About Us

In simplest terms, the Amherst Railway Society is a community of people who share a fascination with railroads, and has been for over 50 years. If we go all the way back to the mid-1950s, we find a small group of University of Massachusetts chemistry students and faculty members who realized that they shared a common interest in railroads. So they started meeting regularly to share railroad knowledge, photographs, and stories.   - Read More...

About The Show

Every year late in January or early in February, the Amherst Railway Society holds its Railroad Hobby Show at the Eastern States Exposition Fairgrounds (The home of The Big E) in West Springfield Massachusetts. More than 20,500 railfans and public attended the Show each of the past five years.  In 2018, the 50th Anniversary Show boasted 350,000 square feet of trains and train related exhibits...that's 9 acres of trains! - Read More...

Who's Who

The "Who's Who" of the Amherst Railway Society's Railroad Hobby Show Reads like a Directory of some of the best in the business. Anything and everything having to do with trains is located somewhere on our 8 plus acres of display area. Please check out the Floor Plan and the listing of Exhibitors from our most recent show to get an idea of the folks that exhibit each year. - Read More...

Clinics

The Amherst Railway Society "Clinics Department" continues to grow every year. For the 2022 Show, we are ready for you with a great line up!  Please check out the CLINICS pages to see what it available already! - Read More...

Our 2022 "Make Up Show" will be April 13, starting at 6:00 pm, giving all exhibitors a chance for more exposure to the Amherst "Family."                                                     Our 2023 Show will be January 28 & 29, 2023 at the "Home of THE BIG E" on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, MA.

• Over a third of million square feet of railroading!
• New Product Announcements from Manufacturers!
• VirtualRailFan live streaming from all of the buildings!
• Maggie The Clown!
• 60+ Operating Layouts, Flea Market Tables, Historical Societies.....everything Railroady!

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  "Finally, after two years. I am hearing that this is the first National Show since 2020! I have a feeling that the crowds will be crazy. I already have my room reservations. I had to call around as many of the hotels are filling already! I also have my tickets for both days - they were sent to me. I AM READY TO GO!"

  Scott Samuelson, November 15, 2021
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  "My friends and I were just talking about going back to the Railroad Hobby Show. We noticed that many of the exhibitors are from outside of the United States, including many from Canada, some from the UK and even as far away as Australia! This is truly becoming and international event. At last year's 2-day clinic program, I met folks from England as well as Denmark....this is incredible! I cannot say enough about how this show has grown. Keep up the good work. For those of you reading this, come and see for yourself."

  Brian Lyons, December 16, 2019
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  "Every year I look forward to the latest exhibitor list. There's always someone new on the list. This year's list does not disappoint with over 25 new exhibitors on the list. And, they are always exciting and innovative folks in the industry. Check it out for yourself. WOW, is all I can say. The best in the country, no kidding!"

  Jonathan S., December 8, 2019
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