Page 14 - All Scale Rails Magazine Issue 18 January February 2018
P. 14
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Trainfest’s humble roots officially began largest model railroad manufacturers in the
back in 1971 as a one day show focusing on business. Historical societies also began to
model railroading. When the organizers de- set up booths, rounding out the all-around
cided that they did not want to continue to railroad experience.
run the show, they turned it over to another In 2002, Trainfest was the first weekend
group in 1972. By 1974, the show had ex- show to exhibit in the brand new Wisconsin
panded to a two day show and had upgraded Expo Center. The show had reached
to an 11,000 sq. ft. facility. Within the next 200,000 sq. ft. Throughout the 2000s, the
two years, the display area would almost dou- show would annually host a minimum of 50
ble and by the end of the 1970s, would ex- operating layouts, over 60 manufacturers
ceed 42,000 sq. ft. of model railroads of all from all over the world and at least 50 hobby
scales and gauges. dealers offering a plethora of model railroad-
Throughout the 1980s, the show continued ing equipment. Weekend attendance would
to grow, taking over multiple halls. The continue to break records, hosting over
1990s brought more growth not only physi- 23,000 people in 2010. Although the mod-
cally, but as far as content. Joining the model ern timeline for “Trainfest” officially began
railroad exhibits were model railroad manu- in 1972 by the second organizers, the show
facturers and vendors, including some of the celebrated its 40 Anniversary in 2011.
th
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