Events

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

ILSR Updates: Dues, Officers, Newsletter, and Great Train Show This Weekend

We have several important updates to share as we head into the new year. Please take a moment to review the items below and mark your calendars where needed.

📬 Membership Dues Reminder

Membership dues are due to be mailed today.
If you have not yet sent your dues, please be sure to mail them promptly or let Doug Lynn know if your payment is already in the mail. Keeping dues current helps the club continue to operate smoothly and support events throughout the year.

👋 Welcome Our 2026–2027 Club Officers

A new officer term begins this year, and we are thankful for those who have stepped up to serve. Please join us in welcoming the 2026–2027 ILSR Club Officers:

President
James Driesbach

Vice President (Programs)
Lance Brock

Newsletter Editor
Danni Mills

Treasurer / Secretary
Doug Lynn

Membership Chair
Jeff Carter

Thank you to each of you for your willingness to serve the club.

📰 Winter 2026 Newsletter Now Available

The Winter 2026 ILSR Newsletter has been posted and is ready to read. Be sure to check it out for club news, updates, and features.
Also, don’t forget that GRNews has several editions available as well—great reading for any large-scale railroading enthusiast.

🚂 ILSR at the Great Train Show – This Weekend!

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 to help with the layout.

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!

All Aboard for Summer Fun: Mark Your Calendars, Engineers!

With the spring behind us and our garden rails itching to breathe again, it’s time to shake off the winter rust and fire up the locomotives — because ILSR is rolling into a busy summer schedule!

If you read the latest newsletter (and if you didn’t, we won’t derail your membership… yet), you already know we’ve got a full load of exciting events just around the bend. So don’t miss your chance to join your fellow railroaders for some trackside fellowship, fun, and maybe a few friendly “That’s not prototypical!” debates.

🚂 June 14 & 15 – Triple Open House at the Reiskamps’

  • 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM – Both Saturday and Sunday

  • Home of Ed & Vickie Reiskamp

  • This layout has so much going on, we’re calling it a Triple Open House — more railroading than you can shake a switchstand at!

  • Come for the trains, stay for the scenery, and bring your favorite railfan stories.

🚋 July 12 – Whitewater Valley Railroad Trip

  • All aboard in Connersville, IN, headed to Metamora and back.

  • A perfect mid-summer rail adventure with real steel rails under your feet, and a great way to support a piece of Indiana’s rail history.

  • Pack your camera, sunscreen, and your best conductor impression.

🏡 July 26 – Open House

  • Details coming soon, but expect another fantastic backyard railway experience with all the usual ILSR charm: well-laid track, great conversation, and probably someone forgetting where they parked a boxcar.

Let’s make this summer one to remember. Whether you’re new to the hobby or you’ve got ballast in your boots from 30 years of track-laying, these events are for YOU. So bring your family, invite a friend, and don’t forget to bring your club name badge (and maybe a lawn chair — or two).

Keep those wheels turning and your calendars marked!

– The ILSR Crew