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AMHERST BELT LINES |
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HO Modular Railroad |
Copyright © 2000, Amherst Railway Society
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Sudro Brown BrownSudro@cs.com |
Clark Huber chuber@charter.net |
Alan Rice abel.planning@comcast.net |
Sometimes plans go awry -- that is exactly what happened with the September 2000 issue of the Modular Mumblings. The issue had been printed, addressed and mailed when we received the formal invitation to the Bedford Boomers show coming up at the beginning of November. Sonow that we know that the information in the last newsletter was correct, we need to know some information from you.
The Bedford Boomers are a modular club based out of Bedford, New Hampshire. Every November, usually the first weekend, the group sponsors their own annual railroad exhibition. As the name implies, this is not just a model railroad show. The Boomers manage to assemble a varied collection of model and prototype railroading examples for display to the public. The key word here is "display" as you will not find a single vendor or white elephant table at the show selling various products. Modular groups are represented from all over the area, and in a variety of scales. The Boomers own modular layout is assembled in the gymnasium of the McKelvie Middle School in Bedford, and other groups are invited to participate with the Boomers layout, or stand alone in the gym, cafeteria and many of the classrooms of the school building. Outdoor exhibits usually include garden railroading examples, a prototype display of speeders and track cars, and an operational live steam loop providing rides for kids of all ages. This is a different show for the lack of vendors, and well worth attending if you want to see many examples of fine model work.
This year the show is being held on Sunday, November 5, with setup and participant activities on the third and fourth. Setup begins Friday evening at 5:30pm to 11:00pm. Setup continues Saturday from 7:00am to 11:00pm. Also on Saturday, at 2:30pm, there will be an auction of railroad memorabilia, equipment, models, etc., for the participants of the show. If you have some items that you want to try to sell, bring them along to become a part of this auction. Minimum bid will be $1.00. Saturday night the Amherst Belt Lines will hold its "annual dinner." After dinner, we will have some form of activity for the Belt Lines participants. In years past this activity has been an operating session at a member's home layout or a slide show. This year we may have an operating session on the Belt Lines layout, or visit some other area layouts. This part of the weekend is still in the planning stages.
Sunday the show opens at 10:00am and runs until 4:00pm. Takedown begins immediately following the show and continues until 7:00pm. All displays must be out of the school by that time.
The space allocated for the Belt Lines layout is 16' x 36'. If you would like to have your module(s) included in the layout, please contact Alan as soon as possible, as the layout is filling out rapidly. The layout plan must be complete by October 22, so call or email him today!
The Boomers are very conscious of security at this show. Each participant must wear a badge provided by the show staff. You may also provide your own badge for the organization(s) you represent. If you plan to participate at the show with or without a module, let Alan know by October 22 so that he can send a list to the Boomers of all the members, spouses, significant others and family members that will be in attendance to work at the show. If you plan only to come up to the show when it is open to the public on Sunday, you need not provide this information. Directions to the school are available on request.
That does it for another issue of Modular Mumblings. Remember to let Alan know as soon as possible about your attendance and participation at the Bedford Show. Next month we will start planning for the Amherst Railway Society's Big Railroad Hobby Show in February.
See you in Bedford,
MODULAR Railroading is Fun!
Sudro, Clark, and Alan