Puget Sound Model Railroad Engineers

Puget Sound Model Railroad Engineers PSMRE is a non-profit club whose charter is to build, maintain and operate a world-class HO (1:87) model, of the Tacoma area during the 1950's.

The PSMRE model railroad represents Tacoma, WA railroading in the 1950's. The 20' by 85' exhibit area provides a compressed view of local landmarks from Tacoma's Asarco Tunnel to Stampede Pass, and includes trackage and equipment from the Northern Pacific, Great Northern, Union Pacific and Milwaukee Road railroads. In addition to being a public display, the model is used as an ope

rating forum for PSMRE members. The exhibit is located on Level 5 of the Washington State History Museum, in Tacoma, WA. It can be viewed during normal museum hours. When no PSMRE operators are in attendance, five trains run automatically at the push of a button. Museum admission is required to view the layout. Our regularly-scheduled operating sessions occur the first Saturday of every month. The sessions typically run from about 11 am to about 3 pm. During these sessions, club members operate the model using "real railroad methods", including: a dispatcher, who communicates with the train crews via radio; road crews, who run passenger trains and freight trains according to correct procedures and schedules; and yard crews, who sort and arrange cars into trains. Come down and watch us operate the railroad as if it was a typical day in the mid 1950’s.

Thirty years ago in the month of May, a small group of intrepid model railroaders entered a large dark building in searc...
05/06/2026

Thirty years ago in the month of May, a small group of intrepid model railroaders entered a large dark building in search of the future. With flashlights in hand, they explored the fifth floor. Light from an adjacent building’s sign shown across the chasm of the main floor of this new and promising structure. What they discovered was the rough and unfinished space that would become the home of the model railroad exhibit at the Washington State History Museum, to be built by this fledgling group of skilled model railroaders, known as the Puget Sound Model Railroad Engineers.

The PSMRE would go on to construct the largest public model railroad in Washington State. Not only the largest but also one of the most historically accurate and detailed model railroads in the country. Representing Tacoma in the 1950’s it includes structures carefully and expertly crafted by a large number of local model railroaders, many built from original plans and/or photos. And of course, trains, lots of trains!

Many of the original group are no longer with us, but the few remaining Charter Members and the current generation of PSMRE members are proud of the hard work by the Charter Members and proud to care and maintain the exhibit for museum visitors and fellow model railroaders.

Address

1911 Pacific Avenue
Tacoma, WA
98402

Telephone

+18882384373

Website

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