Running Sessions

From time to time members may host/schedule Fun and Run sessions; these are ad-hoc with no normal schedule.  All BTS members and prospective members are welcome.

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Society Meetings - 2025 Meetings and Events

The club normally meets on the second Saturday of the month.  Club meetings include time to socialize, a brief club meeting and a presentation by a club member, or invited guest.  Members are welcome to bring trains to run on the host's layout.

In 2025 we will be spending time working on the new club layout.

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2025 Meetings and Events

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June 14nd  - Alex Jackiw's home in Mokena, IL  at 1:30 pm.

This meeting has been changed to a running session at the Elmhurst library in conjunction with the Chicagoland T-Trak Club.  The running session is from 12:00-4:00 pm.  Everyone is welcome to bring and run your N-Scale trains.

 

July 12th - Location TBD.  1:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

Program:  Summer club picnic.

August  23rd - Alex Jackiw's place in Mokena IL.  1:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

Program: Review the club's N Scale T-Track layout and discuss upcoming events for the year.

 

September TBD - Location TBD.

Program: This will be a small show/display in conjunction with the Chicagoland T-Trak club.  The exact date, location and timings are yet to be determined.

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October 11th - Monthly BTS meeting. Harry Raynis’ home, 1537 Warbler Dr, Naperville, IL, from 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm.

Program:  The October meeting is typically our annual swap meet.

Remember to bring your money those items you are looking to add to your collection.  This is also an opportunity to bring those items you are looking to find a new home for.

 

If you wish to sell at the swap meet, please contact Alex Jackiw with how much space you require.

 

November 8th - Monthly BTS meeting. Alex Jackiw's place in Mokena IL.  1:30 pm to 4:30 pm..

OO layout working session to ballast the track.

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November 15th - Chicagoland T-Trak/BTS exhibition 

The BTS is teaming with the Chicagoland T-Trak club for their 15 Nov show at the Palatine library main branch.  The club will be bringing the club T-Trak modules; club members are encouraged to bring their own T-Trak modules as well as any British N-scale locomotives and rolling stock.  The show is set to run from 9:30 am through 5:00 pm on Saturday.  Please let Alex and Martin know if you are planning to participate.

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The layouts will be setup in Meeting Room #1 at the Main library, 700 North North Court, Palatine.  Meeting Room #1 is on the east side at the front of the building.  The library opens at 9:00 am Saturday morning for any early arrivals/last minute setup work.

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Setup for the show is planned for Friday afternoon, 14 Nov, from 3 - 6 pm.  The main doors to the library are in the center, but a set of doors should be open for setup on the east side of the front; you can park right there to unload.  There are parking lots on the east and west sides of the library.  If the weather is bad, we can use the garage under the library; it has an elevator to the first floor.  

 

December 13th - Monthly BTS meeting. Location TBD, Time TBD.

Annual Christmas gathering.

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2026 Meetings and Events

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January  10th - Monthly BTS meeting. Location TBD, 1:30 - 4:30 pm

Program: TBD

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February  14th - Monthly BTS meeting. Location TBD, 1:30 - 4:30 pm

Program: TBD

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March  14th - Monthly BTS meeting. Location TBD, 1:30 - 4:30 pm

Program: TBD

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March  21st (TBC) - All American Train Show, Lyons Township High School North Campus, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Program: The 2026 All American Train show.  The show is held at the Lyon's Township High School, North campus.  The doors open at 9 am and the show closes at 5 pm.  We typically setup the layout the Friday night before the show.

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April  11th - Monthly BTS meeting. Location TBD, 1:30 - 4:30 pm

Program: TBD

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Local & Regional Events of Interest

Below are some of the model train activities of interest in the local area.

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All American Train show - March 21rd (TBC), 2026

The 2026 All American Train show has not yet been scheduled; however, it is typically the third weekend in March.  The show is held at the Lyon's Township High School, North campus.  The doors open at 9 am and the show closes at 5 pm.  We typically setup the layout the Friday night before the show.

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Chicagoland T-Trak - The 11 October event at the Elmhurst Library was cancelled.  

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Roselle Library Train Show - November 1- 2, 2025

This local event is held the first weekend of November at the Roselle Public Library.  The club brings a variety of smaller layouts including the N-Scale T-Trak layout, Richard Smyth often brings his always popular trolley layout, and Ken Carlson brings his multi-gauge layout .

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Milwaukee Trainfest - November 1-2, 2025

Trainfest 2025 is scheduled for November 1-2, 2025, at the Baird Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The event will be open both days from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Trainfest will feature numerous model train manufacturers, dealers, operating displays, and more. The National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) is producing the event in its 90th anniversary year. 
Website: https://www.train-fest.com/

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Great Mid West Train Show -  

Typically the first Sunday of the month from 9am-3pm, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton.

Website: https://www.trainshow.com/gmtspages/great-midwest-train-show-information

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2025 Show dates

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Jan 7 - Wheaton, IL
Feb 4 - Wheaton, IL
Mar 3 - Wheaton, IL
Apr 7 - Wheaton, IL
May 5 - Wheaton, IL
June 2- Wheaton, IL
Aug 4 - Wheaton, IL
Sept 8 - Wheaton, IL
Oct 6 - Wheaton, IL
Nov 3 - Wheaton, IL
Dec 1 - Wheaton, IL​