GMRRC - In the Beginning

On April 4, 1949, 16 men gathered together at a local hobby shop and formed the Glendale Model Railroad Club. Meetings rotated between the hobby shop and various members homes while bylaws were drafted and monthly dues were established. The club members soon realized that it would take more than their dues to rent a location for their planned model railroad and so a search for an affordable location began. The first break came with the acquisition of an abandoned building in nearby North Hollywood. The 20 X 46 foot structure was available for the nominal sum of $150.00, with the only provision being that it would have to be removed from its location.

Our original building, up on blocks. Summer 1949. Click to enlarge.

The building was moved to the site in June 1949 and then the task of making it into a comfortable, secure structure began. The foundation was laid, certain interior partitions removed and painting and finishing work completed. With the building now ready, construction beg an on a small oval layout, measuring 15 X 40 feet. By 1952, some 2500 feet of trackwork and supporting scenery were in place. In 1956, the now highly detailed model railroad became the subject of a 16mm motion picture produced by the fine arts students at the University of Southern California. In light of a disaster destined to occur several years later, this film is today one of the clubs most cherished possessions.

The next few years saw continual improvements in the layout, culminating in national recognition for the club through a feature article in the December 1960 issue of The Model Railroader magazine. This publication is one of the most prestigious in the model railroad hobby. For two more years the club continued to build and grow. Then on April 4, 1963 a disaster Struck! A fire consumed the building and nearly everything was destroyed. An insurance policy of $8,000 partially offset the monetary loss, but nothing could replace the tender loving care that had gone into the construction of the railroad or the equipment that ran over its rails. The settlement was used to provide a new beginning with the construction of our present building on the same site.

Like a Phoenix, our new, expanded facility began to arise from the ashes in 1964, with much of the construction and interior finish work being accomplished by the members themselves. To raise funding and keep interest alive while the new structure was going up banquets and excursions over real railroads were held on a regular basis. During 1967 a contest was conducted among the members for a new layout design. The following year, work began on our present railroad with the laying of 3,000 feet of rail encompassing 400 feet of a single track mainline and three classification yards, all on a framework measuring 25 by 40 feet. Over the next two years miles of electrical wiring installed to provide not only for operation of the trains, but illumination of trackside signals, street lights and the buildings that comprise the cities and towns. In addition, the trolley and branch lines materialized, a narrow gauge railway was built and more scenery began to cover the framework of the layout itself.

On December 1, 1971 an open house was held in conjunction with dedication ceremonies commemorating the re-opening of Fermont Park. Nearly three years later, after much more progress on the layout, a formal open house was held with over 750 guests attending. Open houses are now held twice a year and draw an ever increasing number of attendees. 1974 also saw the installation of a telephone system between operators and the beginning of fine detailing to the existing scenery.

Today, improvements are continually being made during our weekly work sessions, all in the interest of creating a better miniature railroad. After almost a quarter of a century of rebuilding, the question is often asked, "When will it be finished? " The answer is contained in the axiom among model railroaders.



	On April 4, 1949, 16 men gathered together at a local hobby shop and formed the Glendale Model Railroad Club. Meetings rotated between the hobby shop and various members homes while bylaws were drafted and monthly dues were established. The club members soon realized that it would take more than their dues to rent a location for their planned model railroad and so a search for an affordable location began. The first break came with the acquisition of an abandoned building in nearby North Hollywood. The 20 X 46 foot structure was available for the nominal sum of $150.00, with the only provision being that it would have to be removed from its location. Our original building, up on blocks. Summer 1949. Click to enlarge. The building was moved to the site in June 1949 and then the task of making it into a comfortable, secure structure began. The foundation was laid, certain interior partitions removed and painting and finishing work completed. With the building now ready, construction beg an on a small oval layout, measuring 15 X 40 feet. By 1952, some 2500 feet of trackwork and supporting scenery were in place. In 1956, the now highly detailed model railroad became the subject of a 16mm motion picture produced by the fine arts students at the University of Southern California. In light of a disaster destined to occur several years later, this film is today one of the clubs most cherished possessions. The next few years saw continual improvements in the layout, culminating in national recognition for the club through a feature article in the December 1960 issue of The Model Railroader magazine. This publication is one of the most prestigious in the model railroad hobby. For two more years the club continued to build and grow. Then on April 4, 1963 a disaster Struck! A fire consumed the building and nearly everything was destroyed. An insurance policy of $8,000 partially offset the monetary loss, but nothing could replace the tender loving care that had gone into the construction of the railroad or the equipment that ran over its rails. The settlement was used to provide a new beginning with the construction of our present building on the same site. Like a Phoenix, our new, expanded facility began to arise from the ashes in 1964, with much of the construction and interior finish work being accomplished by the members themselves. To raise funding and keep interest alive while the new structure was going up banquets and excursions over real railroads were held on a regular basis. During 1967 a contest was conducted among the members for a new layout design. The following year, work began on our present railroad with the laying of 3,000 feet of rail encompassing 400 feet of a single track mainline and three classification yards, all on a framework measuring 25 by 40 feet. Over the next two years miles of electrical wiring installed to provide not only for operation of the trains, but illumination of trackside signals, street lights and the buildings that comprise the cities and towns. In addition, the trolley and branch lines materialized, a narrow gauge railway was built and more scenery began to cover the framework of the layout itself. On December 1, 1971 an open house was held in conjunction with dedication ceremonies commemorating the re-opening of Fermont Park. Nearly three years later, after much more progress on the layout, a formal open house was held with over 750 guests attending. Open houses are now held twice a year and draw an ever increasing number of attendees. 1974 also saw the installation of a telephone system between operators and the beginning of fine detailing to the existing scenery. Today, improvements are continually being made during our weekly work sessions, all in the interest of creating a better miniature railroad. After almost a quarter of a century of rebuilding, the question is often asked, "When will it be finished? " The answer is contained in the axiom among model railroaders.
















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