Eight & Sand is regularly updated with news and information about the Amherst Railway Society, the Railroad Hobby Show, the Amherst Belt Lines modular model railroad, the organizations we support, and other railroad-related topics.
Table of Contents
N-scale railroad – for sale
Commemorative Coal Car
Amherst Railway Society – Annual Meeting
Holyoke Senior Center Model Railroad
Amherst Railway Society – Help Wanted
Upcoming Shows & Events
N-scale Railroad For Sale
The Amherst Railway Society if offering a complete N-scale railroad for sale. The railroad is approximately 3’ x 6’ and includes structures, locomotives, and rolling stock. All scenery is complete. The railroad is DC powered.
Asking price is $2000 for non-ARS members, $1000 for ARS members.
If interested, contact John Sacerdote at: [email protected].
Commemorative Coal Car
Here’s a unique opportunity to own a special commemorative car. Amherst has commissioned just 100 commemorative G-scale coal cars to celebrate two important events – the ongoing development of the Amherst Garden Railroad and the upcoming Northeast Outdoor Railway Festival in June.
The cars are beautifully done by Bachmann, include Springfield Terminal or Amherst Belt reporting marks.
The cars are available now and can be purchased here.
Amherst Railway Society – annual meeting
The annual business meeting of the Amherst Railway Society will be held on June 10, 2026 at 7:00 pm at the:
Amherst Building
1130 South Main Street
Palmer, Massachusetts 01069
The meeting is open to the public. However, only active members of the Amherst Railway Society are eligible to vote.
The Amherst Railway Society is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation regulated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The Year In Review
Executive Director, John Sacerdote, will present an overview of the organization – accomplishments over the past year, and the challenges we faced. John will also discuss the thought process that goes into the decisions we make about programs, events, and shows.
Amherst is one of the most respected organizations in the railroad hobbies. And, there are reasons for that.
Looking Ahead
Incoming President, Dave Owens, will discuss the opportunities we have to continue the development of the organization in the year to come, and the roles members can play to turn those opportunities into reality.
Collaboration with other organizations has played a key role in Amherst’s success. Dave will address additional ways that collaborative efforts can benefit Amherst in the year ahead.
Board of Directors
The terms of two at-large members of the Amherst Railway Society Board of Directors expire on June 30, 2026.
The Amherst board is responsible for the overall management of the organization including strategic planning and direction, financial stewardship, legal compliance, fundraising, and community building.
Two candidates have been nominated to fill the two slots: Steve Belforti and Bob Marshall
Resume for Steve Belforti
Resume for Bob Marshall
Holyoke Senior Center Model Railroad
In 2012, the donation of model railroad equipment started the Holyoke Senior Center and the Amherst Railway Society on a fascinating journey that resulted in a thoughtfully designed, highly detailed HO-scale model railroad.
With the technical assistance of John Sacerdote, a track plan was drawn to fit the space allocated by the senior center – and construction was underway. In July, 2013, the first train ran. Over the next several years, key features of the town of Holyoke were added to the railroad as well as a miniature amusement park.
Today, the railroad continues to delight senior center visitors. While the railroad can be seen anytime, the model railroad “crew” meets every Thursday from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm to operate the railroad.
Additional Amherst members involved in the construction of the railroad included: Ken Harstine, Joe Lepage, and Gerry Vautrain.
The Holyoke Senior Center is located at: 291 Pine, Street, Holyoke, Massachusetts 01040
Help Wanted – the Amherst Railway Society
As the Amherst Railway Society continues to grow, we need people to fill key management roles. Open positions with responsibility descriptions are listed below.
1. Railroad Hobby Show – Lead Floor Manager
reports to: Show Director
Responsible for:
• coordinating all floor manager schedules
• recruiting and training new floor managers
• work with Show Director as part of the show management team
2. Railroad Hobby Show – Volunteer Coordinator
reports to: Show Director
Responsible for:
• coordinating all volunteer schedules
• recruiting and training new volunteers
• work with Show Director as part of the show management team
3. Speaker/Clinics Coordinator
reports to: Executive Director
Responsible for:
• recruiting speakers and presenters for Amherst events and clinics
• coordinating dates, AV needs, and catering
• work with Marketing Director to publicize and promote presentations
4. Event Coordinators
reports to: Executive Director
Responsible for:
• managing specific Amherst Special events.
• Amherst sponsors several special events such as Kids ON TRACK programs and the Brunch Express. Event Coordinators manage all details of specific special events.
5. Trip Coordinator
reports to: Executive Director
Responsible for:
• managing all Amherst Railway Society sponsored trips
6. Display Layout Coordinator
reports to: Building Manager
Responsible for:
• setting up and maintaining all scale layouts on the upper level.
7. Special Programs Coordinator
reports to: Executive Director
Responsible for:
• setting up and managing Amherst special programs, including:
• summer camp
• modular sales
• disability program
• scholarships
• T-Trak program
Upcoming Shows & Events
| Date | Event | Location | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
|
June 6&7, 2026 |
World of Garden Trains |
Lee, NH |
nhgrs.org |
|
June 27, 2026 |
Flying Yankee Open House |
North Conway, NH |
flyingyankee.org |
|
June 28, 2026 |
Flying Yankee Excursion |
North Conway, NH |
flyingyankee.org |
|
July 10, 11, 12, 2026 |
NH Garden Train Run |
Raymond, NH |
nhgrs.org |
|
July 18, 2026 |
Surplus Assets Sale |
Auburn, ME |
greatfallsmodelrrclub.org |
|
July 25, 2026 |
Flying Yankee Open House |
North Conway, NH |
flyingyankee.org |
|
August 15 & 16, 2026 |
Great Falls Open House |
Auburn, ME |
greatfallsmodelrrclub.org |
|
August 16, 2026 |
Concord Model Railroad Show |
Concord, NH |
|
|
August 22, 2026 |
Flying Yankee Open House |
North Conway, NH |
flyingyankee.org |
|
August 22 & 23 2026 |
Great Falls Open House |
Auburn, ME |
greatfallsmodelrrclub.org |
|
September 12, 2026 |
Flying Yankee Open House |
North Conway, NH |
flyingyankee.org |
|
September 26, 2026 |
Southern New England Open House |
Gardner, MA |
facebook.com/SNEMRR |
|
October 3 & 4, 2026 |
Railfair 2026 |
Boxboro, MA |
nvrra.com |
|
October 17, 2026 |
Great Falls Train Show |
Auburn, ME |
greatfallsmodelrailroadclub.org |
|
October 24, 2026 |
Flying Yankee Open House |
North Conway, NH |
flyingyankee.org |
|
October 31, 2026 |
Great Northern New England Train Show |
Dover Elks – Dover, NH |
[email protected] – 603-363-4300 |
|
November 7, 2026 |
470 Club excursion |
North Conway, NH |
conwayscenic.com/excursions/470-club-excursion |
|
November 21 & 22, 2026 |
ExTRAINaganza |
Auburn, ME |
greatfallsmodelrrclub.org |
|
November 27, 28, 29, 2026 |
ExTRAINaganza |
Auburn, ME |
greatfallsmodelrrclub.org |
|
December 12, 2026 |
Surplus Assets Sale |
Auburn, ME |
greatfallsmodelrrclub.org |
|
January 30 & 31, 2027 |
Railroad Hobby Show |
West Springfield, MA |
railroadhobbyshow.com |
|
March 14, 2027 |
Vermont Rails Show |
St. Albans, VT |
nwvrailroad.org/events/ |
|
April 3, 2027 |
Great Northern New England Show |
Dover, NH |