Two hundred thirty one people attended MER 2018 in Rockville with 197 formally registered. There were 36 first-timers like myself. As expected, the Potomac Division had the most folks participating, 66 in all. But visitors came from as far away as Washington State and Tennessee.

The attendees were fully engaged with model railroading and determined to share their experiences and their joy in the hobby. The entries in the contest room—locomotives, rolling stock and structures—displayed the highest level of art and craftsmanship. And everyone appeared pleased with the offerings on the schedule, whether attending workshops, visiting local layouts, or enjoying excursions and the banquet.

As Bob Halsey of the Southern Carolina Division wrote to the Flyer, the “Mid East Region Convention was definitely top-notch!” He added, “I think I learned more from this convention than from any previous one.” That assessment was a tribute to the Local Coordinating Committee led by Potomac Division Superintendent Brian Sheron and Convention Co-Chairman Marshall Abrams.