Local & Interesting
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Model Railroading Near Washington, DC
Model Railroading Interesting and Useful Information
Fallen Flags in and around Washington, DC
Operating in and around Washington, DC
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The Potomac Module Crew (PMC) consists of members of the Potomac Division who have an interest in HO modular model railroading. A module is a section of a model railroad built to a minimal standard set of dimensions, track locations, and electrical connections. The type of scenery display is left to the imagination and creativity of the builder. The scene on a module can be rural or industrial, agricultural or urban, mountainous or prairie-like, or any combination. The time period model is also left to the modeler. The use of modules allows a modeler the opportunity to create a section of railroad without a major investment of time, space or money. A module is also easy to transportand store when not in use.

Please open a new window at the PMC site.
Please open a new window for the PMC schedule of activities.
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Northern Virginia NTRAK promotes the hobby of N-Scale Model Railroading. Member’s interests include railroad operations, history and safety, writing and photography, as well as model building. Throughout the year, the organization sets up at railroad shows and shopping malls throughout the Metropolitan area. The layouts are flexible and their modular nature allows the layout to be tailored to fit the available space. These setups allow members to run realistic-length trains over long stretches of varied scenery, something that is not usually possible on home layouts.

Please open a new window at the NVNTRAK site.
Please open a new window for the NVNTRAK schedule of activities.
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The Northern Virginia Model Railroaders (NVMR) is a HO scale model railroad layout, that is on permanent display at the Vienna station. The club models a small railroad, the Western North Carolina, set in the 1950's. The club hosts open houses, 10 times a year, where the public is welcome to come and see trains running. 

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The Prince William County Model Railroad Club welcomes all model railroaders. The members operate their home layouts and collaborate on an award-winning modular club layout displayed at events in Virginia & Maryland. At the Historic Quantico Depot in Quantico, Virginia they are building the HO layout of their dreams. A free open house is scheduled the 1st Saturday of month from 10am-4pm except in June.

Please open a new window at the PWMRC site.
Please open a new window at the Quantico Depot site.
Please open a new window for open house information.
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The Anachronistic Region is a group of model railroaders who focus on the operations of moving cars among industries and yards. We are happy to entertain visitors who are interested in seeing how operations can be fun.

Please open a new window at the Anachronistic Region site.
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The Four County Society of Model Engineers is a not-for-profit HO scale modular railroad club dedicated to advancing our skills and enjoyment of the hobby. We are located in Central Maryland, mainly Carroll, Howard, Frederick and Montgomery Counties, but also with members in surrounding areas.

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The Rockville Model Railroad Society (RMRS) was founded in 2004 in Rockville, MD by the merging of the Gaithersburg Model Railroad Society and the Maryland Central Model Railroad club. We are currently occupying space in the King Farm area of Rockville, in the old King Farm Homestead. We have a diverse group, modeling in all popular scales from G to Z.

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The Severna Park Model Railroad Club is a group of H0 scale model railroaders that meet every Thursday evening at the club layout located in Severna Park, Maryland, only a few miles from Annapolis. The club is open during our Thursday evening sessions, from 8 p.m. until whenever the last member leaves. Feel free to stop by and see the layout. We also host an Open House twice a year, during the first weekends of May and December. The club building was once the Severna Park railroad station (until the early 1960's). The old railbed has been converted into the very popular B&A (Baltimore and Annapolis) bike path. If you're on the trail on the south end, you'll walk, skate, or bike right by our club building, since it's next to the path.

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The Washington, Virginia, & Maryland Garden Railway Society (WVMGRS) is the largest and oldest Garden Railway Society on the Eastern Coast. Members enjoy a variety of scales associated with the Guage 0 and Guage 1, and share a passion for small scale live steam locomotives. The WVMGRS participates in many aspects of garden railroading in our community, including display, meeting, show, and layout open house.

Please open a new window at the WVMGRS site.
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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 public displays gives us a chance to enjoy each other's camaraderie while sharing our hobby with others.

 Please open a new window at the Crescent site.
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The National Capital Trackers (Trackers) is an informal group of model train enthusiasts in the Washington D.C. area who share an interest in operating three rail O-Gauge trains. The members construct portable layout modules that are joined together to create the club's large operating layouts. The club's objectives are to provide a means for local train enthusiasts to operate O-Gauge trains; and to promote our hobby through the operation of our railroad at public events.

 Please open a new window at the Trackers site.
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The Train Room in Hagerstown, MD is the home of one of the largest collections of rare and unusual items from Lionel & model railroading, toys, war related items, etc. Much of the collection pre-dates World War II. The museum houses one of the largest operating 0-gauge model railroad displays on the east coast, with all the sights and sounds of the real thing ....and tons of railroad memorabilia!

Please open a new window at the Train Room site.
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The Japan Rail Modelers (JRM) of Washington DC is a loose group that focus on modeling Japanese rail systems. Our goal is to support and encourage modeling of Japanese rail systems and provide public education about the extensive Japanese railroads.

 Please open a new window at the JRM site.
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The Harford Associates for Railroad Modeling (HARM) is an informal group meeting every Tuesday evening for the past 35 years.  Members live in or near Harford County, Maryland.  Our objective is to operate and construct member layouts.  Scales range from N through G.  HARM members are active with the NMRA.  Our site offers a platform to share ideas to enhance the model railroading experience. Three HARM layouts will be featured on a layout tour during the July 2006 National Model Railroad Association Convention in Philadelphia, PA.

Please open a new window at the HARM site.
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The National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) is devoted to the development, promotion, and enjoyment of the hobby of model railroading. It is people at the national, regional and local level promoting the hobby, educating people about it and working to insure that your trains and equipment will work on other layouts. The NMRA member enjoys participation in the Achievement Program; Photo, Slide and Model Contests with fellow members; modelers Aid (ask a question); directory of Information; glossary of terms; retailers network; estate counseling (we may all need this some day); access to Master Model Railroaders; and the most important fellowship of other modelers.

Please open a new window at the NMRA site.
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The Mid-Eastern Region (MER) of the NMRA includes the central states of the east coast, from New Jersey to North Carolina. The purpose of your MER is to promote, stimulate, foster and encourage the art and craft of model railroading, to expand interest in and publicizing the hobby of model railroading through publication of the LOCAL six (6) times annually, and to sponsor a convention or two each year. These conventions give MER members the opportunity to network with other model railroaders without traveling cross country.

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The Railroad Industries Special Interest Group (RRISIG) is an independent, non-profit group focused on industrial railroading, affliated with the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA). The primary goals are: to develop an understanding of the history and operations of industries served by the railroads, and to share such information among the membership for modeling purposes.

Please open a new window at the RRISIG site.
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Train Net

 Please open a new window at the International Railway site.
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John Allen (1913-1973) combined formal art and photography training with modeling skill, close observation of the real world, and a knack for caricature to produce a truly imaginative effect that had lasting impact on model railroading. John's stunning mountainous scenery, city scenes and structures inspired model railroaders around the world. His Gorre & Daphetid (gory & defeated) Ry remains an inspiration.

Please open a new window at the Gorre & Daphetid Reminiscence Project site.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Locate model railroad shops anywhere in the USA
 These links should not be relied on as being 100% correct or current. Always verify.

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Model Railroad Open Houses  DE - MD - PA - NJ.
     Model Railroad Open House information site

Please open a new window to view and download the schedule
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The Washington, DC Chapter of the National Railraod Historical Society (NRHS) is a diverse group of people with a common interest in rail transportation and its rich and storied history that conducts a wide variety of activities, including public excursions, train trips, tours, as well as private railroad car journeys, and monthly meetings.  There are a wide variety of programs, community service projects, rail equipment restoration and operation, excursion train operations,  community service activities, historical research, photography contests, and railfan outings.

Please open a new window at the DC Chapter site.
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The Potomac Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society (NRHS) is a group of railfans based in the National Capital Area. We seek to increase public awareness of railroads and their history.  We meet the third Tuesday of every month at 8:00 PM in the Montgomery Country Executive Office building, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville, MD. We welcome visitors. Member benefits include: interesting monthly meetings with guest speakers, railroad-related film and slide shows; annual chapter picnic; Potomac Rail News monthly newsletter; opportunities for rail excursions and industry field trips; and opportunities to assist at the Gaithersburg Railway Museum and local railroad heritage celebrations.

Please open a new window at the Potomac Chapter site.
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Scratch the surface of the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail and you will find a railroad -- quite literally in some places. Ask the older residents of the towns along the trail, and they will tell you that they remember it. Known as "The Virginia Creeper," in a reference to the speed of its trains, the W&OD Railroad ended passenger service in 1951, lost its contract to carry mail in 1951 and expired in 1968.

Please open a new window at the W&OD site.
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Throughout its 160 years, the B&O Railroad enjoyed a rich and varied corporate life. It was America's first common carrier railroad and survived to become one of the world's oldest railroad companies. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Historical Society (B&ORRHS) exists to help assemble, interpret and share that history. The B&O, like railroading everywhere, touched virtually all areas of American life. This diversity is reflected in the Society: members' interest range from motive power and railroad architecture to modeling and artifact collecting. Each year the B&ORRHS holds an Annual Convention, with facility tours, workshops, photo and models shows, displays, and the Annual Membership Meeting and Banquet. Two regional mini-conferences are held annually in the spring in the Baltimore area and in Ohio.

Please open a new window at the B&ORRHS site.
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Located among Baltimore City's historic southwest neighborhoods, at the original site of the historic Mt. Clare Shops, the B&O Railroad Museum is recognized universally as the birthplace of American railroading.  Forty acres of heritage and a world class collection await your discovery. In Association with the Smithsonian Institution.

Please open a new window at the B&O Railroad Museum site.
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Ellicott City B&O Railroad Station Museum. The old mill town of Ellicott City was the site of the first passenger terminus of the B&O Railroad and therefore has the distinction of being the oldest railroad terminal in the country. Built in 1831, the station was a hub for both commercial and Civil War trade. The museum features rotating themes throughout the year: the Civil War from February through May, the birth and development of the B&O from May through September, and a holiday model train exhibit from December through January.

 Please open a new window at the Museum site.
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The National Capital Trolley Museum was founded after the abandonment of streetcar service in the District of Columbia. The Museum opened to the public in 1969 at its present location in Northwest Branch Park in Montgomery County, Maryland. The Museum's mission is to preserve and interpret the history of Washington's electric street railways. The collections consist of 17 streetcars from Washington D.C. and other cities. Many of these are operated on a one-mile demonstration railway. In addition, there is an O-scale model layout representing a Washington streetscape from the 1930's, a film program, and traditional exhibits of street railway artifacts and photographs.

Please open a new window at the Museum site.
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The Baltimore Streetcar Museum is dedicated to preserving Baltimore's public transportation history, especially the street railway era.
Please open a new window at the Museum site.
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The Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum (HRM) is dedicated to promoting a public understanding of the railroad history and railroad related activites in the general area of Hagerstown, Maryland through restroration, preservation, entertainment and education.

 Please open a new window at the HRM site.
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The Brunswick Railroad Museum is located in the heart of Historic Brunswick Maryland. The museum offers a 1700 square foot interactive HO scale model railroad layout, which depicts the B&O Railroad's "Metropolitan Subdivision" from Washington DC's Union Station platforms to Brunswick's large classification yards.      The BRRM also houses a large collection of artifacts from the last century (and beyond) in exhibits telling the story of the city of Brunswick, and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad who built it, and the C&O Canal National Historic Park Visitor Center for the nearby historic site of Canal lock 30.

Please open a new window at the Museum site.
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The Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum in Chesapeake Beach, MD commemorates the Chesapeake Beach Railway that served this summer resort 28 miles from Washington, DC. Exhibits include photographs of trains and the town, a model train, a diorama of the resort, and a surviving kangaroo from the carousel.

Please open a new window at the Museum site.
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The mission of the Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society (C&OHS) is to collect, conserve, restore, index, archive, and make available materials on the history of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway to as wide an audience as possible. To interpret the American railway experience through the Chesapeake & Ohio's historical experience, using data, photographs, drawings, publications, small artifacts, and full-size railroad rolling stock.

Please open a new window at the C&OHS site.
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The Chessie System Historical Society (CSHS) is actively involved in research and information sharing on all aspects of the Chessie System Railroads. Though basically an historical research organization, special emphasize is also placed on modeling the Chessie System as many of our members are also model railroaders. The CSHS is also involved in producing highly accurate models of custom painted Chessie freight cars as well as making available many photographs and data on Chessie equipment.

Please open a new window at the CSHS site.
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In the 125 years of its operation as an independent railroad, the Western Maryland built a reputation as a truly "Fast Freight Line." From the laborers on the docks of Port Covington to the top brass, Western Maryland people were noted for their skill in the transportation field, and the pride that showed in every aspect of their work. Today, the WM is a fond memory, its remnants serving as an important link in the CSX Transportation chain. Its memory survives, however, in the Western Maryland Railway Historical Society, Inc.

Please open a new window at the Western Maryland Railway Historical Society site.
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Take a trip back in time . . . on the Walkersville Southern, established in 1991 on the Frederick branch of the old Pennsylvania Railroad. Come see our turn-of-the-century railroad station and freight house. Ride in vintage 1920s passenger cars or on an open flatcar as your rail excursion runs past a 100-year-old lime kiln, and then out into the picturesque Maryland farm country.

 Please open a new window at the Walkersville Southern site.
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The Pennsylvania Railroad Technical and Historical Society (PRRT&HS)  brings together persons interested in the history of the Pennsylvania Railroad, its subsidiaries and its predecessor companies to promote the preservation and recording of all information regarding the organization, operation, facilities and equipment of the PRR. Publications include  The Keystone, a quarterly illustrated journal; the monthly electronic newsletters Keystone e-NEWSand Keystone Modeler. The PRRT&HS meets annually, usually the first weekend in May. Activities include, field trips, illustrated talks/lectures on various aspects of the PRR, general discussion sessions, movies, and slides of the Pennsy.

Please open a new window at the PRRT&HS site.
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The Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad  was a railroad connecting Richmond, Virginia to Washington, DC. It is now a portion of the CSX Transportation system. The RF&P was a bridge line, with a slogan of "Linking North & South". (A bridge line has more traffic passing through its connections with other railroads than it originates or terminates at points along the line.) For the major portion of its existence, the RF&P connected with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and Seaboard Air Line Railroad at Richmond. At Alexandria and through trackage rights to Union Station in Washington, DC, connections were made with the Pennsylvania Railroad, Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the Southern Railway.                    

Please open a new window at the RF&P Historical Society  site.
Please open a new window at the RF&P page on Trainweb.


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