BEATRICE – The popularity of a local club’s model train show prompted a move for more space, this year.
The Beatrice Area Railroad Enthusiasts Club hosted their two-day model train show at the Beatrice Municipal Auditorium gymnasium, over the weekend. It was the 14th annual show. It originally started at the Gage County Fairgrounds, then at the Holiday Inn Express conference center. This weekend's show was at the Beatrice Municipal Auditorium.

Rich Rischling is President of the local club. The show often brings participation from Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa.
"We used to do the advertising in the paper, and stuff like that...but Facebook has been fantastic for us, now....and we get so many people interested", Rischling said.
The show features model trains of all sizes and realistic looking setups, of all scales. For those who’ve been at it for a long time, Rischling says you can invest a lot and draw on a lot of ideas for your model train display.

"The fun part for me is building the modules and doing the scenery. Some guys love to do the electronics, some like to do the scenery, some like to run their trains, so we have a really good combination of guys in our club that we can accomplish all of that".

Rischling says for persons interested in getting involved in model trains, there are places in Nebraska and the club itself, that can help you get started. He said, "the best way is to get information off the internet. We do have some fantastic hobby shops.....one is in Deshler, another in Lincoln. They're members of our club....and are fantastic with information. And, coming to a train show is the best way to get started with some locomotives and some cars and some track...a starter set....and get your feet wet".

One vendor attending the show this weekend came all the way from Rapid City, South Dakota. Rischling says the Beatrice Municipal Auditorium was a great site for the weekend show, because the amount of room allowed for several big layouts, along with smaller ones.

The Beatrice Area Railroad Enthusiasts also has a clubhouse just east of 8th and Court, with model train layouts open to the public. Hours are Sunday from one until four p.m., and Wednesday evenings from 6:30 until 8 p.m. The club has about 35 members…most from outside of Beatrice.