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Military Society of Model Railroad Engineers Upcoming Events in Anchorage, Alaska

Written by Cliff Green
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Mike Philo

Feb 24 – Mar 5, Anchorage, AK: The Military Society of Model Railroad Engineers (MSMRE) will have three sectional layouts set up during the annual Fur Rendezvous winter festival in Anchorage, Alaska. The layouts – in HO, HOn3 and N scales – will be on display in the Alaska Railroad Passenger Terminal from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM most days, longer on some days to accommodate arriving and departing ARR passengers. Admission is free to all. Contact: Randy “Bj” Bjorgan, bjorgan@alaska.net, 907-952-4353.

Feb 18, Mar 18, Apr 15 (all are Saturdays), Anchorage, AK: Military Society of Model Railroad Engineers monthly Open House, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM at the club’s location on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Layouts in HO, HOn3, N and O. Admission is Free. Contact Randy “Bj” Bjorgan, bjorgan@alaska.net, 907-952-4353 for directions and access from off post.

(Editor’s note: Marty Quaas maintains a well-known web page on Alaska model railroading at http://alaskamodelrrnews.homestead.com/, with information on his layout, “The Consolidated South Western Railroad”, as well as various model railroad clubs and prototype organizations and activities in Alaska.)

Convention or Meet, Model Train Show, The Alaska Section

Palmer, Alaska (Knik River Valley) Model Railroad Open House, Saturday Sep 12 from 1 to 5 pm

Written by Marty Quaas
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Marty Quaas

Every year on the second Saturday in September as for the past many years, the Consolidated South Western Railroad (CSWRR) holds it’s annual Open House. This year it will be held on Saturday, September 12th from 1 to 5 PM and as in the past, we will be featuring Operation. Also this year we will be celebrating 20 years since the first rails were laid on the CSWRR. The Open House is free and the public is invited to get a first hand look at the fun of Model Railroading. Visitors are also invited to try their hand at operation under the supervision of an Old Hand.

The CSWRR is located at 21550 E, Arnold. From mile 4.6 of Knik River Rd, turn right on Ivanhoe, right on Arnold, follow the Signs. Phone 907-746-6414. http://alaskamodelrrnews.homestead.com/CSW-Ops-1-1.html

Model Train Show, The Alaska Section

Mooselips Model Railroad Display at Palmer, Alaska Colony Days

Written by Marty Quaas
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Marty Quaas

This weekend, June 12-14, the City of Palmer, Alaska will be celebrating its heritage with the annual Colony Days celebration. Along with a parade, antique cars, fire trucks, and tractor pull, the HO scale Mooselip Model Railroad will be on display Saturday, June 13 from 10 AM until 3 PM in the old Palmer depot.

All are invited to stop by and visit the imaginary town of Mooselip and see how much fun model railroading can be.

The Alaska Section, , ,

Fur Rendezvous 2015 in Anchorage Alaska

Written by Marty Quaas
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Marty Quaas, Photos by BJ and Roy Foster

The annual Winter Festival known as the Rondy ran from February 27th through March 8th. With a total lack of snow in Anchorage, the attendance for this years Fur Rendezvous was down from that of previous years. Many of the crowd drawing events such as the Sprint Dog Races and Cross Country Skiing had to be canceled. This lead to lower than usual visitor attendance at the Model Railroad events at the Alaska Railroad Depot and at Russian Jack Springs Park. However those that did attend were given a great show at both venues.

The Military club at the Alaska Depot estimated 5000 visitors, many coming back several times. In Russian Jack Springs Park, with no other events in the park to draw crowds, the attendance this year was around 700, mostly of regular visitors.

Future Model Railroaders are watching Thomas at the Alaska Railroad Depot.

Future Model Railroaders are watching Thomas at the Alaska Railroad Depot.

At the Alaska Railroad Depot, the crowds are watching the N Scale trains on the right and HOn3 trains to the left.

At the Alaska Railroad Depot, the crowds are watching the N Scale trains on the right and HOn3 trains to the left.

Youngsters are watching the Z Scale display at the Alaska Railroad Depot.

Youngsters are watching the Z Scale display at the Alaska Railroad Depot.

A family is watching the HO Trains at the Northern Lights Model Railroad Club in Russian Jack Springs Park.

A family is watching the HO Trains at the Northern Lights Model Railroad Club in Russian Jack Springs Park.

The Alaska Section, , , , , ,

2015 Anchorage, AK Fur Rondy

Written by Marty Quaas
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Marty Quaas, Palmer, AK

Every year in late February into early March, the city of Anchorage puts on its annual winter festival, the “Fur Rendezvous” known locally as “The Rondy”. This year the Rondy starts on February 27 and runs through March 8. The Rondy hosts many events such as sled dog racing, carnival rides, parades and includes several Model Railroad displays. There will be Model Railroad displays set up in the Alaska Railroad Depot by the Military Society of Model Railroad Engineers (MSMRRE) as well as in Russian Jack Springs Park by the Northern Lights Model Rail club.

The dates and times for these are as follows:

The MSMRRE at the Alaska Railroad Depot, 411 West 1st Avenue, Anchorage:

  • Friday, February 27 from 9 am to 6 pm
  • Saturday, February 28 from 7 am to 8 pm
  • Sunday, March 1 from 10 am to 8 pm
  • Monday, March 2 from 9 am to 6 pm
  • Tuesday, March 3 from 9 am to 6 pm
  • Wednesday, March 4 from 9 am to 6 pm
  • Thursday, March 5 from 9 am to 6 pm
  • Friday, March 6 from 9 am to 6 pm
  • Saturday, March 7 from 7 am to 6 pm

Please note that the MSMREE display will not be open on Sunday, March 8.

The Northern Lights Model Railroad club in Russian Jack Springs Park, 5200 Debarr Road, Anchorage:

  • Friday, February 27 from 4 to 8 pm
  • Saturday, February 28 from 12 noon to 6 pm
  • Sunday, February 29 from 12 noon to 6 pm
  • Friday, March 6 from 4 to 8 pm
  • Saturday, March 7 from 12 noon to 6 pm
  • Sunday, March 8 from 12 noon to 6 pm

For more information contact me at cswrrceo@mtaonline.net.

The Alaska Section

CSWRR Open House September 11–12

Written by Marty Quaas
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Marty Quaas, Palmer AK

Palmer: This year the Annual Consolidated South Western Railroad Open House will be on Saturday and Sunday, September 11 and 12. This is a great opportunity to visit this Model Railroad and enjoy watching a Model Railroad in operation and chatting with the friendly crew. Bring the family, bring a friend, bring yourself and have a great time with fellow Model Railroaders. Mark your calendars now and be sure not to miss this event. The CSWRR is located south east of Palmer, near Mile 4.6 of Knik River Road, right on Ivanhoe, right on Arnold, follow the signs. For more information call Marty at (907) 746-6414.

Palmer: The Consolidated South Western RR Operation Sessions are on the second and fourth Saturday Afternoons starting at 1 PM, visitors are always welcome. For more information visit the CSWRR Webpage or call Marty at (907) 746-6414.

Anchorage: The Northern Lights Model Railroad Club located in Russian Jack Springs Park, 5200 DeBarr will be continuing to hold its monthly Public Open House on the fourth Sunday afternoon of the month. The next Open House will be on Sunday, September 26 followed on October 24. The regular meetings are on Friday evenings. For more information visit the Northern Lights Webpage or call Marty at (907) 746-6414.

The Alaska Section

The Alaska Section

Written by Marty Quaas
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Marty Quaas, Palmer, Alaska

Mooselip

For a detailed information about Web-Sites, Operating Sessions and Special Events in Alaska you may visit the Model Railroading in Alaska website. And be sure to also visit the Mooselip Display Railroad.

Fairbanks

Fairbanks: The Tanana Valley Model Railroad club which is located in the Alaska Railroad depot will be in operation every morning during the tourist season from 7 to 8 AM to entertain passengers waiting for the daily south bound passenger train to depart. If you are touring Alaska this year, you might want stop by and say Hi. Their regular meetings are on Tuesday evenings at the depot. For more information visit the Tanana Valley website or call Ron at (907) 479-0651.

Anchorage: The Northern Lights Model Railroad Club located in Russian Jack Springs Park, 5200 DeBarr will be continuing to hold its monthly Public Open House on the fourth Sunday afternoon of the month. The next Open House will be on Sunday, July 25 followed on August 22. The regular meetings are on Friday evenings  For more information visit the Northern Lights webpage or call Marty at (907) 746-6414.

Wasilla: The Alaska Live Steamers track located next door to MATI the regular run days are on the 1st and 3rd weekends. For more information visit the website or call (907) 373-6412.

Palmer: The Consolidated South Western RR Operation Sessions are on the second and 4 Saturday Afternoons starting at 1 PM, visitors are always welcome. This year the Annual CSWRR Open House will be on the weekend of September 11 and 12. This annual event is now in its 15th year and is always well attended. The CSWRR is located near Palmer in the Knik River Valley about 45 miles north of Anchorage. For more information Visit the CSWRR web page or call (907) 746-6414.

The Alaska Section

The Alaska Section

Written by Al Lowe
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Marty Quaas

This summer is shaping up to be quite busy for model railroaders here in Alaska. In Fairbanks, the Tanana Valley Model Railroad club, located in the Alaska Railroad depot, will be in operation every morning during the tourist season from 7–8 AM to entertain passengers waiting for the daily southbound passenger train. If you are touring Alaska this year, stop by and say “Hi.” Their regular meetings are Tuesday evenings at the depot. For more information, call Ron at 907-479-0651.

In Anchorage, the Northern Lights Model Railroad Club, located in Russian Jack Springs Park, 5200 DeBarr, will continue to hold its monthly public open house on the fourth Sunday afternoon of the month. The next Open House is Sunday, June 27, (followed by July 25 and August 22). Regular meetings are Friday evenings. For more information, call me at 907-746-6414.

The Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry (MATI) opens their extensive collection of railroad equipment daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. The weekend of June 5–6 will be the “Blast from the Past” and the Mooselip Display Railroad will be in operation in the Barn. The Museum is located about 3 miles north of Wasilla, about a mile off the Parks Highway. For more information, call 907-376-1211.

The Alaska Live Steamers are located next door to MATI, with regular run days on the 1st and 3rd weekends. June 5-6 is a special “Blast from the Past.” For more information, call 907-373-6412.

This year the Annual Consolidated South Western Railroad Open House will be the weekend of September 11–12. This annual event is now in its 15th year and is always well attended. It is located near Palmer, in the Knik River Valley, about 45 miles north of Anchorage. For more information, call me at 907-746-6414.

Grab-Iron, The Alaska Section