Lad Nagurney posted:

As someone who drives that way daily (On I91 from Amherst to Hartford), my response would depend on whether you coming from the east or west.

From the East, take MassPike exit 6, get on I-291. Merge onto I 91 south until the Route 5 - South End Bridge exit for Agawam/West Springfield. Take Route 5 north 1 exit, go around the rotary 3/4 and follow Memorial Drive to the Big E. - Note this is different than in previous years, since in rebuilding the I-291/91 interchange you cannot exit on the Memorial Bridge from I-291.

From the West, get off MassPike Exit 4. Take I-91 south one exit to Route 5 Riverdale Road. Follow Route 5 south to the Memorial Drive Exit and follow Memorial Drive to the Big E.

Lad

Glad you commented on the way to go.  I avoid that area like the plague and have no clue what's open and whats not.

Lad Nagurney posted:

As someone who drives that way daily (On I91 from Amherst to Hartford), my response would depend on whether you coming from the east or west.

From the East, take MassPike exit 6, get on I-291. Merge onto I 91 south until the Route 5 - South End Bridge exit for Agawam/West Springfield. Take Route 5 north 1 exit, go around the rotary 3/4 and follow Memorial Drive to the Big E. - Note this is different than in previous years, since in rebuilding the I-291/91 interchange you cannot exit on the Memorial Bridge from I-291.

From the West, get off MassPike Exit 4. Take I-91 south one exit to Route 5 Riverdale Road. Follow Route 5 south to the Memorial Drive Exit and follow Memorial Drive to the Big E.

Lad

From the East, I was planning on getting off at MassPike Exit 6 and taking I-291 to the Dwight Street exit (before the I-91 exit) and then a right onto Harrison/Boland streets and straight across the Memorial Bridge to the rotary.

Are you saying that route is blocked/inaccessible now ?

Thanks.

Bobby Ogage posted:

The Big E is a great show, and I will be there.

Hi Bob,

What time do you want to meet and where???????

In case your phone doesn't work I'll meet you at the show office in the Better Living Building at 11am..If it does work I'll meet you when you get there.....OK????

Gene

Richie C. posted:

Lad Nagurney posted:

As someone who drives that way daily (On I91 from Amherst to Hartford), my response would depend on whether you coming from the east or west.

From the East, take MassPike exit 6, get on I-291. Merge onto I 91 south until the Route 5 - South End Bridge exit for Agawam/West Springfield. Take Route 5 north 1 exit, go around the rotary 3/4 and follow Memorial Drive to the Big E. - Note this is different than in previous years, since in rebuilding the I-291/91 interchange you cannot exit on the Memorial Bridge from I-291.

From the West, get off MassPike Exit 4. Take I-91 south one exit to Route 5 Riverdale Road. Follow Route 5 south to the Memorial Drive Exit and follow Memorial Drive to the Big E.

Lad

From the East, I was planning on getting off at MassPike Exit 6 and taking I-291 to the Dwight Street exit (before the I-91 exit) and then a right onto Harrison/Boland streets and straight across the Memorial Bridge to the rotary.

Are you saying that route is blocked/inaccessible now ?

Thanks.

Richie,

Your route is ok. For those who remember, as I-291 merges with I-91 south from the left, one could quickly (1/8 mile) go across 4 lanes of traffic to the right  and get off on the East Side of the Memorial Bridge. There were several accidents a week. When the viaduct work was done on I-91 over the past year, the barrier was extended so no longer can you go across the lanes and immediately exit.

Lad

Lad Nagurney posted:

Richie C. posted:

Lad Nagurney posted:

As someone who drives that way daily (On I91 from Amherst to Hartford), my response would depend on whether you coming from the east or west.

From the East, take MassPike exit 6, get on I-291. Merge onto I 91 south until the Route 5 - South End Bridge exit for Agawam/West Springfield. Take Route 5 north 1 exit, go around the rotary 3/4 and follow Memorial Drive to the Big E. - Note this is different than in previous years, since in rebuilding the I-291/91 interchange you cannot exit on the Memorial Bridge from I-291.

From the West, get off MassPike Exit 4. Take I-91 south one exit to Route 5 Riverdale Road. Follow Route 5 south to the Memorial Drive Exit and follow Memorial Drive to the Big E.

Lad

From the East, I was planning on getting off at MassPike Exit 6 and taking I-291 to the Dwight Street exit (before the I-91 exit) and then a right onto Harrison/Boland streets and straight across the Memorial Bridge to the rotary.

Are you saying that route is blocked/inaccessible now ?

Thanks.

Richie,

Your route is ok. For those who remember, as I-291 merges with I-91 south from the left, one could quickly (1/8 mile) go across 4 lanes of traffic to the right  and get off on the East Side of the Memorial Bridge. There were several accidents a week. When the viaduct work was done on I-91 over the past year, the barrier was extended so no longer can you go across the lanes and immediately exit.

Lad

Thanks, Lad - looking forward to the show and hope there's no snow.

Part of me is looking forward to it and the other part is not looking forward to the mad house its been the past few years.  Like the last weekend before Christmas  at the mall!        

Update about the show.   JTs Mega steam smoke will not be able to attend  but mr. Muffins trains will have the full selection at his booth.

superwarp1 posted:

Update about the show.   Mega steam smoke will not be able to attend  but mr. Muffins trains will have the full selection at his booth.

I wonder if he has the gallon size

Railrunnin posted:

Hi Gary, if OGR does not attend we can always take over Steves booth at RCS

Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Paul

I would like to meet some of you guys.  What is meant by Steve's.....  ?  Or has anyone discovered if OGR will be there ?

I believe they mean Steve the owner of Ross Custom Switches.

mlaughlinnyc posted:

Railrunnin posted:

Hi Gary, if OGR does not attend we can always take over Steves booth at RCS

Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Paul

I would like to meet some of you guys.  What is meant by Steve's.....  ?  Or has anyone discovered if OGR will be there ?

 

After you stop by Ross Custom Switches come on over to see the Mohegan Pequot Model Railroad Club’s LCCA/ Lionel FasTrack Modular Railroad. 

Oh yeah!  Bring OGR with you if you can. It has been too long since I have been able to say HI to Ed. 

~Kevin

From today's Springfield (MA) newspaper 

10 things to see, know about at Amherst Railway Society's Railroad Hobby Show

http://www.masslive.com/entert...ook_for_amherst.html

Hope to see many over the weekend, Lad

In the Better living center there was vendor who sells Hopper and gondola loads.   They have a wood base and are darn good.   For the likes of me I can't remember their name.   Anyone have a clue?

on another note.  Weather looks great.   Mid 40's both days, sunny Saturday and a chance of light rain late Sunday.

I go every year.  Usually both days. This year I think I'm only doing Saturday. Doing both days, by the time Sunday afternoon rolls around I need a day off! One good thing is I  live about 15 minutes away.

I'm thinking about the possibility of buying a B&M locomnotive at the show.

Does anyone know if they have a test track available and where it might be located ?

Gary - check the list of exhibitors on the website - it's probably there.

I've never seen a genrally available test track there, but there are many modular railroad groups operating.  Look for one near where you find the engine you want to buy and ask them and the seller if you can take the loco to thier layout.  Most modular layouts just run trains around a loop at shows and have plenty of sidings where thye could easily test something.   Try the NMRA Hub division and the Ameherst society - both generally friendly groups.  Hub wanrts to attract members.

superwarp1 posted:

In the Better living center there was vendor who sells Hopper and gondola loads.   They have a wood base and are darn good.   For the likes of me I can't remember their name.   Anyone have a clue?

Gary, I don't have a specific answer, but the Big E website lists the vendors - maybe that will spark the name for you.

Paul

Railrunnin posted:

superwarp1 posted:

In the Better living center there was vendor who sells Hopper and gondola loads.   They have a wood base and are darn good.   For the likes of me I can't remember their name.   Anyone have a clue?

Gary, I don't have a specific answer, but the Big E website lists the vendors - maybe that will spark the name for you.

Paul

I’ve been looking at the list and nothing comes to mind. I’ll find them if they are there this year.

BTW, speaking of Amherst, can anyone recommend a good hotel in that area? We stayed at the Marriott Residence inn. Unfortunately, our first time there three years ago, we got this wonderful suite. However these last two years, and we booked this same room back in September, last minute like just days before check in, we have been denied obtaining the same room. My wife and I are convinced that unless the weather turns bad and no one shows up will be the only time  we will be able to obtain the same room. So we are looking for another hotel who will be more honest with their customers.