- The Amherst Railway Society Big Railroad Hobby Show:
The largest show in the New England and the North East.
Every year the Amherst Railway Society holds its Big Railroad Hobby Show at the Eastern States Exposition Fairgrounds (The Big E) in West Springfield Massachusetts. More than 20,000 railfan and public attended the Show each of the past three years.
The event features real life railroads and scale model railroads, historical societies, travel agencies, art shows, flea market
dealers, importers, manufacturers and photographers. Modelers' exhibits
will display outstanding handiwork on layouts ranging from the tiny Z
scale which fits on a coffee table to a monster 80 foot N-Trak system.
The Amherst Belt Lines, an HO scale model railroad empire, has become a
show highlight. It has grown to 13.2 scale miles of mainline (788
linear feet) and has the capacity of multiple train operation.
These two layouts recently celebrated their 25th. anniversary at the
Show. The Southern New England O Scalers will show its huge O
gauge railroad with 100 car freight trains and 7 unit diesels. Live
steam will also be shown.
Commercial vendors and hobbyists will sell model railroad equipment, photos, slides, video tapes, books and other railroad memorabilia. New and antique railroad items will be on display and for sale. Operation Lifesaver, promoting railroad safety for the public, will be featured. Major national manufacturers and publishers will attend this Show which was rated number one of the top three in the nation in a recent Model Railroad Industry Association manufacturer's survey.
Proceeds from the show are used to promote interest in railroads. Donations have been made to various rail museums, historical societies, restoration projects and scholarship funds. Over $32,000 was awarded in 2003 year alone. The newest grants bring the total granted since 1991 to $267,526. Organizations that have received donations include: the Fall River and Old Colony Museum, the 470 Club's Boston and Maine diesel locomotive restoration project, the Boston and Maine Railroad Historical Society, the Chester Foundation Station Project and the Wiscasset Waterville and Farmington Building and Car Fund, just to name a few recipients. Trolley museums in the following towns have also received donations: Shelburne Falls MA, Warehouse Point CT, Branford CT and Kennebunk ME. We have also made contributions to the Boston and Maine 3713 restoration fund and the Flying Yankee restoration.
FOR MORE INFO, please see http://www.amherstrail.org/show/show.htm
Editor's note: THIS SHOW IS WELL WORTH THE DRIVE, I'll be there!
MORE CURRENT EVENTS TO BE
ADDED SOON!