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
- April 2026 News
Work continues on the North Wall as the bumpout into the aisle is gone and track laying continues. New switches are being added and scenery added to the area. Members don’t forget our friends at The Duneland Club in Michigan City would like to invite the Elkhart Model Railroad Club membership to their annual Hobo Dinner at their club Friday, April 26th at 6:00 CDT. That’s 5:00 PM Elkhart time. There’s more info on Duneland’s Facebook page.
The Elkhart Model Railroad Club has thriving YouTube and Facebook pages. Be sure to check out both. Our YouTube page has many videos online thanks to Nick Mangona. If you don’t have a lot of time there are plenty of Shorts Videos featuring BLI’s new Shay and the latest, a B&LE freight train making the Flushing run through the restroom at EMRRC.
The 2026 Elkhart Model Railroad Club show in Nappanee, Indiana was a big success. There were lots of folks enjoying themselves with the tremendous vendors, operating layouts, and train experts we had on hand. The vendor applications (we are more than half sold out for 2027 tables) are on the website along with the 2027 Flyer. CLICK HERE
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 during the first hour (or so) of 3rd Fridays.
We look forward to seeing you trackside!