Our History
A Trip Across the Bridge
Our Home for Good
Our story begins not in Crockett, but just across the bridge in Vallejo, CA, in 1976, when we started the Vallejo Model Railroad Club. Tucked away on the Solano County Fairgrounds, a wig-wag signal stood high out front of our building, alluring crowds during summer days at the county fair.
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In 2004 the County Fairgrounds Association had plans for the land that didn't involve us, and so we started the search for a new home.
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The Start of Something
Amazing
Starting From Scratch
Not too soon after in 2004, we found our new home across the water in Crockett, CA. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) hall, a 100-year-old historic building, was available and soon with assistance from the Crockett Community Fund, we were able to purchase the building.
With over 2,300 sqft of layout space, our minds wandered about the different layouts we could build here., but the first order of business was to become
the Carquinez Model Railroad Society.
Building a World-Class
Model Railroad
A Labor of Love
Over the years, our members took on the challenge of building a mushroom-style layout design, creating three levels connected by two massive helixes. With benchwork complete and electrical installed, trains soon began running across what was once bare plywood.
A World of its Own
A Layout worth Staying a While
The layout you see now is crafted by our members, electricians, engineers, craftsmen, and many more, who labored dedicating their time and effort to creating a work of art.
From our iconic Sierra mountain range to the replica of the Carquinez-Benicia Railroad bridge built from scratch, the layout hosts a plethora of icons that can be seen in real life.
Help Continue History
Help Perserve and Conribute to
Model Railroading History
We need you, amazing fans of model railroading, to continue the legacy of CMRS whether that's becoming a junior member, senior member, or joining as a family to create history!
Or be a Supporter and think about making a monetary donation, to help fund various projects such as helping take care of our 100-year-old Historic Odd Fellows Hall Building.
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Just know however you decide to contribute, you will be helping to make and preserve model railroading history!
