Lionel Trains & More – Clubs in Rhode Island, South Carolina & South Dakota Model Railroad Clubs

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Thanks for continuing to follow us as we list clubs in all of the states for model railroad enthusiasts. The goal of this and all of the previous posts on clubs for those who love to collect lionel trains as well as all of the numerous other types of train sets that can be found in the market. Here is the latest list of clubs:

Rhode Island

Providence Northern Model Railroad Club - The Providence Northern Model Railroad Club was formed in February of 1994 by a group of hobbyists. The Providence Northern's mission is to promote, establish, operate and maintain a world-class quality operational layout in HO (1:87) scale. The layout is the cornerstone of the organization's educational outreach.

South Carolina

Iron Horse Modelers - The Iron Horse Modelers Club was founded in February 1993. The club's purpose is to promote the hobby of model railroading, to provide a forum for exchange of ideas and to build and operate larger club owned layouts.

South Dakota

James Valley Model Rail Road Association - The James Valley Model Railroad Association models in Lionel, HO. Four working layouts are available for viewing (HO, N & O gauges, with G coming soon). The James Valley Model RR Assn. has existed since 1988.

Sioux Valley Engineers Society - The Sioux Valley Engineer's Society was originally formed in 1948. The first layout was constructed in the basement of the old Hobby Shoppe on 10th Street.

That is it for today's post. Yes it was a little short in terms of the number of clubs. If you have any you think should be added just leave a comment.

The next post will cover the model railroad clubs in Tennessee, Texas and Utah.

Related Posts

Model Train Sets Clubs - Alabama to Arkansas

Model Train Sets Clubs - The California List

Model Train Sets Clubs - Colorado to D.C.

Model Train Sets Clubs – Florida to Hawaii

Model Train Sets – Clubs in Idaho, Illinois & Indiana

Model Train Sets – Iowa, Kansas & Kentucky

Model Train Sets – Clubs in Louisiana, Maine & Maryland

Train Sets – Clubs in Massachusetts, Michigan & Minnesota

Train Sets - Clubs in Nebraska, Nevada & New Hampshire

Model Train Sets Clubs – New Jersey, New Mexico & New York

Model Train Sets Clubs – North Carolina, North Dakota & Ohio

Model Train Sets Clubs – Oklahoma, Oregon & Pennsylvania

Model Train Sets Clubs – North Carolina, North Dakota & Ohio

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Thanks for continuing to follow us as we list clubs in all of the states for model railroad train enthusiasts. The goal of this and all of the previous posts on clubs for those who love to collect lionel trains as well as all of the numerous other types of train sets that can be found in the market. Here is the latest list of clubs:

North Carolina

North Raleigh Model Railroad Club - The North Raleigh Model Railroad Club (NRMRC) is the N Scale NTRAK model railroad club in North Carolina's Research Triangle Park area, one of the best areas in the USA to live and work.

Neuse River Model Railroad Club - The Neuse River Model Railroad Club focuses on several different train scales, N scale, HO scale, O scale and G scale. The club has an extensive research and lending library for members' use, including a large magazine collection including Model Railroader, Railroad Model Craftsman,Trains and many more.

Carolina Coastal Railroaders - Carolina Coastal Railroaders (CCR) was founded in early 1992 when a group of men came together at the Country Kitchen Restaurant in New Bern to discuss the future of model railroading in the New Bern area. This group of people decided that it would be a great idea to form a railroad club for anybody interested in model railroading and railfanning. CCR welcomes all those interested in HO scale railroading.

Piedmont & Western Model Railroad Club - The Piedmont and Western Railroad is a fictitious line serving Western North Carolina whose mainline extends from Marion, NC to Leadvale, TN. The HO Scale Club was formed in July 1988 in the city of Valdese, North Carolina. The layout is almost 1400 square feet (130 sq. meters) in area, with workshop, storage and railroad museum in adjacent rooms.

North Dakota

Try as I might, I was unable to find any active model railroad clubs in the state of North Dakota. If you happen to know of any, by all means please leave a comment with the name of the club and/or a website.

Ohio

Greater Cincinnati Garden Railway Society - Established to provide a means for its members to exchange ideas, learn and enjoy the hobby of large scale indoor/outdoor model railroading.

Greater Cincinnati Modular Railroad Association - GCMRA is a non-profit group of HO Scale Model Train Enthusiasts who gather several times per year to assemble their individual modules into one large layout at train shows and other public events. This is done not only for the fun of model railroading for its members, but also for the benefit and enjoyment of all its viewers.

Lake Erie N Scale Society - "L.E.N.S." is a group of people with a common interest in modeling N scale railroads following the "Ntrak" modular standard. The group attempts to promote the hobby by setting up public displays whenever they have an opportunity.

Central Ohio S Gaugers - The Central Ohio S Gaugers Promote the hobby of "S" Gauge model trains.

Up next will be the clubs in Oklahoma, Oregon and Pennsylvania.

Related Posts

Model Train Sets Clubs - Alabama to Arkansas

Model Train Sets Clubs - The California List

Model Train Sets Clubs - Colorado to D.C.

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Model Train Sets – Clubs in Idaho, Illinois & Indiana

Model Train Sets – Iowa, Kansas & Kentucky

Model Train Sets – Clubs in Louisiana, Maine & Maryland

Train Sets – Clubs in Massachusetts, Michigan & Minnesota

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Model Train Sets Clubs – New Jersey, New Mexico & New York

Model Railroad Clubs – Colorado to D.C.

Now that the list of California Model Railroad clubs has been done we now move onto those in Colorado, Connecticut and Washington D.C.

Colorado

Colorado Free-mo
- Colorado Free-mo is an independent group of modelers located in the Denver Metro area of Colorado. Colorado Free-mo has its beginnings at the GATS show in February of 2003 in Denver. Several modelers came together at the show to discuss the Free-mo concept and where they wanted to go with the concept. Out of those discussions Colorado Free-mo was born.

Boulder Model Railroad Club - The Boulder Model Railroad Club (BMRC) is the Premier Model Railroad Club for Boulder, Broomfield, Adams, Jefferson Counties and beyond in Colorado. The BMRC is about having fun with model railroading. The club has no club layout, which means it can - and must! - Appeal to a variety of skills and interests.

Denver Garden Railway Society - The Denver Garden Railway Society, founded in 1979, is a non-profit organization dedicated to education, promotion and enjoyment of all aspects of garden railroading.

Pikes Peak "N" Gineers Model Railroad Club - The Pikes Peak "N" Gineers Model Railroad Club (PPNG) was founded to provide a meeting place for interested model railroaders, to help fellow members with model railroad problems, to foster interest in the hobby of model railroading through fellowship in the club and to give members the opportunity to construct and operate an N scale layout for club and public display.

Denver N Scale Model Railroad Club - The Denver Area N-Scale Model Railroad Club is a nonprofit organization meeting together for the purpose of promoting the personal enjoyment of the N-scale model railroad hobby. Our club has reestablished itself in the Forney Museum of Transportation.

Denver HO Model Railroad
Club - Located in the basement of the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, Colorado, the Denver HO Model Railroad Club is an organization whose members share an interest in model railroading.

Connecticut

Central Connecticut 'G' Gauger's - The Central Connecticut 'G' Gauger's was formed in 1998 by cofounders David Snow, and Bob "The Gatorman" Gentile. They are a small informal group that was organized to promote the Large-scale hobby, with a modular layout, that can be transported to local train shows.

Valley N-Trak - Valley N-Trak is a non-profit organization of model railroad enthusiasts promoting the N scale module concept as a viable operational system. The club was established in 1976 with five members meeting in the basement of a local hobby store.

Torrington Area Model Railroaders - The Torrington Area Model Rairoaders began in 1996 with 8 members. Membership has grown over time to 39 today. The club has continued to add shows each year and currently does about 6 shows a year.

Valley HO Trak Model RR Club - A non-profit organization of HO scale model railroaders promoting the modular layout concept as a viable operating system.

Housatonic Model Railway Club - Founded in 1972, the Housatonic Model Railway Club is a not-for-profit corporation to further the enjoyment of the model railroad hobby, primarily through the building and operation of an H0 scale model railroad.

Delaware

D.A.R.N.: the Delco Area Railroaders in "N"
- An N-TRAK Modular Railroading Club.

Lehigh Valley Large Scalers - Large scale train action in the Lehigh Valley.

Nordel Model Railroad Club – Located in Yorklyn, Delaware and they offer multiple membership options to their club.

D.C.

Crescent Model Railroaders
- The Crescent Model Railroaders is an O-Gauge hi-rail
modular model railroad group located in the Washington DC area. We publicly display our layout at a variety of venues including community events, fairs, schools, and train shows.

The next post on the Model Railroad Scales & Train Sets blog will cover the model railroad clubs that are in Florida thru Hawaii.

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Collecting Model Train Sets As A Hobby

Collecting model train sets is a hobby enjoyed by people of all ages and from all walks of life. This is a hobby which leaves a lot of room for creativity, with landscapes of all sorts available and many different sizes of trains to choose from. Model train hobbyists can create a nearly limitless number of different environments for their trains to travel through.

Different hobbyists go for different sizes of trains. Some like the very small N-scale model trains, others go for the large G-scale trains and others favor everything in between. With so many different choices, it's no wonder that the hobby attracts so many people. We'll cover five of the things which draw people to this hobby below.

Model Train Sets - A look into History

Model train sets offer an entertaining way to learn about history. Almost every model train set collection includes a few model steam engines. The hobby is tremendously popular; there's just something intrinsically appealing about trains. There have been model trains almost as long as trains themselves have been around. As early as 1940, there were an estimated 100,000 model train collectors. There are groups dedicated to historical model railroads in nearly every country in the world, most of which also have websites which are great sources for information about both real and scale model trains.

History is always more interesting when it comes from our own relatives; model railroading is a hobby which helps to connect the generations of your family. Children enjoy taking part in the hobby along with their parents and grandparents and model trains make for a great teaching opportunity.

Model Train Layouts

Of course, model train layouts are themselves often exceptional pieces of art. A large part of what makes this hobby so fascinating is being able to constantly change the landscape for your trains. An artistically designed model train layout is like its own tiny world and is a fertile ground for the imagination.

Individual artistic expression is something which model trains offer plenty of to enthusiasts. There are model train hobbyists who like rural settings for their trains and those who prefer cityscapes with streets, skyscrapers and other elements of city life. One particularly popular model train layout feature is mountain tunnels.

Choices and Variety of Model Train Sets

One of the best thing about collecting model trains as a hobby is this: you can decide what you like best, so there's no one to tell you what the right and wrong ways are of doing anything. Model railroad collectors enjoy seeing the variety of designs created by other hobbyists. Some buy pieces to incorporate into their layouts, while others like to build everything themselves; of course, you can buy some pieces and make others yourself; it's your choice!

Whether you like the large G-scale train layouts or the very small N-scale trains, you'll have plenty of company; every variety of model train has a large following of collectors. People of every age from the very young to the very old enjoy collecting model train sets and regardless of where you want your trains to go, you can create the landscapes of your choice using the model trains you prefer to make your creative ideas a reality.

About Me

Model railroads are a tremendously relaxing hobby that can involve anyone in your family; from the young child to the young at heart grandparents. There is much to the hobby and this includes the types of trains, the scales, the models and even the train displays. My wish is for this blog to help you to understand the hobby and also find kindred spirits by referencing the list of clubs that are your city or state. Find out what train sets you prefer and begin your lifetime hobby!

Model Railroad Clubs – Alabama to Arkansas

Ok, we have begun our posting series on a number of model railroad clubs that are in the US. This is by no means an exclusive list and I'm sure I've missed some really great model train clubs; however this blog was setup to allow the beginner get started and find a support group. This first post in the series will be focusing on the clubs in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, and Arkansas. When I've been able to find a working website for the model railroad club I will include it.

So here goes nothing!!

Alabama

Redstone Model Railroad Club – This model railroad club has been a fixture in the model train club experience in Huntsville, Alabama for fifty or more years; hosting many South Eastern region conventions.

The Wrecking Crew – The wrecking crew model railroad club was established back in 1989 and has members who are knowledgeable in many of the model railroad scales, including HO, N, and G scale. They are also a club that adheres to the standards set forth by the NMRA (National Model Railroad Association) a governing association established back in 1935.

Alaska

Unfortunately, I am not familiar with any model railroad clubs that have been established in Alaska.

Arizona

Since Arizona has a larger population there is no shortage of clubs to join and learn about model railroading

Arizona Model Railroading Society – Is located at the Adobe Mountain Railroad Park in northwest Phoenix. The 3000 square foot AMRS clubhouse financed and built by its members opened in the fall of 2004.

Grand Canyon State Model Railroaders – This club prides itself on being a HO scale modular model railroad club based in Phoenix, Arizona. Our goal is to promote modular model railroading concepts: design, construction, operations, and standards.

Ponderosa North Model Railroad Club - The purpose of this site is to help promote the great hobby of model railroading as well as highlight the real railroad in a fun and informative forum.

Thunderbird Model Railroad Club - The Thunderbird Model Railroad Club is located in Phoenix, Arizona, on the Arizona State Fair Grounds. The club operates the Phoenix Turnbow and Apache HO Scale standard gauge railroad, as well as the Mogollon and Western HOn3 scale narrow gauge railroad.

Arkansas

Central Arkansas Model Railroad Club – They are train hobbyists dedicated to the advancement of the world's greatest hobby of model railroading through designing, constructing, and demonstrating train layouts at public sites and events, building local community awareness of the railroad history of this area, and sponsoring educational activities about railroading.

Northwest Arkansas Garden Railway Society - Garden railroading is one of the fastest growing hobbies

Stay tuned as we go through the list of states and provide some of the model railroad clubs that are in them. As I mentioned before this is by no means an exhaustive list so if you have or know of any clubs that may have been missed just list them in the comments!

Model Railroad Scale H0 Models

In the realm that is model railroad, scale H0 is the most popular size by far. Of course this is assuming that you are not reading this from across the pond in the UK where larger scale trains are common.

Since this scale of model railroad is the most popular, I wanted to talk about it first on this blog. The H0 model railroad scales have been around since approximately 1950--quite awhile before I was born. One could almost say that this scale model came about rather out of necessity. In the 1950's, the model train hobby was in a pretty significant decline.

As the enthusiasts demanded more realism and more control over this hobby of model trains, the H0 Scale was introduced and immediately won back many of the previous train fans.

The reason for this was due to the fact that all of the model trains previously were regarded as too large or cumbersome. An off shoot problem to these larger trains was the fact that it really limited those that wanted to create realistic details to the surrounding "land" that the train tracks went through.

I guess this was something that the owners of the larger scale model railroads couldn't afford--and it makes sense, the larger your diorama needed to be the more would be spent in the supplies needed to create your small world. The H0 scale model trains have allowed for a much more compact pieces so that things can be built on a more detailed scale.

Being a true enthusiast, you can't just have the train operating on bare tracks with no landscape!!

I was 8 years old when I got my first H0 model railroad; it had a red engine, two cars and a mustard yellow caboose. I was so excited to play with it that I could barely get the snap tracks connected completely. I setup a big oval of tracks and just ran the train round and round and round.... for at least an hour.

Then I realized that I need to improve upon what I had, which was just the train and the tracks. Creating grand schemes of what I was going to build: mountains, valleys, rivers and bridges to cross them, small towns.

All of this design was going to take up some permanent space so the garage was out of the question. The key was to take part of the recreation room and convert it into model train space.

It took about two months to create the entire environment. When it was done there were valleys and peaks and a bridge --granted a pretty rickety looking one -- and a painted blue river that went under the bridge.

Obviously you this was a novice creation and as time has passed I've been able to make much more realistic landscape and this is thanks to the more efficiently sized model railroad scale H0.

Thank you for visiting my Model Railroad; scale H0 post. I hope you've enjoyed reading and let me know what types of trains you've collected in the past or currently have!

Model Railroad - Scale Sizes

Welcome to my latest hobby blog dealing with what many consider a "romantic" hobby; the model railroad scale models of all sizes are fair game.

Since the majority of these models are of the steam locomotive variety, fans consider it to be a nostalgic hobby that brings back to life an era when the west was still wild and the steam train was the fastest transportation out there.

I got my first model railroad set when I was 8 years old, and they have always been fun. I can't tell you how many people I've driven crazy by trying to build extravagant dioramas to drive the trains through.

When it comes to the model railroad, scale sizes of the trains come in quite a few varied versions. This blog will mainly focus on the more popular model railroad sizes such as the G scale, HO scale, etc.