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AMHERST BELT LINES
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AMHERST BELT LINES |
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HO Modular Railroad |
Copyright © 1999, Amherst Railway Society
We hope that everyone had a safe and enjoyable summer filled with plenty of modeling and railroading opportunities. Now that summer is fading and schools are getting back in session, we find that we are at the start of the model railroad show season for 1999-2000. The Amherst Belt Lines will be participating in three shows - possibly four - in the next six months. Our current schedule is as follows:
| date | show | location |
|---|---|---|
| October 17, 1999 | Pepperell Siding Model Railroad Club Show | Townsend, Massachusetts |
| November 7, 1999 | Bedford Boomers 17th Annual Model Railroad Exhibition | Bedford, New Hampshire |
| February 5 & 6, 2000 | Amherst Railway Society BIG Railroad Hobby Show | West Springfield, Massachusetts |
Our fourth show would be near the end of February if we receive an invitation from the Worcester Model Railroad Club. We attended this show last year for the first time in many years, and all who participated found it to be an enjoyable one-day event.
Sunday, October 17, 1999 is the Pepperell Siding Model Railroad Club's annual show held at the North Middlesex Regional High School on route 119 in Townsend, Massachusetts. Show hours are 10am to 4pm and admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, $1 for children 13 and older, and a family admission of $8, for those of you wishing to go up and see the show without participating with the Belt Lines. This show features vendors, displays and operating layouts in nearly every scale, including Live Steam. The host layout is the PSMRRC's own HO scale modular railroad, the Commonwealth Railway System.
The Amherst Belt Lines will make its 11th appearance at this show this year. We will likely be one of the displays in the Gym, as we have for the past couple of years. As of this publication date, our space allotment is unknown, however the Pepperell Club has been very accommodating of our space requirements in the past. Setup begins Saturday morning and wraps up by about 6pm that evening. Setup continues Sunday morning before show opening if additional time is required. Many from our group get together Saturday evening for dinner and general discussion, and anyone who is interested may come along.
Please let Alan know by not later than September 30, 1999, if you would like to display your module(s) at this show so that layout planning may begin. If you would like to participate without a module, we always need help with setup on Saturday, and can always use operators and help with break down and loading on Sunday. If you need directions to the school, contact any one of the module coordinators.
Sunday, November 7, 1999 is the Bedford Boomers annual show held at the McKelvie Middle School in Bedford, New Hampshire. Show hours are 10am to 4pm and a donation is suggested at the door for admission. This show features displays in nearly every scale - including 12" to the foot, Live Steam, and operating layouts only. It is a refreshing change to attend an all display show without any vendors. Some of the displays include activities to keep the kids busy, circus collections, and prototype information. Clinics have been run in years past both before the show for the participant's benefit, and during the show for the public. The host layout is the Boomers own huge HO scale modular layout that meanders its way through the Gym. This show is a "must attend" if you have never been before.
The Amherst Belt Lines will make its 14th appearance at this show this year. We have requested space in the Gym with the Boomers layout and may connect to their system again this year. Setup begins Friday evening at 5pm and continues on Saturday morning. We would like to have as much of the layout at the school as possible on Friday night. If setup goes smoothly, we will be able to have an operating session on the layout Saturday afternoon. The Belt Lines crew will get together for dinner and other activities on Saturday night.
Please let Alan know by not later than September 30, 1999, if you would like to display your module(s) at this show so that layout planning may begin. If you would like to participate without a module, we always need help with setup on Friday and Saturday, and can always use operators and help with break down and loading on Sunday. You must let Alan know if you plan to participate at this show, with or without a module, since we must provide a list of all participants to the Boomers so that they can provide exhibitor badges. If Alan does not have your name by September 30, you will not be provided with a badge. If you need directions to the school, contact any one of the module coordinators.
We will talk about the Amherst Railway Society show in the November edition of Modular Mumblings. Hope we will see you in either Townsend or Bedford!
Sudro, Clark, Tom and Alan
![[Aaron operating a train at the 1999 West Springfield show]](./images/Aaron.jpg)