Lake County Model Railroad Club holds open house March 23-24

The Lake County Model Railroad Club will celebrate 52 years of model railroading with its spring open house.

The club was formed by six model railroaders who were frustrated with the lack of space available in their homes. They found a vacant basement in Wauconda with 1,400 square feet of buildable space, which has been the club’s home since then.

The majority of the layout they designed has been in place since then. Over time there have been numerous enhancements to the layout, with fine detailed scenery, industrial areas, railroad yards and locomotive facilities.

Structurally the layout reflects what is referred to as the steam-to-diesel transition period. Structures on the layout reflect a time frame of the late 1940s to early 1960s. The scenery reflects the locations modeled over time from the mountains of the west, up to today with a free lanced railroad running from Palatine to Madison, Wisconsin.

The layout uses the latest in computer technology to operate the layout.

The club has a reputation of having one of the best model railroads in the Midwest. Visitors will see what and how the hobby of model railroading can be a family hobby. Families are encouraged to attend. There is no admission fee.

The open house will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 23 and 24. The Lake County Model Railroad Club is at 107 S. Main St. (rear entrance), Wauconda.

For more information, visit lcmrr.org or visit the club on Facebook.