Twin City Model Railroad Museum

The Twin City Model Railroad Museum, founded in 1934, is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) Minnesota non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and educating guests while preserving the history, art, and technological legacy of toy trains and model railroading, emphasizing the regional importance of railroads. Though having moved several times in its history, it has always been housed in St. Paul (Ramsey County), MN, since its inception.

The Museum consists of over 11,000 square feet of interactive layouts and displays including a 30’ x 50’ world-class O-scale model train layout of the Twin City area. In addition, there is a a 30’ x 16’ professionally-built toy train layout of the Twin City area as well as other layouts depicting various scales, manufacturers, historical eras, and modeling methodologies.  In addition to the layouts, the Museum houses railroad artwork, artifacts, and equipment collected from the local railroads that once operated in the area. Exhibits are designed for interaction with guests of all ages, from toddlers to the “more experienced.”

One of the most important assets of the Museum is its corps of volunteers dedicated to preserving, propagating, and improving the hobby of toy and model trains. From on-site “Train Doctors” that can assist and diagnose maintenance, restoration, and repair issues for guests to current and former railroad employees, the museum volunteers are there to answer questions, provide model railroading advice, and listen to (and tell) stories related to railroading and the model railroad hobby. 

The Museum’s major seasonal event is ‘Night Trains.’ Every Saturday night, from November through February, the house lights are dimmed and the layouts come alive in their own magical way. Layout buildings and streetlights glow warmly, setting the scene for specially-lighted models of vintage model and toy trains. On the scale-layout, the town of Mattlin is buried in a blizzard. All the exhibits are accented with miniature Christmas lights and decorations. Returning each year is the spectacular Christmas Model Train. The engine and cars are each covered in hundreds of lights wishing everyone the happiest of holidays. It is something that should not be missed.