Amherst Railway Society Cancels 2021 West Springfield Show

By Railroad Model Craftsman Staff

The Amherst Railway Society has canceled the 2021 edition of its annual Railroad Hobby Show in West Springfield, Mass., due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the announcement on Friday, the Amherst board of directors called it one of the “hardest decisions” it has ever had to make. 

“Please know that this decision was not made lightly,” the board wrote. “We know that both exhibitors and attendees will be disappointed. While this decision was difficult, the Board of Directors believes that it’s the right thing to do for the health and safety of the 25,000 people who we welcome each year.”

The Amherst show has been held for 54 years and is the biggest train show in the Northeast, stretching over four buildings at the Eastern States Exposition. Organizers said that they had been working tirelessly to make sure the 2021 event went off without a hitch but came to realize in recent weeks that it simply would not be possible. A “Virtual Railroad Hobby Show” will take place that same weekend and details about that will be announced soon. 

However, the group is already planning for the January 2022 show. 

This article was posted on: October 23, 2020