Club History

The first test setup of the new modules, at the Saint John Armoury in the South End, May 1984.  Doug Buckley is inside the loop, while Byron Thomas is on the outside with Dave Hodgin in the background.  There were five pairs of modules, but only four could be set up at the time.   

Saint John Society of Model Railroaders

The Society was formed in 1984 by an informal association of modelers who had operated a successful Maritime model railroad convention in 1983.  The group wanted to make a portable HO scale modular model railroad layout, so profits from the first show were put into materials to construct the original modules and corners.  These original modules and corners were all built at one time, and parceled out to members.   The group called itself the Saint John Society of Model Engineers.  (See below re name change).

Such a modular model railroad is comprised of individual sections built by members in their own homes, all to common specifications so they can be fastened together in any order.  The Society owns the corners and the track power supply.  The individual sections can be brought together to operate as a group.

Some members are involved in other aspects of the hobby such as O scale modeling, collecting Lionel trains, or have home layouts and do not have modules, but participate in all activities. 

The SJSMR has operated annual  local shows since 1986,  participated in hobby shows at local shopping malls, and hosted Maritime conventions three times.  The modular layout has been displayed at all but two Maritime conventions held in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island since the formation of  the group. 

Many members are skilled model builders and photographers, and the Society is always well represented at  convention model and photo contest award ceremonies. The modular layout was voted by the public as “Best Display” at annual Maritime conventions in 1997 and 1998.  Several members have had many articles and photos in all the major hobby magazines, as well as the annual Walthers hobby catalog, attesting to their creative skills.

The SJSMR is an informal group, and everybody pitches in to help out when needed.   No regular meetings were held up to late 1998, but many of the members got together informally on an irregular basis.  Monthly meetings have now been scheduled, with the hope of attracting more modelers interested in modular model railroading.

Money raised by local shows has been used to hire vehicles to transport the modular layout to out of town conventions and local shows.  The SJSMR made donations to a local soup kitchen, the Salvation Army, the Saint John Boys and Girls Club, and all proceeds from the 1995 mid-winter show went to the soup kitchen as well.   Bursaries have been presented to the local high school where recent shows were held, and a donation was made to the local food banks in 2002 and 2004.

Club name changed in 2002

In 2001 it was decided to formalize the business end of club affairs by having the name certified under the laws of the Province of New Brunswick.   The official name would be used on lease agreements, insurance policies and other documents..

But there was a problem with registering the club name Saint John Society of Model Engineers with the word “Engineers” in it.  So the decision was made to change the club name to the Saint John Society of Model Railroaders.  The name was registered in 2002 with the province - same group, same modular layout, the same annual show, and the same bunch of talented model railroaders!

First Public Model Railroad Show

The Modules on TV.  In December of 1984, three pairs of modules were set up and running for CHSJ-TV's Mid Day program.    Here Bob Boudreau, the hostess, and Gerry Gilliland discuss the finer points of model railroading.   They are in front of Gerry's modules, while Bob's are on the opposite side.  To the right, behind the cameraman  are Doug Buckley's modules, set up to display the construction techniques.

Modules in the Mall

 Modules in the Mall.  An early set up in Saint John's McAllister Place Mall, April 1985.   In use is the club's first attempt at crowd control, mini picket fences.  Each member had two 4 foot sections for in front of their modules, and there were extra ones for the corners.  These were used for quite a few years.  Still no skirting on the modules at this time.  There are four pairs of modules set up here.

First Mid Winter Model Railroad Show

The first of our winter shows.  The modules were set up in the South End  Community Center on a snowy winter day in February of 1986.   There was only room for two pairs of modules, Mike May's on the left, and Ron Grant's on the right.   That's Mike with his back to the camera in the foreground (Mike now lives in Calgary).   We had some tables set up, and some dealers were on hand.  On the right was our one and only attempt at a "Silent Auction".

We hosted train shows at various locations near the end of February - first of March until 2007, when we found a new site in the Saint John suburb of Quispamsis, at the Quispamsis Lions Club building.   Problems with the weather were eliminated by changing the date to the first Saturday in November for the 2008 show and later ones.  A few years ago, we changed our show to the second Saturday in November. This current site, a former roller skating arena,  is ideal for our show, with easy access (right off highway 1), plenty of free parking, several access doors for participants, and a great canteen service.

Previous show locations: 

01.  May 1984        Saint John, N.B.      First trial setup, Barrack Green Armory

02.  06 Oct. 1984    Saint John, N.B.      SJSME first public show, City Road Armory

03.  27 Apr. 1985    Saint John, N.B.      McAllister Place Mall Hobby Fair

04.  25 Oct. 1985    Saint John, N.B.      Port City Club show, Howard Johnson's

05.  22 Feb. 1986    Saint John, N.B.      1st SJSME Mid-Winter Show, South End Community Center

06.  16 Mar. 1986    Saint John, N.B.      SJSME Show, Carleton Community Center

07.  03 May 1986     Saint John, N.B.     McAllister Place Mall Hobby Fair

08.  17 May 1986     Fredericton, N.B.     Maritime Division NER Convention

09.  30 Nov.1986     Saint John, N.B.      SJSME Show, Carleton Community Center

10.  Feb. 1987          Saint John, N.B.          2nd SJSME Mid-Winter Show, Dennis Morris Center

11.  28 Mar.1987    Saint John, N.B.       McAllister Place Hobby Fair

12.  06 Jun. 1987    Truro, N.S.                  Maritime Division NER Convention

13.  28 Nov.1987     Saint John, N.B.      Brunswick Square display

14.  27 Feb. 1988    Saint John, N.B.      3rd SJSME Mid-Winter Show, Dennis Morris Center

15.  21 May 1988     Saint John, N.B.      "Rails East '88", SJSME, Maritime Division & NER Joint

                                                                                    Convention, Delta Brunswick Hotel

16. 23 July 1988         Saint John, N.B.      Loyalist Days display, Market Square

17. 04 Mar 1989          Saint John, N.B.      4th SJSME Mid-Winter Show, Dennis Morris Center

18. 08 Apr.1989          Saint John, N.B.          McAllister Place Hobby Fair

19. 19 May 1989         Dartmouth, N.S.      MFMR Convention

20. 04 Jun .1989         Saint John, N.B.      SJSME Display, CP Rail Family Days

21. 28 Sep.1989          Moncton, N.B.         Moncton Model Railroad Club Show, Heritage Court

22. 03 Mar.1990          Saint John, N.B.      5th SJSME Mid-Winter Show, Dennis Morris Center

23. 21 Apr.1990          Saint John, N.B.          McAllister Place Hobby Fair

24. 02 Jun. 1990         Moncton, N.B.         MFMR Convention

25. 05 Sep.1990          Fredericton, N.B.       Fredericton Exhibition (Ron Grants' modules only)

26. 23 Feb.1991     Saint John, N.B.      6th SJSME Mid-Winter Show, Charlotte St. Legion Hall

27. 08 Jun. 1991         Charlottetown, PEI MFMR Convention

28. Feb.1992                Saint John, N.B.      7th SJSME Mid-Winter Show, Charlotte St. Legion Hall

29. 11 Mar.1992          Saint John, N.B.      Display at Saint John Traffic Club

30. 25 Apr. 1992         Saint John, N.B.          McAllister Place Mall Hobby Fair

31. 06 Jun.1992          Truro, N.S.                     MFMR Convention

32. l8 Jul.1992             Fort Fairfield, ME    SJSME Display, Potato Blossom Festival

33. Feb.1993                Saint John, N.B.      8th SJSME Mid-Winter Show, Charlotte St. Legion Hall

34. Jun.1993                Saint John, N.B.          "Railfair '93" - MFMR Convention, Thistle-St. Andrews CC

35. Feb.1994               Saint John, N.B.       9th SJSME Mid-Winter Show, Charlotte St. Legion Hall

36. 21 May 1994        Dartmouth, N.S.       MFMR Convention

37. l6 JuIy 1994          Fort Fairfield, ME    SJSME Display, Potato Blossom Festival

38. Jun - Oct.1994      Saint John, N.B.     "Big Little Train Show", ABEC Center

39. 25 Feb. 1995         Saint John, N.B.      10th SJSME Mid-Winter Show, Charlotte St. Legion Hall

40. 20 May 1995         Hillsborough, N.B. MFMR Convention

41. 22 July 1995         Fort Fairfield, ME    SJSME Display, Potato Blossom Festival

42. 02 Dec.1995         Saint John, N.B.       SJSME Display, Parkway Mall

43. Feb.1996               Saint John, N.B.       11th SJSME MId-WInter Show, Charlotte St. Legion Hall

44. Dec.96 -Jan.97    Saint John, N.B.        SJSME Display, "Toys of Yesteryear", N.B. Museum Market Sq.

45. 22 Feb.1997         Saint John, N.B.       12th SJSME Mid-Winter Show, Lancaster Lions Club Hall

46. 07 Jun.1997          Truro, N.S.                      MFMR Convention

47. 01 July 1997         McAdam, N.B.          SJSME display, Canada Days Celebrations

48. 28 Feb. 1998         Saint John, N.B.      13th SJSME Mid-Winter Show, Lancaster Lions Club Hall

49. June 1998             Yarmouth, N.S.         MFMR Convention

50. 27 Feb. 1999        Saint John, N.B.       14th SJSME Mid-Winter Show, Lancaster Lions Club Hall

51. June 1999             Halifax, N.S.                   MFMR Convention

52. 19 Feb. 2000        Saint John, N.B.       15th SJSME Mid-Winter Show, St. Malachy's High School Gym

53. 24 June 2000       Hillsborough, N.B.  MFMR Convention

54. 01 July 2000         McAdam, N.B.              Celebration 2000 Village Homecoming

55. 24 Feb. 2001        Saint John, N.B.       16th SJSME Mid-Winter Show, St. Malachy's High School Gym

56. 23 June 2001       Kentville, N.S.           MFMR Convention

57. 02 March 2002    Saint John, N.B.       17th SJSME Mid-Winter Show, St. Malachy's High School Gym

58. 08 June 2002       Truro, N.S.                      MFMR Convention

59. 29 June 2002       McAdam, N.B.          Village Summer Event

60. 01 March 2003    Saint John, N.B.       18th SJSMR Mid-Winter Show, St. Malachy's High School Gym

61. 25 Oct. 2003         Saint John, N.B.       Train Show Masonic Lodge Hall, Germain Street

62. 15 May 2004        Saint John,                     MFMR Convention "Rails to the Sea" hosted by SJSMR

63. 01 July 2004         McAdam, N.B.          Village Summer Event

64. 01 March 2005     Saint John, N.B.      20th SJSMR Mid-Winter Show, St. Malachy's High Scool Gym

65. 05 Nov. 2005        Fredericton, N.B.     First train show in city at the Fredericton Inn.

66. 04 Mar. 2006         Saint John, N.B.      21st SJSMR Mid-Winter Show, St. Malachy's High School Gym

67. 01 July 2006          McAdam, N.B.              Participating in town's summer fair, modules in station.

68. 23 Sept. 2006        Saint John, N.B.      Mini Fall Show, Mission/St. Clements Church Hall

69. 03 March 2007     Saint John, N.B.     22nd SJSMR Mid-Annual Winter Show, St. Malachy's High School

70. 03 June 2007         Truro, N.S.                    MFMR Annual Convention

71. 01 March 2008     Saint John, N.B.      23rd SJSMR Mid-Annual Winter Show, St. Malachy's High School

72. 08 Nov. 2008         Quispamsis, N.B.    24th SJSMR Annual Show, Islandview Lions Club

73. 23 May 2009          Summerside, PEI    MFMR Annual Convention

74. 07 Nov. 2009         Quispamsis, N.B.     25th SJSMR Annual Show, Islandview Lions Club.

75. 22 May 2010          Saint John, N.B.           MFMR/NER Annual Convention, "Tracks & Tides 2010"  Hosted by  SJSMR,                                                                                                                                                                    Lord Beaverbrook Rink.

76. 05 Nov. 2010         Quispamsis, N.B.      26th SJSMR Annual Show, Islandview Lions Club

77. 14 May 2011          Lunenberg, N.S.       MFMR Annual Convention (N scale modules only)

78. 05 Nov. 2011         Quispamsis, N.B.      27th SJSMR Annual Show, Islandview Lions Club

79. 02 June 2012         Halifax, N.S.               MFMR Annual Convention (HO scale modules only)

80. 03 Nov. 2012         Quispamsis, N.B.      28th SJSMR Annual Show, Islandview Lions Club

81. 01 June 2013         Tatamagouche, N.S. MFMR Annual Convention - HO scale modules

82.  Aug. 2013              Saint John Exhibition  4 8 ft modules

83. 02 Nov. 2013         Quispamsis, N. B.     29th Annual Show, Islandview Lions Club

84.  Aug. 2014           Saint John Exhibition  2 16 ft  modules

85. Nov.2014                Quispamsis, N.B.          30th Annual Show, Islandview Lions Club

86. Nov.2015                Quispamsis, N.B.      31st Annual Show, Islandview Lions Club

87. Nov.2016                Quispamsis, N.B.      32nd Annual Show, Islandview Lions Club

89. May 2017           Summerside P.E.I.    MFMR Annual Convention (HO scale modules)

90. July 1-2 2017         McAdam, N.B.            Canada Day 150 weekend set up in McAdam train station

91. Nov. 2017               Quispamsis, N.B.       33rd Annual Show, Islandview Lions Club

92. 01 June 2018         Truro, N.S.                       MFMR Annual Convention  (HO scale modules)

93. Nov. 2018               Quispamsis, N.B.      34rd Annual Show, Islandview Lions Club

94. 01 June 2019         Sackville, N.B.           MFMR Annual Convention  (HO scale modules)

95. Nov. 2019               Quispamsis, N.B.      35rd Annual Show, Islandview Lions Club

96. Nov. 2022               Quispamsis, N.B.      36rd Annual Show, Islandview Lions Club

97. May 2023               Saint John                        MFMR Annual Convention," Railfest 2023" (no modules displayed, home layouts only)  Hosted by  SJSMR        

98. Oct. 2023               Quispamsis, N.B.       37rd Annual Show, Islandview Lions Club

99. May 2024               Sackville, NB                  MFMR Annual Convention (HO & On3 scale modules)