GADSDEN, AL — The Coosa Valley Model Railroad Association’s 38th Annual Spring Train Show rolled into town on Saturday, April 12, 2025, offering train enthusiasts and families a day filled with intricate displays, nostalgia, and community spirit. Held at the Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts in downtown Gadsden, the event welcomed visitors of all ages to explore multi-scale model train layouts, railroad artifacts, and memorabilia.
Admission was just $5 for adults, with children 12 and under admitted free, making it an affordable and engaging experience for local families. Throughout the day, guests enjoyed door prizes, vendor booths, and the opportunity to learn more about the world of model railroading.
This year’s show stood out thanks to an impressive number of layout enhancements. According to organizers, the team has spent months elevating the display to near museum quality, adding vibrant details such as owls hidden in trees, mischievous dogs by fire hydrants, and even miniature hot dogs being snatched off grills. All six southern rail lines—including L&N, NC & St. L, and the Southern passenger train—were running across the layout.
“We’ve done quite a bit of improvements,” said a show representative during the event. “We started block by block and brought everything to life—flowers around the houses, better automobiles, and more detailed scenery. There’s even a plan to populate the town with lit buildings, redone sidewalks, and poured resin rivers with cargo ships.”
Highlights also included Lookout Mountain, which has been carefully recreated to blend into the scenic backdrop, complete with deer, ducks, swans, and plans for a hidden Sasquatch and eagle’s nest. Technological upgrades were also featured with a DCC command center and over a mile of wiring powering the digital sound and control systems for the engines.
For those who missed the April show, there’s still hope. Organizers say the next train show is expected in September, encouraging fans to follow local model train clubs on social media to stay updated on future event dates and details.
The Coosa Valley Model Railroad Association’s dedication to creating an immersive and entertaining experience continues to make this annual event a treasured tradition in the Gadsden community.
*Video and Photos by Shasta Jones
