May Newsletter

4014 Update

The schedule for the Eastern segment of Union Pacific’s 4014 coast-to-coast tour is available HERE.

Special Note: 4014 will be on display at Steamtown in Scranton, Pennsylvania on June 15 & 16 next to sister locomotive 4012. With large crowds expected, ticketing will be timed. Tickets can be purchased HERE.

Also, 4014 will remain at Steamtown from June 17 to June 30 for servicing. However, viewing the locomotive during this servicing time will be from a distance.

In This Issue

4014 Update

May Calendar

Annual Business Meeting - June 10, 2026

May Presentation - Southern California Railroading

Member Discounts - Apollo, Steaming Tender

Commemorative Coal Car

Laconia Limited - May 16

Northeast Railroad Prototype Modelers - May 29 & 30

Northeast Outdoor Railway Festival - June 19, 20 & 21

Railroad Hobby Show - January 30 & 31, 2027

Upcoming Shows & Events

This Month

May 2 - Work Day & Kids ON TRACK

May 9 - Work Day & Kids ON TRACK

May 13 - May Meeting - Southern California Railroading – 2003-2012

May 16 - Work Day & Kids ON TRACK

May 20 - Board of Directors

May 23 - Work Day & Kids ON TRACK

May 30 - Work Day & Kids ON TRACK

Full Calendar

Annual Business Meeting - June 10, 2026

The annual meeting of the Amherst Railway Society will be held on June 10, 2026 at 7:00 pm at the:

Amherst Building

1130 South Main Street

Palmer, Massachusetts 01069

This is the annual business meeting for the organization which includes nominations for openings on the Board of Directors, as well as any other business that needs to come before the membership.

There are two board openings this year. Board nominations must be submitted to the Governance Committee no later than May 15, 2026 and must include a letter of intent and a professional resume. Nominations should be submitted to the Amherst Secretary at: secretary@amherstrail.org.

Nominees must be members of the Amherst Railway Society in good standing.

The final slate of board candidates will be posted on the Amherst website and emailed to members no later than May 20, 2026. A digital vote will be conducted with results published by June 30, 2026.

Additional nominations can be made from the floor during the annual meeting.

The meeting is open to the public. However, only active members of the Amherst Railway Society are eligible to vote.

May Presentation - May 13, 7:00 pm

Southern California railroading - 2003-2012

Palmer, Massachusetts native, Paul LaBelle, has been taking railroad photos since the early 1980s. On Wednesday, May 13, Paul will share BNSF and Union Pacific rail photos from a variety of locations in southern California, including Cajon and Tehachapi.

The program begins at 7:00 pm and is open to the public.

Details

Member Discounts

Amherst members are eligible for 10% discounts at two Palmer area restaurants - Apollos and the Steaming Tender.

To qualify, your membership must be current, and you must show your Amherst Railway Society membership card.

Commemorative G-scale Coal Car

Here’s a unique opportunity to own a special commemorative car. Amherst has commissioned just 100 commemorative G-scale coal cars to celebrate two important events - the ongoing development of the Amherst Garden Railroad and the upcoming Northeast Outdoor Railway Festival in June.

The cars are beautifully done by Bachmann and can be ordered with either Springfield Terminal or Amherst Belt Lines reporting marks.

The cars are available now and can be purchased HERE.

Laconia Limited - May 16, 2026

On Saturday, May 16, 2026, Massachusetts Bay Rail Enthusiasts are sponsoring an excursion trip between Laconia and Plymouth, New Hampshire on the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad.

Amherst members receive a discounted ticket price to ride this train.

Details and ticket information HERE

Northeast Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet - May 29 & 30

On May 29 & 30, 2026, the Amherst Railway Society presents the Northeast Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet in Springfield, Massachusetts. The event is a chance for detail-oriented modelers to show their work, meet other like-minded modelers, and learn from clinics and demonstrations.

The meet includes:

• Model Room - a showcase of railroad models
• Clinics - opportunities to learn new modeling techniques
• Exhibits - see a variety of the latest modeling materials
• Raffle - a chance to win model railroad gear
• White Elephant Table - bargains galore

Full details of the event HERE

Northeast Outdoor Railway Festival

June 19, 20, & 21

Northeast Outdoor Railway Festival

Palmer, Massachusetts

Railroad Hobby Show - January 30 & 31, 2027

Upcoming Shows & Events

May 13-17, 2026

Great Lakes Large Scale Train Expo

Girard, Ohio

greatlakestrainexpo.com

More Shows and Events

May 17, 2026

TCA Train Show

Coventry, RI

snetca.org/

Bachman Trains is an Allied Member of the Amherst Railway Society

Rapido is an Allied Member of the Amherst Railway Society

Scale Trains is an Allied Member of the Amherst Railway Society

Spring Creek Model Trains is an Allied Member of the Amherst Railway Society

Trainworld is an Allied Member of the Amherst Railway Society

Trainz.com is an Allied Member of the Amherst Railway Society

Virtual Railfan is an Allied Member of the Amherst Railway Society

The Eight & Sand newsletter is a regular publication of the Amherst Railway Society. To submit information for publication, contact Gregory Maas at: webmaster@amherstrail.org.

Amherst Railway Society

1130 South Main Street

Palmer, Massachusetts 01069

The Amherst Railway Society is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation