Press Release

For Immediate Release

Media contact:
Therese Novotny
trainfest@mercuryww.com
414-217-1233    

Trainfest^® A "Must - Attend" Event with Model Railroad Fun for the Kid in Everyone 
Kids can ride a small circus train, watch demonstrations, and see new layouts, products.

Milwaukee, WI, (April 25, 2008)...Trainfest^®, America's largest operating model railroad show, will be held at the Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park on Saturday, Nov. 8 and Sunday, Nov. 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. More than 50 detailed, operating model railroad displays and scenic reproductions will be featured. In addition, 50 hobby dealers, 60 manufacturers and 12 historical groups will be represented in over 200,000 square feet of display area.

Trainfest is about passing along the traditional hobby of model railroading to a new generation. Kids will discover a railroad built entirely from LEGO^® blocks. They can ride a kid-sized circus train replica and can operate several other train layouts. Shiny brass and copper steam trains of all sizes will captivate kids. Radio Disney will set up a craft booth with a take-home activity. Children can race two trains against each other on a track set up in the shape of a dog bone. Manufacturers and vendors will bring everything from starter train sets to miniature cars and buildings perfect for first time layouts.

Last year, Trainfest attracted 21,000 attendees from across the country. The show usually brings over 160 exhibitors from as far away as Oregon, Texas, California, Florida, Vermont, Maine, North Carolina, New Jersey, and New York to showcase operating model railroad layouts and miniature scenic reproductions.

"Some people think Trainfest is just a collector's event, but it's an event for everyone," said John H. Tews, executive director of Trainfest. "Kids truly enjoy watching the model trains of all sizes. They are awestruck by the size of the layouts and trains. Kids could stand there for hours gazing."

Some layouts depict Wisconsin tourist highlights, including farm scenes, lake cottages and river trips. Amazingly accurate mining and logging scenes are recreated in miniature, so kids of all sizes can learn about a bygone era. Unlike a swap meet, Trainfest focuses on new model railroad equipment or demonstrations of new materials in operational, updated displays. 

"Trainfest is an event, but it's even more; it's a whole experience," said Tews. "It's a place for people that are passionate about model railroading to just come alive. It gives them a chance to showcase their projects, to show off their designs, to interact with others, and to find creative, innovative items to use in their future layouts. It's fun for kids and families just starting to get involved in model railroading."

Trainfest will feature operating layouts from Z to G scale. Manufacturers will showcase the most popular trends in model railroading. Model railroad leaders including Walthers, Athearn, Bachmann, Marklin, Lionel, Atlas, Kalmbach and MTH Electric Trains will bring the latest in new products. Displays will include the SS Badger Car Ferry Display, the Great Circus Trains, and several new, scenery - embellished layouts. Model railroad experts will demonstrate how to create landscapes. 

Trainfest, a 37 year tradition, is America's largest operating model railroad show under one roof. The annual two-day event reaches train enthusiasts and families who come to see over 50 operating layouts from Z to G scale, 60 manufacturers, 50 hobby dealers, 12 historical groups, artists and photography displays and on-site demonstrations, including locomotive testing. Trainfest, a non-profit organization, is sponsored by the Wisconsin Southeastern (WISE) Division, Inc. of the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA). Kids 14 and under are FREE when accompanied by an adult. Adult admission is $10. For more information, visit www.trainfest.com or call 262-820-3566.