Ozarks Model Railroad Association

When will OMRA resume operations? The OMRA Board will be reviewing the status of community COVID-19 control and risk in our monthly meeting this coming Tuesday, as we have done in May and June. The bottom line is we are not a commercial organization, we do this mostly for our own education and enjoyment. Yes it is an inconvenience not to be able to operate together on the layout. But we have no need to push the envelope, no one's livelihood depends on us being open. We do ...not provide essential services. The increase in case numbers has gotten worse in the last month, not better. Had the numbers stabilized at the levels of mid May I think we could be considering ways in which we can resume operations. But the numbers have doubled since then and the rate of new infections has increased (the slope of the line is steeper). I don't think we should try to pin a DATE on when we reopen, rather we should look at the numbers and decide based on the rate of new infections when to consider resuming operations and under what conditions (distancing, masks, numbers of operators, scheduling, etc) Please review the Springfield dashboard for current cases. https://www.springfieldmo.gov/5147/Recovery-Dashboard The OMRA group has a broad spectrum of age groups and some members may fall into a higher risk category than others. The goal of the board in making any decision to resume operations will be to ensure that we are not creating an elevated risk level for any of our members. Kurt Clement - OMRA President

OMRA FALL Train Show Cancelled The board of the Ozark’s Model Railroad Association met on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 and came to a decision to cancel the Fall 2020 Train Show scheduled for September 12, 2020 at the Ozark’s Empire Fairgrounds West E*Plex. Our primary concern is safeguarding the health or our vendors, layout crews, attendees, and OMRA members. Knowing that COVID-19 will still be active at some level, and being unable to anticipate changing regulations and risks, we... felt the safe and prudent decision was to cancel the event at this time. We will be making full refunds of table rental fees to our vendors by mid-May and thank them for their continued participation in our efforts to share the hobby of model railroading. Our board of directors will monitor the options for future train shows and we will be back, when it is safe to do so, and hope that you will join us at that time. Regards, Kurt Clement OMRA President

Had events gone differently, today we would be setting up vendor tables and layouts at the Oasis for our Spring Train Show - which has been cancelled. Stay home if you are able, and stay well. Our Fall Show is scheduled for September 12 at the Fairgrounds EPlex , so put that on your calendars! We have also suspended our regular Tuesday operating sessions and meetings, so this is not a good time to stop by up on Commercial Street. Meanwhile, to keep ourselves busy, we ha...ve started a Facebook Group for local model railroaders over at https://www.facebook.com/groups/892882847791431/ Stop over and see some of the things we do "behind the scenes" as modelers. If you are a modeler and would like to join the group, request to be added to the group from that page and we will be glad to have you as part of the group. Kurt - OMRA President

OMRA Train Show and COVID-19 We have received several inquiries regarding our plans with the show related to the COVID-19 outbreak. As of March 12 our plans are to continue with the show. Anyone planning on attending should make the call based on their own assessment, as you would when going to church, school or college sporting events, or other gatherings. Should the Greene County Health Department or City of Springfield recommend that events and schools be canceled we will comply.

Mother Nature is not always friendly to railroad trains

Train Traditions - Is There a Train Under Your Tree? Does your family have a tradition of a train under the tree? Or maybe two or three? I have a simple loop around my wife's Department 56 village, DCC++ controls, and a whole stable of EJ&E locomotives to choose from. My grandson loves running the train from an old iPhone 5. Share your Christmas Train Traditions with us!

Operations on Monday December 30 We will be operating this Monday evening December 30th. Stop by and see what we are up to!

Operations are a great way for a group to enjoy a layout together.

Ozarks Model Railroad Association wishes you a very Merry Christmas!

Winter’s coming!