Holiday model train show set at armory

TORRINGTON – The annual model train show and canned food drive returns to the Torrington Armory Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 1-2, 2018. The annual event is hosted by the City of Torrington and a Torrington-based model railroad club. The armory is at 153 S. Main St.

The show features train layouts in the two most popular scales, HO and N. Trains will run all day. The show is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

The Torrington Area Model Railroaders will present large HO scale and N scale layouts.

“The show at the armory is one of our major events for the year and club members work hard to create interesting scenes for people to view,” said Tim Sweeney of Torrington, the club’s vice president.

“Club members also spend a lot of time working on the trains that will run during the show. They represent everything from 1950sera New England freight trains to Appalachian coal trains from the 1970s, and modern intermodal container trains that operate over the nation’s rails today.” A 100-car train hauling Army tanks will also make an appearance each day.

Admission to this great family event is free, although the club asks visitors to consider bringing nonperishable food items for the Friendly Hands Food Bank. Items always in demand include: soups, pasta, pasta sauce, tuna, canned vegetables, canned pasta, peanut butter, grape jelly, breakfast cereal, canned meats, mac and cheese, canned fruit, stews, chili, rice dishes, kids juice boxes, baked beans, instant mashed potatoes, rice dishes and noodle dishes.

The layouts that will be on display are modular, meaning they can be disassembled into sections that are easily transported. When those sections are linked together, the layouts are impressive.

The Torrington Area Model Railroaders is a group of railroad enthusiasts, ages 15 to 90, who enjoy real trains and model trains.