Conway Scenic Railway Excursion

While on our way up to the beautiful mountains of New Hampshire, we had  a brief stop in historical Portsmouth, NH. Portsmouth sits near the mouth of the Piscataqua River, a short, wide river that divides New Hampshire and Maine. Settled in 1623, Portsmouth claims to be the nation's third-oldest city. It served as a focal point on the Eastern seaboard until the late 1800s when rail travel did in the shipping industry. John Paul Jones' ship, The Ranger, was built in Portsmouth, and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (which lies across the river in Maine) was established in 1800 as the country's first naval shipyard. After our stop in Portsmouth, we will head north to North Conway, NH, which offers some of the most beautiful views in New England and a rather unique train experience on the Conway Scenic RR. On THE NOTCH TRAIN, traveled on what was once the Maine Central Railroad’s famed Mountain Division line, on tracks that were laid in the 1870s. We enjoyed some of the most dramatic natural scenery in the East as we traveled through spectacular Crawford Notch – past sheer bluffs, steep ravines, cascading brooks and streams, panoramic mountain vistas, across Frankenstein Trestle and Willey Brook Bridge – enroute to Crawford and Fabyan stations. For more information visit:  www.conwayscenic.com

Boston's Historic Freedom Trail

Our comfortable motor coach transported us to beautiful Boston Common to begin our walk along the Freedom Trail! From here, our special guide led us on a 90-minute walking tour back to colonial times, concluding at Faneuil Hall. Boston's 2 ½ - mile walk through history following the red brick road to 16 historic sites: Boston Common, The Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, Granary Burying Ground, King's Chapel, Ben Franklin's statue, Old South Meeting House, Old Corner Bookstore, Old State House, Boston Massacre Site, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere House, Old North Church, Copps Hill Burying Ground, USS Constitution, and the Bunker Hill Monument. Our tour continued through the Quincy Market area to Boston’s famous Faneuil Hall, where statesmen, orators and the public have gathered for two centuries to discuss and debate the freedoms we all share. We stopped here for some free time at Faneuil Hall Marketplace’s food hall and plethora of shops before boarding the coach back the hotel. For more information visit: www.thefreedomtrail.org

Boston Duck Tour & Fenway Park

Truly Boston’s most unique tour experience is on the famous Duck boats! These beautiful, multi-colored, World War II amphibious vehicles navigate the streets of Boston as well as the currents of the Charles River. Our Duck traversed past historic sites including the State House, Boston Common, and Government Center, fashionable Newbury Street and so much more! Then, it was on into the Charles River you go for breathtaking views of the Boston and Cambridge skylines — unique vistas you can’t get anywhere else! Each conDUCKtor was a unique character in costume, bringing to us Boston’s history laced with lore and legends. But we didn't underestimate their knowledge; these characters take their historical wisdom very serious and welcomed our challenges!

Lunch was offered at the popular Jerry Remy’s, overlooking Fenway Park. Here we enjoyed a light lunch, before we walked across the street to Fenway Park. We were welcomed to Jerry Remy's Sports Bar & Grill, Boston's best sports bar, where there's never an away game! Remy's offered the ultimate sports viewing experience. Two 6 ½ x 11 foot screen monsters guarantee fans the best seat in the house. And if that isn't enough, thirty sixty-inch hi-definition televisions surround the establishment so you'll never miss a second of the action. Behind the Scenes at Fenway Park! Everyone enjoyed this behind-the-scenes tour of Boston’s famous Fenway Park! No other professional baseball park captures the spirit and triggers emotion like Fenway Park. Named for the famous “Fens” area of Boston where it stands, Fenway Park has been a Boston landmark since 1912 — a standing monument to America’s favorite pastime. From Pesky’s right field Pole to the Green Monster, Fenway’s mystique continues to grow with each generation of fans. We truly experienced Fenway Park up-close and personal. This is the park where the Babe pitched, The Kid hit, Yaz dazzled and Ortiz still thrills young fans today. Soak up the rich baseball history and hear the echoes of the past! You just may be able to hear the crack of the bat as Ted Williams hits the longest measured home run in Fenway’s 94-year history — deep into right field on June 9, 1946 — an amazing 502 feet from home plate!!! After our tour of Boston’s hallowed shrine, free time was available to shop for sports apparel and souvenirs. For more information visit:  www.bostonducktours.com and http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/ballpark/tour.jsp

Tea Party Ships Museum

Boston’s Old State House was built in 1713 to house the government offices of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. After an introduction from a museum staff member, we had approximately 30 minutes to explore the Old State House at our own pace, enjoying the Revolutionary Era artifacts and the historic chambers of this magnificent historical building. From here, we boarded the coach for a short ride to an entirely new concept in museums, The Tea Party Ships Museum! This floating museum experience was complete with live actors, high-tech, interactive exhibits, authentically restored Tea Ships and the stirring, multi-sensory documentary, “Let It Begin Here”. We met colonists, explored the ships, and even dumped some tea like the Sons of Liberty did that cold and fateful night December 16, 1773. We also had time to browse the gift shop before returning to our hotel. For more information visit:  www.bostonteapartyship.com

A Traditional Downeast Clambake

What an experience of a one-of-a-kind, exciting, and fun dining experience for everyone. It was about great food, entertainment, laughter, and music all rolled into a single, unforgettable event. They even showed us how to eat a Maine lobster. We had such fun. And truthfully, how can you not have fun? We were eating the best lobster and seafood you’ve ever tasted, while listening to great music. Laughed at the resident showman while wearing a ridiculous looking lobster bib (which actually is useful for all the warm melted butter that will be drizzling down your chin). For those of us who din’t like lobster, the alternative was some of the very best tasting BBQ Chicken ever! (Co-Chair Boston Bob can verify this). He says it’s messy too.  For more information visit: www.fostersclambake.com

A Bewitching Day in Salem

Since 1626, when Roger Conant arrived with the first settlers, Salem has been attracting visitors from all around the world. It may be most widely known as the site of the Salem witchcraft trials of 1692, but this colorful, coastal city has much to offer both residents and visitors: a culturally diverse population, a rich maritime heritage, an impressive display of historic architecture and amazing stories that span almost four centuries. A scenic drive down historic Chestnut Street left us breathless as we took in the architectural features of the elegant mansions - Federal-style homes of successful sea captains and businessmen - standing unchanged from their 19th century splendor. Along Salem’s beautiful waterfront one envisions how the first settlers looked to the sea for their livelihood; where young, adventurous seafarers brought art treasures from around the world home to their wives and sweethearts; imagine where the consequences of witchcraft accusations inflicted unimaginable suffering on innocent men, women and children. Your visit to the Salem Witch Dungeon Museum brings you there, back to Salem 1692, where we were given a dramatic history lesson using stage sets with life-size figures, lighting and a narration - an overview of the Witch Trials of 1692. Then it was off to lunch! We were on our own at Salem’s stunning Pickering Wharf, on the harbor. We could choose from savory seafood fresh from the Atlantic and a wide range of irresistible cuisine with something tasty for everyone. After lunch, we visited the famous House of the Seven Gables for an unforgettable historical experience. The House of the Seven Gables inspired author Nathaniel Hawthorne to write his legendary novel of the same name. Professional guides greeted us for an unforgettable historical experience. Outside, spectacular seaside gardens awaited us. Inside the house, also known as the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, we discovered a mysterious secret staircase where you least expect it! Built in 1668, this is the oldest surviving 17th century wooden mansion in New England. For more information visit: www.7gables.org and www.witchdungeon.com

Battle of Lexington, Battle Green & Old North Bridge Tour

Hear about Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride. Follow his footsteps to the town of Lexington where you can view a Diorama of the Battle of Lexington. On the morning of April 19, 1775, British Regulars battled with colonists — or minutemen — in the first battle of the American Revolution, known as “the skirmish on the green”. A short walk to beautiful Lexington Green and you’ll see the battle site and visit the Minuteman Statue. We traveled along the route taken by the British Regulars on their march from Boston to Concord and back. The trail parallels route 2A in Lexington, Lincoln, and Concord and Lexington Road in Concord. Along the trail were historic houses, farmlands, wetlands, and fields. Highlights included the Bloody Angle where the Battle Road made sharp turns providing ambush points for the colonists, the site of Paul Revere's capture during his famous ride, pass the restored 18th-century house of Captain William Smith of the Lincoln Minute Men, and the Ephraim Hartwell Tavern (now an interpretive site) where travelers were offered bed and board. We continued to Concord to visit the picturesque Old North Bridge where the Minutemen fired “the shot heard around the world” while making their stand against the British Troops. Our day of history concluded at the Concord Museum, where among the important assemblage of artifacts are the "one, if by land, and two, if by sea" lantern, immortalized by Longfellow's Paul Revere's Ride & the world's largest collection of Thoreau possessions. Lunch was on our own and we had time to browse beautiful downtown Concord, and do a little shopping while we were at it! For more information visit:  http://www.ushistory.org/us/11c.asp

Seashore Trolley & Train Museum

Our adventure began with a short ride north to southern Maine. Known for its fascinating landscape, Rocky Ocean shore, and the best ‘lobsta’ in the world! First stop was at the historical Seashore Trolley Museum. Founded in 1939, this railway has grown into the largest electric railway museum in the world with a collection representing almost every major American city that had a streetcar system. We learned about the beginning of mass transportation from the omnibus to the development of the electric streetcar, and followed the progress to today's buses, light rail vehicles, and rapid transit cars. This collection contained vehicles from almost all major cities in the United States that had streetcar systems, as well as from other cities across the globe, to provide samples of how generations past moved about for work, school and leisure and to show the dedicated craftsmanship put forth to construct these workhorse vehicles. As we continued our tour around the property, we found a multitude of displays to show the history behind mass transportation. Exploring the three exhibit car barns, and then we witnessed the restoration process of a streetcar from the observation gallery in the restoration shop. Hands down, the favorite part of the visit to the Seashore Trolley Museum was the chance to ride a streetcar out along a rebuilt portion of the Atlantic Shore Line Railway, once an electric interurban route. The volunteers put us into the bygone era and explained why and where you could be riding a trolley to in the early 1900s. For more information visit: www.trolleymuseum.org

Whale Watching at Stellwagon Banks

Our whale watching voyage ran approximately 4 hours. This provided ample time to see the whales and still have time for other activities available on the beautiful coast. There was the anticipated chance to see Humpbacks, Minkes and Finback Whales. In 2007, a great blue whale visited the coast for a time. The blue is the largest animal on earth and quite an experience if you see one! A comfortable ship wisked us out to Jeffries Ledge, where these huge animals were playing, in comfort. The Galley provided snacks and light lunches. For more information visit: http://stellwagen.noaa.gov/visit/whalewatching/whalewatching.html

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum

Upon arrival at the museum, we viewed a 17-minute film introducing John F Kennedy, “the candidate,” and browsed the self-guided exhibits of John F. Kennedy, “the President.” Here, in the museum’s three theaters, period settings and 25 dramatic multimedia exhibits, we entered the recreated world of the Kennedy Presidency for a first-hand experience of John F. Kennedy’s life, legacy, and leadership. We saw events of the 1960’s through President Kennedy’s eyes and narrated in his voice; experienced his optimism and wit and were inspired by the hope and idealism that captivated America. With its collection of personal mementos and gifts John F. Kennedy received during his presidency as well as historical artifacts, informative displays and unique films, we found ourselves reliving the time during the Kennedy Presidential Campaign, the Kennedy & Nixon debates, the Kennedy Presidency, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. For more information visit: www.jfklibrary.org

Northshore Hidden Jewel - Newburyport

Located on the south bank of the Merrimack River at the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean, Newburyport was originally inhabited by the Pawtucket Indians, and was later settled in the 1630’s by European immigrants who founded the city of Newbury. The small port of Newbury was quickly settled and became fishing and trading settlement with the rest of Newbury turning to agricultural pursuits. Inn Street in downtown Newburyport, one of the port’s earliest streets, was a narrow crowded little pathway full of small wooden buildings. In 1975, the Inn Street Mall was constructed as part of the Urban Renewal Program. The successful conversion was awarded a citation for design excellence by the Boston Society of Architects in 1984. We strolled in and out of the fine shops lining the historic brick path. There was everything from historical artwork and maps to women’s clothing and home décor. We found interesting antiques and fine art, along with imported specialties. Downtown in nearby Market Square, residents burned tea in 1773 to protest British taxes. Today across from the Firehouse Center, the open space of the “Bullnose” welcomes strollers to the heart of the city. Market Square, along State Street, Pleasant Street, Merrimac Landing and adjoining side streets feature a variety of boutiques, banks, bookstores, import shops, salons, cafés and food shops. Enjoy ambling for constant surprises. A short walk up Water Street brought us to the Tannery, a restored complex of old leather mill buildings now housing a variety of stores. The Tannery houses a unique mix of shops, services and eateries. We also found salons, a bookstore, home décor and design, an art gallery, along with photography and nature lovers’ supplies, and much more. For more information visit: www.newburyportchamber.org

Treasurers of Beacon Hill

Beacon Hill is a National Historic District, impressing locals and tourists alike with its charming streets, brick sidewalks lined with gas lamps, hidden houses, and parade of doors and doorknockers. This 18th century neighborhood was absolutely rich in history, elegant architecture and stately homes and just waiting for us to explore! Discovering the gems that make Beacon Hill sparkle, and hearing fascinating stories about the residents who once lived there was most interesting. Continuing down Mt. Vernon St., which Henry James called the most beautiful in America, we passed under old elm trees kept alive by dedicated doctoring. We took note of the one-story houses at 50, 56 and 60 Mt. Vernon. These once were stables, serving Bulfinch-designed houses built by Hepzibah Swan for her three daughters, who lived at 13, 15 and 17 Chestnut St. The cobblestone driveway of 85 Mt. Vernon St., built in 1802 and designed by Charles Bulfinch, was featured in the original movie entitled The Thomas Crowne Affair. This house and its neighbors at 87 and 89 are the only free-standing houses on the hill. Louisburg Sq. (pronounced "Lewisburg"), a few houses farther down, is probably the address most associated with Boston wealth and privilege. Moguls still live here, as does Senator John Kerry. The large Greek revival houses were built in the 1830s and many are still single-family homes. Some of New England's intellectuals lived here: William Dean Howells at No.16 and Louisa May Alcott at No. 10 From Louisburg Sq., take a short walk down Willow St. to charming Acorn St., a one-block long, cobble-stoned passageway that runs from Willow St. to West Cedar St. Some say it is the most photographed street in America. Most of the rather plain, small brick houses here are only one room deep and were originally inhabited by working families who served the rich in the big houses. Turn right up West Cedar and left down Mount Vernon to Charles St.

Boston Metro Hi-Railers Model Railroad Club

What would a LCCA Convention be without a visit to an exciting train layout. Our chance to visit the famous layout of the Boston Metro Hi-Railers Model Railroad Club was awesome! There were four one hour trips top choose from. The package included roundtrip motor coach transportation from the hotel to the layout, admission, and refreshments during your visit.  The Boston Metro Hi-Railers Model Railroad Club is the hidden jewel of Massachusetts. They have the largest O-gauge layout in the state of Massachusetts featuring a 40' x 60' multi-level layout modeling Scranton, Pennsylvania through western Massachusetts to the northern area around Boston. Their layout represents the Golden Age of train travel when it was how the majority of the country traveled during the 30's to the 50's. They operate using standard Conventional and also Full Command Control with Lionel Legacy and MTH DCS systems. All three means of operation can be run at the same time on multiple tracks. Trains operate on double main lines, subway, mining area and a section representing Portland. Members brought trains which represented older and modern style engines, rolling stock and passenger cars to run while we were there. During our visit, we enjoyed the spectacular scenery which is being designed and built for the trains to travel by. Members were available to answer our scenery, layout design and building questions. For more information visit: www.bmhrc.com

Providence & Worcester Railroad Special Excursion

At the end of the convention was our chance to join a one of a kind train excursion – a trip on the P&WRR from Worcester, MA with a visit to the U.S.S. Nautilus complete with photo run-bys. The first-ever LCCA Special Event at the 2014 Convention in Indianapolis was such a huge success that another Special Event on the day after our 2015 Convention in Boston was scheduled! On Sunday morning, July 26, we boarded buses from our host hotel in Danvers, MA, and traveled to Worcester, MA, where we boarded a special excursion train hosted by the Providence & Worcester Railroad at their headquarters! The P&WRR is primarily a freight railroad originally chartered in 1844, and is a consolidation of many New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad lines (that’s right, the former New Haven Railroad!). They provided a special passenger train for an unforgettable trip from Worcester to either Willimantic, CT, home of the Eastern Connecticut Railroad Museum, or to the U.S. Navy Submarine Museum in Groton, CT! Of course, the trip to the Submarine Museum, home of the world’s first, nuclear-powered submarine, U.S.S. Nautilus, which is open to the public, was our preferred destination.  We were not disappointed! The train was pulled, “elephant style,” by two, modern, P&WRR locomotives, and there was two photo run-bys and plenty of photo opportunities as we traveled down the scenic valley of the Thames River. The consist was made up of refurbished, former Amtrak passenger cars with seats for almost 400 railfans, and included the following cars: • Dining Car #8340 • Coach cars # 7625, 7626, and 7627 • Deluxe Coach/Parlor Car # 4586, “Massachusetts” • Observation Car “New Englander” The dining car was open for lunch and late-afternoon meals, and buses returned us to our hotel at the end of the day. Those that registered early had a choice of the type of passenger car in which they wished to travel. For more information visit: www.pwrr.com

July 20-25, 2015, was a great memorable time. However, we can look forward now to the model railroad train shows, camaraderie and more at the Kansas City Convention in 2016.

These events held in Boston(Danvers) are just a taste of the type of things in store for you, your family, and friends when you come to an LCCA convention and help us celebrate the annual anniversary of the "Best toy train club on the planet" by making each convention one of the best in Lionel Collectors Club Convention history. Members may register online for the Kansas City Convention in February 2016 or read the details of the events published in The Lion Roars, the club’s model train magazine. Non-members may join the club now and be prepared for a fabulous week of fun, great food, toy train shows and friendship with train operators and collectors who favor the Lionel brand and celebrate the world’s greatest hobby.