6 Of The Best Model Train Layouts In America

Contributed by Bill Murphy

Model railroading enthusiasts enjoy only one thing more then showing off their pride and joy: seeing other prototypes and displays that they can then go back home to compete with! Fortunately since showing off is inherent to all of us getting a chance to see some truly spectacular displays is not that hard, and in many cases involves only a short journey as there are literally hundreds of museums across the country that displays tens of thousands of locomotives, cars and scenes between them.

Most museums do charge a fee for admittance, but it normally is quite reasonable (averaging $6) and proceeds typically go towards the maintenance and upkeep of the models and facilities. A few sites are run by private organizations while others are run by a state or municipality but they all have one thing in common: people who love trains and railroad modeling are involved!

There is hardly a state in the United States that doesn't have at least one major museum or showcase for the Model Railroader and all are worth visiting, but some are worth making a trip to see even if you are only marginally interested. A partial list of some of the more famous destinations that are sure to thrill both enthusiast and family alike follow:

The San Diego Model Railroad Museum - Partially available 'online', the museum is a tax exempt non-profit educational entity that was incorporated in 1980 in affiliation with the San Diego Model Railroad club; the La Mesa Model Railroad club; and the San Diego Society of N-Scale. Over 27,000 sq. ft. of display space makes this the largest indoor display in the world with two of the largest layouts in HO and N scale in the world as well.

The Twin City Model Railroad Museum in St. Paul Minneapolis features model panoramas of the 1930's, 40's and 50's and has been operating since 1984.

South Florida Railway Museum is designed primarily to educate the public about the history of railroads in southern Florida but includes several very nice layouts, including a large N scale and an HOn3 model.

Smokey Mountain Trains in Bryson City, North Carolina, houses many of the layouts once available from the Harmar Station museum in Marietta, OH and is a great vacation destination for the model train enthusiast.

The Museum of Science and Industry located in Chicago, Illinois, also has a wonderful model train exhibit called The Great Train Story which boasts as having a 3,500 sq. foot layout that shows the winding journey from Chicago to Seattle through the Midwest, the Rockies, and the Cascades.

The Clovis Depot in Clovis, New Mexico, in an old train station depot which has been rebuilt to its original condition; this site was registered with the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

So crank up that old locomotive and head out to one of these or any of the other hundreds of exciting museums dedicated to this wonderful hobby of ours. Full steam ahead " the past is waiting!

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How Model Railroading Has Changed Over Time

Contributed by Bill Murphy

The first model train systems worked on wind-up clock parts, followed shortly thereafter by miniature steam engines. The materials of the locomotives and cars were typically cheap tinplate or lightweight woods that didnt hold up well.

The thought of controlling the system remotely was a pipe dream at that time " and even single switches and connectors if added at all were manually controlled just like the real things. Times as they say have changed " and how!

Modern electric systems can actually digitally control multiple locomotives independently on the same track " in some cases while simultaneously controlling an older analog system as well. Electrically operating street lights, motorized apparatus and even sounds and smoke replicas are common place now. But just how did this revolution get started?

When the first steam-powered engines were developed and up until the mid 1920s something of a boom was occurring in the model train industry and gimmicks and the creation of accessories and marketing were bringing public awareness and interest to a new level.

Specialty items like the Toonerville Trolley, a wind-up locomotive toy made in Germany that had innovative aspects such as real-life interactions of a character driving the trolley began to spur interest in the creation of what is now common automation elements incorporated in dioramas.

Lionel was one of the early innovators, introducing a new knuckle coupler system and increasingly realistic models. In 1946 Lionel introduced smoke which was so popular that within a few years all models had it! Other postwar additions were figures that operated elements such as doors, loading or unloading baggage etc. all designed to up the realism of the systems.

Perhaps the most stunning change in railroad modeling history was the introduction of the digital controller in the mid 1900s. With the Digital Command Control (DCC) systems such as the models introduced by Digitrax every locomotive is outfitted with a decoder which intercepts and responds to commands addressed to that specific item. This allows voltage to be placed on the track and used as needed via the controller, as specified by a digital signal that is also sent across the same track.

Since each locomotive only responds to the commands sent directly to it modelers were then able to control a series of trains running on the same track just as their real-life counterparts would do. Speed, directionality all is individually controllable " of course just like those real world counterparts collisions are now a possible concern. But Im sure if technology continues to advance remote controlled emergency recovery vehicles will be able to attend the scene in record time.

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Overview Of The NMRA -- National Model Railroad Association

by Bill Murphy

Model railroading is a hobby you can do alone -- but the enjoyment of watching others' reactions or being able to ask questions on specifications or historical references with friends may cause you to find other enthusiasts.

There are hundreds of clubs in the USA alone that have surfaced for model railroading, one of the largest being the NMRA, the National Model Railroad Association, a non-profit, educational association that promotes model railroading and impacts standards within the industry.

The NMRA has members across the world with over 150 divisions or groups of members spread out in 18 regions. Their yearly convention and the National Train Show continue to build excitement for model train enthusiasts to enjoy. The NMRA has been there for its members for over 70 years and will continue for many more.

The NMRA has set many standards that still exist today. Having been founded in 1935, they still maintain a list of Standards and Recommended Practices available to manufacturers and hobbyists. The Kalmbach Memorial Library, one of the larger railroad reference centers in the world is partially maintained by the NMRA. The Kalmbach Library has more than 5,000 books as well as over 100,000 prototype photos and over 50,000 modelling, prototype and historical magazines, a great resource centre for anyone into prototype railroading.

Available resources for members by the NMRA include:

• Being able to access the Kalmbach Memorial Library, an excellent resource on railroads and model railroads
• Association with other modellers and a monthly magazine
• Availability to the Members Aid Program forum where you can discuss information of model trains and also access information sheets for existing train specs
  

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