The Northern Illinois Lego Train Club (NILTC) started out in late summer of 2001 as a meeting of a few Lego enthusiasts from Illinois and Wisconsin. One member had been displaying a small Lego train creation locally and it was thought that a larger more involved display would be challenging and fun. From there, NILTC was born. A logo was chosen, building parameters agreed upon, and preparations began for their first show the following March.
Consisting of only five members, NILTC put up an impressive 17ft. x 22ft. display at the National Model Railroad Association’s High Wheeler Show at Harper College in Palatine Illinois. Reactions were extremely positive and the members were bombarded by the reoccurring question: “I didn’t know Lego made trains”! NILTC gained three additional members from the show, an unexpected bonus! From the show at Harper College, NILTC was asked by the local chapter of the Train Collectors Association (TCA) to display at their national show in St. Charles, Illinois later that year. Having very limited space, the TCA only invited the regions best clubs and layouts to the show. NILTC was honored to represent “L” gauge and to educate an audience of extreme train enthusiasts who had no idea that Lego was a train force to be reckoned with. Two more members were added from this show – another unexpected bonus!
NILTC’s largest show to date was in 2003 for the Illinois Railway Museum’s Day Out With Thomas in Union, Illinois. Over two weekends, NILTC members manned our own 40ft. x 40ft. tent with an enormous 30ft. x 30ft. display while 48,000 guests milled around, explored, and applauded the mini world that was created for their enjoyment by NILTC!
Over the past four years, NILTC has been the main attraction at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, Illinois for their annual Christmas train show. The show started out as a way to bring patrons into the park on the off-season, but has grown into an event all by itself with last year’s attendance in excess of 1,800 people.
Last year (2005) started off with a phenomenal show at the Geneva Public Library in beautiful downtown Geneva, Illinois. NILTC’s 30ft. x 30ft. display far surpassed the library staff’s wildest expectations and exceeded all prior program attendance records at the library bringing in just under 1170 patrons over a day-and-a-half show. This will be an annual event going forward.
Currently, NILTC has 9 active members, one retired member and displays at three to four shows a year.
75 articles in 5 categories, with 18132 views and 4 comments by 13 members. Directory last updated 10/16/08.
Welcome Kevin, the newest member.
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