The Railrunners Model Railroad Club will hold their annual free open house at their club layout in the Grand Meadow Business Center in Grand Meadow, MN. The dates and times are Saturday, November 12 from 10am to 4 pm and Sunday, November 13 from noon to 4 pm. It has been the practice of the club to have an annual open house, but the pandemic did not allow that in 2020 and 2021. The event is free, and is a great opportunity for families to bring their children and grandchildren. Small children need to be accompanied by parents, grandparents, or another adult. The Grand Meadow Business Center, located at 209 2nd Avenue NE, is next to the city park.
Several of the members of Railrunners come from Dodge Center. Some members come from as far away as Northfield, MN and Stacyville, IA. Club members typically gather on Wednesdays and often on Sundays for train operating sessions and to work on the layout. Individual members may be found working on or operating the layout at almost any time during the week. Currently there are about 15 members, though new members are definitely welcome. Information about the club and applications for membership will be available at the open house.
Models operated are authentic replicas of prototype trains that have operated in the United States. Some models, however, feature Thomas the Tank Engine and trains in Great Britain. Many of the models make actual railroad diesel or steam sounds, having train horns or whistles, bells, and even sounds of brakes being released or applied. The layout is an HO scale layout that fills a classroom of the former elementary school in Grand Meadow. Enter the building by either the north or south door and go to Room 119 in the second hall. Members of the club will be available to answer any questions and to demonstrate train operation.
