Local Spotlight: Colorado Model Railroad Museum
Described as the “Mecca for Model Railroaders,” the Colorado Model Railroad Museum in Greeley is home to the largest HO prototypical model railroad in the country.
This year alone people from 20 different countries and every state (except for Rhode Island) have come to visit the Colorado Model Railroad Museum. Filling 5,500 square feet, it is an immersive miniature world set in 1975 rife with realistic detail.
Building the Colorado Model Railroad Museum
So how did such a unique and specialized attraction end up in Greeley? The tale is actually quite telling of the Greeley community’s kinship and generosity…
After retiring from his illustrious career in journalism, Dave Trussell (former co-owner of The Greeley Tribune among several other publications) decided to realize his lifelong dream by building a model railroad museum so that he could share his love of railroading with a wider community. Dave ultimately decided to situate the museum in Greeley after receiving an exhortation from Ken Monfort, another prominent entrepreneur and generous philanthropist in Greeley. Over lunch one day Ken asked Dave, “What legacy do you plan to leave here–what will you do for Greeley?” Out of love for this community that Dave had come to call home, he built the Colorado Model Railroad Museum here instead of elsewhere on the front range and then gave it back to the community in the form of a non-profit organization.
Colorado Model Railroad Museum Founder, Dave Trussell
The Mission
To provide a model railroading experience that educates, inspires and brings joy to all ages.
The Colorado Model Railroad Museum’s origins, as a passion project and gift, truly shape the ethos of the organization. On her first day as the Executive Director, Michelle Kempema distinctly remembers the single charge that Dave handed her. He said,
“I have one rule and this will be our culture–if it’s not fun, change it.”
And since that day, joy has guided the organization’s planning and decision making as the scope and scale of the Museum continues to grow. For example, though the Museum’s model railroad is prototypical (highly realistic and and historically accurate to a specific time frame), Dave made the difficult decision to allow some anachronisms and aberrations because they bring joy to the volunteers and visitors that frequent the Museum–kids can spy a few dinosaur figurines nestled in the trees and volunteers who have donated 200 hours of their time are invited to run their personal trains from other time periods on the tracks. Likewise, although the model railroad was originally created for model railroaders and hobbyists, new exhibits are being designed to engage and include other types of visitors.
Operating the Model Railroad Museum
Much like a real railyard, it takes a robust crew to operate the Colorado Model Railroad Museum. On any given day there are 10-15 devoted volunteers working behind the scenes to sustain the tiny world. Since the Museum opened in 2009, volunteers collectively have given over 400,000 hours of their time to support the Museum. While some volunteers live locally, others regularly commute from nearby states (NM, WY and IA to name a few). Many have served over 3,000 hours individually at which point they earn a railcar with their name on it (for context, 2,000 hours is the equivalent of working a full-time job for one year). Such committed support is quite a testament to the joy the organization strives to engender! This mighty workforce dispatches trains (yes, someone has to make sure the trains don’t collide or back-up on the two way track!), maintains the landscape, adjusts/updates displays, gives tours and completes a dozen other tasks to keep the museum operating.
Fun Facts About Model Railroads
Until the National Model Railroading Association standardized the industry in the 1940’s, companies had been building models at a variety of scales ranging from larger toy trains to smaller exact replicas of real trains.
Originally model trains could only move one direction on their tracks due to the directionality of electrical current. Modern model trains however are powered differently and controlled by microchips so they can move either direction like actual trains.
Originally model trains did not have sound, but today the company Soundtraxx has miniaturized real train sounds to help heighten the realism of models.
Most Americans (young and old) know that the last car on a train is called the caboose–this indicates just how deeply trains remain embedded in our culture even though traditional caboose cars are seen far less frequently on the tracks these days.
Model railroading is one of the biggest hobbies in Japan where students compete much like American students compete in football or other organized sports.
Future Plans & Aspirations
Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the Museum was planning an ambitious expansion plan to extend their floor plan into their neighboring warehouse building. The proposal included an art gallery, event space and an elaborate Christmas village exhibit that was donated to the museum. Unfortunately due to supply issues and inflation, the estimated cost for the project has doubled so leadership has decided to put the endeavor on hold for now and pivot their efforts.
Instead, the Museum plans to partner with the City of Greeley over the next two years to construct fences to discourage unsafe foot crossings of the nearby railroad tracks and to distinguish the railroad district as a featured component of the Greeley Downtown. They also plan to install four new bronze sculptures, to construct an outdoor patio and a Garden train (“G” Scale) exhibit that will have more tactile elements for kids. If you are interested in purchasing a $150 patio brick with a customized inscription to help fund these projects, please contact The Model Railroad Museum.
Michelle is also eager to explore new youth programming. With her background in science she is a huge proponent of STEM enrichment education. During the COVID lockdown she obtained the Union pacific grant which provided the necessary supplies and curriculum to teach hands-on lessons remotely. Michelle hopes to be able to hire a Youth Director in the future who can spearhead work with local schools, the new LINC library, the Boys and Girls Club and preschoolers.
Colorado Model Railroad Museum Executive Director, Michelle Kempema (and Greeley Creative District Board Member)
How to Enjoy the Model Railroad Museum
While a stroll through the Museum is wonderful at any time of year, it is particularly enchanting during the holidays. Trimmed with decorations for special events, the Museum offers a great outing for antsy kids and out of town guests!
Upcoming Museum Events
DEC 9-11 Grandparents Weekend
Fri. 10am-4pm, Sat. 10am-4pm & Sun. 12-4pmDEC 16 Night Trains with Santa
Fri. 5-7pm–Call the museum to reserve your spot with Santa advance. 970-392-2934DEC 17 - The Grinch & Santa Visit the Museum:
The Grinch will be at the Museum all day 10am-4pm and the Grinch Village from Department 56 will be on display
Santa will join the fun 10am-1pm–Call the museum to reserve your spot with Santa advance. 970-392-2934
DEC 17 Night Trains
Sat. 5-7pm
Check out The Model Railroad Museum’s website to plan your visit!
by: Dana Buckingham