About the National Model Railroad Association

The National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) is a 501(c)(3) not for profit educational organization founded in 1935. It is a world-wide organization with over 16,000 active members, associates, families and clubs dedicated to the hobby of scale model railroading in all its facets, supporting a hobby of many diverse interests that all relate to the greater world of trains and railroads.

There are many benefits of becoming an NMRA member, including: 

  • Monthly NMRA Magazine:  Available both in a paper version and electronically.
  • NMRA Bulletin and NMRA Turntable: Every other month, we publish the electronic NMRA Bulletin, containing late-breaking news and reports of happenings in the organization. The NMRA Turntable is a monthly electronic publication that rounds up some of the most interesting model railroad websites, videos, blogs, and articles on the web. We do the searching so you don’t have to!
  • NMRA Partnership Program: The NMRA has partnered with model railroad manufacturers of all sizes who have agreed to give discounts to NMRA members. Discounts range from free shipping to 40% off all purchases.
  • Online Video Library: The Members Only section of our website features dozens of helpful “how-to” videos produced by professional video companies, as well as over 150 videos of clinics presented at National NMRA conventions.
  • NMRA Online Archives: More than 10,000 photographs, slides, plans, drawings, erection elevations, paint schemes and more, with additional scans being added all the time. High-resolution files are available for download at a discount to members.
  • Kalmbach Memorial Library:  Perhaps one of the finest resources available to anyone interested in railroads or model railroads. Members get special discounts and first crack at special releases of books and surplus books. 
  • Achievement Program (AP):  The AP helps modelers get more out of the hobby by providing an incentive to learn and master the skills necessary. Those who’ve completed the AP receive Master Model Railroader® (MMR®) certification.
  • National and Regional Conventions: The annual National convention runs one week and usually features well over 100 clinics, more than 50 layout tours, and dozens of prototype tours. The National Train Show runs for the final three days of the convention. Regional conventions are from two to five days and many feature prototype and layout tours, plus clinics and other activities.
  • Special Access to Places and People:  As an NMRA member, you’ll have access to all kinds of railroad locations you’d never otherwise see. Often National and Regional conventions will tour prototype facilities such as yards and maintenance shops, and will charter special excursion railroads that are usually never open to the public. You’ll have the chance to see top-of-the-line model railroads that usually don’t accept visitors. And you’ll be able to spend time talking with some of the most famous personalities in model railroading today.
  • Fellowship of other modelers
  • And much more!

Visit the NMRA web site for more details on the benefits of NMRA Membership