Model Railroad Assoc. Holds Meeting

Dover Museum hosted the First Quarter meeting of the Eastern Iowa Division of the National Model Railroad Association. Lee, Des Moines, Henry, Louisa and Washington counties in Iowa and Henderson and Hancock counties in Illinois were formerly part of the Iowa Rails Division. This group merged into the Eastern Iowa Division last year. These new counties are participating in their first NMRA meeting. Known model railroaders in the area who are not NMRA members were also invited to attend.

Iowa’s eastern division rotates throughout the area holding its quarterly meetings. In 2024 meetings were held Wilton, Davenport, Coralville and Cedar Rapids. Ken Vandevoort, an avid railroader and member of the Dover Board was foremost in setting up this first 2025 meeting. Ken was instrumental in forming the annual Depot Tours in Southeast Iowa.

In addition to the business agenda, Tom Persoon presented his program on Caterpillar flatcar loads. Tom will present at the NMRA at the national convention in Michigan later this summer. As a special treat, the group toured the Pilot Grove depot. Kim Hornbaker received the Golden Spike Award for his model railroad in Farmington. After lunch, Ken invited everyone to his home to view his model railroad layout.

A surprise YouTube video was released Saturday, May 3. Ken Vandevoort was astounded and exclaimed “It took me by surprise.” Tony, a member of NMRA and owner of “Corn Country Rails” Facebook page put together an informational and attractive video of the meeting and the two tours. Take a few minutes, watch and enjoy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFgmn3Y82Fw After viewing the video you will want to see the displays in person. Dover Museum is now open Saturdays and Sundays 1-4 p.m.