Southwest Model Railroad Museum

07/10/2026

Greetings and salutations! We have some exciting news and congratulations to share. On June 26, 2026, junior member M.R. held the drawing for the lottery fundraiser he set up. Many thanks to Mayor Robert Noblin for attending and assisting with the drawing. (We are so pleased to be located in and a part of the community of the City of Belen – where the Mayor is willing and interested in local projects and enterprises. Shout out to our great town, y’all!)

And now to the winners (insert drum roll):
Third Place, winner of the NMRX Rail Runner Family 4-Pack: Mark Nash (Sanderson, TX)
Second Place, winner of the Harvey House Whistle Stop Cafe $50 Lunch Certificate: Mike Cumbo
First Place and lucky winner of the Sky Railway Sunset Serenade for 2: Rozella Haynes

Congratulations to all and many thanks to everyone who supported and contributed to this fundraiser.

**If you want to watch the drawing, you can check out the Instagram link here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaG1vg4hGWu/
- SWMRM

06/23/2026

It is about time to head to Magdalena, NM for another fun frontier day celebration! The event kicks off Sat June 27 at 9:30am, free of charge. We will run DCC trains on our HO dog bone layout from 9am until about 5:30pm. Please see the attachments.

06/02/2026

Quick update on the Museum progress. Volunteers continue to work on the Harvey House model for our layout. The “guts” of the building – counters, stools, etc. - have been 3D printed. And members are working at installing lights. This model is going to be so detailed and fantastic when done. Once completed, we would totally recommend you go check out the REAL Harvey House Museum first and then come visit us to see the MODEL version. Sounds like a pretty awesome day!

- SWMRM

06/02/2026

Greetings fellow train aficionados! Did you know that Route 66, that historic road that was the life-blood of the country for decades, is celebrating its centennial (100th) anniversary this year. Route 66 had great impact on New Mexico; and in honor, the Museum has information on Route 66 currently on display. You should stop by and check it out!

- SWMRM

06/02/2026

Calling all supporters! Our newest junior member is currently holding a fund raiser and advertising campaign. First prize is a Sky Railway Sunset Serenade for 2 (Acoma Car Upgrade) valued at $300. Second prize is a $50 lunch gift certificate to the Fred Harvey Whistle Stop Cafe (donated by the magnificent folks at the Harvey House Museum here in Belen). Third prize is an NMRX Rail Runner Family 4-Pack (valued at $40). Tickets are $5 for 1; or $10 for 3. Please stop by the Museum to purchase tickets from any of our volunteers. You do not have to be present to win – so please fill out your tickets legibly and with accurate contact info so we can reach you. ***We want to acknowledge and thank ALL the organizations who so generously donated these prizes. Please give them your support and check them out. We speak from personal experience when we say that these companies rock.

- SWMRM

04/13/2026

Hello World! Please join us at our next road show stop at the Isleta Resort and Casino located at 11000 Broadway Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87105. We will display a 38ft HO scale dog bone layout for one day only, starting Sat night 4/18/2026 from 5pm until 8pm supporting El Ranchito de los Niños children’s home in Los Lunas, NM.

El Ranchito de los Niños is a local non-profit dedicated to keeping sibling groups together who might otherwise be separated in foster care. For more information, check out

El Ranchito de los Niños keeps New Mexico brothers & sisters together, providing a permanent home for sibling groups separated by foster care.

01/31/2026

Hello World,
Maurine McMillan’s celebration of life is tomorrow, February 1st, 2026, at the Belen Harvey House from noon until 3pm. Please stop by and pay your respects. We really miss our friend Maurine, the "Friendly Warden".

12/05/2025

Hello world! We are very saddened by the loss of Maurine, our friendly "warden". She supported us through thick and thin, and we truly indebted to her. She was a great friend and mentor. Please take a look at https://www.harveyhousemuseum.org/
Rest in peace Maurine!

Maurine was instrumental in the creation of both the Belen Harvey House Museum and the Southwest Model Railroad Museum (SWMRM). She was there and cut the ribbon during the initial opening of SWMRM. We were so lucky to celebrate our 30th anniversary and her 98th birthday in Sept 2025.

It tickled me so much seeing her eyes light up as she watched the model trains and vehicles go by. She was such a humble person and will be deeply missed. Each of us can learn from the generous life which she lived.

Sadly, James McKelvey, President SWMRM.