Central Iowa Railroad Club

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Central Iowa Railroad Club HO gauge Model Railroad Club at Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines IA, founded in 1967 "CIRC" started Jan 1st 1967, first State Fair layout began in 1984.

Our current location/layout started in 2006. Current Mainline (upper deck with continuous run) is 430 ft. double track mainline - about 7.1 miles scale. Estimated full run from Chicago to Council Bluffs - 1000 ft/16.6 miles scale or using lower deck continuous run - 1082 ft./17.84 miles scale. Current turnout count at 289 with more being built at a furious pace - check back for updates - more are in at this moment. No time to count all trackage yet - too busy building more, but with 5 major yards done and more to come the total track could exceed 10,000 feet or somewhere north of 160 scale miles! 3 helixs linking three decks in a layout 103 ft. 8 in. long by 19 ft wide. We have a replica of the Kate Shelley High Bridge as a major Iowa landmark. The current layout is using Digitrax DCC as a control platform. There are 40 - 50 current members, 334 all time member roster since 1967. Layout room, viewing isle club meeting room, lobby, workroom, storeroom, kitchen, bathroom and mechanical rooms comprise our building 148 ft. by 28 ft. 5 in. Public open houses are held throughout the year last Friday of most every month from about 7-9pm. The club meets every Tuesday 7:00 PM for train operations, work night or business meeting (depending on which Tuesday in the Month.) There are members at the club bldg Saturday afternoons around 2pm.

Open House This Friday
09/23/2026

Open House This Friday

Thank You Don't forget our Open house this Friday 7-9
08/23/2026

Thank You Don't forget our Open house this Friday 7-9

Been on the fairgrounds since 1984 we have come a long way
08/20/2026

Been on the fairgrounds since 1984 we have come a long way

Here is flashback to 2019 to see how much we changed in 7 years
08/18/2026

Here is flashback to 2019 to see how much we changed in 7 years

DES MOINES, Iowa — Visitors to the Iowa State Fair may not be aware of a special display tucked away on the southern side of the fair. “I think it’s the biggest secret on the Iowa State Fairg…

08/15/2026
Club Member Kent Girouex Lined up for the Iowa state fair parade
08/12/2026

Club Member Kent Girouex Lined up for the Iowa state fair parade

07/03/2026

A reminder that we are open during the Good Guys show this weekend. We are open 8-5 today and tomorrow and 8-3 on Sunday. The rain has stopped and the sun is out!

Have you been lucky enough to see the Big Boy? UP 4014 has been rolling from Cheyenne to the east coast as part of Amer...
06/01/2026

Have you been lucky enough to see the Big Boy? UP 4014 has been rolling from Cheyenne to the east coast as part of America's 250th celebration. I watched as the Big Boy rolled through Ames on Monday, June 1. Share your experiences below if you like.

05/29/2026

With Open House tomorrow Grand Ave Gate is closed, Walnut and Dean gates will be open, that's gates 10 & 8

Looking for a fun activity? Our monthly open house is this Friday from 7-9pm. We have some new things happening on the...
05/28/2026

Looking for a fun activity? Our monthly open house is this Friday from 7-9pm. We have some new things happening on the layout - check out the new baseball diamond that is going in. As always, these are free events. See you there!!

Address

Des Moines, IA

Telephone

+15152668899

Website

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