Gathering Schedule

Wednesday May 13, 2026

Gathering Attendees will travel to a series of regional rail‑themed destinations, including:

Below is the publicly available info. Gathering Attendees will be provided further details with their registration packets.
- Regional Rail Preservation Experience (9:30 AM – 10:30 AM)
  Visit to a regional railroad preservation site to take a guided look at historic equipment, restoration work, and the people keeping rail history alive.
- Industrial Narrow‑Gauge Steam Locomotive Demonstration & Ride (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
  Visit & Explore a working 24” gauge demonstration railway that’s deeply rooted in the region’s steel‑making heritage and preservation.
- Community Hardware & Hobby Store That’s So Much More (Please arrive by 1:30 PM if you would like to hear about the history of the store. Store is open till 5:00 PM.)
  Visit a locally owned hardware store that specializes in model trains (G Gauge especially) and more. The owner is prepared to tell you all about the amazing history of this three floor establishment including how a full size caboose and two boxcars become part of it!
- Ice Cream Social (5:30 PM – 6:30 PM)
  Enjoy some ice cream and the fellowship of your fellow Gathering Attendees
- Informative Clinic (6:30 PM – 7:30 PM)
  Learn all about wooden structures, how to build them the right way and more from the pro.

Thursday May 14, 2026

Gathering Attendees will travel west toward the Akron area to explore a variety of unique and inspiring garden railroads.

Below is the publicly available info. Gathering Attendees will be provided further details with their registration packets.

- Self‑Guided Garden Railroad Visits (9:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
  Enjoy visits to multiple homes in and around the Akron region, each featuring its own distinctive garden railway. Attendees can explore at their own pace, take photos, ask questions, and gather ideas for their own layouts.
- Ride on Train Club Visit (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
  Experience a local ride‑on train club where members operate large‑scale equipment you can ride behind. Explore the grounds, learn about the club’s operations, and enjoy a memorable ride on these impressive miniature trains.

Friday May 15, 2026

Gathering Attendees will spend the day at the Great Lakes Large Scale Train Expo in Girard, Ohio—full day of trains, vendors, clinics, and community, all under one roof.

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (9:30 AM – 4:00 PM for Gathering Attendees and Online Ticket Purchasers)
See the full Expo daily schedule HERE.
See full Vendor/Exhibitor, Clubs and Layout/Display list HERE.

- Shopping
  Browse an extensive lineup of vendors from across the region, offering a wide variety of G‑gauge trains, accessories, parts, tools, and hard‑to‑find items. Whether you’re expanding your roster or hunting for that perfect piece, there’s something waiting to go home with you.
  Don’t forget about the exclusive shirts and cars for 2026! Order your shirts HERE. Order your Show Car Here.
- Clinics (Full descriptions and Scheduled Times HERE.)
  Throughout the day, enjoy multiple hands‑on and informative clinics covering a range of topics, including:
  
  Building wooden structures the right way
  3D printing basics for modelers
  Firing and operating live steam locomotives
  Planning and designing reliable layouts
- Kids Clinics
  Young modelers can dive into hands‑on activities designed just for them. These clinics introduce the basics of the hobby in a fun, engaging way—helping the next generation of railroaders learn, build, and get inspired.
- More Kids and Family Friendly Activities
  
  Jr. Engineer Training
  Railyard Switching Puzzle
  Railroad Learning Zone
  Trackside Seek & Find
  Whistle Stop Word Quest
  All Aboard Selfie Station
- Door Prizes
  Don’t miss the excitement of hourly door prize drawings—every hour, on the hour. No tickets to buy; all attendees are automatically entered for a chance to win.
- Layouts
  Explore all the layouts set up by clubs and individual modelers from across the region. See a wide variety of styles, themes, and creative approaches, and gather ideas to bring back to your own railroad.
- Gathering Attendees Banquet (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM) (Gathering Attendees will be provided further details with their registration packets.)
  End the day with a memorable banquet dinner at the beautifully restored Baltimore & Ohio Station in Youngstown, Ohio. Enjoy great food, fellowship, and the historic atmosphere of this iconic 1905 rail landmark.

Saturday May 16, 2026

Gathering Attendees will enjoy Day 2 at the Great Lakes Large Scale Train Expo in Girard, Ohio—another full day of learning, inspiration, and hands‑on exploration.

- Shopping
  Browse an extensive lineup of vendors from across the region, offering a wide variety of G‑gauge trains, accessories, parts, tools, and hard‑to‑find items. Whether you’re expanding your roster or hunting for that perfect piece, there’s something waiting to go home with you.
  Don’t forget about the exclusive shirts and cars for 2026! Order your shirts HERE. Order your Show Car Here.
- Clinics (Full descriptions and Scheduled Times HERE.)
  Throughout the day, enjoy multiple hands‑on and informative clinics covering a range of topics, including:
  
  LAYOUTS: Think Outside the Box — Imagine, Repurpose, Improvise
  Creating Character or Themed Trains for Laughter and Engagement
  3D Printing — Advanced
  “The Walking Dead Rail” — RC & Battery Power Conversion
- Kids Clinics
  Young modelers can dive into hands‑on activities designed just for them. These clinics introduce the basics of the hobby in a fun, engaging way—helping the next generation of railroaders learn, build, and get inspired.
- More Kids and Family Friendly Activities
  
  Jr. Engineer Training
  Railyard Switching Puzzle
  Railroad Learning Zone
  Trackside Seek & Find
  Whistle Stop Word Quest
  All Aboard Selfie Station
- Door Prizes
  Don’t miss the excitement of hourly door prize drawings—every hour, on the hour. No tickets to buy; all attendees are automatically entered for a chance to win.
- Layouts
  Explore all the layouts set up by clubs and individual modelers from across the region. See a wide variety of styles, themes, and creative approaches, and gather ideas to bring back to your own railroad.

Sunday May 17, 2026

Gathering Attendees will explore a variety of unique and inspiring garden railroads around the local area.