London Model Railroad Group

About London Model Railroad Group

The London Model Railroad Group (LMRG) is a community organization and social club located in the Longwoods neighbourhood of London, Ontario. Serving hobbyists and the general public, the group has been operating for over 80 years. The organization is dedicated to developing and operating an O-scale model railroad layout to prototypical standards while fostering an atmosphere of friendship, camaraderie, and fun. The group currently operates a new two-level, 60-foot layout that depicts the St. Mary's, London, and Port Stanley regions as they might have appeared in the 1970s. This layout features the Lake Erie & International Railway, which includes the wired and operational main line, the "St. Thomas Helix," and various dioramas, animations, and automation. The group utilizes a 2-rail, 1:48 O-scale standard and seeks members with various skills, including carpentry, woodworking, track and switch laying, wiring, electronics, and scenery creation. Founded in 1938 by George Barrett, Bill Shaw, George Jervis, and Lloyd Always, the club has moved through three distinct chapters of history. After spending decades on Dundas Street and later on Holborn Avenue, the group relocated to its current site in 2019. The organization is a formal corporation that offers both regular and supporting memberships. While the group owns the layout, track, and switches, individual members typically own the locomotives and rolling stock. The LMRG holds regular meetings every Tuesday and Thursday evening year-round. They also host monthly Open Houses on the first Tuesday of each month, which are open to the public. Visitors are welcome to stop by for a few sessions to get to know the group before deciding to join.