Club Activities

Club membership is open to any RIT student, faculty, or staff-member in good standing.

The RIT Model Railroad Club (RITMRC) was founded in early 1996 to promote the hobby of model railroading and to preserve the history of Rochester’s railroads. Today, the club actively supports its mission with the following activities:

Model Railroading

Rochester & Irondequoit Terminal Railroad

Since 1996, our main project is the HO scale Rochester & Irondequoit Terminal, our permanent layout in room A-420 of the Student-Alumni Union. Construction began on the second version in 2012.  The R&IT features NCE Digital Command Control (DCC), computerized dispatching and control, working wayside signals (coming soon), and highly detailed models and scenes inspired by the Rochester area.

 

RIT Tiger Tracks Train Show & Sale

As our primary fundraiser for our club activities, we have been hosting model train shows at RIT since 2000. In 2006, we expanded the show to two days, more than 300 tables, and multiple model railroad displays. We host Rochester’s largest train show right here on the RIT campus in the Gordon Field House every December!

 

Railroad Preservation

Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum

Many RITMRC members volunteer at the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum just minutes down the road from RIT in nearby Rush, NY. Working on the museum’s operating demonstration railroad, RITMRC members have the opportunity to be involved with equipment restoration, track maintenance, train operations, and more.

 

Community Outreach

Scouting and Youth Outreach

Scouts are regular guests, and we welcome the opportunity to share our hobby with them.  In addition to earning the Railroading Merit Badge, scouts also have the chance to learn a bit of local and national history.  Model Railroading is also a great way to show how skills from scouting are helpful later in life.  Contact Us to arrange your visit.