Welcome

The Tri-City Model Railroaders (TCMR) welcome you to their website and hope that its resources and information will be useful in your pursuit of this amazing hobby of model railroading. TCMR members are part of the Pacific Northwest Region’s 5th Division of the National Model Railroad Association.

We are closing the club for three weeks for scenery work. 

Will be closed from October 21 to November 15, 2024.

Open Saturday: 10 am - 1 pm until October 21, 2024.

11 West Kennewick Ave, Kennewick WA

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General News

The pictures above (at left) show the upgraded building facade and a recently added mural to the West exterior wall done by local artist, Jared Johnson. The mural scenes depict the original swing bridge over the Columbia River, the Kennewick Hotel, a teacher who traversed the bridge system for her work schedule, original strawberry crops and local workers.

A small retail operation is available and the new layout can be seen at our 11 West building. Items for sale include books, various structures, rolling stock pieces, detail parts, kits, T-shirts, mugs and other related (model) railroad items. All sales are on a final, cash-only basis. Also, please remember that we are a small organization and dependent on volunteer members being available for the above schedule.

The “Progress” section of this website contains photos of the new layout now under construction and as discussed below. Access to the layout’s design and schematic drawings are also provided below. To view initial train operations during a previous Saturday session, click here.

Layout development is continuing. Trackwork is complete on all 4 levels of the main portion of the layout, as well as both helixes and the east wall extension. Continuous train operations are now in effect in all these areas. Work on the west wall extension is starting and major scenery work is underway on levels C and D as well as the east wall extension. 

The special modeled bridge structure for our future Columbia River scene has been completed and delivered by renown model builder, Wayne Wesolowski. The bridge is now on temporary display on a special shelf.

Our design plan for this HO-scale layout reflects a hybrid “mushroom” configuration to maximize the size of the exhibit. To view the four levels of the layout design, click on the appropriate links below. The “Elevation View” file provides a composite depiction of all levels while the Layout Schematic drawing gives a linear view of how the levels’ trackwork is interconnected.

• Elevation View
• Level A (Wallula and staging for Hinkle & SPS-Spokane)
• Level B (Pasco, Kennewick, City Lead, Finley/Wishram and NP-Spokane staging)
• Level C (Toppenish, Union Gap and Yakima)
• Level D (Cascade Mountains, Stampede Tunnel and Auburn Staging)
• Layout Schematic
• Helix Design

Our work on the new layout continues to be dependent on increased funding. CAN YOU HELP US? See the “Donations” discussion below for more information.

Donations

TCMR is a qualified educational organization under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Cash and material donations may be tax deductible. Donors are encouraged to consult with their tax advisor before making specific donations. Non-cash donations should also be discussed with the organization before being made. Inquiries about possible donations can be made at TCMR’s email address (see next section).

TCMR is also a participant in Fred Meyer’s Community Rewards program. This program allows shoppers to designate a preferred non-profit corporation to receive a portion of funds donated each year by the Fred Meyer Corporation. Donations are based on your Rewards Card purchases (with certain exclusions). Your own Rewards Card benefits remain unaffected and by designating our organization, you can help us build funding towards a permanent layout and educational exhibits. Click here for more information on this valued program ... and thank you for considering TCMR.

Contact Us

Requests for additional information or to talk with an organizational official can be made by visiting us during a regular open house or by email to: tcmr@owt.com.