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Kalamazoo Model Railroad Historical Society
Announcements and Special Events!
Our 2008 Spring Open House is on May 10th - 12 Noon to 4 PM!
------- KMRHS Club Cars for sale -------
KMRHS has acquired a large book donation. Many books are not needed for
KMRHS has a new video, computer program and coffee mug for sale!
KMRHS recently went on a Rail Fan trip to The Little River Railroad. We are now open on Saturday (11:00 to 1:00) in addition to our normal 7PM to 10PM on Mondays! Click Here for Details
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Introduction to our Society
Are you thinking about joining a model railroad organization? Or, are you interested in model trains and just starting out? Then you should be thinking about visiting the Kalamazoo Model Railroad Historical Society! Why?
Model Railroading and Our Organization
Model railroading is an international hobby that has over a half-million
participants in the United States and additional hobbyists across the
globe. Among the more famous hobbyists are talk show host Sally Jessy
Raphael, actors Mandy Patinkin and Harrison Ford, Al and Bobby Unser and
investment counselor Warren Buffet.
The Society's permanent layout, the Cooper Park & Eastern, is a mythical railroad named after Cooper Township, the location of the Clubhouse. The time modeled is 1960 to allow the prototypical inclusion of steam locomotives as well as diesel. The layout is modeled in HO scale and there is just over 212 actual feet of track on the main line. There are also narrow-gauge and trolley portions on the layout. The layout is wired for Digital Command Control and more than 6 trains can be running on the layout at one time. The CP&E is imagined to have strong ties to both the New York Central and Pennsylvania Railroads, so you will see a lot of equipment lettered for them as well as for the CP&E. Modular Layout The Society has also built a modular layout consisting of 12 - 6 foot by 2 foot sections that fit into our trailer and can be hauled to public exhibitions. The modular layout has 2 main lines and a local. The layout is wired for Digital Command Control and more than 4 trains have been running on the layout at one time. The layout has been in use since 2001 and while a model railroad can never be said to be finished, the modular layout is complete mechanically and electrically and most modules are completely scenicked. Meeting Schedule The KMRHS is open every Monday night from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM and Saturdays 11:00 to 1:00 (Holidays excepted). Operating Sessions (where members run trains on dispatched schedules) are held on the third and fifth Mondays of every month except October. Business meetings are held on the 2nd Monday and work sessions are held on Mondays not otherwise designated. Visitors are welcome to attend any of our meetings or sessions, and trains will be run for guests except in cases where construction on the layout prevents it. Library The KMRHS library is devoted to materials on model railroading and the history of railroads in general, concentrating on the railroads that served Kalamazoo County. There are both primary (Timetables, Official Guides, Maintenance manuals etc.) and secondary (books, magazines, videos) materials in the collection. We have nearly full runs of Model Railroader and Railroad Model Craftsman magazines. We are attempting to acquire back issues of other model titles to improve our collections of these and other magazines. KMRHS members may check out materials from the collection. The general public is welcome to use the collection at the clubhouse. The collection may be viewed during our regular meetings or by using the contact information at the bottom to make an appointment with the librarian. Public Exhibitions The KMRHS is available for lectures, presentations, and public exhibitions. We can arrange private showings of our facilities. Speakers with knowledge on both model and prototypical railroading are available for presentations. We also have a modular layout that can be set up at your location/function, or we can set up a temporary layout such as a Holiday themed layout. In 1999 former Boyne City Gaylord & Alpena caboose #802 was donated to our society. It was installed next to our clubhouse on track laid by club members. Much work has been done to restore it to its former condition, but much work needs to be done. With the completion of replacement platforms, new windows and doors and a stairway and deck, work has progressed to the point that we are proud to open the caboose to visitors (check when we are open) and during special events. Exhibits illustrate the history of railroading. (Back to Table of Contents)Every Fall on the last Sunday in October we hold our annual Train Show & Sale in the Hazel Grey Building at the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds. The Train Show & Sale features over 150 vendor tables, along with door prizes, free how-to clinics, and a food concession stand. Operating layouts in G, HO, and N scales are present. Open House
Come see us at our clubhouse (click for directions) on Saturday, May 10th, 2008 - 12 Noon to 4 PM.
Our 24 by 40-foot HO scale layout will be operating and our 1912-vintage
full-size caboose
will be open to tour.
How to Find Us
From the north, south, or west of Kalamazoo, Michigan:
From the east of Kalamazoo, Michigan:
Contact Information
The Kalamazoo Model Railroad Historical Society Non-Profit Status
The Kalamazoo Model Railroad Historical Society is registered as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
As such, donations to further the goals of the KMRHS in encouraging Model Railroading and
preserving the historic significance that Railroads played in the development of our country may be
tax deductible.
Railroad Links!
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