About the Association
Welcome to the Northern Lights Model Railroad Association & Railroad Museum. The Association as it is known today was conceived in 1977 by Mr. John Cummings. John started out by collecting Lionel and HO scale model trains and he looked to meet with others to trade, swap and run trains. The original location was on the second level of the Grand Forks City Center Mall. After the flood of 1997 the club was forced to find a new home. Over time and after much discussion by members it was decided that the Association pursue its' own facilities.
A photo of the Gang Car which was restored by the Association. It is fully operational, and ready to roll! See the Museum page for more photos and other restoration projects.
New for 2008: The Association is adding 500 feet of 90 pound rail and a left-hand switch in its Track Relay project.
Casey Holt Junction
On land leased from the Heritage Village Foundation (of East Grand Forks) the Association built a 58 foot by 26 foot building to resemble a train depot. A 32 foot by 17 foot room houses the model railroad layout. The building also includes meeting rooms, a telegraph office with bay window, and a public viewing hall. Just outside the building the club has 300 feet of standard gage railroad track with a restored Great Northern Railway caboose. An operating block signal and motor car house are located just east of the main building.
The Casey Holt Junction building is named for Casey Holt, the son of Association member Tim Holt. Casey was fatally injured in an automobile accident.
Operation Lifesaver
The Association would like to make visitors of our site aware of a program designed to promote traffic and pedestrian safety when near trains. Approximately every two hours, a person or a vehicle is struck by a train in the United States, and nearly every instance could have been avoided. Visit the Operation Lifesaver web site for more information. Take a look at our events page for a photo of our members with a car involved in a collision with a train.
