Harry Huckemeyer
As we rapidly approach the ending of quite a challenging year with a variety of unexpected happenings, the Short Line Model Railroad Club has taken a most positive approach and is closing out the year on a busy, happy, positive note. As we enter the final chapter of 2024, locally, with the weather being to our advantage, there are so many opportunities for all to take advantage of. I suggest you check your local publications, which contain a wealth of information, and, of course, the news media, which often highlights special events going on in the area and around town.
As a club that is involved with model railroading, we often are contacted about the good old days when there were many open houses where model railroaders showcased their displays. Now they are hard to find, so it was suggested that I offer a few possibilities for those railroad buffs who help keep hobbies similar to this alive and well. For starters, although the details have not been made available yet, once again, ABTO (Arizona Big Train Operators) will be opening up several of their large train displays to the public on Dec. 14, 15, 21, and 22. Probable hours will be from 4 to 8 p.m. They have a website at www.azbigtrains.org which, when available, should contain times and locations of all the layouts available to the public to enjoy.
A place that may be of interest to the young at heart is McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park located in Scottsdale. Every year at this time, it becomes a winter wonderland with not only trains, but a popular museum is on site with a lot to see, and their specialty during the prime time of the year is their Holiday Lights display. For additional details, they also have a website, and admission and reservations are required for a fee for those special event features. Last but not least, the Arizona Railroad Museum is open on weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There you can spend some time walking through a limited amount of vintage railroad cars in a facility that houses many and relive once again the good old days of the past when this was a major source of moving around our country.
Wishing you all a happy holiday season, and, hopefully, I will get to see many of you as we walk our way to the end of the year. Lastly, I’d be remiss not to mention that our club once again this year is planning on having a multi-day stay with a small layout in the Oakwood lobby, close to the beautiful Christmas tree. Plans are to have that layout operational between the lunch and dinner hours only, when traffic will be at a high. Stop by and say hello if you’re passing by.
Enjoy this festive time of the year and stay healthy. If you have any questions, please feel free to get back to me by text or phone at 480-600-1349. Please always remember to leave a name and phone number so I can get back to you.