Wednesday evening (~11PM). As Bruce pointed out, there are Op Sessions on Thursday, and Clinics start right after dinner on Thursday.
I use Sunday to recover (I'm the Clinic Chairman), and fly home on Monday.

Regards,

-Jeff


From: STMFC@... [mailto:STMFC@...] On Behalf Of Stuart
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2012 9:46 AM
To: STMFC@...
Subject: [STMFC] Schedule for Prototype Rails in Cocoa Beach



I'm thinking of attending for the first time ever and would welcome a general idea of the schedule for the purpose of making travel arrangements (e.g., do I have to travel from San Diego on Wednesday and return on Sunday?), probably through Orlando.

TIA for any assistance you can provide.

Best wishes,

Stuart A. Forsyth
forsyth@...<mailto:forsyth%40usa.net>

Bruce Smith, member of the original and continuing cast for Prototype Rails and perennial member of my op session got most of it right. He did not mention, however, a long standing tradition associated with the meet. I refer to the FREE cookies and coffee that are provided at 5 times during the meet. Some seem to believe this is a phantom service...those poor souls arriving at the prescribed location too late. Let me suggest that you stay close to me as the magic hour approaches.

I should also mention that we plan to have a Friends of the Freight Car lunch on Saturday.

If you don't have fun during Prototype Rails...you don't know fun.

Mike Brock
Prototype Rails Chairboss

Stuart,

The fun usually gets started with Thursday afternoon ops sessions, as well as a few clinics late in the day. Friday and Saturday are solid clinics until about 9 or 10pm when the discussion usually moves to the bar, or a spare clinic room for more slides. Saturday the prize raffle often runs 11:00-12:00 pm so plan on a late night! The model/vendor room is open whenever there are clinics running and closes for good Saturday night. Bring some models if you can! Sunday there are layout open houses, usually starting late in the morning and running into the afternoon.

Orlando is about an hour away and is probably the most likely airport for you to get a good fare into. Melbourne is worth considering if the flights work for you as it is closer and smaller.

The hotel is comfy and on the beach. Only crazy Yanquis go swimming in the Atlantic in January. The hotel food is passable. Breakfast is classic hotel buffet, but we usually get a price break and Mike often has them do a special lunch menu for us that has been quite good the past few years and has sped up the service (which can be a bit slow). There is a great cuban restaurant a couple miles south on A1A and many of us make a point of eating there at least once while visiting. There are lots of seafood and other restaurants within easy driving distances.


Bruce F. Smith V.M.D., Ph.D.,

Director, Auburn University Research Initiative in Cancer

Professor of Pathobiology

Scott-Ritchey Research Center

Auburn University, AL 36849-5525

334-844-5587, 334-844-5850 (fax)

http://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/faculty/pathobiology-faculty/smith_b

*********************************************************************************

"Evolution is a fact, get used to it"

I'm thinking of attending for the first time ever and would welcome a general idea of the schedule for the purpose of making travel arrangements (e.g., do I have to travel from San Diego on Wednesday and return on Sunday?), probably through Orlando.

TIA for any assistance you can provide.

Best wishes,

Stuart A. Forsyth
forsyth@...