ROCHESTER, N.Y. — This weekend, you're invited to check out railroad history captured in miniature form at the Rochester Model Railroad Club open house. It offers a tour of the state by way of model trains, trolleys, and super-detailed scenery. 

From Jersey City to Buffalo, the club's replica freight and passenger trains capture what life was like on the raillines in the 1950s. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Rochester Model Railroad Club is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, expansion and education of railroading

  • Come and see the 2,400-square-foot layout featuring 350 feet of double-track mainline depicting scenes of the Lehigh Valley Railroad

  • The club is located at 150 S. Clinton Ave. in the lower level of First Universalist Church

Rochester Model Railroad Club members are all about preserving and educating Western New York rail history with 350 feet of double-track main line. Nearly everything you see here was handmade by club members. Alex Price does custom artwork on model trains.

"When it comes to all the details and all the precision of all the things modeled here, it has taken years and years of passion and dedication from lots of different members,” said Price. “This is a great way to showcase to the public. Kids are the future of this hobby, and they are the way that this will stay alive for the next generations. I love trains in general and everyone here is train-obsessed. The more I got involved, the more impressive it is.”

The Rochester Model Railroad Club welcomes new members. The club is located at 150 S. Clinton Ave. in the lower level of First Universalist Church. Open house admission donation is $7. Kids 9 and under are free. It’s Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.