Fall S Fest
The annual Fall S Fest is a gathering of American Flyer, hi-rail, scale, and narrow-gauge modelers. It is held for several days, and offers how-to clinics, contests, vendors, local tours, etc. The event is hosted by one of these clubs: the Badgerland S Gaugers, the Chicagoland Association of S Gaugers, the State-Line S Gaugers (up until 2020), the American Flyer S Gaugers of St. Louis.
The Fall S Fest was created by Peter Jugle and his brother Andrew (both NASG members), along with a couple of other guys. Peter passed away in 1992.
Even though the NASG is not directly involved with Fall S Fests, we still wanted to have a page dedicated to this annual meeting. If you want to stay up on the latest related to this show, bookmark this page.
2024
Location:
(not announced yet)
Organized By:
(not announced yet)
2023
2022
Notes:
The Fall S Fest for 2022 has been canceled.
2021
Location:
Milwaukee, WI
Organized By:
Badgerland S Gaugers
Web Site:
Notes:
The 2020 Fall S Fest was postponed until 2021. Rich Gajnak has a report of the show on the OGR forum.
Event Car: Milw Rd Hopper (orange)
Event Car: Milw Rd Hopper (gray)
2019
Location:
St. Louis, MO
Organized By:
American Flyer S Gaugers of St. Louis
Web Site:
Notes:
A report on this show is covered on page 34 of the January 2020 issue of the Dispatch.
Event Car: Lionel Budweiser Reefer
2018
Location:
Orland Park, IL
Organized By:
Chicagoland Association of S Gaugers
Web Site:
Notes:
Rich Gajnak has a report of the show on the OGR forum.
Event Car: American Models IC Insulated Box Car
Event Car: American Models IC Covered Gondola
2017
Location:
Janesville, WI
Organized By:
State-Line S Gaugers
Registrations:
under 300
Link:
Notes:
Jeff Madden wrote a brief report of the show in the January 2018 issue of the NASG's Dispatch, which includes a number of photos taken at the event.
Event Car: American Models CB&Q Insulated Box Car (single or 3-car set)
2016
Location:
Oconomowoc, WI
Organized By:
Badgerland S Gaugers
Registrations:
408
Notes:
A review by Glenn Guerra can be found in the December 2016 issue of The S Scale Resource. Jeff Madden did a report of the show in the March 2017 issue of the NASG's Dispatch. The MTH cars finally arrived in February 2019.
Event Car: MTH Sprecher Brewing Reefer
Event Car: MTH Sprecher Brewing Reefer
2015
Location:
St. Louis, MO
Organized By:
American Flyer S Gaugers of St. Louis
Registrations:
328
Notes:
There are photos by Bob Nicholson in the December 2015 issue of the S Scale Resource magazine. The March 2016 issue of the NASG's Dispatch has a report by Jeff Madden with many photos.
Event Car: Lionel SHPX Tank Car
2014
Location:
Lombard, IL
Organized By:
Chicagoland Association of S Gaugers
Web Site:
Registrations:
under 400
Notes:
Tom Barker was the banquet guest speaker. The car may still be for sale by the club. The January 2015 issue of the NASG's Dispatch has a report by Jeff Madden with several photos.
Event Car: American Models C&NW Covered Hoppers
2013
Location:
Janesville, WI
Organized By:
State-Line S Gaugers
Registrations:
322
Notes:
The February 2014 issue of the NASG's Dispatch has a report by Jeff Madden with several photos.
Event Car: Pikesville Models CGW Tank Car
Event Car: Pikesville Models CGW Tank Car
2012
Location:
Waukesha, WI
Organized By:
Badgerland S Gaugers
Registrations:
under 500
Link:
Link:
Notes:
The December 2012 issue of the NASG's Dispatch has several photos and a report on the event.
Event Car: SOO Line Gondola
2011
Location:
St. Louis, MO
Organized By:
American Flyer S Gaugers of St. Louis
Registrations:
under 500
Notes:
A brief summary and some photos appeared in the January 2012 issue of the S Gaugian magazine. Included a bus tour to historic St. Charles, Missouri. The December 2011 issue of the NASG's Dispatch has several photos on page 25, and a detailed report starting on page 27.
Event Car: Lionel CNW Safety & Generator Car
Event Car: CB&Q TOFC with Trailer
2010
Location:
Tinley Park, IL
Organized By:
Chicagoland Association of S Gaugers
Registrations:
497
Notes:
The December 2010 issue of the NASG's Dispatch has a report with several photos.
Event Car: Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Box Car
Event Car: Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Box Car
2009
Location:
Rockford, IL
Organized By:
State-Line S Gaugers
Notes:
The December 2009 issue of the NASG's Dispatch has a report with several photos.
Event Car: American Models Rock Island Box Car
Event Car: American Models Rock Island Box Cars
2008
Location:
Milwaukee, WI
Organized By:
Badgerland S Gaugers
Registrations:
573
Notes:
The December 2008 issue of the NASG's Dispatch has a report with several photos.
Event Car: S-Helper Service Weber Beer Reefer
Best-of-show: S-Helper Service Weber Beer Reefer
2007
Location:
St. Louis, MO
Organized By:
American Flyer S Gaugers of St. Louis
Registrations:
~600
Notes:
The December 2007 issue of the NASG's Dispatch has a report with many photos.
Event Car: Lionel UP Generator Car
Event Car: American Models Flat Car with Trailer
2006
Location:
Tinley Park, IL
Organized By:
Chicagoland Association of S Gaugers
Registrations:
~900
Notes:
The vehicle may still be for sale by the club.
Event Car: Box Car (unidentified)
Event Car: Tonkin Mack CJ
(photo © Carl McAbee)
2005
Location:
Beloit, WI
Organized By:
State-Line S Gaugers
Registrations:
390
Notes:
The December 2005 issue of the NASG's Dispatch has a brief report about the show on page 12.
The January 2006 issue of the S Gaugian magazine, on page 45.
Event Car: Port Lines Hobby Supplies UP Flat Car with Trailers
2004
Location:
Waukesha, WI
Organized By:
Badgerland S Gaugers
Registrations:
373
Notes:
The December 2004 issue of the NASG's Dispatch has a report about the show. The March 2005 issue of the S Gaugian has two overall photos of the vendor area.
Event Car: S-Helper Service MILW Reefer
2003
Location:
St. Louis, MO
Organized By:
American Flyer S Gaugers of St. Louis
Registrations:
under 400
Notes:
There are some photos of the event in the March 2014 issue of the S Gaugian magazine. A personal report of the event can be found on page 28 of the October 2003 issue of the NASG's Dispatch. A few photos are shown in the December 2003 issue of the NASG's Dispatch.
Event Car: S-Helper Service TOFC, C&NW Trailers (photo © Gary H. Brandenburger)
2002
Location:
Tinley Park, IL
Organized By:
Chicagoland Association of S Gaugers
Notes:
A few photos are shown in the December 2002 issue of the NASG's Dispatch. A personal report about the show can be found on page 25 of that issue.
Event Car: S-Helper Service Reefer
2001
Location:
Beloit, WI
Organized By:
State-Line S Gaugers
Notes:
A page of photos taken at the event can be seen in the July 2002 issue of the S Gaugian magazine.
Event Car: S-Helper Service CGW PS-1 40' Box Car
2000
Location:
Waukesha, WI
Organized By:
Badgerland S Gaugers
Registrations:
521
Notes:
25th anniversary of both the club and the show itself. Held at the Waukesha County Exposition Center, rather than the hotel.
Event Car: Crown Models Milwaukee Road Reefer (photo © Tom Detmer)
Event Car: Crown Models Milwaukee Road Reefer (7 road numbers) (photo © Mac McGrath)
1999
Location:
Westport, MO
Organized By:
American Flyer S Gaugers of St. Louis
Registrations:
725
Notes:
A report can be found in the December 1999 issue of the NASG Dispatch.
Event Car: Lionel Monsanto Three-bay Hopper (photo © Mark Gaddy)
1998
Location:
Matteson, IL
Organized By:
Chicagoland Association of S Gaugers
Event Car: American Hi-Rail E8
1997
Location:
South Beloit, IL
Organized By:
State-Line S Gaugers
Registrations:
520
Notes:
A report can be found in the February 1998 issue of the NASG Dispatch.
Event Car: Downs Flat Car with various tractor loads (photo © Dave Pippitt)
Event Car: Instrument Design Passenger Car (photo © Jeff Madden)
1996
Location:
Milwaukee, WI
Organized By:
Badgerland S Gaugers
Registrations:
over 400
Notes:
The show was reviewed in the June 1997 issue of the S/Sn3 Modeling Guide magazine, which includes a couple of photos.
Event Car: Instrument Design Passenger Car (photo © Jeff Madden)
1995
Location:
Collinsville, IL
Organized By:
American Flyer S Gaugers of St. Louis
Registrations:
685
Notes:
Also mentioned that the Pacific Car Shops MStL 40' Box Car was a show car.
Event Car: Lionel Monsanto Tank Car
Event Car: Instrument Design Passenger Car (photo © Jeff Madden)
1994
Location:
Matteson, IL
Organized By:
Chicagoland Association of S Gaugers
Registrations:
over 350
Notes:
A report with a few photos appeared in the December 1994 issue of the S/Sn3 Buyers' Guide magazine.
Event Car: Instrument Design Passenger Car (photo © Jeff Madden)
1993
Location:
South Beloit, IL
Organized By:
State-Line S Gaugers
Event Car: Instrument Design Passenger Car (photo © Jeff Madden)
1992
Location:
Elk Grove Village, IL
Organized By:
Chicagoland Association of S Gaugers
Registrations:
under 300
Notes:
Pete Mihelich wrote a report in the February 1993 issue of the NASG Dispatch.
Event Car: Instrument Design Passenger Car (photo © Jeff Madden)
1991
Location:
Milwaukee, WI
Organized By:
Badgerland S Gaugers
Event Car: Instrument Design Passenger Car (photo © Jeff Madden)
1990
Location:
South Beloit, IL
Organized By:
State-Line S Gaugers
Registrations:
over 130
Notes:
Pete Mihelich wrote a report in the December 1990 issue of the NASG Dispatch.
Event Car: K-Line Box Car (photo © Chuck Porter)
1989
Organized By:
Badgerland S Gaugers
Event Car: K-Line Stock Car (photo © Chuck Porter)
1988
Location:
Wauwatosa, WI
Organized By:
Badgerland S Gaugers
Event Car: custom-painted AF Reefer (body only) (photo © Mark Gaddy)
1987
Location:
Chicago, IL
Organized By:
Chicagoland Association of S Gaugers
Event Car: K-Line Three-dome Tank Car (photo © Chuck Porter)
1986
Location:
South Beloit, IL
Organized By:
State-Line S Gaugers
Registrations:
221
Notes:
The first one hosted by the State-Line S Gaugers. A review of the event, by Vera Geerts, appears in the December 1986 issue of the S Gauge Herald magazine.
Event Car: custom-painted AF Gondola with Load (body only) (photo © Chuck Porter)
1985
Organized By:
Badgerland S Gaugers
Event Car: custom-painted AF Gondola with Load (body only) (photo © Chuck Porter)
1984
Organized By:
Chicagoland Association of S Gaugers
Event Car: custom-painted AF Flat Car (body only) (photo © Ted Hamler)
Event Car: custom-painted AF Flat Car (body only) (photo © Ted Hamler)
1983
Organized By:
Chicagoland Association of S Gaugers
Event Car: custom-painted AF Flat Car (body only) (photo © Mark Gaddy)
1982
Organized By:
Chicagoland Association of S Gaugers
Event Car: custom-painted AF Tender (body only) (photo © Chuck Porter)
1981
Organized By:
Chicagoland Association of S Gaugers
Event Car: custom-painted AF Box Car (body only) (photo © Mark Gaddy)
1980
Organized By:
Chicagoland Association of S Gaugers
Event Car: custom-painted AF Box Car (body only) (photo © Mark Gaddy)
1979
Location:
Chicago, IL
Organized By:
Chicagoland Association of S Gaugers
Event Car: custom-painted AF Hopper (body only) (photo © Chuck Porter)
Event Car: custom-painted AF Tank Car (body had to be donated first) (photo © Chuck Porter)
Notes:
A report on this show is covered on page 3 of the December 1979 issue of the Dispatch.
1978
Organized By:
Badgerland S Gaugers
Event Car: custom-painted AF Caboose (body only) (photo © Glenn Sarlitto)
1977
Organized By:
Chicagoland Association of S Gaugers
Event Car: custom-painted AF Box Car (body only) (photo © Chuck Porter)
1976
Location:
Northlake, IL
Organized By:
Chicagoland Association of S Gaugers
Notes:
The first show, due to the success the CASG had after hosting the 1975 NASG Convention.
Event Car: custom-painted AF Hopper (body only) (photo © Glenn Sarlitto)