The May-June 2008 events are listed below, in alphabetical order by state.
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May-June 2008 Events
Arizona, Flagstaff — The Arizona Division/PSR/NMRA Summer Division Meet will be held on June 14th, at the Federated Community Church, 400 W. Aspen Avenue. Hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission: $7.00, adults; $3.00, members under 21; free if joining NMRA/PSR at registration. For more information, contact: Art Carlton, 1898 S. Private Dr., Casa Grande, AZ, 85294; (520) 723-9212; www.azdiv-nmra.org/
California, Fresno — The 2008 PCR/NMRA Convention, Sierra Memories 2008 will be held April 30th - May 4th, at the Ramada University Inn, 324 East Shaw Avenue. Attractions will include manufacturers’ displays, modular layouts, a public show, clinics, prototype tours, layout tours, non-rail activities, model contests, photo contests, Saturday night banquet, and Sunday morning breakfast. Registration fee: $105 until February 29th; $115 thereafter. Registration fee includes Saturday banquet, and Sunday breakfast. For more information, call: John Houlihan, (559) 435-0874; e-mail: rubyjohn@comcast.net; or visit: www.pcrnmra.org/conv2008/index.htm
California, Fullerton — The tenth annual Fullerton Railroad Days will be held May 3-4th, at the Fullerton Train Station, 120 E. Santa Fe Avenue. Hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. both days. Attractions will include train exhibits and tours, a special display from Disneyland, entertainment, refreshments, and souvenir booths. Admission is free. For more information, call: (714) 278-0648; or visit: www.scrmf.org/rrdays
California, Los Angeles — The Pasadena Model Railroad Club will be conducting an Open House on May 3rd and 4th, at 5458 Alhambra Avenue. Hours will be from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturdays, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays, and from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Attractions to include the Sierra Pacific Lines HO-Scale layout operated by the Pasadena Model Railroad Club, covering almost 5,000 square feet. Admission: $3.00, adults; $1.00, children over 7; children under 7 admitted free when accompanied by an adult. For more information, call (323) 222-1718.
California, San Diego — The San Diego Model Railroad Museum will be presenting the All Gauge Toy Train Associations’ American Flyer Train exhibit May 17th - June 1st. Founded in 1969, the All Gauge Toy Train Association (AGTTA) members share in the interest and foster the preservation of toy trains of all sizes and gauges. Part of the group maintains a modular layout that features pre- and postwar American Flyer trains and accessories that combine the original with current manufactured reproductions. Pre-war American Flyer ran on three-rail O-gauge track, but in 1946, A.C. Gilbert introduced a two-rail track system to make his trains look more realistic. His locomotives featured steam engines with realistic smoke and “choo-choo” sounds and diesel engines with a built-in “roar.” Coupled with an accurate “3-1/16” scale (1:64), Gilbert’s toy trains looked very realistic. Today, Lionel still produces American Flyer trains, having bought the American Flyer line in the 1960s. All this and more is featured on the AGTTA traveling layout, which showcases trains from the American Flyer line popular in the 1930s and 1940s. Museum hours are: Tuesday - Friday, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission: $6.00, adults; $5.00, seniors, $3.00, students with ID; $2.50, active military personnel; children under 15 admitted free. For more information, contact the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, 1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101; (619) 696-0199; fax: (619) 696-0239; e-mail: kaguinaldo@sdmrm.org; www.sdmodelrailroadm.com
Colorado, Lakewood — The Foothills Society of Model Railroaders’ Model Railroad and Toy Train Swap Meet will be held on May 17th, at Christ on the Mountain Church, 13922 W. Utah Avenue. Meet hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Admission: $3.00, adults; $1.50, over 64 or under 12. For more information, call George, (303) 989-0087; or Eric, (303) 985-1491.
Delaware, Rehoboth Beach — The Delaware Seaside Railroad Club will be having their 5th Annual Delaware Seaside Train Show on May 31st, at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, located next to the Rehoboth Beach Firehouse. Show hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Attractions will include operating layouts in HO, O, S, N, and G-scale, with over 100 tables of trains, and train related items for sale. Admission: $5.00, adults; children 10 and under admitted free. For more information, call Bill Mixon, (302) 537-5557.
Florida, Inverness — The Western Division Sunshine Region of the NMRA and the Citrus County Model Railroad Club will be sponsoring the Western Division Sunshine NMRA Mid-Year Mini-Meet on June 21st, at the Citrus County Fairgrounds, 3600 South Florida Ave (SR 41). Hours will be from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission: $10.00. For more information, contact: Erv Sedlock, (352) 527-1612; e-mail: chessnut2@earthlink.net
Florida, Pinellas Park — Regal Railways will be having a Train Show on May 10th, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 7177 58th Street North. Show hours will be from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission: $4.00, adults; children under 13 admitted free. For more information, contact: Joe Schramm, 1424 Regal Road, Clearwater, FL 33756; (727) 441-2159.
Florida, Tallahassee — The Big Bend Model Railroad Association will be sponsoring their Annual Tallahassee Model Railroad Show & Sale on June 21st, at the North Florida Fairgrounds, Building #4, 441 Paul Russell Road. Show hours will be from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission: $5.00, adults; children 12 and under admitted free. For more information, contact: BBMRA Train Show, P.O. Box 3392, Tallahassee, FL 32315; John Sullenberger, (850) 544-1870 (if no answer, leave voice mail); e-mail: sullyjws@aol.com; www.bbmra.org

Illinois, Homewood — The 4th Annual Railroad Slide Show will be held on May 17th, at the St. Paul Community Church basement, 18100 Dixie Highway. Hours will be from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call: (708) 957-7944; or e-mail: d.gunderson@sbcglobal.net
Illinois, Homewood — The 5th Annual Homewood Rail Heritage Day will be held on May 18th, at the Village of Homewood Municipal Center/Park District Auditorium, located at Dixie Highway and Chestnut. Hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Attractions will include a train show with layouts, displays, and railroad memorabilia. Location is adjacent to the Canadian National (former Illinois Central) mainline. Admission is free. For more information, call: (708) 957-7944; or e-mail: d.gunderson@sbcglobal.net
Illinois, Mendota — The Tenth Annual Railroad Crossing Days and Swap Meet will be held on June 14-15th, at the Union Depot Railroad Museum, 901 Washington Street. General hours will be from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday; Swap Meet hours will be from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. both days, and a Blue Grass/Railroad Music/Gospel Concert by “On Time” will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. New attractions at the museum include a Dave Beck Master Craftsman collection of HO 31 CB&Q steam locomotives, 20 way cars and numerous rolling stock, Scripps-Wilkerson Foundation O-scale Zephyr trains, and newly acquired IC/Metra electric commuter cars open for tours. Admissions: General and Concert admission is free; donations will be accepted; Swap Meet is free to the public; $1.00, Fairmont Speeder rides. For more information, contact: Jim Carrow, (815) 223-2527; UDRRM office, (815) 538-3800; e-mail: mmhs@mtco.com; www.mendotamuseums.org
Illinois, Wheaton — The Great Midwest Train Show will be held on May 4th, and on June 1st, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 W. Manchester Road. Show hours will be from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission: $7.00, adults; children under 12 admitted free. For more information, contact: Great Midwest Train Show, P.O. Box 34, Elmhurst, IL 60126; (630) 290-1962; fax: (240) 597-4482; www.greatmidwesttrainshow.com
Kansas, Overland Park — The Heart of America Garden Railway Show will be held on June 20-22, at the Overland Park Int’l Trade Center, located at 115th and Metcalf. Show hours will be from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Attractions to include entertainment, operating G scale layouts, manufacturers, hobby shops, and clinics. Admission: $10.00, adults per day; $25.00, for all three days; children under 12 admitted free with paid adult. For more information, contact: Heart of America Garden Railroad Show, P.O. Box 296, Grandview, MO 64030; (913) 406-3400; fax (877) 495-9163; e-mail: info@hagrs.com; www.hagrs.com
Kentucky, Louisville — The World’s Greatest Hobby On Tour will be held June 28-29th, in conjunction with the National N Scale Convention, at the Kentucky International Convention Center. Show hours will be from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Attractions will include entertainment, operation model layouts, manufacturers, and hobby shops. Admission: $10.00, adults; children under 16 admitted free; admission is good for both days. For more information, contact: World’s Greatest Hobby On Tour, P.O. Box 11, Elmhurst, IL 60126; (630) 279-5094; fax, (630) 214-4133; www.wghshow.com
Maryland, Severna Park — The Severna Park Model Railroad Club will be having an Open House on May 3-4th, at 3 Riggs Road. Hours will be from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. each day. Admission is free; donations are welcomed. For more information, contact: Sam Shepherd, (410) 647-6077.
Maryland, Timonium — The “Great Scale Model Train Show” will be held June 28-29th, at the Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road. Show hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Attractions will include 25,000 sq. ft. of beautifully detailed display layouts in all scales; free train movies for kids and adults; clinics and demonstrations; and over 900 tables of model trains, equipment, and related items for sale. Refreshments will be available; parking is free. Admission: $7.00, adults; children under 12 admitted free; $14.00, family. Good for both days. For more information, contact: Howard Zane, 5236 Thunder Hill Road, Columbia, MD 21045; (410) 730-1036; e-mail: hzane1@comcast.net; www.gsmts.com
Massachusetts, Wareham — The Wareham World of Trains will be held on May 18th, at 2855 Cranberry Hwy. Rt. 6/28. Hours will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Attractions will include new and old toys and trains, books, videos; model parts and supplies for all scales; history and memorabilia; postcards; and antique Lionel, American Flyer, Marx, Tonka Toy, and Erector sets. There will also be appraisals, testing, operating layouts, and the only steel Buzzards Bay Railroad bridge N-scale model. Refreshments will be available. Admission: $2.00. For more information, contact: J. Phillips, (508) 295-5819; e-mail: jcdwiz@yahoo.com
Minnesota, Alexandria — The Lakes Area Model Railroad Association’s 13th Annual Greater Minnesota Train Show will be held on May 10th, at the Alexandria Holiday Inn and Convention Center, 5637 Highway 29 South. Hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Attractions will include a NMRA sponsored modeling contest. Admission: $3.00, adults; children under 10 admitted free with paid adult. For more information, contact: Dave Brosch, 28617 State Highway 55, Lowry, MN 56349; (320) 283-5850; e-mail: davebros@runestone.net; www.geocities.com/lamrra/index.html

Minnesota, Duluth — The Thousand Lakes Region of the NMRA’s Annual Convention, "Twin Ports Express" will be held on May 2-4th, at the Duluth Depot/Lake Superior Railroad Museum, 506 W. Michigan Street. Attractions to include Friday morning clinics by noted railroad historian/author Patrick Dorin, Model Railroader's Cody Grivno, model railroad author Doug Harding, and Twin Ports photographer David Schauer, Friday industrial tour to Cenex/Harvest States elevator, Hallet Dock and coal dock, Saturday chartered LSRM train to Two Harbors, a Saturday evening banquet cruise through the harbor, and on Sunday a swap meet at the depot, and layout tours. Full registration is $100 by April 10th, $110 after. Attendees must be NMRA members. For more information, contact: Chris Dancy, 613 N. Vine, West Union, IA 52175; e-mail: cjdancy@msn.com; or visit www.thousandlakesregion.org
Minnesota, Saint Cloud — The Granite City Train Show will be held on May 3rd, at the National Guard Armory, 1710 Veteran’s Drive. Hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Attractions to include door prizes, operating models, toy train displays, and a children’s railway play area where kids can help build a wooden train layout or run a model train. Register to win a Lionel Dale Earnhardt Jr. NASCAR Train Set. Refreshments will be available. Admission: $3.00, adults; children 12 and under admitted free. For more information, call: (320) 255-0033; e-mail: edwardolson@cloudnet.com; www.granitecitytrainshow.com
Missouri, Branson — The Mid-Continent Region of the NMRA Branson Express 2008 Convention will be held May 15-16, with a Train Show on May 17-18th, at the Stone Castle Resort & Conference Center, 3050 Green Mountain Drive. Convention Hours will be from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday; Train Show Hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Attractions will include a ride on the Branson Scenic Railway. Admission for the Convention is $45.00; admission for the Train Show is $7.00 a day. For more information, contact: Tom McMorran, 730 Emerald Pointe Dr. #433, Hollister, MO 65673; (417) 239-2776; e-mail: K_T_MACK@yahoo.com. Call the Stone Castle Resort & Conference Center at (800) 667-6906 (Group# NMRA-5158).

New Jersey, Glassboro — The Strasburg Railroad Club of Marlton, NJ will be hosting a Train Show on June 28th, at St. Thomas Parish Hall, located at Rt. 47 (Delsea Drive) and Focer Street. Hours will be from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00. Attractions to include operating layouts, model train sales, historical photos, refreshments, and free parking. Admission: $3.00, adults; $6.00, family; children 12 and under admitted free with an adult. For more information, contact: Dave Luciano, (856) 988-0689; or Rich Drobil, (856) 881-5516.
New Jersey, Pennsville — The Jersey Train Show & Auction will be held on May 3rd, at Cranberry Plaza, 233 S. Broadway (Rt. 49). Show hours will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Auction will begin at 12:00 noon. Attractions will include trains, slotcars, toys, hourly door prizes, and a train display. Refreshments will be available, and the site has unlimited free parking. Admission: $3.00, adults; children under 12 admitted free. For more information, contact: (302) 222-3030; (856) 228-7681; www.toyshows.org; www.auctionsbymesiano.com
New Jersey, Somerset — A Greenberg Train Show will be held June 7-8th, at the Garden State Exhibit Center, 50 Atrium Drive. Show hours will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. both days. Show will feature a huge marketplace of train, toy and hobby dealers, operating model railroads, and instructional presentations. Admission: $7.00, adults good for both days; children under 12 admitted free. For more information, contact: Greenberg Shows, P.O. Box 34, Elmhurst, IL 60126; (630) 279-4087; e-mail: Staff@Greenbergshows.com; www.greenbergshows.com
New Jersey, Union — The Model Railroad Club, Inc., will be sponsoring The Garden State Division, Northeastern Region, NMRA Annual Spring Meet and Operating Session on May 4th, at 295 Jefferson Ave. off of State Route 22 (behind Home Depot). Meet will begin at 12:00 noon. Attractions will include model judging, clinics, white elephant table, show and tell, a light lunch, and a massive operating session afterwards. Admission, $5.00. For more information, e-mail: gsdsecretary@verizon.net
Oregon, Medford — The Medford Railroad Park will be open to the public on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, April through October. The Railroad Park is located adjacent to Fire Station No. 4 at the intersection of Table Rock Road and Berrydale Avenue. Hours will be from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Railroad Park is a unique collaboration between Medford’s Parks and Recreation Dept., and five volunteer-based railroad-related clubs. Attractions include a visitors center/museum housed within a restored 1910 caboose, a restored 1942 caboose, a restored 1928 flanger, a handcar ride, a motorcar ride, operating layouts, and the Morse Telegraph Club’s antique telegraph system. Admission is free; donations are appreciated. For more information, contact: Dick, (541) 779-3002; or Tony, (541) 944-9176.

Pennsylvania, Allentown — The Great Lehigh Valley Train Meet will be held May 17-18th, at Merchants Square, 190 S. 12th Street. Hours will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Saturday show will be dedicated to HO, N, On30, Z, and brass, with DCC classes and more. Sunday will be dedicated to S, O-27, O, Standard, and G gauge. Both days will feature operating layouts, door prizes, and demonstrations. Admission: $5.00, adults; 12 and under admitted free; $7.00, 2 day pass. For more information, visit: www.lehighvalleytrainmeet.com
Pennsylvania, Delta — The Old Line Museum will be presenting its 33rd Annual “Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad Month,” to be held each Sunday in June, at 602 Main Street. Hours will be from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Attractions of this famous short line known as the “Ma and Pa” will include the museum’s well known J. E. Murphy collection of photos, drawings, models, and memorabilia. In addition, master builders of the line’s locomotives, rolling stock, stations, etc. will be displaying their creations. A son of a long time Ma and Pa employee will also be attending and displaying his extensive memorabilia collection. Displays will change weekly. Knowledgeable docents will be available to talk with each week. Admission is free; donations for the upkeep of the museum will be appreciated. For more information, call (410) 592-7491.
Tennessee, Nashville — The Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway Preservation Society (NCPS) Reunion 2008 will be held May 16-18th, at the Tennessee Central Railway Museum (TCRM), 220 Willow Street. Attractions will include former employees, speakers, modeling clinics, a model contest, displays, side trips to areas of interest, door prizes, and the Annual NCPS Business Meeting. Check-in will begin at 12:00 noon on Friday. Registration prices will vary, and non-members are welcome. There will also be an Open House for the public on Saturday to view the displays. For more information, contact: Terry Coats, 226 Swift Drive, Goodlettsville, TN 37072; (615) 859-3830; e-mail: reunion2008@ncstl.com; www.ncstl.com
Texas, Houston — The Memorial City Mall will be sponsoring a Father’s Day Train Show on June 14-15th, at Memorial City Mall, 900 Gessner Road. Show will be near the skating ring on the west side of the mall. Hours will be from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, and from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Attractions will include layouts in Z, N, HO, and other scales, plus the roller coaster division. Admission is free. For more information, contact: David Gilchrist, (713) 896-6794; e-mail: steamloco266@yahoo.com; or visit North West Crossing Modular, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NWXMRRC/?yguid=175201995
Texas, Panhandle — Scott Free Model Railroaders will be presenting the Fourth Annual Train Show, to be held on April 1st – May 31st, at the Carson County Square House Museum, 409 Elsie Street. Hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Saturdays, and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is free; donations accepted. Attractions will include a raffle for an HO-scale model train set, and other prizes. For more information, contact: Skip Smith, (806) 537-3382.
Virginia, Midlothian — The James River Division of the NMRA/MER will be having a meet on May 10th, at the Church of the Redeemer, 2341 Winterfield Road. Meeting hours will be from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, with layout tours from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Attractions will include clinics, contests, door prizes, a 50-50 raffle, and white elephant tables. For more information, contact: Robert Alvis, (804) 329-4060.
Wisconsin, Eau Claire — The Chicago & North Western Historical Society's Annual Convention and Swap Meet will be held on May 18th, at the Ramada Inn Convention Center, 205 S. Barstow Street. Hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Attractions will include a wide selection of model railroad and railroad memorabilia, and will feature items from the Chicago & North Western, Omaha Road, Chicago Great Western, Minneapolis & St. Louis, and other C&NW predecessor lines. Admission is free. For more information, contact: Dave Mikelson, (651) 994-0366; e-mail: Davem1385@comcast.net; www.cnwhs.org
Wisconsin, Waupaca — The 19th Annual Strawberry Fest Model Railroad Show & Swap Meet & Model Contest will be held June 21-22nd, at the Waupaca Recreation Center, located at the intersection of School, State and Badger Streets. Hours will be from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 400 p.m. on Sunday. Attractions will include seven operating layouts, 70 tables of dealers/vendors with products in all gauges, swap meet, refreshments, and a Thomas the Tank Layout. This meet is being held in conjunction with the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce Strawberry Festival, www.waupacaevents.com. Admission is free. For more information, contact: Dennis Cook, (715) 824-2045; e-mail: Dennis@dfcook.com; www.wamrltd.com
Canada
Nova Scotia, Amherst — The Maritime Federation of Model Railroaders’ Annual Convention & Show will be held May 16th-17th, at the Wandlyn Inn, 1539 South Hampton Road (at Exit 3 Hwy. 104). Show hours will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Convention registration is $25.00. Show admission: $3.00, adults; children 5 and under admitted free. For more information, contact: Doug Murray, 109 Lincoln Cross, Halifax, NS, Canada B3M 3S8; (902) 443-9755; e-mail: doug.murray@ns.sympatico.ca; www.geocities/mfmrr/EventsCalendar
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