When Steve Meseraul started the Lawrence Model Railroad Club (LMRC) over 26 years ago, he had grand plans to make the hobby more than just a club where a small number of enthusiasts come together and exchange knowledge. Our club members share a passion for the hobby, not only because the hobby brings us great satisfaction and a desire for creating model railroads, it also brings curiosity and joy to the people outside the hobby. Some may join and get involved with the various aspects of model railroading while others will want to learn more about the rail industry that the hobby represents.
Bringing Douglas County’s Railroad History to Life
The Lawrence Model Railroad Club is bringing local history to life through the creation of two detailed, mobile dioramas depicting the historic La Yarda and Grover Barn in Lawrence. These handcrafted exhibits will showcase important pieces of Douglas County’s past while helping visitors understand the people, industries, and railroads that shaped our community.
The dioramas will become featured elements of the club’s new HO-scale model railroad, currently being redesigned to more accurately represent the communities, landscapes, and railroad history of Douglas County. Through this new layout, the LMRC hopes to create more than a model railroad—it will be an interactive educational experience, allowing visitors of all ages to explore local history in a unique and engaging way.
Our goal is simple: to preserve the past, educate the present, and inspire future generations through the story of Douglas County and its railroads.
LMRC Past community involments:
- Raising money for the O’Connell Children’s Shelter by creating wonderful Christmas themed trees or wreaths that are auctioned off each year
- Baldwin City 3rd Friday children activities tent
- Train depot layout exhibition during Baldwin City’s Maple Leaf Festival and monthly showings, free to the public.
The LMRC has great plans to expand the community involvement by:
- Holding workshops and educational events for individuals interested in learning about the various aspects of hobby.
- Expanding the current layouts .
- Sponsoring events where club members and model railroad enthusiasts can operate our model railroads in a manner like real railroads
The LMRC has many other objectives but the ability to make plans relies on funding.
To help the LMRC and its goals please:
- Consider joining our club
- Spreading the knowledge of our club to others so they can enjoy the joy it brings you to see model railroading and its connection with history
- Make a donation via our website, anything helps our goals of sharing the passion of the hobby with others.
If you prefer not to join, please feel free to scan the QR Code below to make a donation.
Every dollar donated will go to supporting the club and the community outreach.
