November Newsletter

photo: Isaiah Manuel - at White Hall, New York

Thanksgiving

We say it - but we probably don’t say it enough - Thank You!

Thanks to everyone who brings their time, effort, skills, and experience to the Amherst Railway Society. Thanks to you we learn from each other, support each other, and just plain enjoy the railroad and model railroad hobbies - together.

Happy Thanksgiving!

In This Issue

Thanksgiving

October recap - upcoming RHS - John Sacerdote

November Calendar

November Presentation

ABEL @ Marlboro, December 2 & 3

Rockland Rocket - November 11, 2023

2024 Amherst Railway Society Calendar

Amherst Recognized by the HeritageRail Alliance

Save the Date - Surplus Equipment Sale - December 9

Railroad Hobby Show - January 27 & 28, 2024

October recap... and the upcoming Railroad Hobby Show

John Sacerdote, President

860-243-0811

president@amherstrail.org

This Month

November 4 - Amherst Building closed - no Work Day

November 4 - ABEL @ Syracuse

November 5 - ABEL @ Syracuse

November 8 - November Presentation

November 11 - Work Day

November 15 - Board of Directors

November 18 - Work Day

November 25 - Work Day

December 2 - ABEL @ Marlboro

December 3 - ABEL @ Marlboro

Full Calendar

November Presentation

Steam and Steel on the Monongahela River Line

Steve Meyer is a meticulous prototype modeler. For ten years he has been researching the Duquesne Steel Works near Pittsburgh. And now he's ready to reproduce this engineering marvel - in HO-scale, including the three railroads that served the plant.

On Wednesday, November 8, Steve will recount his work on this project, and show us where it goes from here.

Presentation details.

ABEL @ Marlboro - December 2 & 3

On December 2 & 3, 2023, the Amherst Belt Lines will have a large modular model railroad running at the New England Model Train Expo in Marlboro, Massachusetts.

This is a big show with a nice holiday feel to it. The show features operating layouts in all scales, manufacturer exhibits, dealers, and Santa.

The Amherst Belt Lines is one of the key attractions for the event.

The New England Model Train Expo is sponsored by the HUB Division of the National Model Railroad Association.

Show schedule here.

Rockland Rocket - November 11, 2023

The Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts (MBRRE) are offering Amherst Railway Society rail-fans a unique opportunity to ride the 57-mile Rockland Branch in Maine. 

On Saturday, November 11, you will have a chance to ride the length of the Rockland Branch in a refurbished RDC, referred to as a Coastliner by Coastal Railservice. The trip from Brunswick to Rockland passes some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in Maine.

Trip details.

2024 Amherst Railway Society Calendar

The 2024 Amherst Railway Society calendar is at the printer, and will be available soon.

The 2024 edition features a variety of railroad and model railroad photos by Amherst members. We are fortunate to have so many talented artists in our organization.

Amherst Recognized by the HeritageRail Alliance

At the September conference of the HeritageRail Alliance in Montreal, the Amherst Railway Society was recognized for its continuing support of railroad preservation and restoration.

Since 1991, Amherst has donated $829,252 to protect and maintain historic railroad artifacts.



Details of Amherst’s grant program can be found here.

Surplus Equipment Sale - December 9

On Saturday, December 9, the Amherst Railway Society will once again be hosting a Surplus Equipment Sale at the Amherst Building in Palmer, Massachusetts.

This is a one-day only event that runs from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Just in time for the holidays - if you are looking for a great gift for the railroad hobbyist in your family, this is the place to be. Oh, and the prices are great, too.

2024 Railroad Hobby Show

January 27 & 28, 2024

The 2024 Railroad Hobby Show is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever with new exhibitors and new things to do.

The Railroad Hobby Show is America's largest railroad-themed trade show.

Advance ticket sales for the 2024 Railroad Hobby Show are available here.

Bachman Trains 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