Springfield Train Show Check-In

tim o'm · **Posted:** Sun Jan 17, 2016 12:44 pm

Hello, all.
In just under two weeks, one of the biggest train shows, at least in the Eastern US, takes place at the Big E in West Springfield, MA. I worked a booth in 2004 and 2005, and what impressed me, beyond the number of model vendors and clubs running layouts, was the number of museums and tourist railroads that are present.

Of course, the numbers go up and down due to budgets and perceived benefits to their cause, but it is good to see what projects are catching fire, and who is still in the game. My first time at the show, I was impressed that Durango & Silverton had a booth. My most recent time, in 2014, I found it amazing that there was a narrow gauge milk car restored and on display from a group in Maine.

I will be there as a customer this year, but my project, Boston & Maine 4-6-2 3713 will be represented by the Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley chapter of the NRHS. Norm Barrett, Ed Zech, Rob Davis and Ben Davis will be the sales and promotion force this time around. www.project3713.com

I hope to see some of you there. If you or your museum / railroad are going, please add to this thread.

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Sun Jan 17, 2016 12:57 pm

New England Steam Corporation will be present. Displays, shirts, hats, posters, some memorabilia. Please visit, consider joining, or renewing, and support the restoration of Maine Central 470, now owned by New England Steam Corporation.

elecuyer · **Posted:** Sun Jan 17, 2016 1:49 pm

WW&F will be present in the "narrow gauge corner", typically next to the Friends of the Combres and Toltec.

PCook · **Joined:** Sat Jul 02, 2005 7:16 am **Posts:** 2127

Let's mention here that the Amherst Railway Society uses the revenues from the show for good causes, including providing financial support for many worthwhile preservation projects.

PC

RCD · **Posted:** Mon Jan 18, 2016 12:19 am

I should be there Sunday for the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museume.

tim o'm · **Posted:** Mon Jan 18, 2016 9:17 am

Thank you, Preston Cook, for reminding us of where the proceeds of the show go. The Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley Chapter has received several of these contributions for B&M 3713 over the years, and many other groups are grateful for the Amherst Railway Society's generosity.

Elecuyer, It may have been that I saw the Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec, several years ago, when I mentioned the Durango & Silverton. Many apologies if I was wrong. Both segments of the Rio Grande Narrow Gauge are worthy of our attention, even if memory over a dozen years fails.