Great Scale Model Train Show — Timonium, Maryland

The Great Scale Model Train Show is held at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Maryland. It is run by Makin' Tracks, LLC, which took over operations from the founders in 2014. The organizer says the show has run for over 40 years and calls it the largest and most popular train show in the Mid-Atlantic.

The organizer's history says the show was created as an alternative to the area's train-and-toy shows: a juried show for exhibitors focused on scale rail modeling or on artifacts from the real railroads. Visitors walk past many operating layouts. The organizer also lists clinics on subjects from scenery to train control, with demonstrations, white-elephant tables where visitors can sell or buy railroad items, prize drawings and an hourly lotto.

The organizer describes its shows as family-friendly and says they generally take place on the first weekend of February, the second weekend of April and the last weekend of October.

Many operating layouts, exhibitors focused on scale rail modeling, clinics with demonstrations, white-elephant tables of railroad items, and prize drawings.

Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Timonium, Maryland 21093. The show is held in the Cow Palace. The organizer's current admission notice says the door takes cash or check only, no credit cards, and notes an ATM nearby. Online ticket sales, where cards may be used, are announced a few weeks before each show. Children under 16 are free with a paying adult. Family and solo-adult tickets are offered for both days or for Sunday only, and the organizer sells a Lifetime Pass for free admission.