| Model railroading and prototyping is a wonderful | | | | "National Train Show" the NMRA manages to |
| hobby that doesn't really require that anyone | | | | continue building excitement in the industry for |
| share in it with you - but the enjoyment of seeing | | | | model train hobbyists to enjoy. A leading group |
| others reactions to your special diorama or the | | | | for the advancement of train hobbyists for over |
| ability to pose questions on specifications and | | | | 70 years the NMRA has been there for its |
| historical references to a group of friends for | | | | members and will continue to be there for many |
| many causes them to seek out other like-minded | | | | years to come. |
| enthusiasts. | | | | Founded in 1935 the NMRA helped to set many of |
| Fortunately there are many clubs and | | | | the standards that exist today and still maintains a |
| organizations that have sprung up around model | | | | list of Standards and Recommended Practices |
| railroading, hundreds in the USA alone - but one of | | | | available to manufacturers and hobbyists. The |
| the largest and most prestigious is the NMRA, the | | | | NMRA also helps maintain the Kalmbach Memorial |
| National Model Railroad Association, a non-profit | | | | Library which is one of the larger railroad |
| educational association designed to promote model | | | | reference centers in the world. Holding more then |
| railroading, and to influence standards within the | | | | 100,000 prototype photos, more than 50,000 |
| industry. | | | | modeling, prototype and historical society |
| The NMRA sets its focus on its members all | | | | magazines and more then 5,000 books the |
| across the globe with over 150 divisions or groups | | | | Kalmbach Library is a great resource for |
| of members spread out in 18 regions across the | | | | hobbyists of prototype railroading. |
| globe. With their yearly convention and the | | | | |