In this Side Track Sunday for February 1st, 2026, I’m kicking back and doing the post-Amherst debrief—what the show was like, who I ran into, and why I still tell people: if you can pull it off, you’ve gotta do Amherst at least once. Friday and Saturday were an absolute blast, and it’s hard to describe the scale of it until you’re standing in the middle of those buildings with what feels like half the hobby walking around you. I also talk about how Amherst is a different animal than the Great Scale Model Train Show (Timonium) down here—Amherst has the big manufacturers and the “trade show” feel, while GSMTS leans harder into layouts, tables, and deals. I also get into the travel side of the trip, because taking Amtrak was a big part of the adventure. Going up was easy—coming home was… not. Cancellations, delays, equipment issues, and frozen doors had us rerouting through Springfield and New Haven, and I explain why I still think the train was the safer call versus driving or flying with that storm. And, of course, I go on my usual rant about the hobby shifting toward instant gratification—$250–$500 locomotives—and why I wish manufacturers would bring back more true “starter” options so new folks aren’t priced out on day one.