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. Out 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 2019 to help promote model railroading skills for our CID / NMRA members. Please keep checking here for future events, times, and dates.
April 4, 2020
Franklin Train Show
Johnson County Fairgrounds
Our Spring Train Show is also our NMRA Central Indiana Division Annual Meeting so please come to learn about the activities of our NMRA Division. We will have Dealer Tables, Operating Layouts, Clinics, Displays, and food. The schedule is 10 AM to 3 PM. The address is 250 Fairgrounds St., Franklin IN. Free parking.
November 2020
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.
Plan to join us in Danville this fall!
January 26, 2020
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. 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.
Our newest public train show will be in Avon, IN in February!
February 1, 2020
Avon Town Hall
750 E. US Highway 36
Avon, IN
New Track Talk gathering mid-day on Saturday, January 18, 2020
Track Talk heads south to Columbus Saturday January 18, 2020.
Central Indiana Division of the National Model Railroad Association has started a new monthly activity for members and guests. The next “Track Talk” is midday January 18, 2020.
The purpose is have an informal low cost and easy to set up activity for members. Future “Track Talk” gatherings will use different locations on the CID. Some will be weekdays and some will be on Saturdays. This is also an opportunity to bring a friend and introduce them to the NMRA.
We will be heading to the Johnson County Park for some lunch – Domino's Pizza is delivering, some socializing and show and tell so bring something you have finished or are working on. Did you receive a new tool or kit for Christmas? Bring it and show us what Santa brought you! Get a lump of coal instead? Bring that we will be happy to hear the tale of how you made the naughty list! Please also bring no more than 10 digital pictures of your layout to introduce your layout for others. Bring you pictures on a USB memory stick and we will show them at this Track Talk and let you say a few things about your goals and interests. Bring some of it, all of it, it’s your call!
**UPDATE** We are still meeting at the Johnson County Park office. The layout we were going to visit after lunch is unavailable due to some construction by the parks department. Instead after lunch we will have a clinic on Prototype Reference Information by Eric Peterson. Eric worked in CSX Engineering and collected a wide variety of reference material. He will bring some of these items for you to inspect and also have a graphic presentation of selected images to give you some idea of the quality and detail available.
So let Daniel Banks know you plan to attend by phone at 765-810-3130 or preferable by email at wabashbanks@att.net. We will be ordering pizza at 11 based on the head count and we will eat between noon and 12:30 pm. You will be asked to chip in toward the cost of food and drinks. Domino's Pizza not your thing? Feel free to grab something along the way and bring it or just brown bag it.
The Johnson County Park office is at 2949 East North Street Nineveh, IN 46164. Please wear your CID name tag. Additional name tags will be available.
If you cannot make it to this “Track Talk” watch for one each month on the CID web site.
What is Track Talk?
The format is simple. Let the host know you are coming so the restaurant or food can be prepared. Go to a planned location for lunch socializing with other members and pay your own restaurant check. After lunch we will visit a nearby layout, industry, rail fan location, have a model railroad related presentation or other activity. We will also include a show and tell opportunity so bring something. Tools, work in progress, new acquisition, idea to share.
Usually we will be gathering at a restaurant for lunch. The Johnson County Park is far enough away from a town that we will just have pizza delivered.
If you have a location for a future track talk with Eric Petereson, Dan Hinel, or Dan Banks.
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.
Santa Fe Mini Meet - Saturday, March 21st
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 Show
March 7th, 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.
Location: Allisonville Christian Church
7701 Allisonville Road
Indianapolis, Indiana 46250
Admission will be $15 pre-registered and paid and received via mail, or $20 at the door.
Clinics:
James Brown – ATSF History of Chillicothe, IL with Edelstein Hill
Ramon Rhodes - The Santa Fe Railway in Chicago During the 1990’s
Paul Nash - ATSF Trainmaster, Director of Unit Train Operations
Santa Fe Operating Divisions and their day to day functions.
Keith Jordan – The Redlands Loop, Modeling a Santa Fe Southern
California Branchline, And Memories of Warren Scholl
Bruce McKeown - One can still make Models for our Model Railroads - Part Two
For Prepaid registrations, contact Tom Cain at: