Amherst Railway Society

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Eight & Sand
Amherst Railway Society news...

Eight & Sand is regularly updated with news and information about upcoming Amherst Railway Society meetings, the Railroad Hobby Show, the Amherst Belt Lines modular model railroad, the organizations we support, and other railroad-related topics.

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Scale Trains Road Trip

The Scale Trains Road Trip is coming to the Amherst Railway Society on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

The event features a display of many of Scale Trains current products, a look behind the scenes at the product development and manufacturing process, and a question and answer session. There are give-aways such as t-shirts and hats, and everyone receives a Road Trip gift bag.

The Road Trip is an opportunity to see Scale Trains products up close, and meet the people behind the company and the products having an impact on the model railroad hobby.

This event is open to the public. Scroll down for a location map of the Amherst Building in Palmer, Massachusetts.

Road Trip Flyer

The Amherst Railway Society is located at:

1130 South Main Street
Palmer, Massachusetts 01069

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Surplus Equipment Sale – March 30, 2024

The next Surplus Equipment Sale will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2024 from 9 am to 1 pm at the Amherst Building in Palmer, Massachusetts. (see map below)

Model railroad equipment of all kinds and scales, actual railroad artifacts, and railroad books and videos are all included in this event.

This event is open to the public.

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Shelburne’s Collection Grows

The Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum is adding two new cars to their collection.

The museum recently acquired a Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), predecessor of the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) line car that was used for overhead wire repairs beginning in 1950. The museum also plans to bring the Berkshire Hills parlor car to the property soon.

To accommodate the two new cars, Shelburne Falls is adding a 43-foot, $150,000 extension to the existing car barn. The Amherst Railway Society contributed to the extension project.

The addition will protect the new cars and give museum staff additional space for restoration work.

Parlor cars were rare, and very few remain. The Berkshire Hills was beautifully appointed inside and out, with large windows, wicker chairs, interior carvings, and carpeted floors.

The museum will reopen for the summer season on Memorial Day weekend.

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Calgary to Mexico City – by Steam

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) is sponsoring the Final Spike Anniversary Steam Tour to celebrate the first anniversary of the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger.  CP 4-6-4 #2816 will lead the special train as it travels from Calgary to Mexico City.

The train will leave Calgary on April 24, 2024 and make stops at the following locations:

  • Minot, North Dakota – April 30
  • St. Paul, Minnesota – May 3
  • Franklin Park, Illinois – May 8
  • Davenport, Iowa – May 10
  • Kansas City, Missouri – May 18
  • Shreveport, Louisiana – May 24
  • Laredo, Texas – May 28;
  • Monterrey, Mexico – May31
  • Mexico City, Mexico – June 4

The Final Spike Anniversary Steam Tour will be the first steam-powered passenger train in North America to travel in Canada, the US, and Mexico in a single trip.

Details of the steam tour are available here.

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