NMRA - Special Interest Groups

Home :: National

National

Special Interest Groups

A Special Interest Group (SIG) is an independent, not-for-profit, membership group organized to provide a forum for the exchange and collection of railroad prototype and/or model railroad information about specific topics. This page contains information about railroad and model railroad organizations which have chosen to join the NMRA Special Interest Group Program.

For information about creating an NMRA SIG, or registering an existing organization as an NMRA SIG, please consult the SIG Program Guide then contact the SIG Program Coordinator at:

Doug Harding - SIG Program Coordinator: National Model Railroad Association; PO Box 574; Keosauqua IA 52565-0574; doug.harding@iowacentralrr.org

SIG Program Documents:

(Note: SIG documents in postscript format have been discontinued. We apologize for any inconvenience)

SIG Program Policies and Guidelines
- HTML version
Application to register a SIG
- PDF version

Special Interest Groups:

Note: there are a number of broken links below. We are in the process of trying to update them, but if you have a new link, please use the contact page to let us know. Thanks.

1/64th-Scale Special Interest Group - This SIG provides a forum for 1:64 scale narrow gauge and standard gauge scale modelers to enjoy and enhance the common elements of their hobby by interacting with and learning from each other. The SIG publishes a quarterly newsletter, the 1/64th-scale Corner. For further information consult the SIG coordinator:
- Richard E. Bendever
  P.O. Box 56
  Somerville, NJ 08876-0056
  Telephone: (908) 927-9347

Akron, Canton & Yougstown Historical Society - The SIG publishes a quarterly newsletter, the A.C. & Y.H.S News. For further information consult the SIG coordinator:
- Bob Lucas
  c/o AC&Y Railroad Historical Society
  P.O. Box 196
  Sharon Center, OH 44274-0196
  E-mail: RobertELucas@MSN.com

American OO Gauge SIG - The American OO Gauge SIG is dedicated to the preservation of American, OO scale (4mm = 1ft). Presently, the primary activity of this SIG is publishing the semi-annual, SIG newsletter, The OO Road, but other activities are under consideration. For more information consult:
- Paul Magnussen
  3115 S. 11th St.
  Tacoma, WA 98405
  (253) 272-9069
- NMRA-maintained web page
Baltimore & Ohio Historical Society - The Baltimore & Ohio Historical Society publishes a newsletter, The Sentinel , bi-monthly. This high-quality publication covers the history of the B&O and provides ample background to assist both the rail historian and model railroader. For more information consult:
- Louis Hause
  P.O. Box 13578
  Baltimore, MD 21203-3578
The PGE/BCR Special Interest Group Society - This group is the leading source of information regarding BC Rail and its predecessor companies. Each issue of the quarterly newsletter, The Cariboo, typically features news, current operations, historical features and modeling projects covering all eras. For more information consult:
- The PGE/BCR Special Interest Group Society
  C/O #22-3981 Nelthorpe Street
  Victoria, British Columbia
  V8X 3Z2
  Telephone Contact: 250-727-9870
- E-mail Contact: info@pge-bcr-sig.bc.ca
- SIG-maintained web page
Burlington Northern, Friends of the - This group was formed to preserve the history of the Burlington Northern Railroad from its inception in 1970 to its current operations. The group publishes a quarterly newsletter, The BN Expediter. For more information consult:
- Gary Seymour
  P.O. Box 271
  West Bend, WI 53095-9271
- SIG-maintained web page
Burlington Route Historical Society - The mission of the br /HS is to preserve and disseminate historical information about the collective Burlington railroads for the benefit of br /HS members and others by creating and promoting fellowship and education among persons interested in the CB&Q, and locating, gathering, preserving, interpreting and distributing information relating to the CB&Q. For more information consult:
- br /HS
  P.O. Box 456
  La Grange, IL 60525
- br /HS@NSN.ORG
- SIG-maintained web page
Canadian National Lines SIG - This group was founded to provide a forum for people with common interest in the Canadian National family of railways (Canadian National, Grand Trunk Western, Central Vermont, Grand Trunk Railway, and Duluth, Winnipeg & Pacific). Links to those railways in the CN family can be found by going to the CN Sig-maintained web page listed below. For more information consult:
- Greg King
  51 Sommerfeld Dr
  Regina SK S4V 0C6
  Canada
- SIG-maintained web page
- The SIG also maintains a mailing list via a list server.
  Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CNLines-CNet/ to subscribe to or unsubscribe from the mailing list.
Canadian Pacific Historical Association -

We publish an historical magazine CP Tracks approximately twice a year. CP Tracks contains photographs (many colour), scale drawings, historical information and CPR drawings about equipment and infrastructure. CP Tracks is available by subscription to members and also available at many hobby shops in Canada and at a few select hobby shops in the USA.

The CPHA is a volunteer organization dedicated to sharing information about the Canadian Pacific Railway and its subsidiaries, past and present. Our website has a very extensive "Documentation" collection of reproduced CPR documents; including CPR equipment and infrastructure drawings, timetables, equipment lists, etc.

For more information contact:

CPHA
Box 700
Streetsville, Ontario
CANADA L5M 2C2

SIG-maintained web page

Cane SIG (Cane Railway Modeling SIG) - The purpose of the Cane SIG is to preserve, develop and exchange information for the modeling of sugar cane railways (tramlines) worldwide. The SIG does not publish a newsletter, but disseminates information primarily through their web site listed below. For more information consult:
- A C Lynn Zelmer
  Box 1414
  Rockhampton QLD 4700
  Australia
- lynn@zelmeroz.com
- SIG-maintained web page
Chicago & North Western Historical Society - This SIG publishes a quarterly newsletter, North Western Lines. For further information consult the SIG coordinator:
- Gene Green
  11305 Ivanhoe Drive
  El Paso, TX 79936
- SIG-maintained web page
Circus/Carnival SIG - The purpose of this SIG is to assist in modeling and understanding circuses. The SIG publishes a monthly (except summer) newsletter, "Red Wagon". For further information consult the SIG coordinator:
- Bob Judge
  PO Box 121
  Oakhurst, NJ 07755
  bigjudge@optonline.net
Digital Command Control SIG - This SIG publishes a semi-annual newsletter, the DCC SIG Newsletter. For further information consult the SIG coordinator:
- John D. Balogh
  3077 Williamsburg Drive
  State College, PA 16801-3016
- JDB@psu.edu
- SIG-maintained web page

European Train Enthusiasts, Inc. - This SIG publishes a quarterly newsletter, The ETE Express. For further information consult the group at:
- European Train Enthusiasts
  PO Box 365
  Fremont, CA 94537
- SIG-maintained web page

Friends of the East Broad Top - This SIG publishes a quarterly newsletter, Timber Transfer. For further information consult the SIG coordinator:
- Vagel C. Keller
  PO Box 5130
  Pittsburgh, PA 15206-0130
- vckeller@comcast.net
- SIG-maintained web page

Frisco Modelers Information Group - The FMIG is an informal organization of model railroaders who model the St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco) Railway. The communications media are a periodic newsletter, electronic mail, and occasional conventions. For more information consult:
- Douglas J. Hughes
  1212 Finneans Run
  Arnold, MD 21012-1876
- hughesd@jsc.mil
- SIG-maintained web page
Great Northern Historical Society - The GNRHS provides extensive information about the GNRY via high quality quarterly publications that include organization news/activities, detailed reference sheets and modeling information. These publications are included with The Great Northern GOAT.
For more information consult:

GNRHS Membership Secretary
P. O. Box 3016
Burnsville, MN 55337-8016
- gngoat@gnrhs.org
- SIG-maintained web page
International Car Exchange SIG - The International Car Exchange (ICE) SIG's primary goals are to provide contact for its members and to act as a forum for the round robin exchange of model railroad rolling stock. ICE publishes a monthly newsletter, the ICE Report, which provides timely information on train movements between members, as well as information concerning train consists. For more information consult:
- Ed. J. Neale
  42 Indian Head Drive
  Sayville, NY 11782-1703
- SIG-maintained web page
Layout Design SIG - The prime purpose of this SIG is to aid efforts to design and create layouts that achieve owners' layout goals (with minimum space and cost), avoid common design flaws, and include prototypical and model design features that maximize operating and visual interest. The SIG publishes a magazine, Layout Design Journal. For more information consult the website at http://www.ldsig.org
- SIG-maintained web page

Maryland &Pennsylvania Railroad Historical Society, Inc. - This group publishes a very good quarterly newsletter, The Ma & Pa Timetable, and provides a good source for information about the Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad Historical Society, Inc.
219 Princeton Lane
Bel Air, MD 21204
Phone: 410-879-8562
SIG-maintained web page

Missouri Pacific Historical Society - The purpose of this group is to preserve the rich history of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. The Society publishes a quarterly magazine, THE EAGLE, which all members receive. For more information consult:
- Daniel F. Osborn
  410 Camelot Drive
  Collinsville, IL 62234
- forcade@peaknet.net
- SIG-maintained web page
Model Intermodal Group - The purpose of this group is to model and study intermodal transport of any era, including trailers, containers, railroad rolling stock, container ships, railroad and port intermodal operations, intermodal facility design, intermodal facility equipment, and any other topic generally related to intermodal transport. The SIG disseminates information to its members using its web site, shown below, which includes an email list. For more information consult the SIG coordinator:
- Brian P. Kreimendahl
  26064 North Twain Place
  Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381-1115
- brian@modelintermodal.com
- SIG-maintained web page
Modern Prototype "Scale Modelers SIG" - This SIG was formed independently from within the National Association of S Gaugers membership for the purpose of forming an open line of communication among group members for the exchange of relevant prototype and model information related to modern railroad equipment. The SIG publishes a newsletter, Cab Signals . For more information consult:
- Dave Baily
  7571 Foxgrove Place
  Macungie, PA 18062
- NMRA-maintained web page
New Haven Railroad Historical and Technical Association, Inc. (NHRHTA, Inc.) - This SIG was formed to accumulate, tabulate and file historical data and information on the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company (NY,NH&H) and its predecessors. This historical data includes all information pertaining to the NY,NH&H rolling stock, motive power, rights of way and structures. For more information consult:
- Hon Marlin Blyn MacLaughlin
  Post Office Box 17865
  Natchez, Mississippi 39122-7865
  nhrhta@bellsouth.net
- SIG-maintained web page
O Scale 2- Rail SIG (O_ _O) - This SIG concentrates on the advantages and constraints of modeling the King of Scales. While wishing the best to our 3-rail friends, and appreciating the products that they bring into the hobby, we are proudly 2-rail. We publish a quarterly newsletter, usually within the O Scale Kings Newsletter, and meet on the Yahoo O Scale Kings newsgroup, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Oscalekings.The newsgroup moderator is Rod Miller. For more information consult:

SIG coordinator:

Edward (Ted) Byrne
PO Box 449
Chestertown, MD 21620
mdflatland@cs.com

Operations SIG - This special interest group is devoted to furthering the simulation of prototypical operating practices on scale model railroads. Publishes a quarterly newsletter, Dispatchers Office . Membership $15/four issues. For information contact:
- Operations SIG
  PO Box 67
  Wood Dale, IL 60191-0067
- info@OpSIG.org
- membership@opsig.org
- SIG-maintained web page
Proto:48 SIG - The Proto48 movement has been going for over 40 years and has gained the respect of many in the model railroading community. We often hear how neat P48 and but I started out in O gauge and it is too hard to�� A number of our newest members have come from other scales in particular HO. Achieving accurate models in smaller scales is a challenge. Replicating the detail in ¼" scale is easier and achievable with practice. We encourage you to give it a try. For more information contact:
- SIG-maintained web page
Proto:87 SIG - The goal of this SIG is to develop and promote practical and reliable standards and construction techniques for high-fidelity wheels and track in HO scale. THe SIG publishes a twice-yearly newsletter, Proto:87 Journal.For more information consult:
- Rene' Gourley
  12 Queen Close
  Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire
  RG9 1BP
  United Kingdom
- rene.gourley@versant.de
- SIG-maintained web page
Railroad Industries SIG - This SIG concentrates on developing a deeper understanding of the history and operations of the industries that are served by the railroads. This information helps to understand and replicate prototypical operation on model railroads and to construct prototypically accurate models. The SIG publishes a quarterly newsletter, Lineside. For further information consult:
- Derrick Brashear
  Gwendolyn Schmidt
  2829 Larkins Way Pittsburgh, PA 15203
  
  (412) 223-6665
- gwerrick@gmail.com
- SIG-maintained web page
Railway Signaling Technical and Historical Society - This SIG studies railway signaling and operations, including: the historic and present day methods, equipment, devices, wiring and modeling simulations / applications. The members share interests including: interlocking and signal system rules and operation, signal and track charts, signal and machine hardware collecting, studying prototype towers and operations and replicating them accurately for model railroad applications and usage. The SIG publishes a newsletter, Clear Block. For further information consult:
- Ron Ferrel
  1126 Cedar Hollow Drive
  Pocatello, ID 83204
- Contact the SIG
- SIG maintained group
Rock Island Technical Society - The purpose of this SIG is to preserve, distribute and publish information about the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, its predecessors, and affiliated companies. The society serves anyone interested in the Rock Island Lines, for any reason. The SIG publishes a quarterly newsletter, The Rock. For further information consult the SIG coordinator:
- David J. Engle
  11519 N. Wayne Drive
  Kansas City, MO 64155-2914
- rirocket@kc.rr.com
- SIG-maintained web page
Shore Line Interurban Historical Society - This is a railfan group with membership open to anyone with an interest in the Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee, the Chicago South Shore & South Bend, and/or the Chicago Aurora & Elgin railroads. Interests also include the electric railways which connect or connected with these roads in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. The SIG publishes a quarterly newsletter, First and Fastest .For further information consult:
- Graham Garfield
  Shore Line Interurban Historical Society
  P.O Box 346
  Chicago, IL 60690-0346
- ggarfiel@chinet.com
- SIG-maintained web page
Society of Proto-48 Enthusiasts - This group's goal is to to promote standards and construction techniques for wheels and track, in O scale, which are accurate models of the prototype. The SIG publishes a newsletter, The Proto Journal. For further information consult:
- Norm Buckart
  3165 California Street
  San Francisco, CA 94115-2412
- NMRA-maintained web page
Teen Association of Model Railroaders - This group was created to promote, stimulate, foster, and encourage among youth and young persons, the hobby of model railroading, the activity of railfanning, and the preservation of the history, science, and technology thereof. The SIG publishes a newsletter, The Hotbox. For further information consult:
- John Reichel
  1800 E. 38th Street
  Oakland, CA 94602
- TAMRinfo@aol.com
- SIG-maintained web page
Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Historical Society - Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Historical Society - This group was created to provide information on the history, operations and activities of the TH&B Railway (now part of the Canadian Pacific Railway). The SIG publishes a quarterly magazine called "Focus". For further information consult:
- Richard Dilley
  208 Chalmers Street
  Oakville, Ontario, Canada
  L6L5R9
- rdilley@sympatico.ca
- SIG-maintained web page
- The SIG also maintains a mailing list via a list server.
  Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thb_hs/ to subscribe to or unsubscribe from the mailing list.
Traction Modeling SIG - This group of modelers exchanges information about traction modeling. They interpret "traction" in its broadest sense to include all electric rail transportation. The SIG publishes a newsletter, Line Car. For further information consult:
- Mike Sullivan
  46 Jewett Parkway
  Buffalo, NY 14214-2320
- SIG-maintained web page
TT Scale - This group is promoting the TT scale and telling TT modelers how to improve their TT models. The group also informs modelers about what is available in the TT marketplace as well as the advantages of TT Scale. The group's newsletter, TT Empire, is published quarterly. For further information, please consult:
- Mike Braunstein
  P.O. Box 220
  Grimsley, TN 38565-0220
- x996tt2002@twlakes.net
- SIG-maintained web page
Z Scale - The Z Scale SIG was formed, among other things, to nurture the development of a world-wide sense of community among Z scale modelers, to promote model railroading in Z scale (1/220), to encourage the free exchange of information pertaining to Z scale and to enhance the Z scale model railroading experience. For further information, please consult:
- Jeffrey R. MacHan
  431 rue Willard
  Gatineau, QC
  Canada J8P 5H6
- z-scale-owner@yahoogroups.com
- SIG-maintained web page

Pike Registry Program

National Model Railroad Association

Search NMRA.org

National

Special Interest Groups

SIG Program Documents:

Special Interest Groups: