Rensselaer Model Railroad Society Anniversaries

1997 is the 50th anniversary of the Rensselaer Model Railroad Society of Troy, New York. It also happens to be the 25th anniversary of the club in their current quarters in Davison Hall, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. For the celebration, the club is trying to get together all the old members. This will be a great incentive to finish projects on the layout. There will be special articles in the Hobby Press and in other hobby publications.

The club has managed to stay together after 50 years because they have had a space and a facility, a problem for a lot of modelers. Focusing on the prototype has also enabled them to all stay focused and not change as interests change. They received a one time grant from the New York Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation department to work on the exhibitry. They New England, Berkshire and Western model railroad is tied into the tourist attractions, so the layout is included in the department’s communications.

When people come to see the layout, those without knowledge of the railroad or area ask questions, while others claim to have lived in a house on the layout and come with personal anecdotes. Moments like this really bring the layout to life. The club has even changed things on the layout based on witness accounts.