About Us
Our History
For almost four decades, the Treasure Coast Model Railroad Club and Historical Society, Inc. have been bringing the fun and historical perspective of model railroading to the Treasure Coast. In 1975 three model railroaders in Vero Beach determined that there was interest in forming a Model Railroad Club. The Club thus had its beginning with this nucleus of interested hobbyists. The Treasure Coast Model Railroad Club declared itself as an actual organization on September 2, 1975.
Throughout the remainder of the 1970s and into the 1980s, meetings were held in a “round robin” fashion at the members’ homes that had a layout, as some of the members did not have layouts during this period. Some members had portable layout sections (modules). These modules were assembled into a complete model railroad which was displayed and operated at various civic events.
In 1985 we operated our first semi-permanent display at the Village Green Shopping Center in Port Saint Lucie. The layout utilized the modules the members owned, and were in both HO and N scale.
A few years later a new home, at the Airport Industrial Park in Stuart became available. This provided us with a place where we could not only meet but also craft a new portable HO layout which consisted of thirteen table-sized modules. This layout was set up on special occasions at malls in Stuart, the Saint Lucie Historical Society, and at the Greenberg Train Show at the South Florida Fairgrounds.
In exchange for building, displaying, and operating a large model railroad as an attraction at the Saint Lucie County Fair the Board offered a large space to us at the old St. Lucie County Fairgrounds.
When the Saint Lucie County Fair vacated the original fairgrounds, we were aware that we would have to move. We were fortunate to hear that a new fire station had been built on Becker Road in Port Saint Lucie and the Fire District and the City did not have any plans for the old building. We proposed to City officials that we be allowed to lease the building, emphasizing the community benefits of having an active club, such as ours, as an attraction, a historical resource, and as a teaching tool. We have now been at our current location for over seventeen years.
FACTS ABOUT THE TCMRR
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The railroad is modeled during the transition era between steam and diesel power of US railroads, which occurred between the 1940’s to the 1970’s. It is HO scale (1:87), utilizing a Digitrax DCC control system.
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The layout is housed in an air conditioned building measuring just under 1800 square feet with a 560 square feet screened in room for general use and meetings. The building measures 23 feet x 54 feet.
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Our railroad is comprised of 3 interconnected lines and has over 13 scale miles of track, close to 100 turnouts, over a dozen control panels and many miles of wiring.
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We have two major freight yards, 2 city passenger stations, several industrial complexes, a freight harbor, steel mill and a coal mine. In addition, there are three cities, several towns, lakes, and mountains.
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A traction line complete with overhead pantograph supplies transportation between one of the cities and a passenger station.
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Many of the structures are lit as are signs, street lights, railroad crossings, and even vehicular traffic lights!
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The Club is open to the public as shown on our main page. Large groups are welcome, however we ask that you organize your visit in advance prior to your visit so that we can organize and have the trains running. Just send us an email at [email protected]
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We are constantly working to improve our layout; therefore you may see our members designing scenery, laying track, wiring, or doing many other activites required to maintain a railroad of this size.
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Admission is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted. Donations enable us to provide a constantly evolving new visual experience at each visit.
