Spring S Spree

The annual Spring S Spree is a gathering of American Flyer, hi-rail, scale, and narrow-gauge modelers. It is held for several days, and offers how-to clinics, vendors, operating layouts, local tours, etc. The event is hosted by one of three rotating clubs, namely the Central Ohio S Gaugers, the Cuyahoga Valley S Gaugers, and the Miami Valley S Gaugers. The 2022 one was the first time that the Pittsburgh S Gaugers hosted the event.

Even though the NASG is not directly involved with Spring S Spree shows, we still wanted to have a page dedicated to this annual meeting. If you want to stay up on the latest related to Spring S Sprees, bookmark this page.

2025

Location:

Lancaster, Ohio

Organized By:

Central Ohio S Gaugers

Web Site:

visit

2024

Location:

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Organized By:

Cuyahoga Valley S Gauge Assn.

Event Car: American Models BL&E box car

2023

Location:

Dayton, Ohio

Organized By:

Miami Valley S Gaugers

Web Site:

visit

Notes:

Austin Birkey's Visit.

Event Car: American Models Lima Locomotive box car

2022

Location:

Washington, PA

Organized By:

Pittsburgh S Gaugers

Registrations:

200+

Event Car: American Models Montour RR open-top hopper #14000 (stand-in prototype photo)

2021

Location:

Marion, OH

Organized By:

Central Ohio S Gaugers

Registrations:

275

Notes:

The Central Ohio S Gaugers and the Pittsburgh S Gaugers brought their layouts.

Photos and a review of the show can be found in the July 2021 issue of the NASG's Dispatch.

Event Car: MTH Bicycle Playing Cards steel box car

2020

Location:

Marion, OH

Organized By:

Central Ohio S Gaugers

Notes:

Canceled due to the corona virus lock-down.

2019

Location:

Middleburg Heights, OH

Organized By:

Cuyahoga Valley S Gauge Association

2018

Location:

Dayton, OH

Organized By:

Miami Valley S Gaugers

Registrations:

250

Notes:

An article with several photos about the event appeared in the July 2018 issue of the NASG's Dispatch magazine, starting on page 34 (the supplemental pages). The car is still available according to their web site.

Event Car: American Models 40' USAF Box Car
(photo © Ray Garbee)

2017

Location:

Marion, OH

Organized By:

Central Ohio S Gaugers

Registrations:

300

Notes:

Included an extra-fare private tour of the "Age of Steam Roundhouse" in Sugarcreek, Ohio.

2016

Location:

Strongsville, OH

Organized By:

Cuyahoga Valley S Gauge Association

Registrations:

500+

Notes:

A report appears in the September 2016 issue of the NASG's the Dispatch (see page 45 of the PDF version). Includes several photos.

Event Car: American Models flat car with load (photo © CVSGA)

2015

Location:

Dayton, OH

Organized By:

Miami Valley S Gaugers

Registrations:

200+

Notes:

A report appears in the July 2015 issue of the NASG's the Dispatch. Includes several photos. There were 9 layouts on display. The new American Models RS11 was introduced at this event.

Event Car: US Air Force tank car (main body is blue, not black)

2014

Location:

Marion, OH

Organized By:

Central Ohio S Gaugers

Registrations:

335

Notes:

Two reports, by Jeff Madden and Alan Evans, appear in the August 2014 issue of the NASG's the Dispatch. Both include several photos. The show had ten (!) layouts set up.

2013

Location:

Akron, OH

Organized By:

Cuyahoga Valley S Gauge Association

Registrations:

~245

Notes:

A report, with several photos, about the event appeared in the June 2013 issue of the NASG's the Dispatch.

Event Car: American Models Great Lakes Brewing Tank Car (photo © Dale Minard)

Event Car: S-Helper Service Great Lakes Brewing Hopper (photo © CVSGA)

2012

Location:

Dayton, OH

Organized By:

Miami Valley S Gaugers

Registrations:

270

Link:

Video of the Layouts

Notes:

A report with photos can be found in the June 2012 issue of the NASG's Dispatch (page 27).

Event Car: US Air Force Twin-bay Hopper (photo © Bill Lane)

2011

Location:

Hilliard, OH

Organized By:

Central Ohio S Gaugers

Event Car: B&O & PRR TOFCs with Timken Trailer
(photo © Ed Kirstatter)

2010

Location:

Dearborn, MI

Organized By:

Southeastern Michigan S-Gaugers

Registrations:

~500

Notes:

This was the first year the Southeastern Michigan S-Gaugers/Northern Ohio COSG group started hosting a Spring S Spree. The New York Central Historical Society convention was being held nearby. Photos and a description of the event can be found in the July 2010 issue of the S Gaugian magazine. A report of this event can be found in the June 2010 issue of the NASG's Dispatch.

Event Car: Lionel GN Box Car

Event Car: American Models GTW Gondola

2009

Location:

Strongsville, OH

Organized By:

Cuyahoga Valley S Gauge Association

Notes:

A report of this event can be found in the June 2009 issue of the NASG's Dispatch.

Event Car: S-Helper Service NATX Sherwin Williams Covered Hopper (the actual model produced for the event was labeled CVSG 2009)

2008

Location:

Dayton, OH

Organized By:

Miami Valley S Gaugers

Registrations:

250+

Notes:

A full report is available in the June 2008 issue of the NASG's Dispatch. There were ten operating layouts.

Event Car: S-Helper Service CH&D Box Car

2007

Location:

Hilliard, OH

Organized By:

Central Ohio S Gaugers

Registrations:

~300

Notes:

A full report is available in the June 2007 issue of the NASG's Dispatch. There were 9 operating layouts in the vendor room.

Event Car: Timken Tank Car

2006

Location:

Walnut Creek, OH

Organized By:

Cuyahoga Valley S Gauge Association

Registrations:

~140

Event Car: American Models Sherwin-Williams Tank Car

2005

Location:

Dayton, OH

Organized By:

Miami Valley S Gaugers

Registrations:

300+

Notes:

A brief review and photos are shown in the June 2005 issue of the NASG's Dispatch and in the July 2005 issue of the S Gaugian magazine.

Event Car: S-Helper Service Procter and Gamble Ivory Soap Box Car

2004

Location:

Columbus, OH

Organized By:

Central Ohio S Gaugers

Notes:

A report can be found in the July 2004 issue of the S Gaugian magazine.

Event Car: American Models Timken Roller Bearing Box Car

2003

Location:

Cleveland, OH

Organized By:

Cuyahoga Valley S Gauge Association

Notes:

Some photos are shown in the June 2003 issue of the NASG's Dispatch.

Event Car: American Models Timken Hopper

2002

Location:

Middletown, OH

Organized By:

Miami Valley S Gaugers

Registrations:

<300

Notes:

Included a tour of the "Cincinnati in Motion" display at the Cincinnati Union Terminal. A personal report about the show can be found on page 27 of the December 2002 issue of the NASG's Dispatch. A brief report and a couple of photos are found in the September 2002 issue of the S Gaugian magazine.

Event Car: S-Helper Service Kahn's Reefer

2001

Location:

Columbus, OH

Organized By:

Central Ohio S Gaugers

Registrations:

297

Notes:

A review of the show was published in the June 2001 issue of NASG's Dispatch, including several photos.

2000

Location:

Strongsville, OH

Organized By:

Cuyahoga Valley S Gauge Association

Registrations:

209

Notes:

A review of the show was published in the June 2000 issue of NASG's Dispatch.

1999

Location:

Dayton, OH

Organized By:

Miami Valley S Gaugers

Notes:

The first time the Miami Valley S Gaugers hosted the show. The background story on the crates can be found in the article on page 20 of the February 2005 issue of the NASG's Dispatch.

1998

Location:

Columbus, OH

Organized By:

Central Ohio S Gaugers

1997

Location:

Richfield, OH

Organized By:

Cuyahoga Valley S Gauge Association

Registrations:

200+

Notes:

The event was written about in the June 1997 issue of the S/Sn3 Modeling Guide magazine, which includes several photos, and a listing of new products introduced at the show.

Event Car: Downs 16K-gallon Domino Sugar Tank Car

1996

Location:

Columbus, OH

Organized By:

Central Ohio S Gaugers

Registrations:

210

Notes:

A review of the show was published in the June 1996 issue of S/Sn3 Modeling Guide. Includes photos.

1995

Location:

Richfield, OH

Organized By:

Cuyahoga Valley S Gauge Association

Notes:

A review of the show was published in the June 1995 issue of S/Sn3 Modeling Guide.

1994

Location:

Columbus, OH

Organized By:

Central Ohio S Gaugers

Registrations:

186

Notes:

A review, with photos, of the show was published in the April 1994 issue of the NASG's Dispatch. Another report can be found in the July 1994 issue of the S/Sn3 Buyers' Guide magazine (includes a couple of photos).