March Newsletter

photo: Rebecca Engle

Reading Company Technical & Historical Society

In This Issue

Dick Joyce - 1937 to 2025

March Calendar

March Presentation

Upcoming Spring Events

Why I Like This Hobby

Amherst Commemorative Cars

Make & Take... at the Large Scale Show

Large Scale Limited

Mixed-train Steam Special

Surplus Equipment Sale

Upcoming Events

This Month

March 1 - Work Day

March 8 - Work Day

March 12 - March Presentation

March 15 - Work Day

March 19 - Board of Directors

March 22 - Work Day

March 29 - Work Day

April 5 - Surplus Equipment Sale

Full Calendar

March Presentation

Eastern Seaboard Rail Whirlwind Exploration

Matt Betzner

On Wednesday, March 12, Matt Betzner will take us on an exciting rail photo ride from Massachusetts to Virginia with intermediate stops in Connecticut and Pennsylvania. 

Details

Upcoming Spring Events

Please note: in the video, John refers to the Surplus Equipment Sale being held on April 4 & 5. The sale is only on Saturday, April 5 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon.

Why I Like this Hobby - John Sacerdote

Many do not know that in my spare time (I actually do have some!), I hand-lay track.

Four months before the 2025 Railroad Hobby Show, a fellow Amherst member asked me to build the track for him on a module for the Amherst Belt Lines - with four diamonds (crossing tracks) in it. I just did not have the time to do it. But, I knew someone who was better than me...

Full article

Amherst Commemorative Cars

With the exception of 2021, the Amherst Railway Society has been producing commemorative items each year to celebrate the traditions of the Railroad Hobby Show and the Amherst Railway Society since 2002.

The Amherst collection has become popular with collectors.

So, do you have all the cars, locomotives, and other commemorative items that have been issued over the years? Here is the list to check against.

Special thanks to John Peters for maintaining the Amherst Commemorative Cars records.

Make & Take... at the Large Scale Train Show

It’s back!! - the very popular Make & Take programs will be back at this year’s Northeast Large Scale Train Show on May 3 & 4.

Kids 15 and under will have a chance to choose between two hands-on, creative programs - Build a flatcar load and Decorate a building.

Sessions for both programs will be held on Saturday and Sunday.There is no charge for the programs, but children must be registered to participate.

Program details

Large Scale Limited

So, what’s a train show without a train ride? We thought the same thing - and added a train ride to the Northeast Large Scale Train Show weekend.

On Sunday morning, May 4, join us at Springfield Union Station for a CTrail train ride from Springfield to Hartford and return. The train leaves Springfield at 10:00 am. We ride to Hartford, change trains for the ride back to Springfield, arriving back at Union Station at 11:38 am.

Details

Mixed-train Steam Special

Mixed-train Steam Special

Saturday, April 5, 2025

The Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts are sponsoring a one-day, mixed-train steam special on the Valley Railroad.

The train will consist of vintage freight and passenger cars and will be powered by steam. Coach and parlor car seating is available. Multiple photo run-bys are planned.

The train leaves Essex, Connecticut at 10:00 am and returns at 5:00 pm.

There is no on-board food service.

Tickets can be purchased on-line here. Or, by phone at: 978-470-2066

Amherst members receive member pricing on Mass Bay sponsored trips.

Surplus Equipment Sale - April 5, 2025

On April 5, 2025, the Amherst Railway Society will host a Surplus Equipment Sale at the Amherst Building in Palmer, Massachusetts.

Model railroad equipment of all kinds and scales, actual railroad artifacts, and railroad books and videos are all included in this event.

The event runs from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon and is open to the public.

Details

Upcoming Events

Surplus Equipment Sale - April 5, 2025

Northeast Large Scale Train Show - May 3 & 4, 2025

Northeast Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet - May 30 to June 1, 2025

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