Central Iowa Railroad Club

Central Iowa Railroad Club HO gauge Model Railroad Club at Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines IA, founded in 1967 "CIRC" started Jan 1st 1967, first State Fair layout began in 1984.

Our current location/layout started in 2006. Current Mainline (upper deck with continuous run) is 430 ft. double track mainline - about 7.1 miles scale. Estimated full run from Chicago to Council Bluffs - 1000 ft/16.6 miles scale or using lower deck continuous run - 1082 ft./17.84 miles scale. Current turnout count at 289 with more being built at a furious pace - check back for updates - more are

in at this moment. No time to count all trackage yet - too busy building more, but with 5 major yards done and more to come the total track could exceed 10,000 feet or somewhere north of 160 scale miles! 3 helixs linking three decks in a layout 103 ft. 8 in. long by 19 ft wide. We have a replica of the Kate Shelley High Bridge as a major Iowa landmark. The current layout is using Digitrax DCC as a control platform. There are 40 - 50 current members, 334 all time member roster since 1967. Layout room, viewing isle club meeting room, lobby, workroom, storeroom, kitchen, bathroom and mechanical rooms comprise our building 148 ft. by 28 ft. 5 in. Public open houses are held throughout the year last Friday of most every month from about 7-9pm. The club meets every Tuesday 7:00 PM for train operations, work night or business meeting (depending on which Tuesday in the Month.) There are members at the club bldg Saturday afternoons around 2pm.

07/03/2026

A reminder that we are open during the Good Guys show this weekend. We are open 8-5 today and tomorrow and 8-3 on Sunday. The rain has stopped and the sun is out!

Have you been lucky enough to see the Big Boy? UP 4014 has been rolling from Cheyenne to the east coast as part of Amer...
06/01/2026

Have you been lucky enough to see the Big Boy? UP 4014 has been rolling from Cheyenne to the east coast as part of America's 250th celebration. I watched as the Big Boy rolled through Ames on Monday, June 1. Share your experiences below if you like.

05/29/2026

With Open House tomorrow Grand Ave Gate is closed, Walnut and Dean gates will be open, that's gates 10 & 8

Looking for a fun activity? Our monthly open house is this Friday from 7-9pm. We have some new things happening on the...
05/28/2026

Looking for a fun activity? Our monthly open house is this Friday from 7-9pm. We have some new things happening on the layout - check out the new baseball diamond that is going in. As always, these are free events. See you there!!

03/27/2026

Please use the west side for access for open house tonight east side closed

We will be having our Monthly Open house this Friday January 30 from 7 to 9 PM please come and enjoy
01/29/2026

We will be having our Monthly Open house this Friday January 30 from 7 to 9 PM please come and enjoy

We will be having our Open House tomorrow Friday Dec 26 from 7-9 pm please come!!
12/26/2025

We will be having our Open House tomorrow Friday Dec 26 from 7-9 pm please come!!

Address

Des Moines, IA

Telephone

+15152668899

Website

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