Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the registration fee so high?

Yes, we recognize that our $129.00 ($154.00 after March 25) registration fee is higher than we have had at previous meetings.

Here's why:

1. To get to this fee, we have cut the budget, and eliminated some things which we wanted to do, as far as we possibly can without jeopardizing the quality of our meeting and your experience there.

2. We believe that we have added more value, and more events, to the 2010 meeting than previously, including:

• The all-day Friday tour of the NS Dearborn Center and key Detroit rail sites,
• The Friday "Evening At The Henry Ford" party; 
• Six to eight interesting clinic speakers on Saturday;
• An operating O-scale NYC model railroad on Saturday;
• The Saturday Swap Meet;
• The DVD showing on Saturday;
• Free admission to the S-Gaugers "Spring S-Spree" show on Friday and Saturday,
• And our Annual Banquet with an excellent speaker on Saturday

all of which are designed to build a sense of "cohesiveness" among Society members and guests, rather than everyone just "shifting for himself/herself with not much to do between events.

3. We are meeting in an area which, while Dearborn is relatively safe, neighboring Detroit is not safe for you to go wandering around on your own. We  prefer to stage a compact meeting designed to keep everyone active and together rather than risking someone having an unpleasant (or worse) experience.

4. We are in a "major meetings market" and this, in itself, carries higher costs, particularly for food and transportation, than do most cities in which the Society has met in the past. Unfortunately, this is just the economic fact of a "major market" meeting venue.

• Our $99.00 plus tax room rate at the Hyatt is a bargain because the Hyatt's regular rate -- as well as those of nearby hotels which do not have meeting facilities -- are in the $130.00-$225.00 plus tax rate. Our Hyatt rate is very good value for a popular and busy 4-Diamond property.

5. Our registration fee is in line with what we have seen of two other rail societies 2009-2010 meeting fees in the $120.00-$140.00 range, again largely due to their also being in "major market" or "second-tier market" cities in those years.

 

What type of buses are we using?

All of the buses which we are using for the Friday and Sunday moves are modern, reclining seat, climate-controlled, lavatory-equipped, fully insured and licensed highway motor coaches for your comfort and safety.

Why are we doing the Henry Ford party?

• Because we want to start building a sense of "cohesiveness" among all NYCSHS members and guests -- something which we believe is needed for the Society.
• Because we want to provide an safe environment for you to enjoy an otherwise open evening. It'll be a lot more for fun being at The Henry Ford Party together rather than shifting for yourself.
• All of the Dearborn's out-of-hotel restaurants require quite a bit of driving (none are in easy walking distance) from the hotel, and many require reservations, especially on Friday night.
• Because while Dearborn is relatively safe, neighboring Detroit is not. If you do not know where you are going in Detroit, you could end up in trouble. We do not want that for you!

Why can't I register on line?

Unfortunately we cannot accept on-line registrations because of an incompatibility of databases. Converting from the web provider's database to the one which we use is a complicated -- and not always trouble-free -- five-step process. As much as we would like to offer on-line registration, the conversion difficulties do not make trying to do so either practical or economical.

What if I want to railfan in Detroit?

One key word: D O N'  T !!!!

As we have said before, Detroit is not safe to go roaming around in on your own, or in small parties, especially with nice cameras and nice cars in areas where these will stand out.

Most of the rail sites are in industrial areas with very restricted access, or are in areas which are very blighted and dangerous. (During a site inspection a year ago, when we stopped for a moment to look at one site, a Detroit police officer firmly told us "Please leave right now; I cannot protect you here." Enough said!)

Our Friday tour is designed to show you several of the most significant sites -- such as the Michigan Central Station "hulk" and Delray Junction -- from the relative safety of a large group and a large bus. This makes you less vulnerable and you will see those sites to which we have easy access.

And our optional "Railroads From The River" cruise on Sunday will let you see those present and past railroad sites in Detroit  and Windsor which can only be seen from the Detroit River.

So, forget about railfanning on your own in Detroit; the risk is too high.

Are we in Detroit?

NO! Our Annual Meeting and the Hyatt Regency are in Dearborn, a separate, independent suburb which sometimes is referred to as "Ford City" because the Ford Motor Company has its world headquarters -- right next to the Hyatt, as a matter of fact -- and numerous research, development, test, manufacturing, and marketing facilities in Dearborn.

Dearborn is a relatively safe city with a tough and effective police force. so the "inner city" problems of its neighbor have relatively little impact on visitors to and residents of Dearborn.

So just remember, this NYC2010 DEARBORN! We'll see you there for a good time!