My Return to Springfield

    I don't remember when I went to my first Springfield show.  It had to be at least 15 years ago.  I had seen ads for it in Model Railroader. My wife and I decided that it was close enough to make a daytrip of it and headed south to check it out.  I was completely unprepared for this show.  It was like nothing I had ever seen before.  

    This show is housed in four "big-box store" sized buildings.  These buildings are full of hobby shops, manufacturers, and layouts.  It takes place each January at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts.  You have to see it to believe it.

Walking from one building to another.  The black smoke in the sky is from the live steam engine trucked-in each year and parked just to the left of this picture.

    I have been away from the show since Covid shut the show down in 2021.  It returned last year, but with high case counts and a blizzard, I stayed home.  I returned to the show last weekend, and it was great to be back.

     One of the vendors I wanted to visit was MacRail.  This is a new company that caught my attention because of their 3D printed FREDs and EOT red and orange flags. 

 I've wanted to get my hand on some of these to see how they work and look on the end of my trains and they did not disappoint.

    In 2021 I was introduced to Hunterline, a Canadian company, and their line of weathering and stains.  I was sad to see they were not going to attend this year's show.  However, I still found their stains at B&B Hobby Supplies.  I picked up a bottle along with a pair of Xuron fine scissors.

    I was also able to get a few items to help finish some layout projects.  Tichy Train Group sells steel walkways and I'll use them to finish the billboards around the layout.  I've also needed a few more Osborn Models windsocks for railyards and industries and was able to pick them up.

    I was also able to take a look at Berrett Hill's newest Touch Toggle product.  They released the Matrix Controller to allow a single button to be pressed and all turnouts that need to be switched so trains can be routed to a specific track.  This is something I am thinking about using in the Union Station corridor.  I currently use Touch Toggles to switch my turnout; I'm just not sure if this additional piece is really needed.  I think about it and maybe I'll put in on my purchase list for 2024.  I'll talk a little more about Touch Toggles is a future post.

    Most of the high rises on my layout come from a company named Custom Model Railroads.  They make amazing kits.  Normally I buy one at Springfield.  My plan last spring was to buy their Building Under Construction kit, but I decided to buy it this past fall.  I considered getting the firm's Saint Paul Building.  I thought about it the entire time I was at the show, but in the end, I decided not to buy it.  There is no more room for another high rise so I would have had to remove one of the current buildings.  I'm hoping CMR will release a new kit in the next few years that has a more modern look.  Most of the real Toronto high rises are all glass facades.  I still have the Building Under Construction kit to build so I have not gone without this year.

CMR's new Build Under Construction kit.

The Saint Paul Building is the kit on the left.  It includes an add-on kit to make it 12-stories tall.

    I was able to visit the major manufacturers and saw their new releases and announcements.  It's great to hear that Atlas has acquired the tooling for the Pointe Ste. Charles.  Bachmann had their new VIA Rail Canada Siemens SC-42 Charger on display.  

Rapido Train, Inc.'s booth was very crowded, and they showcased all of their latest models.  

    With all of the running around I did, I really didn't stop to appreciate all of the layouts that were at the show.  Five hours into the show and I was tired and ready to go home.  With so much to see it can quickly become overwhelming.  It's why I make sure I have a plan, but I always need to remind myself to check out the layouts.  

    It was a busy Saturday.  I appreciate that The Steam Shack, my local hobby shop, was there.  I was able to sit down and chat with the owner for a few minutes before heading home.  He also helped me find some good parking.  When I got home, I found a picture Railroad Model Craftsman posted on their Facebook page.  There I was checking out the Tangent Models cabooses.

Photo by White River Publications.  Can you find me?

I've already started adding items for my list for the 2024 show.  I was great to return to an annual tradition.