Harry Huckemeyer
For many, Labor Day is known as the official end of summer, but for us in the Sun Lakes area, it is a time when those hot summer days start to become a thing of the past. The area is quick to get a new life, as schools are back in session and many of our seasonal residents will soon be returning to enjoy all that this area has to offer. For the Short Line Model Railroad Club, September is typically a time for planning, but our past experiences have taught us to plan early or run the risk of missing out on some of the early major events that hit the rails shortly after the Labor Day holiday. This year is no different, as just prior to our second monthly meeting, we will be on the road participating in one of our key events that we have been a part of annually for several years.
You may want to make a note on your calendar for October 5 and 6 when the City of Scottsdale will once again be hosting the 2024 Railfair, an annual event held at the McCormick Stillman Railroad Park located in Scottsdale off the 101 Indian Bend exit. The park will be open to the public from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on both days, hosting several model railroad clubs and more from around the Valley with their operating layouts, plus all the beauty that the 30-acre railroad park has to offer. This includes a scenic train ride around the park for a small fee, a carousel, and much more. I’m sure you won’t want to miss the indoor museum on-site where you can see a variety of large operational layouts, which are a “never-ending process” maintained by those dedicated and spending many hours keeping things running and updated. The grounds are always well maintained, and offer many opportunities such as summer concerts, in season, and picnic areas within the park. For refreshments, you may want to pay a visit to a small ice cream parlor and, in season, a food court is available in another area of the park.
Although it’s a little early to finalize our plans for the remainder of our 2024 season, we are on track for a strong second half of the year. Locally, each year, the local communities have their Community Days, which are typically held in October and at times have run into November. These are typically well published in the local Robson publications. We have tentative plans for several events that are typically held in November and December, which we are already looking at. As things get added or finalized, we will always try to get the information out to those with an interest in the best manner possible.
As a club, we are always looking for new members who enjoy getting involved with all the changes in modern technology that come into play almost daily in today’s world. If you have an interest, feel free to text me with your name and number, and I’ll be happy to get back to you ASAP. We meet on the second Saturday of the month at the Arts & Crafts Room at Oakwood at 1 p.m. My number is 480-600-1349, or I can always be reached by email at [email protected]. Feel free to stop by, or if you’re interested in a little more detail, you can give me a call. It’s not all about trains, and we do have two social events during the year where we can meet up with other members of the family in a fun setting.