City tourism director hits national railroad show

FORT MADISON - The Railroad Hobby Show is the largest railroad-themed trade show in America. The event occupies 350,000 square feet in four buildings on the Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds in West Springfield, Massachusetts. The show covers all facets of the railroad hobbies - model railroads, railroad art and photography, railroad history and preservation, tourist railroads, railroad artifacts, and railroad books and videos. The 2024 record breaking show saw 22,657 attendees plus 3.500 exhibitors during the two-day show held on January 27 & 28.
Chi Eastin, Director of the Fort Madison Iowa Tourism office, attended the 56th annual show along with Virtual Rail Fan staff from Tennessee, New Jersey and Virginia. Virtual Railfan installed a camera on the Kingsley Inn building along with Eastin in June of 2020 and has enjoyed over 37 million views since going live on YouTube. Fort Madison is one of their most popular cams on their site due to many factors.
“Fort Madison railfans enjoy our beautiful riverfront scenery along with 80 trains a day. It’s wonderful to hear that we are a part of their daily lives and reach so many people across the country and the world.”  “Virtual Railfan was happy to be accompanied by Chi Eastin, Fort Madison Tourism Director, at the 2024 Amherst Railroad Hobby Show. 
Eastin had the opportunity to represent one of our most popular railfan
sites and to meet personally with show attendees and familiarize them with Fort Madison. She is intimately familiar with the entire Lake Cooper Loop region and her contagious enthusiasm created excitement among many as she explained what the area has to offer,“ said Bruce Williams, Virtual Railfan Community Manager.
The VR booth is one of the most popular areas at the show and highlighted two large screens showing views of the event and other railcam sites and one screen dedicated to Fort Madison views. Eastin presented in front of the live Fort Madison screen to show off the depot, Old Fort Madison, the Mississippi Riverfront, the new Fort Madison Marina and the Santa Fe swing span bridge.
“Many people approached the booth and said that Fort Madison is always on their screens and tvs at home and work and is on their bucket list to visit.” said Eastin.  She also said that many east coast railfans are ready to take a plane or train to Chicago and ride Amtrak’s Southwest Chief to Fort Madison within the year especially for River & Rail Weekend.
The 4th Annual River & Rail Weekend will be held September 27 & 28 and not only offers fantastic views of the passing trains but a 1960’s beach-themed event with music, food, and activities trackside on Friday night. The North Lee County Historical Society will offer a train mini meet at the Kingsley Inn, along with speakers at the CB&Q Depot, and tours of Steam Engine #2913 and the caboose all on Saturday. The event will also offer live music trackside at the depot, Mississippi River tours with Cut Bank Adventures at the marina, downtown and riverfront trolley tours with the Fort Madison Chamber and more.
“We want this to be a community event and not just an event for railfans from across the country.  Come out for a great time with your friends and neighbors, meet with the staff of Virtual Railfan and other fans from across the country.”