Urbana Freemo Open is held at the Urbana Train Show that occurs at the Lincoln Square Mall each spring. There are booths throughout the mall where people are selling railroad related items over the weekend. On Saturday, a large section is taken up by the Saturday Market which ends at noon, in the past leaving a large hole in the train show throughout the weekend.
In 2023, Mike Lehman and the IRC worked together to start the Urbana Freemo Open. On Saturday morning, the IRC modules are brought about 5 minutes east to the Lincoln Square Mall, so close some members walk, and are staged next to the Saturday Market by about 11:30. At noon, a whole room of people suddenly vanishes and the IRC springs into action, setting up our railroad in their place. The diamond becomes a nucleus; as the day goes on, various people show up, often unannounced, and add modules to the railroad, forming a switching layout that grows throughout the day as new track is added. The Urbana Train Show ends for the day at 5pm, but UFO operations continue into the evening in an empty mall.
Typical Sunday hours are 11am-4pm for the train show. Sunday, the full size UFO operates until teardown at 4. The UFO at the Urbana Train Show is a great way to introduce people to modular layouts and model railroading in general. Show up with your modules anytime on Saturday or Sunday morning. RSVP optional. We have the space!
Contact:
[Mike's Email]
[IRC Email]
[NMRA Illinoi Terminal Division]
[Mike's article on first UFO visit]