41st EDITION OF GREAT NEW YORK STATE MODEL TRAIN FAIR
NOV. 7-8 Forty one years of celebrating the link between man (and woman) and machines comes to fruition the weekend of November 7 and 8 at the Empire Expo Center/New York State Fairgrounds. The Great New York State Model Train Fair returns and runs from 10 to 5 Saturday and 10-4 on Sunday inside the Exhibit Center building.
It is one of the largest events of its kind in the Northeast. The Model Train Fair typically draws over 6,000 people every year. While most come from Central New York, many visitors also come from other parts of New York State, southeast Ontario, Pennsylvania, and New England. Model trains are often on people’s minds this time of year in anticipation of Christmas. November is also “National Model Railroad Month." The Model Train Fair attracts young and old; men and women, who come to marvel at miniature versions of prototype trains; learn how to build model railroads; or shop for collectibles or products to enhance their own model worlds.
The Model Train Fair fills 90,000 square feet of exhibit space in the Empire Expo Center's largest building -- The (Dairy) Exhibit Center. More than 30 operating model railroad layouts are on display, and more than 100 vendors bring model railroad-related products to sell.
At the Model Train Fair, one quickly learns that there are many aspects to the hobby. There are multiple scales on display -- from the tiny 1:160 N-scale, which can fit in the palm of a hand, to 1½ inch gauge trains on which people ride. It readily becomes apparent that interests vary from the realistic "model" railroads to the "tinplate" high-rail. There are collectors, and there are operators. Some people incorporate elaborate scenery; others just like to lay track and watch trains go by. The annual Model Train Fair is sponsored by the Central New York Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, a volunteer non-profit educational and historical organization. The Model Train Fair is the group's largest fund raiser. Proceeds help ongoing restoration projects at the Chapter's Martisco Station Museum (located between Camillus and Marcellus), the Central Square Station Museum, and historic railroad display at the state fairgrounds.
