The spring train meet sponsored by the Carbon Model Railroad Society was held March 27 in the Palmerton Area High School.

This 19th spring meet had more dealers in attendance than ever before.In fall a second meet is held in Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall. This year's fall meet will be Nov. 6. Admission is charged for the meets.The reason meets are held is to provide the public with the opportunity to see trains in action or to buy model and toy trains of all gauges, books and railroadiania, material from private collections and to meet dealers who exhibit new and pre-owned equipment.It is also a source for information about creating a layout or about the real trains that ran in the area.The Endys had to move their large displays to the lobby to make more room for the dealers. Sheldon Endy had a circus train and his son and grandson, Bob and Douglas, follow in his footsteps.Each year the club makes an HO car, first for the towns of Carbon County and now for businesses where truck trailers sit on flatbed cars. Last year's model was a Pencor trailer"We'd like to do another project in a larger area," said club President Garry Mack.One year there were 500 paid adult admissions. That is the point the club aims for each year.A man who moved to a new house and no longer uses his trains donates some things to the club each year. Those that do not fit into the club display are sold for the benefit of the club."It's one-stop shopping for all gauges, new and pre-owned," said Mack.Trains and equipment will be available at the Christmas in July open house (July 9, 10, 16, 17) at 529 Ore St., Bowmanstown; and during the holiday open house Nov. 26, 27; Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11; and Jan. 7 and 8 from 1-5 p.m.; and Thursdays from 7-9 p.m., Dec. 1, 8, 15, 29 and Jan. 5.Mack describes the open houses as an excellent learning tool because someone there will be able to solve your layout problem.Admission is free though donations are welcome.For information check

www.cmrs.info, email

info@cmrs.info or call (610) 826-6636.