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, Johnson County, 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.
January 31, 2021
Noblesville Train Show
Click here for more information.
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. The Sheridan Christian Church provides Dining Car Services. 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.
This Train Show has been cancelled.
May 15 and 16, 2021
Franklin Train Show
Johnson County Fairgrounds
This is now planned to be a TWO day show!
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. The schedule is 10 AM to 3 PM (like all our shows).
We will have 3 clinics on Saturday and one clinic on Sunday along with the annual CID membership meeting.
This event is held in 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.
See the flier below for details related to Covid-19
Click here for revised Train Show Flier
Revised 12-30-20
November 2021
Danville Train Show
This has become our most popular and busiest Train Show with a great facility, loads of dealers, layout displays, clinics and more. 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.
This space will highlight future Layout Tours, Modelers Meets and other public events when they resume.
Try Track Talk
described below
Track Talks not derailed but taking a different track!
We are continuing online Zoom video meetings discussing model railroad topics, helping others and learning about new ideas. We think you will enjoy seeing other modelers and learning their activities. Just try this, we are all learning in a relaxed environment.
The Zoom link to join the meeting and passwords are sent out via email to those signed up with CID.
Track Talk - Virtual Edition
Monday, January 25, 2021 @ 7:00 pm EDT
NMRA CID Track Talk has moved to MONDAYS continuing January 11, 2021. The meeting will start at 7:15 pm. The Zoom Conference will be open by 7 pm for some social time.
Subject: Tell us about your favorite tool and your least favorite tool.
Please be ready to share pictures if possible.
Also please give us your suggestions about programs on operating, electrical and electronics projects. These topics were top subject requested in our recent survey. Soldering? LEDs for lighting? Signals? Layout wiring? Locomotive lighting? Passenger car and caboose lighting? Getting Started in Train Operations? DCC decoder set up?
Agenda
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Welcome and introductions - Dan Hinel
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Tell us about your favorite tool and least favorite tool. A brief share of one or two pictures is also encouraged.
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Tips and Tricks or other Show and Tell items you would like to share. Other backshop topics?
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Future Track Talks:Mondays: It could be your turn to start off Track Talk. We need one anchor topic presentation for each Track Talk.
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Electronics and Electrical - A top interest topic. We need more specifics from the members?
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We are working with other Divisions on sharing clinics and presentations. More to follow
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We are also accumulating ideas for future Track Talk in person gathering locations and features.
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.
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
This space reserved for Extra Fare events as soon as they are scheduled and shared with the CID Webmaster.
Nickel Plate Express
Train rides and special themed events. Click on the photo for more information.
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
Naptown & and White River Model Railroad Club Open House and Train Shows
Are all cancelled for 2020
For more information click here
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.
