THE GREAT TRAIN SHOW - Shakopee, MN
This National Traveling Train Show tours all across America and stops in Shakopee, Minnesota, at the Canterbury Downs facility, the first weekend of November every year. Well attended with vendors and layouts. This particular photo highlights a wooden double helix built by MGRS member Jim Shaver of Mound, MN used in 2021.
CENTURY COLLEGE TRAIN SHOW - Maplewood, MN
Due to space limitations, and basically a swap meet for modelers, this show allows one layout to be featured during the one day show. Our only show that is elevated and place on tabletops, it's dimensions 10x32 feet, a challenge for sure, but very doable. This year's shows are Feb. 2, Apr. 3, and Nov. 18, 2023.
RANDOLPH RAILROAD DAYS - Randolph, MN
Randolph, MN is a small town about 25 miles south of the Twin Cities with much railroad history. The K-12 school gymnasiums are filled in October with vendors and model train layouts. Profits from this show go to the new train history museum fund they are starting to build in 2023. Scheduled over the teachers convention weekend, MEA, this year's dates are October 21 & 22, 2023.
TCMRM TRAIN SHOW - St. Paul, MN
This fundraiser supports the Twin City Model Railroad Museum of St. Paul, MN and is an All Scale Vendor & Layout one day show held in the Education Building on the State Fairgrounds in St. Paul. Occurs twice a year, the dates for 2023 are May 13 and Sept. 16
DAKOTA COUNTY FAIR - Farmington, MN
This County Fair runs for 7 days straight and MGRS is given a whole building to fill with trains from 10am-10pm each day of the fair. This is our largest layout, with 8 running trains going at all times, plus S scale, Z scale, and O Scale modular layouts running in the building as well during the Fair. 2023 dates are August 7-13.
WEST WISCONSIN TRAIN SHOW - Eau Claire, WI
The West Wisconsin Railroad Club sponsors an All Scale train show every year in the Eau Claire Sports Center. The purpose of the show is to have fun sharing the hobby with everyone. This year's dates are October 14 & 15, 2023.
SCOTT COUNTY FAIR - Jordan, MN
Scott County Fairgrounds are in Jordan, MN and host a five day fair at the end of July every year. MGRS premiered there in 2022 and will be back in 2023 with a huge floor display in the same building; dates are July 26 - 30.
CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE - Farmington, MN
New in 2022, MGRS member Don Bolt created a G Scale Christmas layout in the historic library building of the Dakota Village. Open the first two weekends of December, many people toured this building and more for their Christmas celebrating the heritage of the region.