November is National Model Railroading Month, a fitting time to reflect on the early years of our hobby. One of its most important organizations, the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA), traces its roots back 90 years to Labor Day weekend of 1935, when members of the Model Railroad Club of Milwaukee laid the groundwork for what would become a national movement. Looking back offers a fascinating window into how the hobby has evolved—and how much has remained the same.
The hobby of scale model railroading was just emerging in the 1930s, with clubs such as the Model Railroad Club of Milwaukee and the New York Society of Model Engineers leading the way. In the years before World War II, when finding other hobbyists to meet or reliable information to build models required much more effort and legwork, clubs were the places where folks met to build, exchange ideas, and run trains. A growing community of small manufacturers began supplying parts and kits to these enthusiastic modelers — such as Wm. K. Walthers, founded in 1932.
Just as important was the establishment of the first magazines aimed specifically at the hobbyist. Emmanuele Stieri founded The Model Craftsman Publishing Company in Chicago, during the absolute doldrums of the Great Depression, with the first issue of The Model Craftsman appearing in March 1933. It was a challenging time to begin a new publication devoted to leisure activities, but circulation grew as interest in hobbies increased — especially model trains. No doubt a young Al Kalmbach took notice of this success, and put his printing press to work churning out the first issue of The Model Railroader in January 1934.
The NMRA was created by like-minded individuals who sought to place the growing hobby on a better footing, through increased personal interaction with others interested in building a dynamic model railroading community across the nation. Together, this critical mass of clubs, manufacturers, publishers and, most of all, modelers came together for the first time. They saw that an interest in replicating railroads in miniature might have a grander future than anyone had previously anticipated. Over time, it provided an organizational space for modelers of all scales and interests and set modeling and manufacturing standards that still guide the hobby.
Over the past 90 years, the hobby, the NMRA, and Railroad Model Craftsman have grown together, adapting to new tools and ideas while staying true to their roots. Advances like 3D printing — something that would have amazed modelers of the 1930s — show how technology continues to shape the way we build. Yet the heart of the hobby remains as much about art as it is about engineering. The spirit of scratchbuilding and prototype fidelity that inspired modelers in 1935 is alive today, especially among the Railroad Prototype Modeler community. It’s worth remembering that many layouts and models from those early years still stand shoulder to shoulder with what we build today, and sometimes even surpass them. Looking back through old magazines can reveal more inspiration than we might expect. Today, we might read magazines on our computers or digital devices, instead of picking up a copy from a local newsstand or hobby shop, but the basic mission of sharing information has remained unchanged.
At that first Milwaukee meeting, hobbyists outlined a clear vision for the NMRA: to establish standards, promote fellowship, encourage the exchange of information and equipment, organize national exhibitions, and support the growing market for model railroad products. Nearly a century later, those founding goals remain as relevant as ever, guiding both the association and the hobby itself. As the NMRA looks toward its 100th anniversary in 2035, we celebrate nine decades of progress and community — and look forward to the next 90 years of innovation, craftsmanship, and camaraderie in model railroading.
—Gerard J. Fitzgerald
