BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — The Somerset County 4-H Trainmasters annual Spring Train show at the Ted Blum 4-H Center, 310 Milltown Road, Bridgewater, N.J. is scheduled for June 9 and 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for children under 12 years old. Children under the age of 2 years old are free. The first 20 children through the doors each day will also receive a free prize.
Family Four Packs of Tickets donated by the Delaware River Railroad Excursions will be awarded as Door Prizes at the end of each show day. The winner need not be present to win. Door prize tickets will be available at the door.
The Trainmasters’ 40-by-60-foot layout will be on display and continuously running throughout the event. Multiple trains will run across thousands of feet of track simultaneously through numerous scenery displays. The scenery represents a range of styles — each created by different members of the club.
The club has an expansive collection of O-scale trains, including Thomas the Tank Engine and The Polar Express, as well as rare and classic trains. There will be interactive play activities for younger children, as well as craft activities and small animals to pet to keep siblings occupied owned by members of the Somerset County 4-H People Pick Me Ups Club.
A varied selection of new and quality pre-owned train items will be for sale, as well as a few select vendors and crafters will fill the main train layout area. Croft Metal Signs will once again be participating in the two-day event, as well as Pony’s Roadside Treasures, who has supported the Trainmaster’s events the past few years.
Concessions will be available for purchase each day of the show, from snacks to a full lunch. A seating area will be offered to enjoy some time off your feet.
Members of the 4-H Trainmasters range in age from fourth-graders to one year out of high school. The Somerset County 4-H Trainmasters Club currently has over 30 members from Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset and Warren counties. It was the first youth-led model railroad club in the state when it formed in 2000 with six kids.
Head Trainmasters leader Jim Wood of Bridgewater informs that Trainmasters club members complete annual projects based on their involvement in 4-H. First-year members complete their module used in the shows, while second-year members complete a landscaping project. Third-Year members complete a Kit assembly and design while fourth-year members add Lighting to a kit structure or rolling stock car. Fifth-Year members complete a scratch built structure and then after the fifth year, Senior Members work on a variety of projects.
The Metropolitan Division of the Train Collectors Association will be returning to the Spring Show to continue to expand their youth division and to promote and keep the hobby alive. Kevin Quinn, METCA President states “The Metropolitan Division of the Train Collectors Association is very proud to have the Somerset County 4-H Trainmasters operate as our kid’s club. The kids represent the very foundation of TCA, 4-H and our hobby. In a few weeks, the Somerset County 4-H Trainmasters will be operating their train layout at the 64th National TCA Convention in Warwick, R.I., from June 28-30. We cannot be more excited for the Somerset County 4-H Trainmasters.”
METCA is made up from 20 counties in three states — New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, building friendships through collecting and operating model trains. Free METCA youth memberships will be available at the event on both days for children up to 18 years of age.
Also returning to the annual spring show is New Jersey Operation Lifesaver with important safety information to remember when around trains and train tracks.
Proceeds from the annual spring train show support the Somerset County 4-H Trainmasters’ College Fund, support of the 4-H Association and other club activities. Each year the Somerset County 4-H Trainmasters Club awards a $1000 scholarship to a graduating Senior who is a member in good standing of any Somerset County 4-H club that will pursue a course of study in the field of Science and sends a club member to the National Railway Historical Society rail camp each summer.
The Somerset County 4-H Trainmasters facebook event is at https://www.facebook.com/events/402224956892619. The Trainmasters club’s website, www.trainmasters.sc4-h.org, also contains additional information about the club. For directions to the show, please visit somerset.njaes.rutgers.edu/directions. For additional information, contact the Somerset County 4-H office at 908-526-6644.
— Somerset County 4-H