December Newsletter

photo: Phil Johnson

Holiday Party

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

The Amherst Railway Society Holiday Party will be held from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Amherst Building in Palmer. Massachusetts.

Special holiday treats will be served. Plus, it's an Open Mic Night. Bring your railroad photos, slides, videos, and stories to share.

Who knows - maybe Santa will even stop by.

In This Issue

Holiday Party - December 11

December Calendar

Railroad Hobby Show television ad

...and a few out-takes

Belt Lines @ Marlboro

Railroad Hobby Show - update

Spencer Stephenson - Honored!

Amherst at Springfield Union Station

New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show

Surplus Equipment Sale - December 14

Clinics at the Railroad Hobby Show

Railroad Hobby Show - tickets

This Month

December 7 - ABEL @ Marlboro

December 8 - ABEL @ Marlboro

December 11 - Holiday Party

December 14 - Surplus Equipment Sale

December 18 - Board of Directors

December 21 - Work Day

December 28 - Work Day

Full Calendar

Railroad Hobby Show - 2025 television ad

...and how we made the ad (sort of)

Belt Lines @ Marlboro - December 7 & 8

On Saturday and Sunday, December 7 & 8, 2024, the Amherst Belt Lines will have a modular model railroad running at the New England Model Train Expo in Marlboro, Massachusetts.

This is a big show with a holiday feel. There are multiple operating model railroads, model railroad equipment exhibitors, and Santa, too. It's a fun show.

If you are interested in participating in this event, please contact the Belt Lines coordinators at: amherstbeltlines@amherstrail.org

Details

Railroad Hobby Show - update

Women in Model Railroading (WIMRR) will play a significant role at the 2025 Railroad Hobby Show.

On Saturday evening, January 25, 2025, WIMRR will host a special model railroad operating session on the Dry Hill Model Railroad in the Mallary Building. The event will give women (of all ages) a chance to learn more about the hobby, meet other women that share their interest, and just plain have fun running trains.

The event will run from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

Then, on Sunday morning, January 26, 2025 at 10:30 am, WIMRR will sponsor an educational session in the Clinic Room in the Young Building. The Women In Model Railroading SIG will be explained, plus there will be an opportunity to meet women that are leaders in the railroad and model railroad industries.

If you are interested in participating in either the operations session on Saturday evening, or the educational session on Sunday morning, or both, please contact Michelle Kempema at: michellekempema@gmail.com

You can also register for the Saturday night operating session or the Sunday morning educational session at the NMRA booth in the Better Living Center.

Spencer Stephenson - Honored!

Our own Spencer Stephenson has been selected for membership in the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS). NTHS recognizes students for significant achievements in STEM education - science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Spencer has been part of Amherst, particularly the Belt Lines, for about ten years. In that time, he has learned the electrical, mechanical, and operational aspects of model railroading. He has built his own module set which meant learning how to lay track, wire the railroad, and create scenery.

He has become proficient at all these things.

Spencer is a senior at Blackstone Valley Technical High School in Upton, Massachusetts, and will be attending the University of Northwestern Ohio next year. And… he’s an avid steam fan.

Nice job, Spencer!

Amherst at Springfield Union Station

Once again Amherst is sponsoring the Christmas tree train at Springfield Union Station.

Photo: Union Station’s Nicole Sweeney and Amherst’s John Sacerdote preside at the tree lighting ceremony in November.

New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show

The ultimate G-scale garden railroad will be running through January 18 at the New York Botanical Garden. Twenty-five trains and trolleys run through iconic New York landscapes. Two hundred buildings and bridges - all made with leaves, bark, and other natural materials - bring the railroad to life.

This is a bucket-list train show!

holidaytrainnights.com

Surplus Equipment Sale - December 14

The next Surplus Equipment Sale will be held on Saturday, December 14 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Amherst Building in Palmer, Massachusetts.

This is an excellent opportunity to get rid of extra railroad or model railroad gear that's hanging around the workbench or stashed in a closet.

If you would like table space at the December 14 sale, contact John Sacerdote at showdirector@amherstrail.org.

Clinics - at the Railroad Hobby Show

The Railroad Hobby Show offers two full days of in-person clinics with experienced instructors on Thursday and Friday, January 23 & 24, 2025.

You come away with great insights into the latest modeling techniques, and inspiration for new modeling ideas.

Find the list of clinics and the times they are offered HERE.

Railroad Hobby Show - January 25 & 26, 2025 - tickets

Advance tickets sales for the 2025 Railroad Hobby Show are now available.

Single day ticket: $18.00

Two-day Ticket: $30.00

Children 15 and under are Free when accompanied by an adult.

Online ticket sales - HERE

Bachman Trains is an Allied Member of the Amherst Railway Society

Rapido is an Allied Member of the Amherst Railway Society

Scale Trains is an Allied Member of the Amherst Railway Society

Spring Creek Model Trains is an Allied Member of the Amherst Railway Society

Trainz.com is an Allied Member of the Amherst Railway Society

The Eight & Sand newsletter is a regular publication of the Amherst Railway Society. To submit information for publication, contact Gregory Maas at: webmaster@amherstrail.org.

Amherst Railway Society

1130 South Main Street

Palmer, Massachusetts 01069

The Amherst Railway Society is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation