My girlfriend and I will be attending the annual: Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show - Springfield, MA Amherst Railway Society I'd love to cross paths with anyone from Trainboard that will be going. Request for ride: Since neither of us drive we will be getting to Springfield by AMTRAK. Um, er, oh, and if you happen to be staying at the same hotel, (yet to be determined), or near it a ride on Saturday to and back would be great!
Steve: What are the dates for the show? It's usually the last weekend in January, and as luck would have it, the show always seems to conflict with my engineering society's annual meeting. Skipping it isn't really an option, since I'm committed to a seminar presentation. But then our meeting in Vegas this year, and that's hard to pass up, even for a train show. But the Springfield show is such a great show that even then it's a close call. I hope you enjoy it. Ron
You are correct. It is the 29/30th of January. Life goes on. I'll only be at the Saturday show so, will do my best to report on the N Scale stuff. Mostly I want to show Laura all of the incredible things one can do.
Just was told today I have tables for the show. Weather letting will make the 3000 mile drive out so look me up. From looks of it will be in the Mallary building booth 148 as of right now. sharing with H&JTrains. rich www.rslaserkits.com
Which way are you headed on Amtrak? Going down toward New Haven then coming north? Or are you taking 448/449 - aka "The Great Late 48" or the "Late for sure" Lake Shore Limited.
Out bound is 11:55AM straight to Springfield ideally getting us there by 2:00PM. Home is via CT getting us to Boston by late afternoon. Is there something I should know?
Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited is a long-distance train between Boston/NY and Chicago. The train splits/combines in Albany (Rensselaer), NY with a section for Boston and a section for NYC. The train is number 48/49 to/from NYC. The Boston section is 448/449 and runs over the old Boston & Albany - current CSX line. This is the train that runs direct to Springfield. Frankly, the train has notoriously bad on-time performance. Hence the nicknames I used in the previous post. However, they usually are close to on-time departing Boston - so you should be ok for your trip out. Going home via CT is probably the smart move, as the Springfield line and the corridor trains are much more reliable.
Thanks for the update / expectations. I can't claim "smart" as much as caring. This way Laura gets home to family sooner.
Hi I cut them for Fred and replayed to his post in the other thread. Can have some at Amherst if there is a interest just need to write directions for them. thanks rich www.rslaserkits.com
//psstt, there is a typo in your ink: RSLaserKits Contact Us For High Quality Laser Cut Kits For Model Railroaders
For you all who are lucky enough to go, your in for a real treat. The first time I went was in 1995 and I was totally shocked at how big it was. It's even bigger now. I was used to the smaller regional train shows we had in NH. After 1995, I made the three hour trip every year and spent the weekend. I did that till 1998 when I moved to Illinois but was able to visit again in 2000 and 2002. I miss that show, for a guy like me, it's so nice to see B&M, Maine Central, NH and New England Central models. Enjoy! Jim
I live a few miles away and belong to the Amherst Railway Society. I have been going since it was a one day, one building show. Taking my girlfriend who lives in Ludlow and has never been to the show. The are some good clinics. Go to the Clinics section and click on “Click Here” for the info. There is a Clinic on using JMR software for a computer connection. That is a hot topic. One fellow in another forum told me that there was no info on this subject. He had no idea you had to click on the words, CLICK HERE. Amazing and he uses a computer. Again, CLICK ON ALL LINKS OR CLICK HERE. West Springfield CSX yard nearby but you would need your own vehicle. There is typical food inside and a Duncan Donuts coffee stand in the Better Living Center building. ATM also but the line can get long. The weather look ok for the show but this is New England. Saturday, severe clear with maybe some clouds and about 36 F with about 5 mph wind. Sunday, snow showers with a high of about 33 F and about 8 mph wind. AREA INFO Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau - Home Nearby Mall. Holyoke Mall Rt 90, Mass Turnpike and Rt 91 major links east, west, North, South. Google searches will give you a lot of local info. This area is called the Western Mass Pioneer Valley. Rich
Rich, This is going to be my first time to this show. I have kind of a weird question for you. How far away is the parking from the buildings and what is the distance between buildings? I'm trying to figure out what to wear, not wanting to tote a heavy jacket around in the buildings but I don't want to freeze walking from the parking lot.
Big E show OK, there is a lot of parking available around the buildings and a good size parking lot on one side of the fairgrounds. Look at the two pictures I am including. One is from the show site PDF and the other is from Google maps and I outlined the buildings for the show. There are I think three different spots you can buy tickets. and at least three buildings have covered walkways between them as I recall. Parking will depend on when you arrive. ALL UPPER CASE BELOW IF ANYONE HAS A HANDICAP STICKER, HANG IT FROM THE REAR VIEW MIRROR BEFORE YOU PULL INTO THE GROUNDS AND SECURITY WILL DIRECT YOU TO THE HANDICAP PARKING AREAS BUT REALIZE MANY PEOPLE TODAY HAVE HANDICAP STICKERS. Go to the show site and download the building layout, NOW. I include the building layout from the PDF as it is not lined up correctly with North. Amherst Railway Society Maps Rich
If you go to Google maps and search for Big E West Springfield MA you can get a bigger picture of the complete area coming in from say Rt 91, Rt 5, Rt75, Rt 90, Turnpike which connects to RT291 and Rt 91, Rt 5. Google maps can give you driving directions from where you are coming from. Rich
Thanks Rich. I looked at the same view but didn't realize what you have pointed out is a large parking area. That looks very reasonable as far as hoofin' it. I've already planned out the route, not much to it- Turnpike to exit 4, take a right, go down Rt5 a fair amount and take a right, go another fair amount but shorter and take a left to go to the train show!! Simple huh? Thanks, now I just have to contain myself for a couple more days. Dave
Holy Cow!! This show was awesome. I'be never been to a show in any hobby that is on the same scale as this show. I spent 8 straight hours perusing, gawking and pawing through stuff and I'm sure I missed a bunch of things. What an amazing event. I'm off to sleep now. Dave
It's a great show isn't it? The Amherst Society does a great job on everything from vendors to parking. I'm never disappointed at this show.
Had a Blast! Meeting "Jim Wiggins" was a major Bonus! My only dissapointment was a smaller - than - I - remember - 2 years ago "N trak" setup with a few outstanding modules missing that I really wanted to show Laura (my GF). I could be completely wrong about the size / quantity. I asked Laura to comment / critique on anything she felt like: G Scale SD80 in CP: You can have one - as art on the wall, $300, um, I need some new shoes. Wouldn't a photograph be so much nicer? N Trak Modules - (From a perspective of having it in the living room):Significant perceptions on scenery / space ratio. She was not being negative / critical. It was more of a strong preference to those which were spread out and hills / mountains that more more appropriate to the space. She did acknowlege that the "medium constraints" did force a lot into a small area. Modeling skills of some folks: < Eye brows raised > Very impressive! Um, Can you do that darling? Buying something for me: How about this solid pink "breast cancer awareness" boxcar? It's beautiful honey!. I'll run it with pride, (which is very true). Meeting Jim Wiggins: He is a very nice guy. Very genuine. On the male / female ratio: There aren't many women here. That is right darling, and I am grateful for your joining me. On the size: WOW - where do we start? Where are we going? What should we see? Coming back next year - Um, er, "yes darling if you are going". Why did I hear a "but it's going to cost you" undertone? More coming (after I get approval from her)
