PHILLIPS — Saturday, Sept. 30, will be a busy day in Phillips – for the town and the railroad. Not only is it the Sandy River Business Association’s Fall Fest, the SR&RLRR’s Ghost Train will run that evening and the Phillips Area Community Center (PACC) will host a Model Rail and Hobby Fair during the day.
The Rail Fair is a revival of sorts. In 2010 and 2011 the PACC offered rail fairs that featured model layouts and a host of other displays and train-related vendors. But when the chief organizer of those events, Matt Sharp, moved away from Phillips, the event faltered. Now a different crew – together with the SR&RLRR – has organized a new fair, with the emphasis on model trains.
In addition, at least eight others – including the SR&RLRR – will set up tables and displays featuring either model train items for sale or historic displays relating to the history of the railroad in Phillips.
Local antique car hobbyist Andy Phillips will park a number of historic vehicles outside the PACC and another local resident, Brian Donovan, will bring his 1935 postal truck.
The fair will be held in the former SR&RLRR machine shop on Depot Street, now used as a community center. Food will be available at the former railroad depot next door, now owned by the American Legion, where a weekly Farmers’ Market will be running, together with lunch items for sale. The Rail Fair will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and admission is free.
In addition, the SR&RLRR will operate its steam train, Monson No. 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day, and the annual Ghost Train will run that night starting at dusk, with trains operating from 6:45 to 9 p.m. and leaving the Sanders Station on Bridge Street for their scary runs every half-hour. The spooky scenes along the ride will be done again this year by the Phillips School eighth-grade students.
Also on Sept. 30, the Sandy River Business Association will hold its Fall Fest.
FMI, vendor space: 207-639-2630.
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