Model Railroading > Cedarburg, WI Model Train Show April 12th, 2026

METRO Model Railroad Club’s annual show returns for its 30th straight year bigger and better than ever.The show, which is on April 12th, will have 9 operating model railroads and 120 tables of dealers and swappers.Show Chairman Jim Bartelt says he is excited to bring back the quality and scale of the show which has brought such pleasure to thousands over its run.“We keep trying to make it better,” he said”. People who have not been back for a few years are going to find a very different look to the show.”
President Bryan Wichmann emphasized that model railroading is not adults playing with children’s toys, but craftsmen trying to duplicate one of the most important pieces of American history, “The detail and prototypical accuracy that modelers create is incredible,” he said.  “People would be hard pressed to comprehend the hours put in to create these displays.”
 
Model railroading has many different scales (sizes) in which modelers build and six of them will be shown at this show.All were created by railroad clubs in Southeast Wisconsin.All of the clubs showing are welcoming new members, especially encouraging young “Newbies” to learn the arts and skills that they want to share. A new layout this year is by the Milwaukee Chapter of the European Train Enthusiasts that will feature European Trains of 3 different scales
 
METRO knows that kids love these shows and have plans to make this one even more exciting for them.Some of the layouts will let children operate the trains.A scavenger hunt with prizes for kids is also planned.Railroad caps and whistles for kids will be available to purchase.
The dealers’ tables will exhibit the wide variety of equipment and scenery that can be used to create these displays.Some dealers are willing to buy or swap equipment.A few dealers will have railroad memorabilia from the glory days of railroading that people can purchase.Typically, the costs of items at the show is well below what these items can be purchased for from hobby stores or off the internet, and hobbyists can often find items long out of stock or rarely available.
 
METRO is a Port Washington based club celebrating its 40th year of existence.In addition to showing its portable layout, which has twice won top honors at the National Model Railroad Association’s annual show, it is building a large permanent layout in HO scale at the Harbor Village campus.Persons interested in becoming involved will have a chance to learn about the club from members wearing identifiable shirts.
 The show, at the Expo Center on the Ozaukee County Fairgrounds in Cedarburg, runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking is free.Admission is by a $5 donation; children under 12 are admitted free with an adult. Editor’s note:Further details can be obtained by calling Jim Bartelt at 262-284-5876 or Bryan Wichmann at 262-352-4639.
 

James Bartelt
Port Washington, WI
Metro Model Railroad Club, Ltd

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