CID Activities & Events
The Central Indiana Division (CID) of the Midwest Region is a busy group. We have five "Train Shows" each year open to all Central Indiana model railroaders (Noblesville, Avon, Johnson County, Carmel, Danville). And don't forget we also hosted the national NMRA convention in 2016. Our train shows in Noblesville, Franklin (Johnson County Fairgrounds), and Danville have operating layouts, clinics and dealers selling trains and more. Our train shows in Avon and Carmel include operating portable layouts to educate the general public about the excitement we hold for our model trains. You can see pictures of the train shows below.
We often host layout tours, with times throughout the year. The April 2018 tour was in the Indianapolis / Carmel / Fishers area . . . the Spring 2019 event was held on April 6, 2019 in the Avon area. Watch the calendar on the front page for future tours, and a link to details.
Finally, we have several Modelers Meets each year and plan to host more in the near future when we are all able to begin getting together in public places again. Please keep checking here for future events, times, and dates.
November 20, 2021
Danville Train Show
This has become a very popular and busy Train Show with a great facility, loads of dealers, layout displays, clinics and more. We are adding even more space in the building for the train show. This will allow for more dealers and more operating train displays. Come see how we are growing this show. The schedule is 10 AM to 3 PM (like all our shows).
This event is held in the Hendricks County Fairgrounds facility located on old Highway #36 at 200 E.
Click here for Danville Train Show Flyer
Click here for Danville Vendor Information
January 30, 2022
Noblesville Train Show
Noblesville is a very popular Train Show right in the heart of the winter model railroad season. We will have lots of dealers, portable layout displays, clinics and more. We will continue to offer Dining Car Services at this show. We have door prizes through the day. The schedule is 10 AM to 3 PM and the show is located at 2003 Pleasant Street in Noblesville.
August 27-28, 2022
Franklin Train Show
Johnson County Fairgrounds
This new permanent location has become our most popular Train Show in the Spring with a new facility, loads of dealers, layout displays, clinics and more. But wait, we are temporarily shifting to August in 2022 because we will be doing the Tri-Regional Convention in May 2022. You will be able to see more about the Tri-Regional Convention here.
The Franklin Train Show location is the Johnson County Fairgrounds facility located on US 31 in Franklin, IN.
Our Spring Train Show is also our NMRA Central Indiana Division Annual Meeting.
Click here for Franklin Train Show Flyer
Modeler's Meets RETURN!
Our first post pandemic Modelers Meet will return on Saturday, October 2nd.
We will meet at the
Irvington Presbyterian Church located at. 55 Johnson Ave. in Indianapolis.
Meeting starts at 10 AM and will go to 3 PM
Clinic presentation topic will be posted here shortly.
Track Talks returns to In person meets and alternating zoom meetings
Video Zoom Track Talk
Monday, August 9, 2021 We will share a NMRA Video Clinic about "Setting up for Operations" by Mark Juett. This clinic was part of the recent NMRA virtual convention from this month. We will then have some open discussion about the clinic. The Zoom session will begin at 7:00 and the presentation will start at 7:15.
IN PERSON TRACK TALK
Saturday August 28th Track Talk will have Pizza and Sub Sandwiches at Dan and Carmella Hinel's for lunch as we gather for 11:30 am. This will be followed by time to view and operate on Dan's layout as you like. We will have a donation basket for the cost of the food. The focus will be on getting acquainted and discussing operations. This will be a great opportunity to talk with others about operating and different approaches. As many of you know Dan has an HO layout set up for operations. The layout features main line operations controlled by a dispatcher using a CMRI signal system for TCS operation. There are many different industries using rail freight service. The traffic management system uses a different approach to car assignment and distribution. Is there a prototype for this type of railroad? Yes, ask Dan where?
Upcoming Track Talk Meetings, In person and Zoom
Monday September 13, 2021 7:15 pm EDT we will have a Zoom Track Talk. So save the date and we will have a program to announce later.
Saturday September 25, 2021 we will gather for lunch in the Mooresville area before 11:30 am. After lunch we will visit John Poray's layout.
Zoom Track Talk information
Questions, Suggestions, Ideas? Call Eric Peterson 317-947-4829
Zoom LINK information is not being posted on the website for security purposes. All CID members who have email addresses on file with the CID will be sent an email one week and again shortly before the Zoom Meeting. If you are not sure that we have your email address you can email us with the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of any page on this website.
Additional Information:
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CID members are welcome to invite a non-member to attend Track Talk to learn more about CID activities and meet additional members. If you invite a non-member to Track Talk, please arrange to be on Track Talk and introduce your guest.
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Our Zoom Track Talk gatherings are not recorded or shared. Respecting the privacy of members please do not make other arrangements to record Track Talk. If we do have a special segment of value for repeating we will let everyone know when recording.
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If another family member is using your computer, you can always join by phone but you will not see the screens. Most of us use the computer microphone and speaker. A headset and separate microphone are better for presentations. Computers work better than cell phones.
Please do the following before/during the meeting:
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Please keep your introduction short: Name, Location, Scale. We have more people and we want to get to the program. Your comments are always welcome during show and tell.
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Please update your on screen name to include your first and last name and location, e.g. Eric Peterson Carmel, IN, O scale 2 rail
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Please mute your computer when not talking. Your space bar will also open your microphone when held down. Zoom will mute you when you join the meeting. As the host, I will mute your connection if there is background sound interrupting the Zoom Conference.
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Be sure to open your chat window, as links and other important information will be shared through that window. You can also type in questions here to be answered by the presenters.
If you have questions or content suggestions, contact Eric Peterson at ericgpet@gmail.com or by phone 317-947-4829.
Save the Date!
May 18 to 22, 2022
Tri-Regional Convention of the
Midwest Region
North Central Region
Mid Central Region
Clinics, Layout Tours, Op Sessions
Prototype Tours, Non Rail Clinics
Train Show and more
This is the link to the Tri-Regional Convention Website.
Extra Fare !
The events sponsored by the CID are popular in central Indiana (train shows, clinics, modelers meets, etc.) But there are others events too, and here is more of what is going on in our area.
Division 8 Mid-Central Region NMRA
Train Show & Sale
Saturday November 13, 2021
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Holy Family Parish Saffin Center
3938 Poplar Level Rd., Louisville, Kentucky 40213
Click here for the Train Show Flyer
Naptown & and White River Model Railroad Club GREAT NEWS! The Club House is reopening and an Open House is scheduled for June 19th!
Click here for more information
Nickel Plate Express
Train rides and special themed events. Click on the photo for more information.
Train rides have restarted for 2021
Indiana Live Steamers
Train rides on one/eight scale trains. Johnson County in the summer. Special events and Birthday parties are available too. Click on the photo for more information
NMRA Steel Mill Modelers Special Interest Group (SIG) Annual Convention
August 19-21, 2021
Southgate, Michigan (Detroit)
Area Train Shows Click on photo to view
This will open a .pdf file which will show upcoming train shows for the Indiana, Michigan and Ohio area. It is maintained and supplied to the CID superintendent by Ken Skopp of the Grand River Valley Railroad Club in Wyoming, Michigan and is updated on a monthly basis.
