by Jeff Gross, contributing writer
This past year the Amherst Railway Society moved their club headquarters to Palmer, Massachusetts. Amherst Railway Society is the host of the January Model Railroad show at the Big E exposition Center. The new location gives the club a large clubhouse with multiple levels for indoor model train layouts. These indoor layouts are in HO Scale. One layout will be operational for the youth in the club, and the larger layout will be operated by the adults. Previously, Amherst RS did not have a clubhouse and needed to hold club meetings at a local school.
The gem of this project is the fact that Amherst has constructed a massive outdoor railroad in G scale. This outdoor railroad is modeled after the Quaboag railroad which operated in the area. The Quaboag Railroad is pronounced “QayBog” though this writer says “QuoBog” since he pronounces Quahog “Quohog” as we do not have “Qayhogs” in RI.
Gerry, one of the club officers has decorated a FA engine in Quaboag railroad paint scheme. The Quaboag Railroad hauled Intermodal and Canadian lumber from St. Albans, Vermont to Palmer, Massachusetts for loading onto trucks. Interesting is the fact that the Amherst outside railroad engines are powered by an internal lithium battery which eliminates the need to run long lengthy copper wires for power. Running lengthy wires is a problem due to voltage drop over those long distances. Another benefit of internal battery power is the club doesn’t need to clean the track for good electrical contact. The track work is still in process however the trains are fully operational even with the fact that the railroad is close to 50 yards long. Under construction right now is the Isle of Sodor where Thomas and Friends will be undertaking their adventures for the children in attendance.
The club is operational every Saturday 9am to 1pm, weather permitting and will shut down for the winter when the snow starts to fall. Viewers are welcome on any Saturday when the outdoor trains are in operation. If one is into gardening the Outdoor railroad boasts all sorts of beautiful perennials along the tracksides that can be seen in the pictures. Currently many plants are still blooming even though there has been frost on the pumpkins.
If one is inclined, please speak to Joe B. or any other member about becoming an Amherst member or how to join the Club. It is safe to say, ladies, if you are a gardener your help in landscaping would be always appreciated.
Make a full day of it
An entire day can be made of the attendance as after 1pm lunch or dinner can be had at the Steaming Tender Restaurant located at 28 Depot Street in Palmer. Not only is the food great but one can dine inside or outside on the veranda and catch trains going by on the CSX line and New England Central line as the restaurant literally sits in the diamond of the railroad crossings.
If it’s busy at the Amherst Club I would recommend calling Scarlet at the Steaming Tender Restaurant for reservations (tell Scarlet Jeff Gross recommends reservations). Note: Saturday October 24th is supposed to be a beautiful crisp fall day, and I would highly recommend viewing Amherst RS on that day. (Future reference: Amherst Railway Society members enjoy a 10% discount at the Steaming Tender Restaurant with an active membership.) Steaming Tender | A Train Themed Restaurant in Palmer MA
When satiated one can then venture to C&H Trains at School House Commons, 1085 Park Street in Palmer, if one is looking to add on to their own model railroad or become a new member of model railroad operation. The owner, Alan, has a nice pair of ready to run HO scale train sets. Alan also has all sorts of model railroad scenery and N, HO, and O scale trains. C&H Trains closes at 6 pm Saturday nights so there is plenty of time to shop.
Distance from Providence, Rhode Island is 45 miles or 1 hour 10 minutes via 146 to Route 90, Mass. Pike. Please note due to a Google glitch enter Amherst Railway Society Clubhouse or corner of Stone St. and S. Main St. in Palmer, MA for pinpoint accuracy. The Clubhouse and Property are on the South Corner of the S. Main & Stone St. intersection.
This day trip is a great escape from all the nonsense going on in the world. All Aboard!
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Jeffrey “Jeff” Gross spent 21 years as an Analytical Chemist at the USCG R&D Center in Groton, Connecticut, Woods Hole Laboratories, and Helix Technologies. An avid outdoorsman and conservationist, Jeff is a Model Train and Railroad entrepreneur. He writes on the Outdoors, Second Amendment, and Model Railroading, and can be reached at: trainsbythe144@aol.com.
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