In 1994, a group of individuals started the Magic Valley Model Railroaders, nonprofit organization at the fairgrounds. As a 501(c3) nonprofit organization, we receive all our funding from the members and donations from the public. Adults and kids love to come see the model railroad.
The club has 4 different sized layouts. The smallest N Scale, the locomotives are only 1 3/4" tall, to the hugest, G Scale at 4 3/4" in height.
The "knockout" you will notice as you enter the building will be 2 N Scale helices which reach a height over 7 foot to move the trains from the west to the east side of the building and back.
The 2024 Fair is the showoff year for the new interactive display items. With the push of a button, you can cause a house to catch fire or even an apartment building. With the push of another button, the train runs. And there are other buttons to run trolleys, light up the canyon, cause a man welding to start to work, or even light up a hobo camp.
On the N Scale layout. There is a new residential area with folks enjoying the hot tub. Look for the Gordy’s Hwy 30 stage and our Fair Manager John Pitz talking to Gordy. And you can see an exact replica of where you are standing in the Railroad building.
The new HO Scale roundhouse is complete and trains can now park in the facility.
Stop by and find the excitement of the trains running. Check out the train sounds - just like the real ones.