September 11-14, 2025 / Concord, New Hampshire
Time to recharge your model railroad batteries? Getting a little stale on ideas to nurture your model railroading interests? How about getting out of the normal pattern? Immerse yourself in a new environment for four days with fellow modelers who have experiences and ideas that can inspire and help you recharge.
See the Flyer—Four Days Immersed in Model Railroading
The season will be in bloom for the Concord Flyer. Central New Hampshire is a genuine year-round destination, drawing folks from across the US and around the globe. Most notably during autumn, when the breathtaking span of the New England natural beauty is an imperative to nature lovers worldwide. Railroad enthusiasts and their guests too, have some special treats awaiting. A variety of tourist train rides will be available, topped by the spectacular Cog Railway up Mt. Washington and the Crawford Notch train from North Conway. Consider a cruise around beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee aboard the MV Mt. Washington or visit museums, mountain tramway rides, rail-bike outings, and kayak tours. Travel along picturesque auto routes – such as the Kancamangus Highway and Sandwich Notch Road. Fill out your convention day with visits to quaint country stores and covered bridges.
This convention taps into Concord New Hampshire’s remarkable history of intense railroading. Our clinics and workshops will feature northern New England railroading and industries served by railroads. Our layout tours, operating sessions, and model showcases will inspire you. The Concord Flyer convention team includes 15 amazing volunteers actively engaged in making this convention exceptional with dozens of other division members ready to assist at the convention. And our non-rail activities make this event fun for the whole family.
A special railroad history presentation on the first evening of the convention will help everyone prepare themselves for a great convention. Rick Kfoury, railroad historian and author, will present a special clinic on the history of the Boston & Maine Railroad in New Hampshire, 1945-1983, with many vintage photos and film clips to illustrate the trains and operations it carried out. Rick’s style and his passion for the subject will energize us for the many clinics and activities to follow.
Do you want a sense of the huge magnitude of railroading 105 years ago in the Concord area? Read Dave Sias’ story of a train traveler of 1920 to learn about the sights, smells, and feels of being near the massive railroad structures and yards and the amazing number of trains moving there daily. Read—A Train Traveler’s Day in Concord, NH
Concord Flyer 2025 will feature 45 fresh and original clinics and workshops. Several will be related to northern New England railroads and the industries they served, such as lumber, paper, textiles, and potatoes. Special attention will be given to the Boston and Maine Railroad which was by far, the dominant railroad in the state during the 1900s.
Clinics will also be offered on the full range of traditional topics including building structures, cars, scenery, operations, electronics, photography, weathering, and overall layout design and construction.
Master Model Railroaders Jim Gore and Carl Smeigh will help you expand your modeling skills. They will give you hands-on instruction and guide you through building a model during the clinic, which you can take home and add to your home layout.
Prepare to be inspired! Concord Flyer 2025 will feature many layouts for touring as well as operating sessions. Quite a few have been featured in the model railroad press, while other layouts are impressive in their own right.
Plan to bring one or more of your models to exhibit in the Celebration Room. If you wish, you can ask that your model be evaluated for the model contest, too. Have you taken railfanning photos? Bring your favorite photos to be exhibited and evaluated. During the convention, visit the Celebration Room to be inspired by the efforts of fellow model railroaders.
Enjoy social hours, banquet, and awards breakfastA special welcome event awaits you Thursday evening. A social hour and banquet will occur on Saturday evening. The banquet keynote speaker will be David Swirk, the very busy and visionary president and general manager of Conway Scenic Railroad. He has been in the railroad industry for nearly 40 years and he has some amazing stories to share with us. On Sunday morning, enjoy breakfast as many awards are presented.
Visit the raffle room filled with donated rail-oriented prizes for you to win.
The convention facility in Concord is affordable and comfortable. The Courtyard by Marriott & Grappone Conference Center offers complimentary parking, on-site fitness center, an indoor swimming pool, a hot tub, and a business center. The hotel restaurant, The Bistro, is convenient and is where you can sit and be served or order a takeout meal.
