40+ Years of Model Railroading in North Texas

The North Texas Council of Railroad Clubs is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the model railroad hobby across the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex.

Established in 1982, the Council unites 24 individual model railroad clubs and historical societies throughout North Texas under a single mission. This all-volunteer organization was founded to provide a central platform for the local hobbyist community, hosting its first train show in 1983. For over four decades, the Council has remained committed to fostering the history, craftsmanship, and community of railroading

More Than Just a Hobby

The Council believes model railroading is a unique intersection of history, artistry, and hands-on learning. At its core, the hobby serves as a practical application of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). By bringing these technical disciplines to life, the organization provides a tangible way for the next generation of innovators to engage with engineering and craftsmanship outside of a classroom setting.

The Council’s mission is to promote this experience by highlighting the connection between modern technology and railroad history. Through the practice of safe railfanning and the preservation of North Texas’s rail heritage, the organization aims to inspire a lifelong interest in how things work and the stories behind them.

Bringing the Hobby to Life

To fulfill its mission, the Council produces two premier Train Shows each year—one in January and another in late September. These events serve as the largest gathering of the model railroading community in North Texas, bringing together thousands of families and hobbyists.

Every show is designed to be an immersive experience, featuring massive operating layouts, expert-led educational clinics, and exclusive tours of private home layouts across the Metroplex. As a nonprofit organization, support from sponsors and partners plays a key role in sustaining these efforts and expanding the reach of the hobby across North Texas.

Leadership

The North Texas Council of Railroad Clubs is guided by a dedicated group of volunteers who help lead the organization’s mission and annual events

Thank You to Our Sponsors

As a nonprofit organization, support from sponsors and partners plays a key role in sustaining these efforts and expanding the reach of the hobby across North Texas.