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Amherst Show

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Amherst Show
Posted by dmoore74 on Monday, January 1, 2018 8:51 AM

Who's going to be at the Amherst Show?  It's coming up fast, January 27 & 28, 2018.  www.railroadhobbyshow.com

 

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Posted by mbinsewi on Monday, January 1, 2018 9:13 AM

Scroll down on the front page of this forum, a thread titled "West Springfield Train Show."

Mike.

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Posted by G Paine on Monday, January 1, 2018 9:16 AM

Boothbay Railway Village Model Railroaders will be at our usual spot in section 15 of BLC. Also, our museum staff will be bringing the 2 foot gauge Porter locomotive back, and running outside the BLC. Enjoy the smell of coal smoke!! Big Smile

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

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Posted by richg1998 on Monday, January 1, 2018 10:02 AM

I will be there. Just received my Saturday ticket via snail mail. Pre orders are Saturday or Sunday or combo ticket.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

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Posted by ctyclsscs on Monday, January 1, 2018 12:32 PM

Hoping to be there behind the City Classics tables in the BLC.

Jim

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Posted by dmoore74 on Monday, January 1, 2018 4:26 PM

One of last year's big features will be making a return visit.

https://www.facebook.com/AmherstRail.org/videos/10155015467474443/

 

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Posted by G Paine on Monday, January 1, 2018 10:33 PM

dmoore74
One of last year's big features will be making a return visit.

https://www.facebook.com/AmherstRail.org/videos/10155015467474443/

 

Yep, that's the one I was talkng about a couple posts above. Boothbay's chief engineer at the throttle.

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

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Posted by KemacPrr on Monday, January 1, 2018 11:35 PM

I'll be there for my 21st year in a row !!  Hopefully Mother nature will be nice. ------------  Ken 

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Posted by dmoore74 on Thursday, January 11, 2018 7:43 PM

In regards to the operating steam locomotive, another 50 feet of track is being added so it will have a total run of 150 feet.

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Posted by steemtrayn on Thursday, January 11, 2018 9:57 PM

If only it could ferry passengers out to the parking lot.

 

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Posted by G Paine on Thursday, January 11, 2018 10:45 PM

steemtrayn
If only it could ferry passengers out to the parking lot.

We all wish that, but there is only so much 2 ft gauge panel track available, and no curves (think 1:1 Atlas sectional track). They did relocate bus parking, so we will not have to shut down to allow bus movements. Thanks to the Amhurst folks for that.

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

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Posted by ctyclsscs on Thursday, January 11, 2018 10:56 PM

At one time there were railroad tracks that ran into the fairgrounds and right up to the rear of what's called the Young Building now. They were standard gauge and the New Haven Railroad would display new equipment for the annual exposition. Too bad they're still not there since they ran out through part of the parking lot.

http://bapresley.com/silverthreads/memorabilia/misc/easternstates/map.jpg

Check out the large auto race track that used to be there too!

https://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:5q47s492h

Jim

 

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Posted by chutton01 on Friday, January 12, 2018 8:45 AM

ctyclsscs
At one time there were railroad tracks that ran into the fairgrounds and right up to the rear of what's called the Young Building now. They were standard gauge and the New Haven Railroad would display new equipment for the annual exposition. Too bad they're still not there since they ran out through part of the parking lot.


I noticed last year there is still some trackage (abandoned) at the North entrance to the lot (Circuit Ave.). According to historic aerials, this line came off the branch to the East of Circuit, head west/soutwest across the north entrance to the parking lot, followed the north shore of the west "lagoon" and then headed west and ended alongside the Young building.  I couldn't figure out then why this line was there (I wondered if the exposition buildings were repurposed industrial buildings.), but now it makes sense if that spur was for exhibiting railroad equipment at the fair.
Not sure if Historical Aerials still allows hot linking, but just in case: 1946 Topo view. OK - now I realized that that city classics posted was "inverted" with South on top, so pretty much what I posted (I never liked inverted views...)

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Posted by ctyclsscs on Friday, January 12, 2018 9:06 AM

There are photos of equipment being exhibitied at the fair. One is in Marc Frattasios' nice book on "The New Haven Railroad In The McGinnis Era." You can easily see the rear of the Young Building. I can't remember if others are in the Jack Swanberg book on "New Haven Power" or in some of the New Haven historical society's publications (I have too many to go through all of them). But I wonder...could they have used the tracks to bring in materials for construction of the fairgrounds?

Jim

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Posted by steemtrayn on Friday, January 12, 2018 10:55 AM

G Paine

Sister engine #9 resides at Pine Creek R.R. in NJ, where I volunteered as a fireman in the sixties. My father said he operated it while working at the Raritan Copper Works, so I figure he ran this one too.

 

 
dmoore74
One of last year's big features will be making a return visit.

https://www.facebook.com/AmherstRail.org/videos/10155015467474443/

 

 

Yep, that's the one I was talkng about a couple posts above. Boothbay's chief engineer at the throttle.

 

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Posted by dmoore74 on Saturday, January 13, 2018 7:56 AM

Who's going to waiting at the door 2 weeks from right now? 

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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 13, 2018 9:02 AM

ctyclsscs

There are photos of equipment being exhibitied at the fair. One is in Marc Frattasios' nice book on "The New Haven Railroad In The McGinnis Era." You can easily see the rear of the Young Building. I can't remember if others are in the Jack Swanberg book on "New Haven Power" or in some of the New Haven historical society's publications (I have too many to go through all of them). But I wonder...could they have used the tracks to bring in materials for construction of the fairgrounds?

Jim

 

http://jimspavins.com/tributetospringfield/index

There is a proto-freelanced switching layout you can operate that will be set up at the show, as well as a 3 rail O layout next to it that your kids can play with.

 

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Posted by dmoore74 on Sunday, January 14, 2018 4:44 PM

Some extra space has been made available so there is now over 400,000 sq. ft. of floor space.  That translates to over 9 acres.  At last count there were 60 operating layouts.  1,800 tables have been ordered for vendors and displays.  Old Peppersass, the original locomotive of the Mt. Washington Cog Railway, will be making a return appearance.  Also available will be commerative cars and locomotives marking the 50 year anniversary of the Railroad Hobby Show.

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Posted by dmoore74 on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 12:32 PM

No official word yet but a number of manufacturers use the show to introduce new products.  Keep your eyes peeled.

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Posted by dmoore74 on Friday, January 19, 2018 8:08 PM

Not a model but a bonus feature.

“Derby” To Visit The 2018 Railroad Hobby Show
 

The Shore Line Trolley Museum is Bringing “Derby” to the 2018 Railroad Hobby Show.

This small 4-wheel electric locomotive was created by electric railway pioneer Charles Van Depoele, and built by the Pullman Palace Car Company in 1888, 

Van Depoele was an electric railway pioneer and is credited with the invention of the trolley pole, a device used by streetcars to collect current from overhead wires. By the end to 1887, thirteen North American cities had electric railways in operation, nine of these systems were designed by Van Depoele.

In its lifetime, “Derby” was in constant competition with steam locomotives for freight business, and regularly won those contests.

The fact that “Derby” is at the Shore Line Trolley Museum is a tribute to Charles Harte who saw the historical significance of this machine and fought for its preservation.        

“Derby” was acquired by the Shore Line Trolley museum in 1982, and has been restored to operating condition.

The trolley will be on display in the Better Living Center January 27 & 28, 2018.

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Posted by dmoore74 on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 8:29 AM
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Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 8:35 AM

Well, you certainly are a steady cheerleader for the show.  Have a great time!

Mike.

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Posted by G Paine on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 8:42 AM

The model railroad volunteers at Boothbay Railway Village are packing our vehicles tomorrow, and heading out Friday morning. Come see us at Section 15 in the Better Living Center.

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

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Posted by buoyboy on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 10:44 AM

I'll be there on both days. Got my shopping list made up and my suitcase packed. The nice thing about this show is that you never know what you might find - usually you stumble across something that you didn't even know existed. I remember a few years ago coming upon some New Haven electrics, an EP-5 and another year an EP-4 which had resin bodies with mechanisms based on existing locomotive drives. Beautiful engines - just HAD to get one! I believe that they were custom made by Branford Hobbies, which always has a large display there. Another year I found some bus timetables for the bus company in suburban Boston that I used to ride to school on in 1960. Another year I stumbled on an Atlas DL&W Train Master at a bargain price long after the supply in this area had dried up. Thi list goes on and on.

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Posted by Bubbytrains on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 4:13 PM

This train show is simply incredible! It's really become more than just a train show, it's more like an experience. It should be on a model railroader's "bucket list" to attend at least once. Alas, I won't be able to go this year, but there's always next year, and somehow they always seem to squeeze in more each year. 

Bubbytrains

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Posted by cowman on Saturday, January 27, 2018 10:16 PM

Back from the show, had a great time, as usual a lot of interesting items, old and new, evenn brought some home.  Like that bus ride, much easier on the traffic nerves and saves the long walk from the parking lot. 

A little trouble getting up the hill to home, it was raining and a car had slid on the ice, backwards, into the snowbank.  They got straightened out and I got by, thank goodness for 4WD.

Said hi to Jim at Citi Classics, hadn't talked to him for two years and he remembered my name, very impressive, as I know he sees more than one or two customers each hour at all the shows he goes to.  I forget names before we finish the conversation.  Was glad to hear he is feeling better.  Life is tough on all of us.

If you didn't get their today and are close enough, go tomorrow.  If you can't do that, plan to go next year for their 51st show.

Have fun,

Richard

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Posted by G Paine on Saturday, January 27, 2018 10:46 PM

This how the show opened Suturday with Boothbay Railway Village running the Eadyville Porter locomotive on about 150ft of panel track in the parking lot

https://www.facebook.com/RailwayVillage/videos/1999953730020317/

 

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

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Posted by Paul3 on Monday, January 29, 2018 11:45 AM

For those who were interested in the railroad part of the Big E Fairgrounds, apparently the railroad is coming back.

If you noticed, there was a Trackmobile at the show.  It's the new West Springfield Terminal Co. Loco #1.  There is a movement starting at the Big E to put the railroad back in...just in a different way because the new Mallary Building is on the old RoW.

The idea is that perhaps they can lure in a big agriculture machinery show which would ship in harvestors, tractors, etc. by rail.  Also, that they could get carloads of grain and hay for the Big E fair in the Fall instead of truckloads.  Perhaps they could start passenger shuttle service to Springfield Station for both the fair and the railroad show (the 3rd biggest event at the Big E).  They have ideas, and the Trackmobile is now on sight permanently, stored in one of the buildings.

Historically, one of the main uses of the old railroad siding was in WWII when the Fairgrounds were used for material storage for the war effort (I assume there was no fair during the war).

All of this I learned from talking to the guy at the table next to the Trackmobile.  He arranged to have the TM delivered to the Big E.

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Posted by ctyclsscs on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 9:31 AM

Just want to say thanks to everyone who stopped by our tables. It was great seeing old friends and making new ones. 2016 was a crazy year of health problems so I was grateful we could make it back for our 29th year. Thanks for all of your kind words. Now I am going to sleep for a week.

Jim S.

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Posted by dknelson on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 10:41 AM

Today's MR website posts the new products announced at the Amherst show.  Quite a list of nice stuff!  I'd like to get to that show at least once.  I know folks come from considerable distances to attend Milwaukee's Trainfest in November, and I know the same is true for Amherst, so who'se to say I won't get to Amherst in spite of the distance. 

My next train show will be Mad City in Madison WI in February. It's a nice show but on a smaller scale.  There is also a pretty good one in Green Bay WI in late April, right next to Lambeau Field.  Davenport IA and Galesburg IL also have very nice shows -- the distance from Milwaukee is considerable but there is plenty of railfanning to do there and back. 

Speaking personally I do more buying at train shows than I do from online shopping.

Dave Nelson 

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