Checking out the Titletown Train Show

The hubby mentioned that there was a model railroad show in Green Bay coming up. After a bit of Googling, I saw that the KI Convention Center was hosting the Titletown Train Show Apr 1-2. Since the hubby was free, he wanted to check it out.

The Train show was $7/person at the door. You could have a saved a dollar by getting your tickets ahead of time at Green Bay area hobby shops. Hours were 9-4 each day. Parking was free at the ramps around the KI Convention Center. 

I am not sure what I was expecting but I do know it was not what I expected it to be. I was expecting lots and lots of model trains. There were a handful of displays and many vendors selling model train cars, tracks, and accessories. It was train show and swap meet in one. I just wanted to see trains.

When we first walked in, we were greeted by a Lego Train display. Even the hubby was impressed. He didn't realize all the different kinds of Lego sets out there. It was one of my favorite displays.

My other favorite display was by The Wisconsin and Michigan Model Railroad Club. This is where I finally realized bringing train set ups to train shows was not an easy feat. I forgot how intricate these set ups were. The volunteer explained how the display was broken and a packed up to travel to these shows. I guess I'm used to seeing displays in buildings where they don't have to move them. 

Their display was full of details and even had a scavenger hunt to find all the little details.

Another set up you don't see very often is the industrial set up where you have factories versus mountains and towns. 

Each display was unique.

 

For $7, it was not a bad way to spend the morning. I would probably go again just to see the displays. I like all the details where the hubby likes the actual trains. 

Next year show is in May. It does vary by the year and probably availability of the KI Convention Center. If you like trains, it is worth checking out.

2403. Go to Trainland USA in Colfax

 As we drive through Iowa, the hubby sees the sign for Trainland USA outside of Des Moines. He keeps saying he wants to go. Of course they are only open seasonally and not when we go through on our way to Arizona. Since we were going to go through Iowa, I said we could go this trip. I was not looking for to this stop at all. I was kind of over the whole railroad thing but I said we'd go. Then I saw that there were only open on weekends this year or by appointment. So the hubby made me call and yes they would open it for us on way through. Oh goody. I thought I had my out but no such luck.

Okay asmuch as I was dreading going to Trainland USA, I have to admit it was worth the stop. It is a giant model railroad (O-line if you really must know). It is set up to showcase the US. You start from New York and go to San Francisco down outer wall of the room. Then you go from San Fran to Omaha on the inside of the wall. The control room is huge. 

The details are amazing. There is both day and night exhibits. They do turn off the lights to give the nighttime feel. You have many national landmarks. I joked we traveled the entire US in a few minutes.

The giraffes at the circus really move their heads up and down in the train cars.

There is a scavenger hunt you can do and try to find objects in each area. I was too busy looking at the display to remember to look for the what was on the scavenger hunt. 

After looking at the trains inside, we went outside where they had several actual train cars. 

One was a shop that sold every imaginable model railroad piece you'd ever need to start your own display. The hubby was in seventh heaven. He actually got a kick talking to the old-timer about trains. I found the collection of train lanterns impressive. The square one was from a Nazi train in WWII.

There was also depot that was not open because the worker couldn't come in special for us. We still peeked in the window.

The hubby was in awe since we drove. It was definitely worth the stop and the $7.50/person admission fee. We weren't the only ones there either so I didn't feel so bad. The owner said several people dropped in on their way through so it was a productive day to be open. 

If you even have a remote interest in model railroads or did going up, you definitely want to check out this place. It is indescribable. 

1173. Visit the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale

We had time to kill before meeting some friends for dinner. I told the hubby we might as well check out the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park as we will going right by it. I grabbed the address 7301 E Indian School Road which we were on. After driving past where the park should be, I look it up in Googlemaps and turns out it was on Indian Bend Road and we were only a short distance away.

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is a huge public park that as the name suggests has trains. Besides trains, there is a carousel, several play grounds, and plenty of green space in the middle of the desert. There is a nominal fee for the carousel, some of the trains, and buildings. However, what we wanted we wanted to see was the Model Railroads which was free.

We headed over the Model Railroad building which was a short walk from the visitor center. There are signs pointing you to the different areas of the park which was nice. Inside this large exhibit hall are three giant model railroad displays. Each display is ran by volunteers from different area model railroad clubs.

Each exhibit is a different gauge of model railroad -- N scale, HO scale, and O scale. Unlike the Paper Valley Model Railroad Open Houses, you can actually walk completely around each display. Each display is over 1000 square feet of model railroad designs.... and boy are the set ups intricate and different.

Also on display is an itty-bitty Z-Scale railroad set up. Z scale is the smallest of the model railroad scales. It reminds me of the micro-machines my brother had growing up. It was the first time I've seen Z scale.

The hubby was absolutely floored by the sheer size of the model railroad. He could have spent hours in that building. I'm surprised I got him out as easily as I did.

The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is definitely on our list to return to when we come back next year. I would like to explore a little more of the grounds and see some of the trains. If you are ever in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area check it out. It is definitely worth the stop even if you are not a train enthusiast. The carousel and green space is great for kids of all ages.