31st Annual Helena Railroad Fair - Helena

Sunday, April 17, 2011

The Helena Railroad Fair is the largest railroad hobby event in Montana and the Northern Rockies. Railroad lobbyists from throughout the country will gather at the Helena Civic Center for the Annual Helena Railroad Fair. This years fair showcases vendors and exhibitors from the Intermountain and Pacific Northwest regions. The fair features thousands of railroad items to buy, sell or swap. Doors will be open to the public from 9:30am until 4:00pm. Admission is $3.00 for adults and children under 12 are admitted free. Concessions are available. Handicap access is also available.

The ballroom, balcony gallery and stage areas of the Civic Center will be filled with tables laden with railroad items. Many vendors will offer railroad memorabilia, collectibles, books and photos. Other dealers will highlight Lionel, American Flyer and Marx tin plate and toy trains. The balance will be HO and N scale model locomotives, cars, structures and accessories. Also an education project of the Morse Telegraph Club, Inc. will be on hand to allow transmittal of a souvenir telegram sent by veteran railroad and commercial telegraphers between two stations.

There will be drawings for 2 HO train sets. The winners need not be present to win.

The Helena Modular Railroad Club will also have their modular layout set up in the auditorium for viewers to enjoy. Each of the modules depicts different scenes along a railroad line. Scenes include small towns, industries and farms along with rural settings on the modules of the train layout. The model railroad will operate with steam locomotives and diesel engines pulling passenger and freight trains throughout the day.

For additional information contact the following: Dan Stinson (406-443-1578), Bruce Henderson (406-227-7469), John Yager (406-227-0158) or email: rrfair@mt.net.