Great Train Show Returns to Pleasanton, Alameda County Fairgrounds This Weekend

The Great Train Show is underway at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton today, and continues through Sunday December 14. Doors open at 10 00 and close at 16 00 on both days, offering a full afternoon for shopping, watching operating layouts and attending demonstrations and workshops.

As a large traveling model train trade and exhibition, the show brings together dealers and manufacturers around expansive operating displays and test tracks. Visitors can expect vendor tables stocked with rolling stock, parts and accessories, staged operating layouts that run throughout the day, and scheduled demonstrations and workshops that highlight techniques and product features. The event also includes family activities geared toward newcomers and young modelers.

Admission pricing is listed on the event page, and attendees are advised to check those details before arriving. Parking information and entrance instructions are provided by the show listing, so verify lot locations and the recommended entry points before you go to avoid delays. The event listing links to the promoter ticket page for registration and for additional exhibitor information, including table and setup instructions for those planning to exhibit.

For collectors and casual visitors alike the practical value is immediate. Test tracks give a chance to run locomotives and check compatibility, manufacturers and dealers provide access to new releases and hard to find items, and workshops offer techniques that can be applied at home. The show’s mix of trade and exhibition elements makes it a useful stop whether you are looking to buy, learn or simply enjoy large operating displays.

Expect a typical large regional show environment, with busy aisles and active layouts that draw families and longtime modelers. Plan for a full day if you want to see demonstrations and visit multiple vendor tables. Register on the promoter ticket page, review parking and entrance details on the event listing, and arrive early to make the most of the programming and operating displays.