We are displaying our portable layout at the

All American Railroad Show
National Model Railroad Association DuPage Division

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 17th, 2012

Lyons Township High School, north campus field house,
Brainard and Cossitt avenues, La Grange.

Admision still only $4, FREE for children younger than 5

More people enjoy the hobby of building their own model railroads today than they ever have before. It is no surprise considering that the model railroads that collectors in the 1960s built are really primitive in comparison with the railroads that enthusiasts can build today. They are so life like and appealing that you cannot help falling in love with them and buying the equipment to get you started on your own. As a result of the popularity of modern railroads, individuals are starting to want to communicate with each other. Although technological advances have made this possible in recent years, you first need a forum to meet. Enter the model railroad club!

The model railroad club is extremely popular amongst new and old model railroad fans alike. Not only can you get in contact with people with the same hobby via model railroad club, you can also swap hints and tips as well as advice. You can also learn more about the modern railroad, which is especially important if you are looking to learn owing to novice status! You can chat, read articles and also find out about live events and news via a model railroad club.

Why Join our club

• Learn through hands on experience.
• Meet new friends
• Share you skills with others
• Run long trains on a 12 foot by 60 foot layout.
• Our club has both DC and DCC sections to cover all interests.
• All the advantges of a perminent layout plus we have a portable layout to participate in shows.
• Future plans for operating sessions

Mark Cowles has been asked to be the coordinator for the NTRAK layout at the 2012 National Train Show in Grand Rapids, Michigan, held in conjunction with the NMRA National Convention, Grand Rails 2012.

The National Train Show will be held at the DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids on August 3-5, 2012. For information about the convention, go to www.gr2012.org or mail to GR 2012 Registrar, 4165 Costa NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525. While it is encouraged, you donʼt need to attend the convention to have your module(s) in the train show.

Modular move in and set up starts at noon on Wed. Aug. 1. It is scheduled to continue
until 6 pm. Wednesday, resume on Thursday. between 8 am 8:30 pm and finish up on
Friday between 7 am and 9 am.

Show times are: Friday, 9 - noon for the Industry trade show and Convention attendees,
noon to 6 pm for the public; Saturday the show runs from 10 am until 6 pm and Sunday
from 10 am until 5 pm.

Move out is Sunday from 5:30 pm until 9:30 pm.

Our space is about 80ʼ x 80ʼ, the layout design is yet to be determined and will be somewhat dependent on the modules that are coming. We do have one yard already
scheduled, but are looking to have more.

Modules from both clubs and individuals are welcome. Modules should have already
been part of a large show layout and need to be fully compliant with N Trak standards.
Modules should have scenery.

Please send your request to be part of this layout to Mark Cowles at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or to 514 Aberdeen Way, Howell, MI 48843.

Please include the following information: the size and number of modules, general
information about the module, ie. yard, city, specific industry, port, and type of scenery,
city, country, small town, mountains and so on. Also indicate if it is an inside or outside
corner, and its dimensions, if has a mountain line, or if it is an entry gate type module,

Deadline for accepting modules in April 30, 3012

Please contact Mark Cowles  at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or to 514 Aberdeen Way, Howell, MI 48843 if you need more information or have questions.

Midwest N Pioneer would like to invite you to our next open house on January 28th and 29th, 2012.  We will be open to the public from 11am to 4pm each day. The club will have several trains running on our main layout as well as on our One-Track modules that are mounted on our wall.

Our club will be operating our portable one-trak layout at the World's Greatest Hobby on Tour

Stop by and pickup some information on our club.