Modular Layout

Circus City Train Show | April 18, 2026

From James:
Okay, guys, I have talked to the guy in charge of the train show in Peru, Indiana, on the 18th of April. He has a space for us to do a 20 x 40. We set up on Friday evening from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm and on Saturday from 7:00 am to 10:00 am. The show starts at 10:00 am and runs until 3:00 pm. I have filled out the paperwork and sent it in. I had talked to seven of you yesterday (2/8) who said you could do it. Anyone in this email that I have not talked to and can help, let me know. 
 
Venue location—PERU JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOL
                              TIGER ARENA GYMNASIUM
                              401 NORTH BROADWAY STREET
                              PERU, INDIANA 46970
 
 
   For any questions about ILSR’s participation, please email, call, or text James.

 

More from the show organizer can be found in this flyer: April, 18, 2026 Circus City Train Show Event Flyer

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

Indiana Large Scale Railroaders at the 2025 Danville Train Show – Danville, IN

📅 Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
📍 Location: Hendricks County Fairgrounds 4H Conference Center, 1900 E Long St, Danville, IN 46122
⏰ Time: 10 AM to 3 PM (Early access at 9 AM for NMRA members)
📄 Flyer: 2025 Danville Train Show Info (PDF)

Why This Show Rocks

  • Massive Exhibit Space: Over 26,000 to 29,000 square feet of displays featuring dioramas, demos, and portable layouts across every scale

  • All Scales Welcome: From large-scale garden rigs to O scale and S scale displays, there’s something for every railfan

  • Vendor Hub: Dozens of tables selling new and used model railroad gear with something for every hobbyist

  • Fun Extras: Modeling clinics, prize drawings, food concessions, and full accessibility for all attendees

Show Details & Logistics

  • Admission: $3 per person. Free for kids 16 and under with an adult

  • Parking: Free and plentiful at the Fairgrounds venue

  • Vendor Tables: Available for $16 each. Contact Dave at danvilletrainshow@gmail.com to reserve

  • Member Perk: NMRA members with ID get early 9 AM access

  • Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible halls with concessions available on site

Join Us for Trackside Fun!

Whether you’re bringing a module, shopping for new gear, or just curious about model railroading, come by and chat with the ILSR crew. It’s a great day to connect with the local railway community and enjoy a fun-filled Saturday of trains, conversation, and discovery.

👉 Spread the word: Invite your friends, neighbors, and fellow enthusiasts. We look forward to seeing you in November!

Indiana Large Scale Railroaders (ILSR)
Bringing model rail magic to the Midwest since 1989.

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

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.

August 2023 Events and Updates

August is here and below are some key updates:

First up is a reminder from James about the Franklin show:

Okay guys, one week from today is set up time. They have the set-up time starting at 3:00pm on Friday. We should meet at the Fairgrounds at 2:30pm so we can get pre-staged and ready. Plus, we might be able to sneak in a little early. From talking to Michael Roderick before, the building I believe we will be at is the Fitzpatrick hall. Easy to see and get to from the south entrance of the fairgrounds. We need to meet at the back of that building and I will have our final info at that time. All of you bringing trains to run, remember we are only setting up a 30 x 20 and no yard. So, it would be best to not run a 40 or 50 car freight train. This will be the smallest set up we have ever done for a show. As always, please let me know if and when you will be able to help with set up and tear down. You can email me and call or text.

Thanks, James H. Driesbach – mgc

We need candidates for officers for the fall election. Contact any current officer today!

Club Officers

Those looking to carpool to EnterTrainment Junction, are encouraged to meet at Castleton Christian Church.  Address is 7214 Hague Road Indianapolis at 9:00am. If not, plan to meet at EnterTrainment around 11:00am.

August Events List:

August 2023
No event found!

September Events List:

September 2023
No event found!

June 2023 Updates

What great end spring and a great start to summer! And with the start of June, brings a few events and other updates. First don’t forget June 10th is the annual Upland Strawberry Festival! Be sure to check out some new modules on the layout while getting your strawberry fix. June 24th, Lance & Vickie Brock are hosting our first open house of the season. This open house will include a pitch-in lunch! See the event page for details. 

Also of note, there have been a few items and collections posted on the for sale page. Long time member Pauline Sparger is selling her entire collection before moving to Florida. She needs all items picked up by July 15th, so contact her if you are interested.

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