Where does the club meet?

We meet at our clubhouse in the heart of Beaverton. It is located near Ludeman's behind 12755 S.W. Beaverdam Road in Beaverton

How often does the club meet?

We meet weekly every Saturday as well as every other Friday..

What do you do at meetings?

Meetings don't have a specific pattern, but generally trains always get to run. On the first Saturday of each month, there is a brief business meeting to take care of any administrative issues and to provide a forum for the members to share their ideas and suggestions. If members need help with some aspect of the hobby and there is an expert present, then a small training session might begin. Maintenance is a constant need because of our show schedule so maintenance chores are done on the layout when needed.

I don't have a model railroad layout of my own. Can I still join?

Most members don't have layouts for various reasons. The combined effort of club members provides us with a place to enjoy our hobby. Club membership puts you in contact with some very talented members with a lot of modeling expertise.

I don't have any special modeling skills.

You won't be the only one. Some of our members have special skills in certain areas, but no one is an expert on everything. As the old saying goes, "It takes all kinds of people to run a railroad" and our railroad is no different. Everyone learns from everyone else.

What "Gauge" is the layout?

Our layout is HO gauge. That's the most popular "size" of model railroad there is.

What "Activities" does the club participate in?

In addition to regular club meetings, we show the layout in all of the major model railroad shows in the area. We also display at local functions such as the Great American Train Show, local civic functions and others. This is the best time to run trains because we are not performing maintenance on the layout. All we are doing is showing off how much fun we are having. We are the most public oriented modeling club in the Portland metro area. We routinely display for around 25,000 people annually.

Can I run my trains on the layout?

Certainly, if your equipment is "HO gauge" and it has a DCC decoder chip capable of handling a 4-digit address.

I like to do things other than run trains, like building structures and landscapes. Does that fit in?

Certainly, the layout is constantly evolving. If your interest is in some other aspect of the hobby we can find a place for your talents. 99% of the buildings have been purchased by members. It's your layout. So buy the building of your choice and install it.

What are the requirements for becoming a member?

Attend meetings, participate in club projects such as shows and pay dues for 3 months. Every member is expected to contribute in some way that helps the club. If you participate for 3 months and are current with your dues you will be given a key to the building. Then you can run trains, add scenery, clean track, etc. as your time and desires allow.

How old do I have to be to join?

Sixteen (16) is considered the minimum to be a voting member of the club. However, those younger than 16 can participate as an associate or family member if a parent/ guardian/relative is a member and present.

Are there any requirements for members?

The operation of the layout, participation in shows and the generation of revenue to finance club needs are an ongoing process. This means that as a group we benefit from having a spectacular layout available for our use, but at the same time everyone must contribute. This means participation, not only for the operation sessions during a show, but helping with setup and take-down as well. Assisting others with maintenance of the layout, even if it's only holding a light or lending a hand to one of the experts. That's also an excellent time to learn more about the layout and the club.

About the only thing we really require is that you play well with others. You aren't required to keep any equipment on the layout or clean so many feet of track per month. There is no seniority system to run on the layout. All members have the same rights to run on the layout.

We do ask that you help out wherever and however you can. There's plenty to do, either on the layout or related to any of the clubs activities, but the first step is to come to meetings.

How much are dues?

Dues are 20.00 per month for an individual membership, and 25.00 per month for a family membership.

How do I get started?

Get an events calendar and a map to the club house and join us at the next meeting. Bring your locomotive if you like and we'll get started. New members need to find their own "niche" within the club. You just never know how some skill, knowledge, tool or relationship you have, may be of use to the club, and the gift that you have may not be in the form of modeling skill.

Model railroading is a very diversified hobby. Some people attempt to grasp all of it while other tend to specialize. This could include bench work, construction electrical, electronics, scenery, weathering, operations, building structures, history and much more. There is something here for just about everyone that enjoys trains. And just about everyone has something that they can contribute. We would love to have you join us.