Upcoming Events
2022-2023 RRVD Schedule

RRVD meets (when held on site, check below) are at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepard,1829 N Rockton Ave, Rockford, IL 61103 (MAP). Enter the south entrance from the parking lot and take the stairs or elevator to the basement.

We are providing two versions of the Events pamphlet.  If you simply want a listing of the events, you can print it out using this version:

Spring 2023 Events Linear Version

If you wish to print out a "booklet" similar to the hard copies we have provided to our members, you can print it out here using this version.  NOTE:  You have to print it "double-sided," then you can fold it in half and have a booklet.  You may have to re-order the pages depending on your printer settings.

Spring 2023 Events Booklet Version

 

August, 17 2022 - Potluck Picnic
Time: 5-7 PM
Meet Location: Tullocks Woods Pow Wow Club, 4525 Stagecoach Trail, Rockford, IL. [MAP]
Event: This is a Potluck Picnic for NMRA Members Only. Bring two dishes to pass and tableware. The RRVD will provide beverage, burgers and brats. RSVP Ken Mosny with number attending to asstsuperintendent@rrvd-nmra.com so we can plan burgers and brats.

 

September 11, 2022
Monthly Meet
Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
Clinic: Show & Tell. Open presentations of anything Railroad related. What did you do this Summer? Ten minutes maximum time.
Contest: Boxcars. Once the most common car on a railroad, it is still the most popular with modelers. Bring your favorite
Layout Tour: You are invited to Rick Frese's CNW Galena Division.  It is a double level layout.  West Chicago is the eastern end and a 6 track staging yard. I have modeled Marengo, Belvidere, Cherry Valley, Rockford, Pecatonica and Freeport. The layout is DCC controlled.  Visit Rock Rail for more information.

October 2, 2022
Monthly Meet
O
regon Depot Museum, 401 Collins St., Oregon, IL 61061
Clinic: Otto Dick of the museum will give a tour and presentation on the Oregon Train Station. Hopefully, the CB&Q Silver View dome observation will be in place for us to tour.

Contest: Extended Use Equipment. This is something that has been modified from its original purpose to extend its useful life such as a box car turned office, a tank car used as a water tank for an industry etc.
Layout Tour: Mike McBride's impressive "Iron Cross" layout in Dixon. This layout has been in Railroad Model Craftsman a number of times.

 

November 6, 2022
Monthly Meet
Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
Clinic: Light your scenes without wiring by Michael Groves, This might be live or via zoom.
Contest: Tank Cars. There are many variations and eras for tank cars. Show us your favorite.
Layout Tour: Harold Hereen's Toledo, Peoria and Western

 

November 19 & 20, 2022
Northwestern Illinois Model Railroad Club Inc.
101 Main Street
Chadwick, IL 61014
10am-4pm

Fall Open House: An open house is planned at the Northwestern Illinois Model Train Club for Saturday November 19 and Sunday the 20, from 10 AM to 4 PM both days.

 

December 4, 2022
Monthly Meet
Paulson's Agriculture Museum of Argyle
6950 Belvidere Rd. Caledonia, IL 61011
1pm-3pm

Clinic: Superintendent Marty Hendrickx will present What the Heck is a Blunami? This is an introduction to the latest Soundtraxx decoder that requires only your smartphone as a throttle. No DCC or analog DC needed.

Fun: Just because there is no Trainfest bus this year doesn't mean you will evade the world famous Ray's Trivia Quiz. Start studying now!

Contest: Cabooses are an all time favorite of modelers. Could be an in-use box car or one modified for off rail extended duty

Layout Tour: Museum K-D Line

 

December 10, 2022
Capron Lion's Club Train Show
Capron Lions Community Building
305 E North St, Capron, IL 61012
10am-4pm

A family friendly Christmas train show. Fun for kids.

 

January 8, 2023
Monthly Meet
Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
1pm-3pm

Clinics: First is Making Roads, Country and Curved by John Barret and then John will present another called Making Box Car Interiors.

Contest: Bring any grade crossing diorama containing a protected or unprotected road / railroad crossing. Maybe even an abandoned one?

HOLIDAY DINNER: Come to the Holiday Dinner! See the flyer here.

 

February 5, 2023
Monthly Meet
Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
1pm-3pm

Clinics: First is Making Roads, Country and Curved by John Barret and then John will present another called Making Box Car Interiors.

Contest: Lighting or Sound. Bring any display employing the use of lighting or sound.

Layout Tour: Dave Hopper's Toma, Onalaska & Western

 

February 18, 2023
Model Train Show & Toy Farm Show
$5 Admission

Bureau County Fairgrounds
811 W Peru St, Princeton, IL

9am-3pm

All three heated buildings are full of model trains, toy farm equipment, die cast trucks and cars, games, antique toys and much more. A concession stand is in the building. For more information, click here .

 

February 18-19, 2023
Mad City Model Railroad Show and Sale
Alliant Energy Center
Madison, Wi

The 55th annual Mad City Show Will again be held the year. Advance discount tickets are on the website. Click Here for more information.

 

March 5, 2023
Monthly Meet
Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
1pm-3pm

Clinics: David A. Ackmann will present Zoom clinics on Amazing Arduino Animation and Custom Decals. You can visit Dave's website at https://daackm.github.io/ .

Contest: Action Scenes. Bring any diorama portraying what would be a stop action scene, such as a baseball game, fishing, road repair, etc.

Layout Tour: Robbie Kapala's BNSF.

 

March 16, 2023
Rockford O Scalers Open House
6 PM - 10 PM
3886 Lookout Dr., Rockford, IL 61109

March 19, 2023
Rockford O Scalers Open House
12noon-6pm
3886 Lookout Dr., Rockford, IL 61109

 

March 18 & 19, 2023
33rd Annual Depot Stove Gang Model Railroad Show and Swap Meet
Lena Public Schools Campus
Lena, IL

Three Gymnasiums are full of model trains and accessories. A concession stand is in the building. For more information, click here .

 

March 25 & 26, 2023
Rock River Valley Train Show
Harlem High School
Machesney Park, IL
Saturday 10am-5pm
Sunday 10am-3pm

Vendors selling new and used model railroad items, informative displays and operating layouts will be in a 42,000 square foot venue. Admission is still only $5.00 with scouts in uniform free, children 12 and under free. Parking is free, too. Don't miss it! Go to the Train Show Page for detailed information.

 

April 2, 2023
Monthly Meet
Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
1pm-3pm

Annual Meeting: The RRVD Annual meeting will be held at 1pm at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1829 N. Rockton Ave, Rockford, IL 61103 for RRVD business and election of officers for the coming year. NMRA non-members will be excluded from the room during the meeting, but are welcome to attend the rest of the meet activities when the meeting is over. The Annual Meeting should be over by 1:30pm to continue with the monthly meet.

Clinics: Round Robin Miniclinics

John Mann: Scratchbuilding

Ken Mosny: DIY Keep Alive

Gary Loiselle: TBA

Ken Peterson: TBA

Contest: Diesel Locomotives. Bring a model of you favorite diesel for us to see.

Layout Tour: Dennis Blunt's C&NW. We had to twist his arm. This may be one of the last tours of his layout. Don't miss it.

 

May 7, 2023
Monthly Meet
Paulson's Agriculture Museum of Argyle
6950 Belvidere Rd. Caledonia, IL 61011
1pm-3pm

This is the joint meet with the SCWD from north of the cheddar curtain.

Clinics: Rich Mahaney will present “Big Pipes”

Contest: We will have two contests for flatcars. Bring a model of a flatcar and or a photo of a flatcar.

Layout Tour: Harold Hereen's TP&W and Gene Wheeler's C&NW Sterling Sub.

 

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