The Elkhart Model Railroad Club

Serving Northern Indiana and Southwestern Michigan Since 1950

The Elkhart Model Railroad Club is a group of model railroad enthusiasts who meet every Friday evening at 2703 Hawthorne Street in Elkhart, Indiana. The club is open from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Elkhart Model Railroad Club
Announcements

December 2025 AnnouncementsDecember 2, 2025
November brought cold winds and the first snow of the season to the Elkhart Model Railroad Club, but that didn’t stop our members from showing up in great numbers. The clubhouse was buzzing with activity all month long as friends gathered to socialize, swap stories, and—of course—run trains. We also held our board elections in November. Serving new two-year terms are:
- Chuck Hart, President
- Matt Glassman, Vice President
- Steve Storey, Treasurer
- John Banicki, Secretary
Congratulations to all of you! We’re grateful for your leadership and dedication. In other exciting news, the 2026 EMRRC Nappanee Train Show—set for March 2026—is already sold out of vendor tables. Any applications received after this point will be kept on file in case openings become available due to cancellations. It’s shaping up to be a fantastic event. To round out the month, member Steve Storey hosted an informative clinic on car weighing, which sparked plenty of good conversation and interest among attendees. All in all, November was a full and lively month at EMRRC, and we’re looking forward to keeping that momentum going into the winter season! Don’t forget—the club will be closed on Friday, December 19th for our annual EMRRC Christmas Party! This is always a fun and festive evening, and we hope to see as many members there as possible. We’ll be providing pizza and soft drinks for everyone, so come hungry. If you’re able, please bring along a dessert to share—cookies, brownies, holiday treats… whatever puts you in the Christmas spirit! To all of our members, supporters, and fans, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a joyful holiday season. Thank you for being such an important part of the Elkhart Model Railroad Club family.

Regular Club Schedule and Visiting Hours

We love having visitors! Unless noted otherwise, the club is open most Fridays from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Here’s what typically happens each Friday of the month:

Friday of the Month	What’s Happening	Open to the Public?	Public Hours	Notes
1st Friday	Club maintenance night	Yes	7:00 PM – 9:00 PM	Trains may be running, but only for testing/maintenance
2nd Friday	Members running trains informally	Yes	7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (club stays open until 10 PM for members)	Great night to meet members and take photos
3rd Friday	Business Meeting (7:00–8:00 PM or whenever it ends) → Members run trains afterward	Partially	8:00 PM – 9:00 PM (or right after the meeting ends)	Meeting is members-only. Clinics (if scheduled) are open to the public starting at 8 PM or when the meeting ends
4th Friday	Usually: Members running trains informally *Quarterly:* Formal Operations Session; The next one is January 22, 2026	Yes (both cases)	7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (club stays open until 10 PM for members)	Formal operations with dispatcher, yardmaster, and radio communication happen only four times a year. On all other 4th Fridays, it’s regular member running sessions (still fun to watch!).
5th Friday (when there is one)	Members running trains informally	Yes	7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (club stays open until 10 PM for members)	Same as 2nd Friday – perfect for photos and chatting with members

Quick Summary for Visitors

Best nights to visit: 2nd, 4th, and 5th Fridays (open 7–9 PM) and 3rd Friday starting at 8 PM.
On formal operations nights (only 4 times a year), you’ll see the layout running like a real railroad — highly recommended!
The club is closed to the public on 1st Fridays and during the first hour (or so) of 3rd Fridays.

We look forward to seeing you trackside!