...a MARRS haiku...
We come in pieces...
...meeting we come together...
...then run in circles.
We come in pieces...
...meeting we come together...
...then run in circles.
Founded in 1994, the Meade Area Railroad Society (MARRS ) is an independent, private organization dedicated to railroad-related hobbies. We are a diverse, loosely knit group with members throughout the MD/WV/PA tri-state region. Our only membership requirement is an interest in railroads - real or modeled, domestic or foreign, fallen flags or currently operating.
MEETINGS: Currently, ALL in-person meetings are CANCELLED until further notice due to ongoing COVID 19 restrictions. Pending COVID remediation, all meetings will take place via ZOOM on the first Tuesday of the month. Once COVID restrictions are lifted, in-person meetings will be held at the Seven Oaks Community Center, 2110 Charter Oaks Blvd., Odenton, MD,.on the first Tuesday of the month. Anyone with an interest in railroads is invited to attend in-person MARRS meetings.
Please check the CALENDAR page to confirm the date, time, and place of upcoming meetings.
SHOWS & MODULAR TRAIN LAYOUTS: MARRS regularly sets up and operates modular train layouts at both the Greenberg and Great Scale Model Train Shows, and other shows on an aperiodic basis. Individual members build segments of the layout and assemble them at the show to form an operating layout - one considerably larger than most home layouts. MARRS has an operational HO DCC layout. MARRS does not have Z, S, N, or O-scale modular layouts. Please check the CALENDAR to confirm the date, time, and place of upcoming shows. A map to the fairgrounds will be uploaded soon. For more information, see: MARRSians at the Great Scale Model Train Show.
WORKSHOPS: For updates, please check the CALENDAR page.
SPECIAL PROJECTS: In 2007, MARRS members designed and built a "Hobo Codes" exhibit layout for the National Cryptologic Museum (NCM) located at Fort Meade, MD. Originally planned as a temporary exhibit, the layout consistently ranked as one of the Museum's most popular attractions, and it remained operation until NCM closed for renovations in early 2021. MARRS is proud of its connection to the NCM, and continued to maintain the Hobo Codes layout throughout its tenure as a public exhibit.
In early 2021, the National Cryptologic Museum permanently closed so the building housing the museum (an old motor court motel) could be demolished. The Hobo Codes exhibit was moved from the NCM and is now on display at the Gaithersburg Community Museum.
MARRS members are also helping to maintain and restore the large HO layout at the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Station Museum in Ellicott City, MD.
