Traditionally, November has been considered Model Railroad Month through out the US and Canada for the past 60 plus years; New Hampshire is the first state to officially recognize this tradition. In continuation of NH being the first state to officially recognize that Model Railroading is Fun, Governor Lynch issued a proclamation declaring November as Model Railroad Month in NH. The Governor’s action thus encourages all to “celebrate the joy and skill of the great hobby of model railroading.”
In acknowledgment of the Governor’s proclamation the Bedford Boomers will hold their 23rd Annual Model Railroad Exhibition on Sunday, November 6th from 10 am to 4 p.m. at the McKelvie Middle School in Bedford. Nationally applauded, the Bedford Boomers’ model railroad exhibitions are the largest non-commercial model railroad show in the Northeast. The goal of this year’s show is to provide information and introduce the hobby to beginners, and to demonstrate that “MODEL RAILROADING IS FUN!”
The Boomers along with their model railroad friends from all six New England States plus New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, & Michigan, will feature more than 45,000 square feet of operating displays. The 2005 edition of the exhibition will feature 14 different scales or sizes of model trains in over 30 operating displays that will range in size from the smallest “N” scale trains to HO, HOn3, HOn2, S, O scale, On3, G, Lionel O and O27, Marx 027. HO and O Street cars/trolleys, European trains, and weather permitting 1.5 inch scale trains in the parking lot.
In addition to the operating displays the Bedford Boomers will also present a series of informational clinics to discuss the basic of the hobby. Advanced clinics will discuss the concepts of DCC (Digital Command and Control).
What is a “BOOMER?” The Bedford Boomers take their name from a century old railroad term. In the late 1800s “A Boomer" was an itinerate railroader worker who traveled from railroad to railroad seeking employment or sometimes just a change in scenery. Since many of our present day Boomers do not own a home railroad or system, but help other modelers or groups to build and operate layouts, we adopted the name. The Bedford Boomers have been nationally recognized not only for their noncommercial shows but, also for their community service and activities. During the past 22 years they have displayed their modular system in all 6 New England states, at 3 National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) train conventions, Boston, Pittsburgh, and Valley Forge. In addition the Boomers have built and maintained operating displays for the Manchester Veterans Hospital and the Bedford Public Library. In preparation for a Christmas train display they are currently working on a 20’x 40’ Lionel system at the Goffstown Historical Society (GHS). The GHS Lionel System will be part of an “Old Fashion Christmas Train Display and Open House,” Saturday, December 3rd.
This is a true exhibition. There is NO ADMISSIONS CHARGE. The Boomers accept donations to defray costs associated with putting on their annual exhibitions. The Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Manchester Chapter, will provide refreshments. Proceeds from the sale of refreshments go towards supporting the charity of their choice.
Please visit the Bedford Boomers web site at www.boomers-rr.com for more information about the Bedford Boomers and their Model Railroading activities. As you read about the Boomers, visit their web page and attend the 2005 exhibition remember that for 23 years our motto has been "No Officers, No dues, and No politics." The web site provides additional information about this year's show participants and activities.