Trainfest (Milwaukee)
Encyclopedia
Trainfest is a model railroad
show that takes place annually in the Milwaukee suburb West Allis
, Wisconsin
. According to the show’s organizers, it is “America’s largest operating model railroad show” and markets itself towards both hobbyists and young families.
hall . Today, Trainfest is a two-day event sponsored by the Wisconsin Southeastern (WISE) division of the National Model Railroad Association
(NMRA) and takes over 200000 square feet (18,580.6 m²) of the Wisconsin Exposition Center
during the second weekend of November. Despite a faltering economy, total attendance in 2008 rose to 21,621 from 20,979 in 2007.
Trainfest serves as both a showcase for trends in model railroading and a place where model railroaders can connect to share ideas about their hobby
. Trainfest features at least 50 operating layouts
from Z to G scale, some constructed by hobbyists and some constructed commercially. Over 60 manufacturers (including industry giants such as Walthers
, Athearn
, Bachmann Industries
, Lionel
, Atlas
, Kalmbach, Marklin
, and MTH Electric Trains
) and 50 hobby dealers from across the country showcase their newest products and sample layouts.
In a 2008 West Allis Now feature story, executive director John Tews was quoted as saying, “Some people think Trainfest is just a collector’s event, but it’s an event for everyone.” One of Trainfest’ stated goals is “passing along the traditional hobby of model railroading to a new generation.” The festival offers free admission to kids under 14 (with a coupon available on its Web site). Some exhibits are aimed toward children, such as a layout built from LEGO
blocks, a kid-sized circus train
replica, and interactive racing features. Trainfest has also partnered with Radio Disney
to offer a live show and craft booth for the children in attendance.
Rail transport modelling
Railway modelling or model railroading is a hobby in which rail transport systems are modelled at a reduced scale...
show that takes place annually in the Milwaukee suburb West Allis
West Allis, Wisconsin
West Allis is a city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area. The population was 61,254 at the 2000 census. Its name derives from Edward P. Allis, who started the Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company in the 19th century. The site of the town was...
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. According to the show’s organizers, it is “America’s largest operating model railroad show” and markets itself towards both hobbyists and young families.
History
Trainfest started in 1971 as a one-day show in a Milwaukee Veterans of Foreign WarsVeterans of Foreign Wars
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a congressionally chartered war veterans organization in the United States. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, VFW currently has 1.5 million members belonging to 7,644 posts, and is the largest American organization of combat...
hall . Today, Trainfest is a two-day event sponsored by the Wisconsin Southeastern (WISE) division of the National Model Railroad Association
National Model Railroad Association
The National Model Railroad Association is a non-profit organization for those involved in the hobby or business of model railroading. It was founded in the United States in 1935, and is now active in Canada, Australia, Great Britain, and the Netherlands...
(NMRA) and takes over 200000 square feet (18,580.6 m²) of the Wisconsin Exposition Center
Wisconsin Exposition Center
The Wisconsin Exposition Center is an exhibit hall and exposition facility located on the grounds of the Wisconsin State Fair Park in the Milwaukee suburb of West Allis, Wisconsin and commonly referred to as the 'Expo Center.' It is owned and operated by the State of Wisconsin and staffed by...
during the second weekend of November. Despite a faltering economy, total attendance in 2008 rose to 21,621 from 20,979 in 2007.
Trainfest serves as both a showcase for trends in model railroading and a place where model railroaders can connect to share ideas about their hobby
Hobby
A hobby is a regular activity or interest that is undertaken for pleasure, typically done during one's leisure time.- Etymology :A hobby horse is a wooden or wickerwork toy made to be ridden just like a real horse...
. Trainfest features at least 50 operating layouts
Model railroad layout
In model railroading, a layout is a diorama containing scale track for operating trains. The size of a layout varies, from small shelf-top designs to ones that fill entire rooms, basements, or whole buildings....
from Z to G scale, some constructed by hobbyists and some constructed commercially. Over 60 manufacturers (including industry giants such as Walthers
Wm. K. Walthers
Wm. K. Walthers, Inc. is a manufacturer and distributor of model railroad supplies and tools.Wm. K. Walthers, Inc., was founded in Milwaukee in 1932 -- but really, it started years earlier, when seven-year-old Bill Walthers got his first taste of the hobby with a small, wind-up toy train for...
, Athearn
Athearn
Athearn is a United States manufacturer of model railroad equipment, produced and distributed by American hobby manufacturer Horizon Hobby, Inc. of Champaign, Illinois, USA.-History:...
, Bachmann Industries
Bachmann Industries
Bachmann Industries is a Bermuda registered Chinese owned company, globally head quartered in Hong Kong; specializing in model railroading....
, Lionel
Lionel Corp.
Lionel Corporation was an American toy manufacturer and retailer that did business from 1900 to 1993. Founded as an electrical novelties company, Lionel specialized in various products throughout its existence, but toy trains and model railroads were its main claim to fame...
, Atlas
Atlas Model Railroad
Atlas Model Railroad Company, Inc. makes scale models in N scale, HO scale, and O scale. The company is based in Hillside, New Jersey USA. They produce a wide variety of locomotives, rolling stock, and vehicles. Atlas is well known for their flex track and codes 55, 80, 83 and 100 track. Atlas also...
, Kalmbach, Marklin
Märklin
Gebr. Märklin & Cie. GmbH or Märklin is a German toy company. The company was founded in 1859 and is based at Göppingen in Baden-Wurttemberg. Although it originally specialised in doll house accessories, today it is best known for model railways and technical toys...
, and MTH Electric Trains
MTH Electric Trains
MTH Electric Trains, formerly Mike's Train House, is an American toy train and model railroad designer, importer, and manufacturer, based in Columbia, Maryland...
) and 50 hobby dealers from across the country showcase their newest products and sample layouts.
Currently
In 2008, 12 historical groups also exhibited at Trainfest. Some exhibitors featured layouts depicting scenes from historical Wisconsin, including mining and logging, farm, and river and lake scenes.In a 2008 West Allis Now feature story, executive director John Tews was quoted as saying, “Some people think Trainfest is just a collector’s event, but it’s an event for everyone.” One of Trainfest’ stated goals is “passing along the traditional hobby of model railroading to a new generation.” The festival offers free admission to kids under 14 (with a coupon available on its Web site). Some exhibits are aimed toward children, such as a layout built from LEGO
Lego
Lego is a line of construction toys manufactured by the Lego Group, a privately held company based in Billund, Denmark. The company's flagship product, Lego, consists of colorful interlocking plastic bricks and an accompanying array of gears, minifigures and various other parts...
blocks, a kid-sized circus train
Circus train
A circus train is a modern method of conveyance for circus troupes. One of the larger users of circus trains is the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus , a famous American circus formed when the Ringling Brothers Circus purchased the Barnum and Bailey Circus in 1907.In 1872 the P.T...
replica, and interactive racing features. Trainfest has also partnered with Radio Disney
Radio Disney
Radio Disney is a radio network based in Burbank, California and headquartered out of the Disney Channel headquarters on West Alameda Ave., from where it has been based since November 2008. Prior to that, the network was based in Dallas, Texas...
to offer a live show and craft booth for the children in attendance.
See also
- Rail transport modellingRail transport modellingRailway modelling or model railroading is a hobby in which rail transport systems are modelled at a reduced scale...
- Milwaukee: City of Festivals