Queen City Hi-Railers, Lionel Ambassador and home to 40 members is located in Hamilton, OH.
With the largest traveling modular “O” gauge layout in the Midwest, the Queen City
Hi-Railers are regular participants in large local train shows. With their very
flexible modular layout, they can tailor operations and displays to fit local
community events. Along with their well-established holiday season of shows,
they continue to look to expand their exposure by participating in shows
outside of the Fall/Winter season and beyond local markets.
In addition to their traveling display, they maintain a stationary layout at the QCHR
clubroom for member use, club recruitment and to develop enhancements to the
club operations. The QCHR club rents a
space in a community building, where, along with four other local model train
clubs, there exists an “unofficial” regional group of model railroading. Together, these clubs organize an annualtrain club open house to share their love for model railroading.
Upcoming Events:
All Trains Train Show - Greenville, OH
Saturday, September 18, 2016
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Fostoria Rail Festival - Fostoria, OH
Saturday, September 24, 2016
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Ross Central Open House - Ross School Adminstration Building - Ross, OH
WIll have Modules to Run
Sunday, September 25, 2016
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Lakota Train Show - West Chester, OH
WIll have Modules to Run
Saturday - Sunday, October 8 - 9, 2016
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TCA Show - St. Rita school for the deaf
Saturday, October 15, 2016
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Dayton Train Show - Upper Valley Mall - Springfield, OH
WIll have Modules to Run
Saturday - Sunday, November 5 - 6, 2016
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Ross Rails Open House for NMRA Div. 7 - Ross Rails Club Room, OH
Sunday, November 13, 2016
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Miamitown Bicentennial Celebration - Holiday Train Extravaganza - Miamitown, OH
Special listing Nov 17, 2016 to Jan 1, 2017 - every day Thursdays through Sundays
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Green Township Senior Center Train Show - Green Township, OH
WIll have Modules to Run
Saturday - Sunday, November 19 - 20, 2016
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TCA Show - St. Rita school for the deaf
Saturday, November 19, 2016
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Saint Bernard Christmas Train Display - Saint Bernard, OH
WIll have Modules to Run
Friday - Saturday - Sunday, November 25-27, 2016
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TCA Show - St. Rita school for the deaf
Saturday, December 03, 2016
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Clark Co Fairgrounds Train Show - Springfield, OH
Sunday, December 4, 2016
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Miamitown Train Show - Miamitown Elementary School, OH
Saturday, December 10, 2016
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Ohio Expo Buckey Flyer - Columbus, OH
Saturday, December 10, 2016
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Naptown and White River Model RR Show - Indianapolis, IN
Saturday, December 10, 2016
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Train Town Train Show - Lima, OH
Saturday, December 17, 2016
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Fairfield Pavilion - Fairfield, OH
WIll have Modules to Run
Thursday - Monday, December 15 -19, 2016
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Seasons Retirement Community - Cincinnati, OH
WIll have Modules to Run
Friday - Monday, January 27 - 29, 2017
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TCA Show - St. Rita school for the deaf
Saturday, February 4, 2017
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St. Andrew Train Show - Milford, OH
Saturday, February 11, 2017
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Muncie Show - Muncie, OH
Saturday, February 25, 2017
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Larry Keller Memorial Show - Ross School Adminstration Building - Hamilton, OH
WIll have Modules to Run
Saturday, March 4, 2017
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Tri State Train and Classic Car Show - Kyova Mall - Ashland, KY
WIll have Modules to Run
Saturday and Sunday, March 18 - 19, 2017
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TCA Show - St. Rita school for the deaf
Saturday, March 18, 2017
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TCA Show - St. Rita school for the deaf
Saturday, April 22, 2017
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Learn More
What else have the Ambassador’s been up to? Check out their product review/videos on new and old product below:
Lionel Steam Engine 2025
July 11, 2016
Dave Feldmann, QCHR
I must have been 8 years old when I started running my older brother’s Lionel Train set. The year was around 1956. The set consisted of a coal dumping car, a baby ruth boxcar, a gondola car plus a Lionel caboose.
But the engine was the real main event, the 2-6-2, 2025 with its whistle tender. We had a bunch of track which fit nicely on our Ping-Pong table in the shape of perfect rectangle. With those 90 degree turns I had to be careful on the throttle as it frequently took flight and landed on the hard concrete floor of our basement. As soon as that happened a quick prayer was heard and the engine hit with a most horrible thud. I walked over and opening one eye peeked at the remains of my beautiful train engine. But, what was this? It seemed OK!!! I couldn’t believe it. Was it my quick prayer or just good old Lionel engineering and manufacturing? Picking it up slowing and cradling it in my arms like my new born baby brother I quick gave it a diagnostic once over. There was a ding in the cowcatcher and the front head lamp plate was off but I could see no other damage. Amazing! Then came the real tests: placing it on the track I gave it a slight push, the drivers seemed to move OK and then I gave her a little throttle. A blast on the whistle gave me confidence to push on and I hit the directional level on my transformer. She slowly pulled away and I was once again running down the rails. Unfortunately, I didn’t learn my lesson very well regarding being too heavy on the throttle. My 2025 went off the table two more times that I remember, but kept on running. I don’t know how many times the test guys at the plant would run them off the table during the punishment test, but that cast iron heavy weight lasted forever. I run two of them today. They just keep on running.
LIONEL HOBBY SHOP
Larry Loos, QCHR
Several years ago, I read an article in one of the train magazines about a hobby shop produced by Lionel. Looking to add another operating accessory to my modules, I started to look for one. I found Lionel issued it three times, once in 1999 as Lionel Hobby Shop, (6-32998), again in 2001 under item number 6-14133 and a third time in 2009, (6-24295). Each hobby shop had a different store name, first was Mid Town, the second was Madison Hardware and the third was Cowen’s Corner.
Madison Hardware was my building of choice as I thought it was more colorful and it represented the infamous Madison Hardware although it looked nothing like the real Madison Hardware. With its three operating layouts and the detail consisting of airplanes hanging from the ceiling, ten figures, a painted background displaying toy trains it instantly became one of my most popular accessories at the various train shows we do each year.
I have estimated I have over 300 hours of operating time on it and have only had to replace the one fuse light bulb. These hobby shops still can be found on e-bay, auctions and I have seen them recently advertised by one of the larger Lionel dealers.
Lionel 2353 F3 AA Santa Fe Twin Diesel
John Taylor,QCHR
This is my Lionel 2353 F3 AA Santa Fe twin diesel O gauge locomotive built in 1952. I received this set for Christmas in 1953. And, although it is 63 years old, it still has all its beauty and luster. The 2353 contains dual Pullmor motors and magnetraction for great pulling power, and runs magnificently even to this day. The set also contains the 2500 series aluminum passenger cars. These are the 2531 observation car, 2532 vista dome car, 2533 and 2534 coaches, 2530 Railway Express car, and the matching 2343 C – B unit. All the passenger cars have people silhouettes in all the windows.
Recently, my set was used in the movie “Carol” starring Kate Blanchette filmed right here in Cincinnati. It
looked fantastic in a night scene. All the lights in the passenger cars were shining brilliantly as it raced around the tracks.
If anyone is interested in nostalgia, without all the modern wonders, I would definitely recommend the very reliable 2353.
“Three Generations of Fun”
Lionel 2355 Western Pacific F3
By Larry Riesser - QCHR Member
The 2355 Lionel Western Pacific F3 and “Silver” passenger cars plus a ZW (needed the
power) were my Christmas gift in 1953. Up to that time all of my trains were freight and
I wanted a war bonnet Santa Fe and some passenger cars. While I was very pleased to
receive the Western Pacific, what I really wanted was the Santa Fe. None the less, I ran
the engine and had hours of fun playing and blowing the “bicycle horn” which sounded just
like the tank horn on my Schwinn bicycle. I kept the Western Pacific and cars which my
son played with in the early 80’s. Recently I have been running it on the QCHR club
layout and at the Lakota show in October pulling the Silver Cloud, Silver Range
Observation car, Silver Bluff, Silver Dawn and Railway Express Agency cars. The Western
Pacific still runs good, can pull a lot of cars and the horn still sounds like my
bicycle. When my grandsons come to visit, they always want to run the Western Pacific.
I have added an unpowered B Unit and the Railway Express Agency car in recent years. The
much newer B unit blends in pretty well with the original units. I am still using the ZW
having only replaced the cord.
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**The information about the clubs is provided by them and may or may not be accurate depending on changes in membership, 501c status, etc.. Lionel is sharing their content and not validating it’s accuracy.