ILSR at Great Train Show – Indianapolis 2026

ILSR at the Great Train Show

ILSR will have its modular G-scale layout set up at the Great Train Show this coming weekend. Members are encouraged to attend and help support the club. Please let James know if you plan to be there.

Great Train Show – Indianapolis
📍 Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Centers
1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis, IN 46205

🗓 February 7–8
⏰ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (both days)

Show Highlights Include:

  • 400+ tables of trains and accessories for sale

  • Dealers from across the country

  • Huge operating model railroad displays

  • Free workshops and demonstrations

  • Free test track

  • Riding train for kids

  • And much more!

Operating layouts include:

  • Indiana Large Scale Railroaders – 40’ x 55’ (G Scale)

  • Plus O, HO, N, and G scale layouts from clubs across the region

🎉 Special for Kids:
The first 300 kids on Saturday receive a FREE Thomas the Tank Engine button!

Admission:

  • Adults: $14 Saturday / $13 Sunday (cash only at the door)

  • Discount tickets available online (save $2)

  • Kids 11 and under are FREE with an adult

Club Meeting at Castleton Christian Church

🚂 October 11 – ILSR Club Meeting at Castleton Christian Church
Join us for our next Indy Large Scale Railroading (ILSR) club meeting on Saturday, October 11, hosted at Castleton Christian Church.

We’re still working out the final details, including meeting time and agenda, but you can expect a great afternoon of fellowship, updates, and model railroading fun. All the specifics will be shared in the Fall Newsletter, so be sure to keep an eye out.

Whether you’re a regular attendee or new to the group, we’d love to have you with us!

Train Open House at the home of James & Donna Driesbach

Train Open House at the home of James & Donna Driesbach
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Time:
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
It is always a treat for us to have a chance to visit a new G-Scale train layout we have never seen before. Well – today is the day! James has enjoyed untold hours constructing his approximately 17’ X 18’ train layout that features two complete loops with a small train yard plus “one track siding”. All this in his 2-car garage!

Some of the scenery includes the Tee Pee Reataurant and a Fire Station shown on the TV show “Emergency”. There is also a mountain with waterfall.

James says there should be plenty of parking space along the street in front of his home – or around the pond that is only 2 houses to the west of his. There is an additional pond area 5 houses to the east that can also be used for parking.

 

With two July events scheduled, there are no August events scheduled at this time.

World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour & Great Train Show – Indianapolis, IN – 2024

From James H. Driesbach–MGC:

2/2/24 Update:

Okay guys, we are one week away from show time. I believe most of you know this but will add it in anyway. Geoff Schwartz will be able to bring the other trailer in on Friday and out on Sunday. He sent me an email and I forwarded it to some of you and Bill sent it out also after I sent it to him. As stated, before we will be able to start at 11:00 am. I will be there just a bit early to figure out where we are exactly. If we all follow this suggestion, it should not be a problem getting set up. Once we measure out where we will be, we need to get the tables I have requested in the middle. Once we get trailers unloaded and containers on the tables, we can start putting modules together. We should have enough help so that guys with personal train stuff to unload can go out one at a time and bring their vehicles in and as they unload their stuff put it under the tables. That way their stuff is not in the way of putting the layout together. We have from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm on Friday and 8:00 am to 10:00 am on Saturday to work on this, so we do not need to be in a big hurry. If the 10-day forecast holds up, we should have decent weather next weekend. If there are any changes, I will inform you as soon as I know. For all of you on this email list that can make it, I will see you next Friday.

1/4/24 Update:

Okay guys, we are 38 days away from set up day of Friday, February 9th. This is the Great train show, which is actually going to be the World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour show this year. I hope many of you can make it and have this already on your calendars. Our last show at Lebanon was a huge struggle because we had very few of you able to make it. Dave Wheelock managed to get a couple guys from his camping group to help with manpower. It is very important for me to know if you can make it and when, so I can plan accordingly. This is the typical February show, Friday set up, and Saturday and Sunday show days from 10am to 4pm. February 10th, 11th and 12th. I do not have final details as of today. I will send out my final email about 10 days prior to the show with the final details. I have sent an email to Geoff Schwartz to see if he can help with getting the second trailer to and from the show. I will let you know what our status is once I hear from Geoff.

FROM THE SHOW ORGANIZERS:


February 10 & 11, 2024
Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday 10:00am-4:00pm

Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center

1202 E 38th St,
Indianapolis, IN 46205
Exhibition Building

Adults: $15 (Saturday or Sunday)
Weekend Pass: $20.00
Kids Under 16: FREE


Save Time!    Don’t wait in line!
Purchase tickets in advance

BEST TRAIN SHOW in the Country for Model Railroaders & Collectors!

  • The Best Prices on Trains – 80,000 sqft. of Trains – New & Collectable Trains
  • Huge Operating Model Train Displays in a variety of Sizes & Scales
  • Meet with representatives from major manufactures & learn about new products coming down the line
  • Many Manufacturers  Will be at the Show
  • Play area for kids with hands on trains to play with, train videos to watch and a FREE Thomas Riding Train for Kids! 


Show Features

‍Over 300 Tables & Booths of Manufacturers and Retailers from across the country
60+ Exhibitors from Across the Country
Huge Operating Model Train Displays
Free Workshops and Demonstrations
Free Test Track – Test Run Your Trains at the Show
Free Door Prize Giveaways
Plus Much, Much More!

Operating Model Railroads Include:
Miami Valley Modular Railway – 60’ x 80’ – HO Scale
Central Indiana N-Trak – 50’ x 70’ – N Scale
Indiana Large Scale Railroaders – 43’ x 50’ – G Scale
Modular Railroad Partners – 40’ x 40 – O Gauge
MiddleFork & CedarRidge Rwy – 25’ x 30’ – N Scale
CINTRAK – 13’ x 30’ – N Scale
Schuco Disneyland Monorails – 8’ x 11’ – HO Scale Monorail
FREE Thomas Riding Train for Kids!!