In Northwest Indiana (NWI), model train clubs help build a sense of community and belonging for many individuals.

Although the region has an unusually high number of model train clubs, Griffith is especially notable, with two clubs located in the same town: the Ridge Railroaders Association on Colfax and the Hi-Rail Modular Train Club on Broad Street.

NWI is spoiled for choice when it comes to model train clubs, largely because of the region’s key history with rail travel.

Beyond providing a place for hobbyists to come together, these clubs extend their impact to the wider community by preserving local history and creating shared spaces for connection.

Every club works on different projects, with the Ridge Railroaders working on a new interchange and yard modeled off of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern railway. The Hi-Rail Modular Train Club has its main layout with three tracks and a newer layout which has trains about half the size. 

The Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway connects Waukegan and Gary, playing an important role in moving steel in the region. The line first began operations in 1889, and although a series of buyouts and name changes happened, some parts of the track are still in use today 

“I quite like seeing the steam engines running on the layout,” said Joshua Wutelski, a student at Griffith High School and member of the Illiana Garden Railway Society (IGRS). 

The IGRS has multiple displays and projects going on, including their portable G-Scale diorama, and the Bull moose line, which is their outdoor display. 

Not all model trains are the same scale, however, with HO being 1:87, meaning that 1 inch of model train corresponds to 87 inches of real train, O scale being 1:48, and G scale being 1:25. 

“I am a member of the Illiana Garden Railway Society, which, after school today I am going to Railway’s Rail house for a Christmas Party.” Wutelski elaborated, showing off what clubs can do to build community. 

Wutelski won’t be the only one going to a Christmas party though; Ashton from Griffith Hi-Rail said over text, “I love the annual Christmas party that we do.” 

To the towns that host them, the model train clubs provide leisure and historical preservation, but they also provide something else: A sense of community.