Clarion Model Railroad Club, Inc.

04/14/2026

As we continue our series introducing the Clarion Model Railroad Club, it’s time to look back at where it all started. Our club’s story is one of creativity, community, and a whole lot of perseverance.

🚂 Our Journey Begins — The Early History of the Clarion Model Railroad Club

🏬 From the Clarion Mall to Our First Layouts (1983-1990)
When the Clarion Mall first opened in the mid 1970’s, several storefronts sat empty as new businesses prepared to move in. A few local model railroad enthusiasts saw an opportunity and approached mall management with an idea:
Could they use one of the vacant storefronts to build a model railroad club?
The mall agreed, and just like that, the Clarion Model Railroad Club was born. Research has not found an exact date, but present club members remember past members telling the history of the club with the original layouts being started in the Clarion Mall in the year 1983.
For a few years, the club thrived in that space. Members built layouts, welcomed visitors, and grew a community of rail fans of all ages. But in the late 80s, the storefront was leased to a new business, and the club needed to find a new home

🚚 A Move to Brookville — and a Sudden Loss:
The next chapter took the club to Main Street in Brookville, where a third‑floor space became the new headquarters. It was a unique location—high above the street, full of character, and perfect for building layouts.
But tragedy struck November 17, 1991. A fire destroyed the building, taking the club room and nearly everything inside with it. The loss was devastating—about $75,000 in equipment, years of work, and countless memories gone overnight.
Many clubs would have folded after such a blow. Ours didn’t.

🔧 Rebuilding in Clarion — A New Beginning (1993–Present)
By 1993, club officers were determined to rebuild. They approached the Masonic Lodge in Clarion, asking whether the unused basement might become the club’s new home.
The Lodge agreed, and the partnership has lasted ever since.
Layouts were rebuilt from scratch. New members joined. The club grew stronger, more creative, and more connected to the community than ever before.
Today, the Clarion Model Railroad Club continues to operate proudly from that same basement—now filled with HO, O, and G‑scale layouts, local railroad history, and decades of shared passion.

Send a message to learn more

04/14/2026

As we continue our series introducing the Clarion Model Railroad Club, it’s time to look back at where it all started. Our club’s story is one of creativity, community, and a whole lot of perseverance.

🚂 Our Journey Begins — The Early History of the Clarion Model Railroad Club

🏬 From the Clarion Mall to Our First Layouts (1983-1990)
When the Clarion Mall first opened in the mid 1970’s, several storefronts sat empty as new businesses prepared to move in. A few local model railroad enthusiasts saw an opportunity and approached mall management with an idea:
Could they use one of the vacant storefronts to start a model railroad club?
The mall agreed, and just like that, the Clarion Model Railroad Club was born. Research has not found an exact date, but present club members remember past members telling the history of the club with the original layouts being started in the Clarion Mall in the year 1983.
For a few years, the club thrived in that space. Members built layouts, welcomed visitors, and grew a community of rail fans of all ages. But in the late 80s, the storefront was leased to a new business, and the club needed to find a new home

🚚 A Move to Brookville — and a Sudden Loss:
The next chapter took the club to Main Street in Brookville, where a third‑floor space became the new headquarters. It was a unique location—high above the street, full of character, and perfect for building layouts.
But tragedy struck November 17, 1991. A fire destroyed the building, taking the club room and nearly everything inside with it. The loss was devastating—about $75,000 in equipment, years of work, and countless memories gone overnight.
Many clubs would have folded after such a blow. Ours didn’t.

🔧 Rebuilding in Clarion — A New Beginning (1993–Present)
By 1993, club officers were determined to rebuild. They approached the Masonic Lodge in Clarion, asking whether the unused basement might become the club’s new home.
The Lodge agreed, and the partnership has lasted ever since.
Layouts were rebuilt from scratch. New members joined. The club grew stronger, more creative, and more connected to the community than ever before.
Today, the Clarion Model Railroad Club continues to operate proudly from that same basement—now filled with HO, O, and G‑scale layouts, local railroad history, and decades of shared passion.

Send a message to learn more

02/27/2026

Welcome to the Clarion Model Railroad Club! We’re excited to kick off a series that will be highlighting the three scales we have on display and gives visitors a closer look at what makes each one special.

🚂 HO‑Scale: Our Operating Layout
Our HO‑scale layout is a fully operating railroad powered by a Digitrax DCC system, allowing smooth, independent control of multiple locomotives. The design is primarily point‑to‑point, reflecting how real railroads move freight and passengers between destinations, but it also includes a section that can run as a continuous loop for relaxed, round‑and‑round operation.
When the layout was first built, it modeled the Lake Erie, Franklin & Clarion Railroad, a line with deep local history. Over time, the club expanded the layout with two freelance extensions, adding new scenes, industries, and operating possibilities while still preserving the spirit of the original LEF&C theme.

🛤️ O‑Scale: Three Ways to Run
Our O‑scale display offers three different loops of action:
• Two loops are powered by an MTH DCC system, giving visitors a chance to see modern command‑control operation in a larger scale.
• The third loop is wired so it can be switched over to a traditional transformer, perfect for running conventional locomotives and showing how classic O‑scale trains operate.
This mix lets us demonstrate both modern and traditional O‑scale running side by side.

🚉 Our G‑Scale Overhead Railroad
Suspended above the room, our G‑scale layout adds a unique touch to the club. It features one continuous loop that circles overhead, giving visitors a fun surprise as big‑scale trains glide by above them.

We’ll be sharing photos, stories, and behind‑the‑scenes details every two weeks. Whether you’re a longtime hobbyist or someone who just enjoys watching trains roll, we’d love to have you follow along—and even better, stop in and visit us.

Send a message to learn more

02/09/2026

Nothing beats reconnecting over lunch!!! Lany Johnson a former member of the Clarion Model Railroad Club was in the area along with his wife Janice and his daughter-in-law Jackie so a group of current members and old friends of Lany's met him and his family at the Clarion Eat-N-Park for lunch. Seated are Jackie and Janice. Standing are Ray, Rolly, Lany, Bill, Frosty and Roger. A huge thanks to Roger for making this happen.

10/15/2025

Stop in during our Autumn Leaf Festival show to check us out. We have our HO-Scale layout modeling the Lake Erie, Franklin and Clarion (LEF&C) Railroad, our O-Scale (Lionel) layout with some skyscrapers from downtown Pittsburgh plus our G-Scale running around the ceiling. While viewing our O-Scale, see how many of our local businesses you recognize and if you have a local business and don't currently have a car on our Business Box Car Train, ask any of our members for details as to how you can have one on it to advertise your business. Admission is free but donations are gladly accepted.

04/08/2025

R.I.P L T Snyder, past member of the Clarion Model Railroad Club

12/04/2023

Hello everyone hope your holiday season has been good so far just wanted to let everyone know there will not be a Christmas train show at the cranberry mall this year and most likely none in the future. We are sorry to disappoint so many of you but with not having as many club members as we did, we just can’t do it anymore we appreciate you all for coming to the show the last 13 years, We will have the club house open during the weekends for the Public to come see at 515c main st in Clarion PA and also Wye Bridge Hobbies 247 Seneca St Oil City PA has there trains set up for the holiday season! We hope you have a wonderful Christmas!!!

12/24/2022

12/23/2022

Due to unsafe weather conditions, the train show will be closed today.

Our train set raffle will be conducted on the next open day. Follow this page for continued updates.

11/10/2022

Here it is! The 2022 Christmas Show Schedule is set! We'll see you soon!

09/30/2022

7 Deadly Stitches, another one of our awesome business train sponsors is here at ALF! Head on up to the craft fair and let them know you saw their great looking car on our business train!