Open House

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.

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

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.

Rick Fair’s “Polar Express” Open House 2021

Attention all “Polar Express” Train Lovers

Rick and Marty Fair will be hosting their annual “Polar Express” open house on Sunday, Dec. 12 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. on their back yard Garden Railroad. Parents, Grandparents, Children and Grandchildren are all invited to visit this fascinating Garden Railroad and watch all the lighted train action. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served to all visitors as well. The Fair’s address is 8032 Jeff Road; Indianapolis.

* In case weather looks threatening, call Rick at (317) 850-0620 to make sure trains trains will be operating.

M e r r y   C h r i s t m a s   T o   A l l !

Upcoming ILSR Open House and Modular Layout Event

Open House – Event Info
As a reminder, Randy and Jacquie Banks will be hosting an open house this weekend Saturday September 11, from 1 – 4 PM.  They are located at 7621 Fall Creek Parkway, Indpls.  Randy wants us to either park in his driveway, his neighbors’ driveway to the south or the Pines neighborhood across the street,  please do not park on Fall Creek Parkway.  It looks like the weather will be great for this event so I hope to see many of you Saturday.

Modular Event – Event Info
The club will be setting up our modular layout at Boone County Fairgrounds on Friday and Saturday September 17 and 18.  This is an annual event in Lebanon, called Back to the Fifties and attracts many people from the area.   There is a lot to do for the entire family including,  a Car Show, food vendors , Children’s fun park, Merchants building, and bands all day Saturday, see the attached flyer for details.  In addition to the items listed there is an AKC dog show and an antique bottle show on the fairgrounds on Saturday.  All events are free of charge so it’s a great time to see the modular layout and enjoy a day of fun.

Save the Date October 9 Open House  – Event Info
In the month of October Dave Beck is hosting an open house on October 9 from 2 – 4 pm.  Watch for more information in the upcoming newsletter.

Hope to see many of you at our upcoming events.
Dave Wheelock
VP of Events

Time to kick off 2021!

2021 is here and it’s time to get the trains out. The spring newsletter has been added to the website and more importantly, the events calendar is posted. The first two major events are in June are bound to be fun. Starting with Strawberries at the Upland Strawberry Festival where the modular layout is set to be set up. Then Randy and Jacquie Banks are hoasting an open house to show off their beautiful garden and layout. You won’t want to miss it!

Speaking of the modular layout, James has scheduled a meeting to prepare in May. All club members are welcome to attend.

The rest of the schedule still has details being ironed out, so be sure to watch the Events page for updates.

Three open houses to attend in the greater Indianapolis area

This Saturday kick-starts the first of three open houses hosted by some of our members. While we will still need to be socially distanced and masked up, we hope you come out and enjoy a great time. Be sure to take lots of pictures, as one of these railroads will be having its last showing. Details below:

July 2020
August 2020
September 2020
No event found!