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Club Information

Prairie Scale Model Railroaders is an HO Scale model railroad club in Lombard, Illinois.  What makes us different from most model railroad clubs is that while we have varied interests and skill sets, we're primarily interested in prototype modeling and prototypical operations. 

We occupy a 7,200 square foot space that, a few decades ago, once housed an 8-lane bowling alley.  The size and shape of this space will ultimately allow us to build a railroad with a mainline run of roughly 2,000 feet, with broad, sweeping curves and passing sidings that will accommodate 40-50 car trains. 

At present, we have completed benchwork construction and have approximately 400 feet of track laid in a point-to-loop configuration.  In the coming weeks, we'll be adding a second (temporary) return loop and another 30+ foot long passing siding.  We've also begun the process of installing drywall backdrops which will soon allow for the installation of scenery.
The "train room" is 60'X98'.  This is the track plan for the upper level.  The line enters the room from the upper left (25'X35' "clubroom" - not shown).  It follows the walls for approximately 230' and will represent an urban-to-rural line similar to the Burlington Racetrack from Chicago.  It then crosses the aisle (upper right) and diverges into four separate routes.  Two of the routes descend via a helix and are on the lower level.  A stud wall (represented by red line) supports 2 levels on each side of a drywall backdrop.  The nominal shelf width is 24" while minimum aisle width is 48".  Each of these routes is approximately 7 scale miles and can be operated by itself, as a pair, or end-to-end.  If operated end-to-end, the railroad is 32 scale miles long.

The mainline is code 83 flextrack while sidings and secondary track is code 70.  A minimum 48" radius with easements is specified in club standards for mainline trackage with most curves well above that with a few over 100" radius.  Maximum mainline grade is 1.25%.  Mainline turnouts are #8 minimum with larger sizes being used where possible.
What Makes PSMR Different?

  • Operations - Our layout is designed, and being built, for operations.  Everything from car routing to prototypical train operation is being planned for.
  • We want members who are involved.  You can just come and run trains, but we want members who will plan, create, and participate.
  • State-of-the-Art - We use the North Coast Engineering DCC system to run our trains.  We will also utilize this DCC system to interface with Signaling, Dispatching, and Route Control.  We also are using and developing scenery techniques to produce the most realistic looking layout we can.
  • Size - As of 1/1/10, we have 400' (over six scale miles) of mainline operational.  When all mainline trackage is complete, it will comprise a possible mainline run of over 30 scale miles without running through the same scene.  The layout is designed to have operational flexibility.
  • RPM - PSMR closely follows the Railroad Prototype Modelers philosophy of modeling from the prototype.  While not modeling any specific scenes, we use the prototype as an inspiration for designing, building, and operating our railroad. 
  • Access - As a regular (non-probationary) member, you have 24/7/365 access to the club.
Share and learn with regular people who have a passion for railroads and model railroading.


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