Once again, the chapter attended the very popular Toy and Train show sponsored by Greenberg's Shows held over the weekend of March 29 - 30, 2008.  This event was held in the Shriner's Auditorium just off of Interstate 93 in Wilmington MA.  Throngs of people, young and old, turned out to view the chapter's module display and to pick up some railroad bargains in the process. Some pictures taken before and during the two-day event appear below. 

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Chapter members Mike DePunté (left) and Zeke Sampson work at installing "bridge tracks" and catenary prior to the opening of the show (top).  Chapter President Barry Kriegsman, members Zeke Sampson and Justin Maguire (lower, left to right) work to set up a few fascinating rail cars at the chapter's Public Information Center.  The "Big Boy", an American steamer complete with smoke generator and many sounds made by Märklin in Germany, several European ladle cars and an operating crane car were available for viewing.  Literature about the ETE organization and our chapter was also available for prospective members.

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Above (top) is a close up shot of the welding shop located on chapter member Mike Haire's station module.  Miniature "welding sparks" appear randomly from the inside of the shed for effect.  Chapter member Kurt Hilse is at the controls of the layout in the bottom picture.

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Mike works to re-rail a locomotive consist that was running on the main layout, while interested onlookers watch the action (above).

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Chapter member sGlenn Reed (above) and Ed Scheff (below) assist young engineers at the controls of the kids layout.  Thanks to the generosity of the family of the late Ed Macedo (for the trains to run) and member Zeke Sampson, the chapter now has a permanent kid's layout that will travel with our main module display.  Everywhere the kid's layout has been used lately has proven to be a big hit!

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An aspiring engineer (top photo) is either drooling about the fascinating passenger train that is literally running under his nose, or is visibly disapproving of it??  In any event, parents and children alike seemed to be drawn to our module display.

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One of the "curiosities" running on our layout during the show this year was a replica of the "Adler", reported to be the very first German steam train ever produced.  Proud owner and chapter member Royce Thomas kept a close eye on this beauty!  That entire train wasn't much bigger than many modern day locomotives alone. In the bottom photo, the Adler is followed closely by a replica of the famous Swiss "Roter Pfeil", or "Red Arrow" rail bus-type train.  There were plenty of unusual trains for enthusiasts of watch during both days of the show.

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A car equipped with a small video camera provided another interesting feature for the chapter at this show.  The video monitor displayed an "engineer's view" as the train traveled throughout the layout and was a popular addition.  The Chapter received a certificate of appreciation for participating in the show from the Greenberg organization.