EPTC The East Penn Traction Club

The 2011 East Penn 20th National Model Trolley Meet is Now History!

Check back for information on our 2013 Meet.

--- Information on the 2011 Meet ---

May 12 (setup only), 13 & 14, 2011

The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center At Oaks
1601 Egypt Road
Phoenixville, PA 19460

In the spring of odd numbered years, the East Penn Traction Club sponsors the largest trolley-only model meet in the country. The next meet, Spring 2011, will be held at The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center At Oaks. (directions below.)

The meet draws the premier modelers and manufacturers from all over the country for a weekend of viewing models, layouts, films, photos, slides, model contests, and how-to clinics on subjects ranging from hanging trolley wire to modeling subway cars. The theme for the meet will be Nearside Trolleys. There will be several judged model contests including one for the meet theme, best operating module, etc. In addition, the latest in trolley kits, parts, bodies, etc. are offered for sale as is prototype data such as photos and books.

Check out photos from the 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009 meets in our photo gallery!.

Registration Information

Meet registration is $18 per person ($20 after May 1, 2011). Spouses and children under 18 are admitted free with a registered adult.

Dealer tables and commercial displays are $20 per table.

NOTE!! Dealer Tables Are Sold Out. Check at the registration desk in case any become available the day of the show.

You are strongly encouraged to pre-register to save $$ on registration. You must mail in your check and the registration form to be considered pre-registered! THERE IS NO ON-LINE REGISTRATION AVAILABLE! Sending email to any address on this web site does not constitute pre-registration!

The Meet Registration form is available in Adobe pdf format for your convenience. Click on the link below to open or click "save as" in your broswer.

Meet Registration form in Adobe .pdf format. (This form requires the free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader to open.)
Meet Flyer Front Page

2011 Meet Agenda

THURSDAY May 12

11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.

Setup of dealer tables, layouts, and displays ONLY.

FRIDAY May 13

8:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M.

Setup of dealer tables, layouts, and displays continues from 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. only.

** MEET OPENS: 11:00 A.M. FRIDAY**

SATURDAY May 14

Meet Open: 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M. (Some dealers may close at 5:00 P.M.)
Check the Schedule Board posted at the Registration Desk for updates to individual event times)

Clinics:

Features:

Contests:

There will also be a self guided rail tour available for those looking to explore the prototype trolley and light rail systems around Philadelphia. Details will be provided during the meet.

SUNDAY May 15

In lieu of a fan trip there will be a Self Guided Trolley Home Layout Tour. The following individuals and club will host self-guided layout tours for EPTC Meet attendees on Sunday, May 15, 2011:

  1. Bob Dietrich - HO gauge South Hills Junction module, permanently retired 2.5’ x 10’ module, and two sections that were not built as modules but are attached. There is also a WIP section of standard and narrow gauge railroad.
  2. Manny Reider - O scale trolley layout with an HO railroad above.
  3. John V Gallagher - The Mongaup Valley Railway is a shortline, DCC operated, traction railway in New York’s Catskill Mountains with a freight interchange.
  4. Dave Gairo - 5 x 7 ft. oddly shaped (in a 9 x 14 room), City-style line with double track, mostly street operation. Includes a half-grand union. NO scenery yet. DCC operation, up to 4 cars at a time
  5. Rich Allman - Two 9x5 platforms at right angles to each other . A Pennsylvania town and a New England village joined by a side-of -the-road link.
  6. Abington Lines Model Railroad Club - 20’ x 60’ HO scale railroad set in the Pennsylvania mountains with a two track mainline that is more than 1,000 feet in length. In the city of Abington is a traction line with operating overhead that accommodates city streetcars, interurban trains and interchange freight.
  7. Ed Skuchas - Two layouts; An interurban layout around the wall provides some long runs. The city layout contains some fine track work and nice buildings.
  8. Chick Seibert - Chick built his highly acclaimed layout in the mid ’40s and it is still running beautifully. Around the wall the line runs between two towns containing many scratch-built structures, all are models of existing or formerly existing structures.

Sign up to visit one or all of these layouts at the Meet on Saturday between 2:00 and 5:00 pm.

Dealers signed up to attend (as of 4/30/2011):

  1. Andrew W Maginnis
  2. BERA Whistle & Rollsign Store
  3. Berkshire Car Shop
  4. Bernard T Duerr
  5. Bradley Clarke, Railroadiana and Urban Transit Collectibles
  6. BVRR Specialties
  7. Car Works
  8. CERA Booksales
  9. Charles T Pitts
  10. Curt J Seeliger Jr
  11. Custom Traxx
  12. Dan Allen
  13. David Richter
  14. David L Waddington
  15. Dennis Linsky
  16. Dick Freeze
  17. East Gary Car Co
  18. Edward Levinson
  19. Electric City Trolley Museum Association
  20. Exporail Canadian Railroad Museum
  21. Friends of Philadelphia Trolleys
  22. Friends of the Hershey Trolley
  23. Gary Weekly
  24. George M Peckman
  25. GHB International
  26. Guy T Krivanek
  27. Harold Pinsker
  28. Island Modelworks
  29. James Poulos
  30. Jason's Brass Poles
  31. Joe Brancato
  32. John Bromley
  33. John Lenhart
  34. John Nieveen
  35. Kenn Cosgrove
  36. Kevin T Farrell
  37. KND Enterprises
  38. Leo Sullivan
  39. Long Island Traction Club
  40. Manny Reider
  41. Michael Demeo
  42. Michael Engle
  43. Midcco Models
  44. MTS Imports
  45. North Jersey Electric Rwy Hist Society
  46. NH Custom Painting
  47. O Scale Trains Magazine
  48. Outer Station Project
  49. PA Heritage Models Ltd
  50. Q-Car Company Inc
  51. Railfare Collectibles
  52. Rich Randall
  53. Rich Short
  54. Rivers Traction & Trolley
  55. Robert Selzer
  56. Rockhill Trolley Museum
  57. Seashore Trolley Museum
  58. SEPTA Transit Museum Store
  59. South Bend Car Co
  60. Stella Scale Models
  61. Toonerville Collector's Club
  62. Transit Gloria Mundi
  63. Transquip Company
  64. UpSide/DownUnder
  65. Walter Hackler

Hotel Accommodations

Two hotels are providing a limited block of rooms at a special rate for East Penn Meet goers.

The first is the Valley Forge Scanticon Hotel & Conference Center in Valley Forge, PA. Follow the link below to get the special rate of only $69.00 per night or mention the East Penn Traction Club 2011 Trolley Meet when you call. Please note that this hotel is not within walking distance to the meet venue. SEPTA bus route 99 does pass by this hotel and the convention center in Oak's. Check with SEPTA for schedule details.

Valley Forge Scanticon Hotel & Conference Center East Penn Rooms

A limited block of rooms has also been reserved at the nearby Hampton Inn & Suites Valley Forge/Oaks. Price is $109. Please contact the Hampton Inn directly and mention East Penn Traction Club to get the reserved rate. Rooms must be reserved no later than April 18, 2011. You can contact them online at hamptoninn1.hilton.com or Tel: 1-610-676-0900. The hotel is located at 100 Cresson Boulevard, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, USA 19460. Other hotels are available in the King of Prussia area.

For more accomodations in the area, visit the Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau Accomodations page.

For other things to do in the area visit Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau home page.

Restuarant and Area Guide

Download a copy of our Restaurant and Area Guide to help plan your time at the meet.

2011areaguide.pdf

Directions to The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center At Oaks

Driving from From Rt. 76 (Schuylkill Expressway)

Follow Rt. 76 west to King of Prussia
Exit to Rt. 202 South (West Chester)
Stay in right lane for Rt. 422 West (Pottstown)
Stay on Route 422 for 6.4 miles
Exit Rt. 422 at Oaks, left onto Egypt Road
Left at Station Ave. (3rd light)
Follow signs for the Expo Center

Driving from the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76)

Exit at Valley Forge and stay to the right
Exit Rt. 202 South (West Chester)
Stay in right lane for Rt. 422 West (Pottstown)
Stay on Route 422 for 6.4 miles
Exit Rt. 422 at Oaks, left onto Egypt Road
Left at Station Ave. (3rd light)
Follow signs for the Expo center

Via SEPTA

SEPTA Bus Route 99 from Norristown to Phoenixville via King of Prussia stops at a the EXPO Center and connects to the Manayunk/Norristown regional rail line and Norristown High Speed line (P&W) at Norristown Transportation Center with an additional connection to the Norristown High Speed line at DeKalb Street (former P&W King Manor).

Return to home page Return to Top of Page