Springfield Model Railroad Club

05/14/2026

Today on the STRA SBL-2 (Southbound local return) heads north toward Springfield. A high hood NS GP38-2 leads the short train today’s as it emerges from the tunnel and motivates up hill. This train is the return section of the Southbound local that runs between Springfield and Alton. The crew has one more stop on its journey at the plastics plant outside Springfield before returning home.

04/22/2026

A newly acquired STRA GP38-2 took its maiden voyage around the railroad last night on the south bound local. The STRA geeps interrupted the dominance of SP power working the railroad last night.

04/01/2026

Last night during our weekly ops session a trio of GPs got to work pulling a northbound manifest through Bloomington!

03/15/2026

The show is open! Come on down and see us!

03/11/2026

The railroad never sleeps! Here we see the nighttime Alton Local pulling cars from the Flour Mill spur before it heads off to the grain elevator to make more pickups. I picked up this Atlas S2 with factory Loksound last year at the 2026 Springfield Train Fair for 75 bucks. We hope to see you there so you too can find the best deals!

03/06/2026

We have once again SOLD OUT all vendor tables for the 2026 Springfield Train Show!

02/25/2026

Things were busy in Springfield Yard durinh our ops session last night. An STRA GP60 built an outbound freight, while the trio of MP15s known as the “stooges” switch an inbound train into the yard.

02/16/2026

A fresh pair of 38’s are seen working the north end of the Springfield yard during a recent operating session. 620 is a standard SD38-2, while 412 is a GP38-3 - a rebuilt GP35. Both models are older Katos equipped with LokSound and Scale Sound Systems speakers.

-CJ

02/09/2026

I was commissioned by the Union Pacific to make a retirement piece for a 35 year employee. They had very specific asks, and a fairly short time frame. I think they’ll like it. Now I’ve gotta get this boxed up and sent off to Roseville, CA.

-CJ

01/25/2026

An Illinois Terminal interurban car crosses over 6th street here in Springfield. Over the years this span of trackage would change hands and temporarily become a vitally important line connecting the GM&O and IC mainlines during the ICG years. Currently the line is owned by Canadian National and sees maybe a train a day at best, serving as a connection to the UP/NS. The original bridge in this picture is still in place and there’s a plaque explaining its history that can be found at street level underneath.

Jess Overpass on Rt. 66, now 6th Street, in 1950.