LGB Model Railroad Club of Chicago
Garden Railroading is fun for the whole family ...
    It combines many interests including model railroading and gardening. One of the best ways of learning about large-scale indoor and outdoor (garden) railroading is through sharing of experience and knowledge with other enthusiasts. The LGB Model Railroad Club of Chicago is dedicated to that sharing process.
    A few LGB enthusiasts formed the club in 1979. Today, it has about 150 members: most are located in Northeastern Illinois, Northwestern Indiana and Southeastern Wisconsin. Although the club focuses on LGB model trains, members collect and operate model trains made by all of the major large-scale manufacturers. A monthly newsletter, the LGB Chicago Express, and monthly activities (including clinics, setting up and operating display layouts at model railroad shows, visits to members railroads, a "Picnic" in the summer and a "Holiday" party in the winter) serve as catalysts for the sharing process.  Membership is $22 per year.
   Model railroad hobby retailers are another excellent source of information. Several Chicago area retailers are members of the club. They are listed in each issue of the LGB Chicago Express.
   Model railroad magazines are also good sources of information. The "major" model railroad magazines, including Model Railroader and Railroad Model Craftsman, periodically publish articles on garden railways and large-scale model railroading.
   Garden Railways, a bimonthly magazine is a "must" for garden railroaders. The magazine publishes a good balance of railroad and garden articles. A six-issue subscription is available for $29.95 from Kalmbach Publishing Co.; 21027 Crossroads Circle; PO Box 1612; Waukesha, WI 53187-1612  
   Finescale Railroader, is a quarterly magazine. FS focuses on realistic large-scale modeling. A four-issue subscription is available for $26 from Westlake Publishing Company, 1574 Kerryglen Street, Westlake Village, CA 91361
   The Internt includes extensive model railroading resources. One of the largest, "large-scale", internet sites is Large Scale On Line. You will find a library section, photo galleries, a discussion workshop, an events calendar, plus live chat, and weekly articles. If you need to find information on your latest project, this is the place to go. www.largescaleonline.com
   The National Model Railroad Association maintains a directory of several thousand rail-oriented web site at NMRA Directory of World Wide Rail Sites.
   As noted earlier, we publish the LGB Chicago Express, a monthly newsletter. It is available in printed and electronic editions. The printed edition is black & white; it is distributed by first class mail. The electronic edition is in color; it is distributed by e-mail. Click on Sample Newsletter to view a recent issue. The sample is an Adobe Acrobat Portable Document (PDF) file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it. The reader is available without charge from Adobe.
   If you have further questions, feel free to write us at 688 Coral Avenue, Bartlett, IL 60103-4705, call us at (630)830-0378 or e-mail us at info@LGBMRRCC.com Or better, join the Club by completeting the Membership Application, get the LGB Chicago Express and come to a meeting.