It’s time again for big model-train festival in Tacoma. It’s in its 25th year
Model train enthusiasts can pack a lot into a layout, and starting this weekend the Washington State History Museum is going to pack a lot of them into Tacoma.
The downtown museum’s annual Model Train Festival marks its 25th year starting Friday. The festival runs through Jan. 2.
Seven clubs and groups are bringing layouts to the museum for the show. They operate in a variety of scales.
Mike Slease, a member of the National Model Railroad Association, will be representing the HO Modular group. He calls it a mid-range scale.
There are advantages to both small and large, he said.
“The smaller the scale, the more railroad you can build,” Slease, of DuPont, said. “The bigger the scale, the easier it is to work on.”
The hobby is more than just trains running on tracks. It can include art, electricity, computers and carpentry.
“All of those things are a part of model railroading,” he said.
New for 2021, festival goers can collect train club trading cards at each layout. Returning this year is a train-themed green screen photo opportunity.
The museum and the clubs that make up the festival took 2020 off for COVID.
The downtown Tacoma museum has permanent 1,700-square-foot display and permanent exhibits include Washington train history.
If you go
What: Model Train Festival
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17-Jan. 2, (Museum will be closed on December 24-25).
Where: Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma
Tickets: Timed for social distancing. See website for rates.
Information: ModelTrainFestival.org
This story was originally published December 16, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
