Great Train Show

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

Great Train Show – Indianapolis 2025

Updates from James:

1/31/25: Okay guys, we are just 1 week away from set up. I got my first floor plan print out about 2 weeks ago and it stated set up time for layouts being at 2:00pm. I always double check for updates just before I send this email out. Set up time for layouts has changed to 1:00pm.  So, it will be 1:00pm to 6:00pm on Friday and 8:00am to 10:00am on Saturday for any finishing we need to do.  Please let me know if and when you can make it for set up and or tear down, except for those of you I already know unless your status has changed. Just a heads up for those of you that will be unloading trailer #2, we are only going to use 1 of Andy’s modules, I needed the extra 5 feet to fill in a gap. I have plans on decorating it so it will be okay. I also have 70 freshly printed club brochures with the correct info and some extra newsletters I will have with me.  It looks like the weather is going to be a little better than what we were dealing with a couple of weeks ago. 
 
                       Thanks, James H. Driesbach–MGC

From the Show Organizers:

Show Features‍
‍The Expo Center is packed full of Tables of Trains for Sale
250+ Tables of Trains
Dealers from across the country with merchandise for sale, including: Engines, Rolling Stock, DVD’s,
Hats, Scenery, Material, Track, T-Shirts, Books, Magazines, Tools, Lionel, DCC, Thomas, New, Used, Collectible,
Jackets, Toys, Maps, Memorabilia, Everything Trains!
Huge Operating Model Train Displays
Free Workshops and Demonstrations
Free Test Track – Test Run Your Trains at the Show
Riding Train for Kids!
Plus Much, Much More!

Operating Model Railroads Include:
‍Miami Valley Modular Railway – ’60 x 80’ – HO Scale
Central Indiana N-Trak – 70’ x 70’ – N Scale
Modular Railroad Partners – 40’ x 60’ – O Guage
Indiana Large Scale Railroaders – 43’ x 50’ – G Scale
MiddleFork & CedarRidge Rwy – 25’ x 30’ – N Scale
Lantern Hill Lines – 14’ x 34’ – O Scale
Rose-Hulman Model Railroading Club – 6’ x 12’ – HO & N Scale
Waterman Valley Railroad – 10’ x 36’ – G Scale & LEGO LAYOUT

‍‍
‍Riding Train for kids!!‍
‍


‍Onsite Admission: $13.00 for Adults on Saturday, $12.00 for Adults on Sunday
Cash only at the door. Saturday tickets good for both days!

Discount Tickets Online! – Use the link above and SAVE!
Online price $12.00 for adults on Saturday. $11.00 for adults on Sunday.

KIDS ARE FREE (11 and under) with adult
and do not require a ticket.

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!!

Great Train Show 2023 Recap and Upcoming Shows

Our next show is in Upland June 10th, set up on Friday the 9th. Then we will be in Franklin Indiana for the NMRA show August 5th and 6th, set up on Friday the 4th. After that we will be in Lebanon for the Back to the fifty’s festival September 16th, set up on Thursday and or Friday 14th and 15th.  

Thanks, James H. Driesbach MGC 

Great Train Show – Indiana Fairgrounds

Greetings to all Indiana Larger Scale Railroaders.  The winter months make difficult to do a lot with Garden Railroads in Indiana.  So if your needing some model railroading time you may want to check this out. The Great Train Show is at the Indiana State Fairgrounds,  Saturday February 12, 10AM – 4PM and Sunday February 13, 10AM – 4PM.  Our Modular Railroad group will also have the ILSR modular layout set-up.  So if you have some free time you may want to make a trip out to the State Fairgrounds.  If you are interested in helping set-up the modular layout contact James Driesbach, the set-up will begin on Friday if you are interested.

I look forward seeing you this Spring as we start events for the season with our Spring Banquet – information will be available in our April Newsletter.

Dave Wheelock
President

Great Train Show – Indianapolis 2023

The only coast-to-coast traveling train show, with events each year in dozens of major cities across the country. Each show features hundreds of tables of trains for sale, huge operating displays, activities for kids and more.

2/2/22 – Okay guys, we are just 9 days away till set up for the train show. According to my paperwork, set up times for the layouts is 1:00pm to 6:00pm on Friday and 7:00am to 10:00am on Saturday. We need to try to be there by 12:30pm on Friday to get ourselves measured and ready. Also remember, after I get as many parking passes as possible from the manager on duty, I will take a head count and the club will buy what we need so everyone there on Friday that will be coming back Saturday and or Sunday, especially Sunday will have a parking pass. Tear down is at 4:00pm on Sunday at the close of the show. Please let me know when and what days you can make to the show. Once again, I want to thank all of you for helping to keep this modular layout going. I want to give a special thanks to Geoff Schwartz for being able and willing to help me get the trailers to the fairgrounds. I am bringing trailer #1 from Avon and Geoff is bringing trailer #2 from Marshalls there in McCordsville so we will have the full layout. Thanks, James H. Driesbach–MGC

1/15/23 – Okay guys, we are 26 days away from our next show. This is just a show reminder to help keep us all focused. I will have our set up info in about a week. Show is February 10th, 11th and 12th with the 10th being set up day. I will send out my usual before the show email at the end of January with details. I appreciate all of your hard work and dedication to keep this layout going. Thanks, James H. Driesbach–MGC

2020 Great Train Show

A small on looker enjoys the passing trains.

Another great year was had by all at the Great Train Show in Indianapolis, IN this past weekend. Posted are a few photos from the display. Club members from all around ran a dozen or so trains each day. Our fearless leader, James, was interviewed for some show promotion on WISHTV. Attached are some photos from Bud Hunter, Spencer Spurlock, and myself. If you have photos to share, contact me.