Model Railroad Museum
of Hampton Roads

Happy Easter !!

What's Happening at the Museum?

MacArthur Center opened its doors to almost 90 community children this past Saturday to experience the joy of the Easter weekend. And guess who was chosen to participate in one of their programs from 2-4PM on Friday - The Model Railroad Museum! And we were happy to do it! Greg Leiphart, our Education Director and STEM Coordinator, was there to explain everything the children wanted to know about locomotives and railcars, while the children colored pictures of them. Then the children were allowed to visit multiple different model railroads in all different scales, which they really enjoyed just as we did. Everyone had a really great time. We hope the children can come back again soon.

Here are some of the pictures the children colored. We hung them in the Museum for all to see!

Pictures that the children colored at the Model Railroad Museum on Easter Weekend!

More pictures of the Museum:

The Museum is actively under development. We are working hard to create an exciting experience in model railroading for you.

We will remain open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 12-6 PM, so you can watch while the Museum is being developed. We will continue to have trains running on several different layouts. Admission is free.

Don’t miss out on observing the changes in the Model Railroad Museum. We can’t wait to show you. Something new and different every week. Stay tuned for more details and special events! Bring your family.

Come one, come all! Continue to celebrate the New Year with us. We will be setting up multiple large, impressive model railroads and incorporating local history. Bring your family. Kids can run trains. Admission Free. Wheelchair accessible. 

The Grand Opening of the Museum will most likely be in the spring of this year. Stay tuned to this website and the date will be posted here when it's ready. Our STEM educational program will be starting soon after that. You may sign up early to join the STEM Program now if you wish: Sign up here.

Making Progress! Still planning to fully open in April or May. In the meantime come by and watch while we build layouts!

Our Mission: Community, Education, Service, Entertainment, Fun

The Model Railroad Museum of Hampton Roads is a non-profit organization [501(c)(3)] born out of a group of highly dedicated model railroaders who wish to display their art and science to the public and provide education regarding the hobby and the history of railroads in the Hampton Roads area and beyond. This will be a charitable and educational organization for the enjoyment and benefit of local residents as well as for tourists who are visiting the area.

Railtown, USA on the Blue Ridge & Southern Model Railroad in Virginia Beach.

Model Railroad Museum: Concept

The basic idea is to have a central location in the Hampton Roads area where multiple model railroads of all common scales will be built, maintained and displayed by volunteer local model railroaders. Some of the railroads will be available to be run and operated by visitors and some will be for display only. We will invite all local model railroad groups to participate in the project. In addition, the invitation will extend to local high schools and colleges for student groups who may wish to join and build their own railroad(s).

Deiter Steinhoff's Fantastic G Scale RR in Virginia Beach.

Education in the Model Railroad Museum

In addition to the model railroad museum displays, we intend to have a library dedicated to railroading, including books, magazines, computers, a video room and at least two clinic rooms where educational lectures can be offered regarding railroad history, along with the art and science of model railroading. Free school tours will be provided every Wednesday. Scouts are welcome. All children will require adult supervision.

The education provided will follow the S.T.E.A.M. concept which uses the various disciplines involved in model railroading to teach Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. 

• Science includes learning about concepts in physics, architecture, electricity, photography, chemistry, 3D printing, laser cutting, computer science, and more.
• Technology in model railroading is an ever-expanding discipline, especially in the area of electronics, automation, creating circuit boards, Arduino projects, using relay switches, capacitors, lighting, wiring, soldering, interfacing computer programming with train control, touch controls, wireless technology, communication devices, etc.
• Engineering - This includes civil, electrical, architectural engineering concepts, building sound architectural structures and bridges from scratch, creating electrical circuitry, woodworking, metal working, etc.
• Art - Blending science and art is the hallmark of model railroading and includes sculpting, creating beautiful three dimensional landscapes, simulating natural scenes of forests, trees, cityscapes, painting backdrops, learning to use an airbrush, learning how to create something out of almost nothing, learning the art of photography, creating scenes and structures from pieces of plastic or wood.
• Mathematics - Calculations are required to determine elevations and inclines, physics and electronic formulas, mixing of chemicals, dilutions, manipulating spreadsheets, keeping track of finances, scale calculations, calculating the proper weights for railcars, and so on.

Lots of other educational benefits include learning about history, industry, how businesses operate, how railroads operate, production and transportation of goods and services along with supply-and-demand economics.

Deiter's RR

Other Benefits to the Community

The Model Railroad Museum will provide multiple other benefits to the community including, but not limited to, the following:

• Family fun and enjoyment
• Programs for disabled veterans
• Programs for children with special needs
• Traveling exhibits - Taking trains on the road to visit libraries, schools, churches, nursing facilities and other locations
• Hosting multiple train shows every year
• Holiday displays
• Tourist attraction for the city
• Improve traffic to local businesses
• All volunteer staff - model railroaders giving their time and effort to support the community and their neighbors.

Plan and Implementation

The plans for this all-volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3) model railroad museum have been three years in the making, and have been carefully drafted, completed and approved by the Founding Committee. The Model Railroad Museum of Hampton Roads is now incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We are located in the MacArthur Center in Norfolk on the second floor, Suite #231, right below the Regal Cinema.

If you have any questions or interest in this project, please send an email to secretary@mrmhr.org, or call 757-816-8399.

Deiter's RR

Some images on these pages have been taken at the Museum. Others are depicting samples of other model railroads, but this type of modeling is what you can expect when the museum opens. 

As a totally non-profit 501(c)3 organization, we really need the support of the community to make this work. Please consider the fun and family entertainment of having a Museum like this in our community, not to mention the educational benefits. With all the difficulties we all face in the world every day, we need fun things to do. We owe it to ourselves to develop these opportunities especially for our children, who will remember these experiences forever. 

This site was last updated on February 11, 2025.

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Recent Articles

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1. Making Tracks April 2025

   Apr 05, 25 11:10 AM

   
   Official newsletter of the Model Railroad Museum of Hampton Roads containing news and updates about the museum and other stories of interest.

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2. Gift Shop

   Mar 23, 25 08:19 AM

   Want to buy a gift for a special person, We sell model trains and railroad-related gift items. We can order almost anything for you if it's available

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3. Model Railroad Advertising

   Mar 03, 25 09:15 AM

   Here is you chance to advertise your business to a selected audience of those who are truly interested in the hobby.

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The Model Railroad Museum of Hampton Roads will be a fantastic community center based on running, operating and even building your own model railroads! There's something for every age here.

Learn about the real history of this area and how important it was in the building of America. Watch how railroads were built, the people involved, where America's roots were formed. 

As they build their own railroads, students will be learning about science, electronics,  architecture, technology, engineering, mathematics, and the art of 3 dimensional model landscaping. They can earn rewards for completing projects and winning contests.

Try to solve yardmaster problems on a switching layout like getting the lumber from the forest to the furniture store, by way of the saw mill and the lumber yard.

Run your train around blockades and other trains to get to the station on time without speeding or crashing.

Play railroad monopoly using model railroads. Winner is the one who can collect the most cars into his yard within an hour.

There will be programs for autistic and special needs kids, disabled adults and veterans.

School tours. Holiday Shows. Library and video rooms. Scouts are welcome. Even youngsters will have their own wooden models to enjoy. Classrooms and hands-on clinics for adults. Learn how to get started in the hobby. Or just enjoy the fun.

Everybody loves trains and this will prove it!  Just click on the either the blue or the yellow DONATE button below to make it happen... 

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Blue Ridge & Southern Model RR

BR&S Model RR

BR&S Model RR

John Fallon's Model Railroad

Deiter's RR

BR&S Model Railroad