Trains O Scale - Model Train Shows For May 2011

Here is the May 2011 list of the major and not so major model train shows and auctions which will happen all across the U.S. It’s an abbreviated list this month as no shows are planned on Memorial Day weekend.  

You should also check out swap meets and open houses hosted by your local railroad club where you can browse around, check out trains for sale, view layouts and learn something about model railroading.

So, check out a model train show in your area. Then join me at Trains O Scale where you can learn more about getting started in building your own dream model railroad layout.

MAY 2011

MCR Convention
Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio (Apr 28 - May 1)

Great Midwest Train Show
Wheaton, Illinois (May 1)

9th Annual Franklin Model and Toy Train Sale and Show
Franklin, New Jersey (May 1)

AVRA Spring Model Railroad Show
North Haverhill, New Hampshire (May 7)

Maurer Toy Train Auction
Spring City, Pennsylvania (May 7)

Southeast Garden Railroad Show
Dalton, Georgia (May 13-14)

NMRA Pacific Coast Region Convention "Sonoma Short Line"
Santa Rosa, California (May 13-15)

Twin City Model Railroad Museum Show & Sale
St. Paul, Minnesota (May 14)

Maurer Toy Train Auction
Spring City, Pennsylvania (May 14)

Pasadena Model Railroad Club Spring Show
Los Angeles, California (May 14-15)

Wayne Train Show
Wayne, New Jersey (May 15)

NMRA Sunshine Region Spring Convention
Ocala, Florida (May 19-22)

16th Albuquerque Railroad Fair
Albuquerque, New Mexico (May 21)

Regal Railways Presents Train Show & Swap Meet
Pinellas Park, Florida (May 21)

The Big Train Show
Ontario, California (May 21-22)

Great Lehigh Valley Train Meet
Allentown, Pennsylvania (May 21-22)

Pasadena Model Railroad Club Spring Show
Los Angeles, California (May 21-22)

Brick Train Show
Brick, New Jersey (May 22)

Model Railroaders to Attempt Guinness World Record

Model railroaders from the Wilmington Railroad Museum are going to try and set a new Guinness world record for having the longest model train this Saturday at the Wilmington Convention Center.

The current record holder is the incredible Miniatur Wunderland which is located in Hamburg, Germany.

Doors at the  Wilmington Convention Center open at 10 a.m. and the attempt is planned for 1 p.m. Check out the details here: Railroad Museum

Let's wish them well and check it out if you in the neighborhood.

Trains O Scale

Famous model train exhibit will debut at Railroad Museum of LI

A historic Lionel model train exhibit will be unveiled April 9 at the Railroad Museum of Long Island’s Riverhead location.

The 7,000-pound train layout sat for nearly two decades at the Chesterfield, Mich. visitor’s center of Lionel, one of the world’s largest model train manufacturing companies.

The display attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world, until the center closed in 2008.

The display is designed after a layout built in 1949 for the Lionel’s headquarters on Madison Avenue in Manhattan, where train lovers flocked for decades.

Check out the whole story here: Lionel model train

Visit us at Trains O Scale to learn how to build your own special layout.

Restaurant theme reflects owner's love of model trains

Jimmy Rushton plays with trains, which is pretty obvious if you visit his establishment.

Rushton opened a train-themed restaurant called Jimmy's Newtown Station last December in Hanover Township. The restaurant's decor displays his love of trains.

If you go there you will find model trains circling around the restaurant on tracks which have been mounted high up on the walls and also on a platform constructed right in the middle of his main dining room. You will also notice the figure of a life-sized train conductor standing in the corner.

You can read more about the restaurant here: Jimmy's Newton Station

Then you can visit Trains O Scale to learn how you can create an amazing model train layout of your own.

Trains O Scale - Model Train Shows For April 2011

Here is the April 2010 list of the major and some minor model train shows which will happen all across the U.S. There are also swap meets and open houses hosted by local railroad clubs where you can browse around, check out trains for sale, view layouts and learn something about model railroading.

So, check out a model train show in your area. Then join me at Trains O Scale where you can learn more about getting started in building your own dream model railroad layout.

6th Annual Collis P. Huntington Model Train Show
Dunbar, West Virginia (April 1-3)

Delaware Train Show
New Castle, Delaware (April 2)

Bunker Hill Train Club Show
Ranson, West Virginia (April 2)

AMROC Model Train Show at Columbia Kids Day
Columbia, South Carolina (April 2)

Greenberg's Train & Toy Show
Edison, New Jersey (April 2-3)

Springfield Train Fair 2011
Springfield, Illinois (April 3)

Medina Model Railroad & Toy Show
Medina, Ohio (April 3)

Chicagoland Railroad Collectibles Show
Glen Ellyn, Illinois (April 3)

Norwalk & Western Railroad Spring Train & Toy Show
Milan, Ohio (April 3)

New England O Scale Train Show
Hudson, Massachusetts (April 3)

60th H&R Train Show
Pinellas Park, Florida (April 8-10)

35th Florida Rail Fair
DeLand, Florida (April 9)

Ozarks Model Railroad Association Spring Model Railroad Show
Springfield, Missouri (April 9)

9th Annual NC Railroad Expo
Hickory, North Carolina (April 9)

Great Scale Model Train Show
Timonium, Maryland (April 9-10)

Great Midwest Train Show
Wheaton, Illinois (April 10)

Spring Into Summer Train Show
North Tonawanda, New York (April 10)

Toms River Train Show
Toms River, New Jersey (April 10)

Nashua Valley Railroad Association 46th Annual Railfair 2011
Shirley, Massachusetts (April 10)

26th Annual Upper Valley Model Railroad Show
West Lebanon, New Hampshire (April 10)

49th Buckeye Train Show
Columbus, Ohio (April 16)

Regal Railways Presents Train Show & Swap Meet
Brooksville, Florida (April 16)

Western Reserve Model Railroad Museum Train Show
Mentor, Ohio (April 16-17)

Supertrain 2011
Calgary, Alberta, Canada (April 16-17)

Western Heritage Division NMRA Spring 2011 Show
Omaha, Nebraska (April 17-18)

Granite City Train Show
St. Cloud, Minnesota (April 30)

French Broad e'N'pire Spring Rails 2011
Hendersonville, North Carolina (April 30)

Model Railway Layouts and DCC

When building model railway layouts you have the option of buying trains that use DCC (Digital Command Control). What DCC will do for you is allow multiple locomotives on the same track to move independently of each another.

Under the good old DC system two trains on the same track would move in the same direction and at the same speed, but with DCC that's a thing of the past. Not only can you control the trains speed and direction separately but you can also do the same with sound and lights.

Naturally, everything is not perfect with DCC. It's wiring is a bit more complex and it costs more especially if you want to add a bunch of options.

But if you want to have complete control of multiple locomotives on your model train layout then Digital Command Control is the way to go.

For more info visit: Railway Layouts

An Incredible Indoor G-Scale Model Train Layout

Doug Wead is a presidential historian and was special adviser to President George H.W. Bush.

Doug Wead has authored more than 30 books.

Doug Wead is a philanthropist and organized the first Charity Awards event and co-founded Mercy Corps.

Doug Wead seems like a pretty cool guy.

So why am I writing about him? You guessed it, like Rod Stewart and countless others before him he is into model trains... Big Time.

By big time I'm not just referring to the size of his layout (which is immense) but also because he models in G-scale, the big boy of model trains.

I have never seen anything quite like his layout in terms of quality or elegance, it is simply magnificent.

Just watch the video below and enjoy.


Obviously most of us don't have the kind of money it takes to create something like this, but you can still build your own dream layout.

Check out Trains O Scale to learn how it's done.

Stopping Derailments in Model Train Layouts

It doesn't matter if you are an expert or a beginner at building model train layouts because sooner or later you are going to have a derailment or two, or three.....

There is nothing more frustrating than running your trains on your beautiful layout and having them derail (especially in front of friends).
So you ignore your friends and begin checking your layout to find out what's wrong. Eventually you find the cause of the derailment and fix it. You run your trains again and say "hallelujah" as your train passes over the problem spot without derailing.

But now it really gets annoying because a week later you run your trains again and they derail again... but in a different spot.

"Pass me the sledgehammer please."

Maybe that's a little too drastic, especially when you consider all the time and money that went into your layout. However, when your trains are not operating properly the fun is gone and the dark side tries to take over, but you can keep the dark side away by practicing a little bit of maintenance and following a few simple steps.

Check out the 8 steps for avoiding train derailments at: Model Train Layouts

A Model Train Will Improve Your Life

Finally there is irrefutable proof that model railroading will have a positive impact on the quality of your life... if you believe the video.

Just thought I'd share this entertaining short video with you. FYI, it hasn't worked out as well for me as for the guy in the clip.

Why not visit Trains O Scale after the video to learn all about model trains.

 

Choosing a Theme for Model Train Layouts

Model train layouts need a theme in order to tell the story of your display.

The theme will dictate the type of trains you run, what their function is, what the scenery, vehicles and figures will look like as well as the era you want to model after.

When choosing an era, it’s vital that the scenery around the layout matches the period. For example, the people, buildings and vehicles in the display must be accurate representations of the time frame you are trying to recreate.

There are a lot of factors that need to be taken into consideration when choosing a theme. Check out my article for more information: Model Train Layouts. 

Trains O Scale - Model Train Shows For March 2011

Here are some train shows which will take place all across the U.S. in March. Many local railroad clubs also have open houses and meets where you can view layouts and learn about model railroading.

Why don’t you check out a model train show then come visit me at Trains O Scale to learn more about how to get started with building your own layout.

MARCH 2011

Maryland Steam Historical Society Train Show
Arcadia, Maryland (March 5)

TCA Great Lakes Division Train Show
Parma, Ohio (March 5)

Space Coast Train & Toy Show
Melbourne, Florida (March 5)

Greenberg's Train & Toy Show
Oaks, Pennsylvania (March 5-6)

The Great Train Expo
Columbus, Ohio (March 5-6)

High Wheeler Train Show
Palatine, Illinois (March 5-6)

Jersey Central Chapter NRHS Train Show
Clark, New Jersey (March 6)

Chicago O Scale Meet
Lombard, Illinois (March 11-13)

Columbia Model Train Show
Columbia, South Carolina (March 12)

Greenberg's Train & Toy Show
Rochester, New York (March 12-13)

The Great Train Expo
Wichita, Kansas (March 12-13)

Great Midwest Train Show
Wheaton, Illinois (March 13)

Golden Gate Lionel Railroad Club Toy Train Sale & Show
Palo Alto, California (March 13)

Parsippany Model Train Expo
Parsippany, New Jersey (March 13)

Montvale Train Show
Montvale, New Jersey (March 13)

World's Greatest Hobby on Tour
Tampa, Florida (March 19-20)

Rocky Mountain Toy Train Show
Denver, Colorado (March 19-20)

South Shore Model Railway Club Model Railroad Show
Hingham, Massachusetts (March 19-20)

28th Annual Greenbo Model Railroad Show
Argillite, Kentucky (March 19-20)

La Crosse & Three Rivers Railroad Club's 30th Annual Model Railroad Show
La Crosse, Wisconsin (March 19-20)

The Great Train Expo
Kansas City, Missouri (March 19-20)

Division 5 Railfest
Kirtland, Ohio (March 19-20)

2011 Model Train Show
Atlanta, Georgia (March 19-20)

East Coast Large Scale Train Show
York, Pennsylvania (March 25-26)

Regal Railways Presents Train Show & Swap Meet
Homosassa, Florida (March 26)

Train Collectors Association Southern Division Train Meet
Stuart, Florida (March 26)

Greenberg's Train & Toy Show
Wilmington, Massachusetts (March 26-27)

The Great Train Expo
Mobile, Alabama (March 26-27)

Brick Train Show
Brick, New Jersey (March 27)

Greater Wayne County Train & Toy Show
Dalton, Ohio (March 27)

Great Batavia Train Show
Batavia, New York (March 27)

A New Generation of Model Railroaders

A 24 year old Airman at the Elmendorf Air Force Base In Alaska proves the future of model railroading is in good hands.

When not working on jet planes he's working on model trains.

Find the story here: Arctic Airman

Also check out Trains O Scale if you want to get started in model railroading.

This Is No Ordinary Model Train Layout

"Holy S__t." That might be your reaction to the model train display being built by Peter Hambling.

In a word it is 'BIG'. In fact, upon completion this March it will rank in the top 10% of the largest model train layouts in the entire country.

So where is he building this massive layout? It's in his basement which was only a crawl space a few years back.
The layout includes 4,000 feet of track, 80 locomotives, 470 train cars and 40,000 trees.

So why is he building it?  "Because it's interesting."

Check out the full story here: Model Train Layout

If this story has gotten you thinking about building your own layout check out how it's done here: Trains O Scale

Model Train Layouts – Making the Grade

"One thing that railroaders have a difficult time with when creating their model train layouts are track grades. Everybody knows that grade refers to a train going up or down a slope,  but calculating the proper grade and putting it into their layouts is what confuses many people."

Adding grades to your layout need not be complicated.

Check out the following article for some useful advice. Model Train Layouts

Chicago Botanic Gardens Model Railroad Garden Prepares for 12th Season

If you are in the Chicago area this spring and summer, why not check out the model railroad garden at the Chicago Botanic Gardens which opens May 7.

The exhibit has garden trains running past nearly 50 miniature handcrafted American landmarks and beautiful landscaping. This year they have added a new train line the "Southern Pacific Daylight Special."

Check out the full story here:  Model Railroad Garden.

Then find out how to build you own model train layout at Trains O Scale.

Model train set to be auctioned on Discovery Channel!

If you're a fan of the TV show "Auction Kings" on the Discovery Channel, or even if your not, you may want to take a peak at it on Sunday, Feb. 13 starting at 11am EST. They will be auctioning off a model train set built in the 70s. Here's the whole story:

"This train set was built in the 1970's by Georgia Pacific at a cost of $75,000 for the exhibition at Atlanta's Festival of Trees, a yearly celebration of Christmas that benefits the local Children's hospital. This set was exhibited and played with every year at the Festival for nearly three decades. It has been in storage for several years in a warehouse north of the city and now, for the first time ever it will be placed on the open market."

"The set depicts an American town and includes a quarry, farmhouses, depots, tunnels, stations and various lumber yards. It is, quite simply, the best train set on the market anywhere. It has also been technologically updated to a digital platform that is capable of running a number of trains simultaneously. 21' x 12'



$75k seems like a lot of money to spend building a train display back in the 70s. Damn, I bought a brand new house for $50k in 1978. It should be interesting to see what it actually goes for. I doubt they expect to get anywhere near the original cost.

Check out Trains O Scale to find out how to build your own layout for a lot, lot less.

Model Train Scenery Tips - Add the Illusion of Movement

Your model train layouts all set up the way you envisioned it. Your trains are running perfectly and they look great as does your scenery with the lake, mountains, villages and industries you built.

You have added those plastic replicas of people, vehicles and perhaps a boat and maybe some animals. There they stand scattered throughout your scenery, but something is wrong. They're just sitting or standing around staring at each other. They look like they're... dare I say it... plastic people, and so they are.

But that doesn't mean you can't add a sense of motion to the miniature figures in your scenery. I'm not talking about animatronics here, but you can display your figures and vehicles so they appear to be in motion and that will add a greater sense of realism to your layout.

Check out some tips here: Model Train Layouts

Twin City Model Railroad Museum O scale layout

"On May 1, 1934, a group of modelers met to form the St. Paul Craftsman Club and begin building an O-gauge model railroad. From these humble beginnings, and through several location and name changes, the Twin City Model Railroad Museum has grown to a world-class museum. Now located in historic Bandana Square, the Twin City Model Railroad Museum is an exquisitely detailed model panorama of railroads of the Twin Cities during the 1930′s, 1940′s and 1950′s. This was a time when both steam and diesel engines shared the rails."

Model train shows are a great place to go to buy some merchandise, check out some displays and learn something about model railroading. The problem is they only last a weekend and then they are gone.

But across America you can also find permanent model train displays like the one at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum.

Here are some other photos of the museums O scale layout which are not from their site.

Besides O scale they also have a Toy Train Division (weekends only) to satisfy trains lovers of other scales.

If you're in the St. Paul, Mn. area check it out. 

If you want to know more about model railroading check out Trains O Scale.

Trains O Scale - Model Train Shows February 2011

There is nothing like going to a model train show to see all the different facets of this great hobby.

Here are some model train shows which will take place across the U.S. in February. Many local railroad clubs also have open houses where you can view layouts and learn about model railroading.

Check out a train show soon then come join me at Trains O Scale to learn more about how to get started with model trains.

FEBRUARY 2011

Regal Railways Presents Train Show & Swap Meet
Port Richey, Florida (February 5)

Greenberg's Train & Toy Show
Middletown, New York (February 5-6)

Great Scale Model Train Show
Timonium, Maryland (February 5-6)

The Great Train Expo
Louisville, Kentucky (February 5-6)

Buffalo Snowball Train Show
Depew, New York (February 6)

Brick Train Show
Brick, New Jersey (February 6)

Medina Model Railroad & Toy Show
Medina, Ohio (February 6)

33rd Jacksonville Rail Fair
Jacksonville, Florida (February 12)

Greenberg's Train & Toy Show
Fredericksburg, Virginia (February 12-13)

World's Greatest Hobby on Tour
Atlanta, Georgia (February 12-13)

Great Midwest Train Show
Wheaton, Illinois (February 13)

Classic Shows Model Railroad Show
Wallingford, Connecticut (February 13)

Sn3 Symposium 2011
Monrovia, California (February 17-19)

Greater Houston Train Show
Houston, Texas (February 19)

Greenberg's Train & Toy Show
Virginia Beach, Virginia (February 19-20)

The Great Train Expo
Portland, Oregon (February 19-20)

Ann Arbor Model Railroad Club 41st Annual Train Show & Sale
Saline, Michigan (February 20)

Allentown Train Meet Spring Thaw Show
Allentown, Pennsylvania (February 26-27)

World's Greatest Hobby on Tour
Edison, New Jersey (February 26-27)

The Great Train Expo
Denver, Colorado (February 26-27)

Western Reserve Model Railroad Museum Train Show
Mentor, Ohio (February 26-27)

George Washington Train Show
Clifton Forge, Virginia (February 26-27)

Adding Too Much Realism to Model Train Displays?

I'm all for adding as much realism as possible to model train displays. Everything from weathering rolling stock and buildings to recreating with precise detail some bygone era we wish we were a part of or that we remember fondly is great.

I've even gotten used to the graffiti that some modelers place on their boxcars to lend an air of authenticity.

But when does realism border on bad taste? Well, I may have found the answer.

Check out this article about a recent model train display at the South Florida Fairgrounds.

Granted, it's just a display using plastic figurines and models but it may be a little over the top.

What do you think?

If you want to give it a try yourself, you can learn how to build your own display at Trains O Scale.

A Model Train Collector's One-Track Mind

So... you think you like trains? Well meet Jerry Green who has been collecting model trains and accessories for almost 50 years.

After years amassing a miniature world, his collection will be auctioned by Sotheby's for an out-of-this-world price. His estimate, over $10 million.

Check out the article here: Model Trains

The next time anyone gives you any grief at all about buying more model trains and accessories just whip out that article.

Visit Trains O Scale if you're interested in getting started in this great (and obviously rewarding) hobby.

Z Gauge Model Trains

The miniature Z gauge (track) and Z scale (rolling stock) has been in existence for nearly 40 years. First introduced by Märklin of Germany in 1972 it is the smallest mass produced model train today and manufactured by a number of  different model train companies.

It has gained a steady following throughout the years and is no longer just coveted by apartment dwellers for bookshelf or coffee table layouts. Today even seasoned model railroaders choose Z scale as it allows them to create far more elaborate layouts with more realistic spacing for their scenery between towns, mountains and industrial areas.

If you're thinking about modeling in Z scale be aware that there are many advantages as well as disadvantages. Find out what they are here: Z Gauge

Why do boys and men love electric trains?

With regards to entertainment for boys, nothing surpasses model train sets. It's a pastime as well as a tradition which dates back a long, long time. Today you will see grown men in every age bracket collecting and enjoying electric trains.

 

Electric trains have delighted men and boys for nearly a century. It incorporates numerous elements which are fascinating for men of all age groups, especially boys. It happens to be an excellent hobby where you can spend hours upon hours constructing, designing and of course running your model trains.

 

There is also a lot more associated with it than just looking at trains going around a track. You also design your landscape, add some scenery, create a layout as well as add people and other elements to your mini-world.

 

You are actually building a physical virtual world. You can touch and interact with the trains as well as the landscape that you created. There is something tangible with regards to a model railroad environment. Moreover, you will get a feeling of accomplishment that accompanies a well performing railroad layout.

 

It’s also a pastime which allows for expansion. Boys usually begin with a small simple train set, however, as they get older they move on to larger layouts which brings more realism into play. They also experiment with different scales to find which one they enjoy the most.

 

Another reason boys and men like trains is the fact that it offers them the ability to escape to a different world in which they are in complete control as they can make their scenery and layout look anyway they want it to look. With some planning and vision, you'll be able to build something totally unique and something that you've got complete ownership over.

There are plenty of reasons why boys love trains and from modest beginnings it could turn into a lifelong hobby.

Model Trains Among $10 Million in Sotheby’s 27,000 Antique Toys

If you love model trains and money is no object, have I got a story for you.

Sotheby's in New York is set to auction off a collection of model trains and toys worth an estimated $10 million with some estimates putting the collection at $40 - $50 million.

Check out the story and some photos here: Jerni Collection

Find out about model train history and how to get started in this great (and obviously rewarding) hobby by visiting: Toy Trains Sets

Model Train Shows in January

Going to a model train show is a terrific way for you and your family to see the many different aspects of this great hobby.

Here are some major January train shows across the U.S. You can also look for local model railroad clubs which often have open houses where you can view and learn about model trains.

Visit a train show soon and join me at Trains O Scale to find out more about getting started in model railroading.

 

JANUARY 2011 TRAIN SHOWS

Greenberg's Train & Toy Show
York, Pennsylvania (January 8-9)

34th Florida Rail Fair
DeLand, Florida (January 8-9)

World's Greatest Hobby on Tour
Columbus, Ohio (January 8-9)

The Great Train Expo
Indianapolis, Indiana (January 8-9)

Great Midwest Train Show
Wheaton, Illinois (January 9)

METCA Toy Train Show
Garfield, New Jersey (January 9)

DeLaSalle Dads' Club 14th Annual Train and Toy Show
Warren, Michigan (January 9)

40th Atlanta Train Show
Norcross, Georgia (January 15)

Greenberg's Train & Toy Show
Somerset, New Jersey (January 15-16)

World's Greatest Hobby on Tour
Omaha, Nebraska (January 15-16)

The Great Train Expo
Sacramento, California (January 15-16)

All Trains Swap Meet
Dayton, Ohio (January 16)

31st Annual Utica Train Show
Utica, New York (January 16)

Regal Railways Presents Train Show & Swap Meet
Pinellas Park, Florida (January 22)

Greenberg's Train & Toy Show
Monroeville, Pennsylvania (January 22-23)

The Great Train Expo
Anaheim, California (January 22-23)

Great Lehigh Valley Train Meet
Allentown, Pennsylvania (January 22-23)

Northwest Jersey Train-O-Rama
Dover, New Jersey (January 23)

Amherst Railroad Hobby Show
West Springfield, Massachusetts (January 29-30)

The Great Train Expo
St. Charles, Missouri (January 29-30)

The Great Westchester Train & Toy Show
White Plains, New York (January 30)

 

Model Train Shows – What You Will See

"There are all kinds of people who attend these shows. Some people are those who just love trains and like to see the various kinds of models available or people who want to own them and have the time and money to buy trains that are identical to actual train cars."

Read the entire story: Model Train Shows

Visit Trains O Scale, your guide to model railroading.