Railroad Hobby Show show manager Joe Sacerdote (left) joined hosts Dennis Hackett and Tyler Garnet for the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me.”
Reminder Publishing photo by Chris Maza
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The largest railroad-themed trade show in North America will once again stop people in their tracks this winter.
On this week’s episode of “So That Reminds Me,” hosts Dennis Hackett and Tyler Garnet sat down with Joe Sacerdote, show manager for the Railroad Hobby Show, to discuss what’s in store for the event, which is slated for Jan. 24 and 25 inside the Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds.
Sponsored by the Amherst Railway Society, the show covers all facets of railroad hobbies, including model railroads, railroad art and photography, railroad history and preservation, tourist railroads, railroad artifacts and railroad books and videos.
The event occupies 350,000 square feet in four buildings on the Big E fairgrounds, and this year’s show will feature visitors from all over the world and 396 exhibitors encompassing trains of all shapes and sizes.
But according to Sacerdote, the show is more than just a “flea market.”
“Every major manufacturer on the planet is at the show; every dealer that has large hobby stores, distribution centers; they’re all at the show,” Sacerdote said. “But more importantly, all these historical societies are at the show. All these museums are at the show. All these places where you can still ride trains in the Catskills, up in Maine, all over the United States, down in Rhode Island, are at the show. So, if it’s got something to do with railroads, they’re at the show.”
Although the hobby show already has a rich history, Sacerdote noted that the Railway Society is always trying to outdo itself every year. He highlighted the Sunday morning Brunch Express, which is essentially an Amherst chartered CTrail train ride that leaves from Springfield Union Station at 7 a.m. and arrives at Hartford Union Station shortly after. It is at the Hartford station where passengers will enjoy a buffet breakfast at the station’s Great Hall.
This year’s show will also feature a Women in Model Railroading information session and reception on Jan. 24 at 3 p.m., where people will have the opportunity to meet the women that play key roles in the railroad and model railroad industries. Attached to that will be an operating session from 6-8 p.m. where women of all ages will learn more about model railroad operations.
Sacerdote also mentioned that there will be multiple activities for children and stated that the society is hoping to surpass last year’s turnout of 27,535 people.
“I’m really trying for 30,000,” Sacerdote said, adding that weather usually dictates the overall turnout. “When we have great weather, we have great crowds.”
Aside from showcasing some of the major facets of the show, Sacerdote also highlighted the decades-long journey that has defined the railroad show from its humble beginnings at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the mid-1950s to the extravagant celebration it has become today.
Tickets are now available for the show on its website. It is $18 for adults and free for ages 15 and under. Events throughout the two days are held at the Big E’s Better Living Center, Young and Stroh Buildings and the Mallary Complex.
Readers can listen to the full episode by visiting thereminder.com/our-podcast or search “So That Reminds Me” on your favorite podcasting platform.
