Grinnell’s Model Railroad Club operates out of the old Railway Express building at the southwest corner of 3rd and Park. Bounded on the immediate south by the Rock Island Railroad east-west tracks, the building was the disembarkation point for freight headed for Grinnell. It is across the street west of Grinnell’s remodeled Depot.
The Railway Express building is now owned by The Mayflower Community and provided free of charge to the Model Railroad Club. Mayflower is recognized as the “Founding Sponsor” of the Club.
On Friday, October 26, 2018, the Model Railroad Club sponsored the “Hogwart’s Express” show. A special layout simulating London’s railway station of “Harry Potter” fame was developed and displayed for the show. It was built within the basic layout that is a diorama of the City of Grinnell, circa 1950. All of the work has been performed by members of the Railroad Club.
The Railway Express is a Mayflower historic treasure. The Club’s mission is to promote the pastime of scale modeling, primarily the hobby of model railroading. A number of Mayflower Community residents have been and are currently active with the Club.
— Bob Mann, Sales & Marketing Director