30th Carolina Coastal Railroaders Train Show Offers Multi-Scale Layouts, Vendors

The Carolina Coastal Railroaders staged their 30th Annual Train Show Feb. 21–22 at the Riverfront Convention Center in New Bern, filling the venue with operating layouts from G scale to N scale, LEGO displays, and a heavy vendor presence. The event occupied the Riverfront Convention Center at 203 S. Front St., New Bern, NC 28560, and ran Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Organizers and pre-show listings put vendor activity front and center: the club’s event page advertised "Over 100 Vendor Tables selling and buying all kinds and scales of railroad equipment," and club officer Paul DiMauro declared, "We've gone up to 148 tables this year. We can not stuff any more into the Convention Center this year. We're gonna have a fabulous show." DiMauro also handled vendor-table logistics and remained the contact for tables at 252-259-7896 or pauljdimauro@aol.com. Event listings noted six to eight new vendors on the floor this year.

Layout counts varied in pre-event information, but the visual range was clear. The Carolina Coastal Railroaders described "Operating train layouts" and "more than a dozen operating model-railroad layouts" on their event page, while some listings put the number at 10 different model railroads. Scales explicitly cited around the hall ranged from G down to N, and timetable listings included LEGO among the operating displays, giving attendees everything from large outdoors-style G loops to tight N-scale switching scenes.

Admission and family policies were straightforward for weekend attendees. Admission was $10 for ages 12 and up, with children under 12 admitted free with an adult; the club and listings noted that admission was valid for both days. The packed schedule and the variety of vendor tables made the show a practical stop for shoppers looking for new and used locomotives, rolling stock, and accessory parts across multiple gauges.

The family emphasis showed in the floor atmosphere and in the words of club volunteers. Carolina Coastal Railroaders member Joe Huffman captured the moment on the layout floor: "Well, you know when these kids come in there, their eyes get as big as that right there. It's a Kodak moment. You can't put a price on it. That's what it's about." The club closed its promotional copy with an invitation that echoed the hands-on weekend: "We look forward to another exciting Train Show! Come join the fun!"

Post-event takeaways included a crowded vendor hall, a broad scale representation from G to N and LEGO, and energized family crowds. Organizers who staffed the tables and layouts called this 30th anniversary show a full house and a strong reminder that the regional market for new and used model-railroad gear remains active.