SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Celebrate the opening of National Model Railroad Month at the 46th Annual International Railfair (IRF), which returns to Building C at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd. in Sacramento, Saturday, Nov. 2 and Sunday, Nov. 3.

The annual International Railfair show is run by members of the Sacramento Modular Railroaders, the Sacramento chapter of the European Train Enthusiasts, Roseville Roundhouse Model Railroad Association and the Sierra Division of the Pacific Coast Region of the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA), according to IRF spokesperson Tom Campbell.

The two-day event is described as a county fair of model railroad clubs and activities in the greater Sacramento area.

Tickets can be purchased at https://calexpostatefair.com/event/international-railfair-model-train-show/.

Show guests will see 28,000 square feet of model railroads, featuring over 10 different layouts from Z to G scale, some 100 vendor tables, how-to clinics and much more.

The popular annual two-day model railroad show is called “International Railfair” because one of its participating sponsor clubs, European Train Enthusiasts (ETE), specializes in building and operating European model railroads, Campbell said.

“We display operating model railroads to the public each year at the IRF to educate the public about model railroading, railroad history, and prototypical railroad operations,” Campbell said. “We want to share the best family hobby in the world with you and your family.”

Upcoming show highlights include the returning holiday-themed “Square Foot Challenge” diorama contest, and a children’s model railroad layout where kids, and those especially young at heart, can earn a Junior Engineer badge and operate a real train layout.

Attendees are invited to vote for their favorite “Square Foot Challenge” contest entrant with the highest number of votes being named a People’s Choice winner. The winning diorama builder receives a custom trophy based on a machinist’s square and a $50 gift card to RC Country Hobbies.

Kids can also have fun at a special coloring station with a twist where they can color a 3D paper ‘layout’ of Sacramento featuring the Tower Bridge, the Delta King and the Southern Pacific train station (now the Sacramento Valley Station).

Many of the individual model railroad layouts which are seen at the International Railfair are modular railroads. A typical modular layout consists of transportable individual modules which are clamped together to create a single model railroad, Campbell said.

Modules are typically lightweight, and are about 30" wide and four feet long, and packed with a lot of scenic detail. Legs fold out from underneath the module and the required electrical wiring drops down at both ends of the module.

The annual International Railfair at Cal Expo is presented by Sacramento Modular Railroaders, Sacramento Chapter European Train Enthusiasts, Roseville Roundhouse Model Railroad Association and Sierra Division Pacific Coast Region (PCR) of the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA).

Saturday General Admission (13 and up, good for both days) is $12. Sunday General Admission per adult is $10. Children aged 12 and under are free both days. Active and retired military members receive a $2 discount on event admission at the gate. Cal Expo does charge for parking.

The California Exposition and State Fair has a clear bag policy to reduce security screening interactions and expedite entry to the Cal Expo fairgrounds.

For more information email Tom Campbell at [email protected]. To purchase advance tickets, visit www.internationalrailfair.com.