The Metrolina Model Railroaders Club (MMRR) is a group of miniature train modelers, collectors, and hobbyists that built, maintain, and have lots of fun operating a portable modular HO Scale model railroad layout known as the “French Broad and Catawba Railroad” (FB&C).  This fictitious railroad is set in the Piedmont, NC area during the mid 1950’s.

The MMRR has been active for over 35 years in the greater Charlotte, NC area. Officially, the club was born in Belmont. While we do not have a dedicated clubhouse of our own, one of our prominent members provides what is considered our home meeting place in Shelby, where we meet often when our FB&C layout isn’t on display elsewhere. Most of our member’s model in HO scale (1:87) but all modelers of all skill levels are always welcome to join us. We have members with G, O, HOn30, and N scale trains and accessories as well.

The flexibility of the FB&C modular layout gives us the opportunity to display our layout at regional ‘Model Train Shows’ and other special events.  Our primary event every year for decades is the “Southern Christmas Show” held during November in Charlotte, N.C. We are also honored to display the FB&C layout in its largest version in the Back Shop at the North Carolina Transportation Museum during most of the Spring and Summer months from late March through September. We have another Fall and Winter themed layout called the Andrews Geyser layout. The Andrews Geyser layout is a combination of both HO scale and N scale (1:160) which provides the wintery, mountainous, Andrews Geyser scene. This layout used to appear during the Christmas holidays at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens in Belmont. The last couple of years, it has appeared at the Kings Mountain Historical Museum from the last weekend in November through the first weekend in January. Below are some photos of both layouts at different places.

The MMRR is an all National Model Railroaders Association club meaning that all of our members are also members of the NMRA.  We meet frequently.  We encourage your support and visitation at any location where we are displaying and running trains.  Use our calendar to see where we will be each month.  To become a member start by using our Join Us page.

New members of all ages and skills are welcome.