Who We Are

The Washington, Virginia, & Maryland Garden Railway Society

A Brief History of the WVMGRS

When Garden Railroading began to gain momentum in the early 1980's it was only natural that clubs and societies would form across the United States. The hobby was relatively new to the general population, and was not considered by many manufacturers to be a "mainstream" hobby. Successes and failures with regard to construction, plantings, and maintenance of a garden railway brought people within a geographic area together as the philosophies surrounding these topics were varied, due to differences in the environments around the U.S.

Shortly after the publication of a magazine called Garden Railways, (which had grown from a local newsletter in Denver, Colorado), hobbyists in the Washington, Virginia, and Maryland area began to band together. Many of these founding members met each other at small conventions devoted to the new hobby and clubs that were faithful to a specific manufacturer who held the lead in Gauge 1 outdoor electric, LGB of Germany.

During 1986 these founding members met at each others homes to share experiences and philosophies about this new hobby. Some of these members had maintained a garden railway in one form or another for many years. Others were new, urged on by the idea of being able to integrate their gardening and railroading into a combined venue. An announcement was sent to Garden Railways magazine announcing the forming of the WVMGRS and during 1986-1987 membership began to grow.

In September of 1987, it was decided to take the informal group one more step and the initial Constitution and By-Laws were drafted to formally inaugurate the Society. During this time frame, the same thing was happening across the U.S. and in the December 1987 edition of Garden Railways magazine, the initial seven Garden Railway Societies were listed, including the WVMGRS.

The years that followed for the hobby and the Society moved at a fast and furious pace. Manufacturers were jumping into the Gauge 1 outdoor railway business as news of this fun and exciting family oriented hobby spread. In 1992 the Society was officially registered as a Non-profit Organization in the State of Maryland. Since 1986 the WVMGRS membership has grown from the original charter members to over 120.

During the formative years of the Society, public displays at nurseries and train shows were the basic tool for recruiting new members. The WVMGRS has won several awards at Flower Shows, hosted local mini-conventions and in 1992 undertook the enormous responsibility of hosting the 8th Annual National Garden Railway convention that brought over 1500 visitors to see garden railways by WVMGRS members. In addition to these accomplishments, the WVMGRS has maintained its focus on providing a wholesome family oriented atmosphere for its members and the community. In July of 1988 the WVMGRS provided an afternoon of delight for children with critical diseases at the Ronald McDonald House in Washington, D.C. In 1992 planning began to provide a permanent display to the National Institute of Health, Children's Inn, with the project coming to fruition in November 1994. This garden railway will provide enjoyment for children from all over the United States and from other countries who in their time of need, will have a diversion from their problems and be able to enjoy the magic of model trains.

In the early years, outdoor electric was the primary motive power of choice by the majority of members. Today, the Society is as varied as the hobby, with members enjoying a variety of scales associated with the Gauge 0 and Gauge 1, and with members who share a passion for small scale live steam locomotives. Through the years the Society has developed its own traditions and is the largest and oldest Garden Railway Society on the Eastern Coast.

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