"A world of miniature trains", that is how the Society of Model engineers has been described. But, for the members of the nonprofit group dedicated to model trains it is even more. The excitement and "Romance of Railroads", and the enjoyment of building and displaying model trains has kept the Society of Model Engineers going for eighty-three years making it the oldest model railroad group in the United States. The members of the Society, located in Carlstadt, NJ, have a fond love of trains, and have joined together to operate a train museum and two large "Railroad Empires".

The pride of the Society, these "Empires", the model train layouts, cover almost 4,000 square feet. The larger "O" Scale layout is 40 by 70 feet and has almost 20 scale miles of train track. It features a detailed scenic diorama with realistic track work, roads, interesting structures, bridges and tunnels. The "HO" Scale layout is approximately 30 by 45 feet. It also is fully scenic with miles of scale track. Over 100,000 miniature trees have been installed by the members to depict Northern New Jersey.

Model trains will be operating on both layouts. Many of the models are one of a kind and were handmade by Society members. Trains of all types, passenger, freight, trailer-truck piggyback and circus trains, will be operate on schedules controlled by club members. Members take pride in operating their miniature railroad just like real railroads operate. The members claim that the only exception to real railroad operation is they operate "On time, all the time!".

Also on display will be the Society's collection of historic railroad memorabilia. This collection includes the world's largest display of illuminated tail signs. These signs, which hung from the end of many famous passenger, now serve to remind us of that glorious means of travel by rail. The Pennsylvania "Broadway Limited", the New York Central "20th. Century Limited" and the Lackawanna "Phoebe Snow" are only a few of the many tail signs in the Society's collection. The Society's collection also includes a large number of railroad lanterns, steam locomotive bells and whistles, railroad photos and other railroad items.

The Society is a nonprofit historical and educational organization founded in 1926. It is the oldest model railroad club in the United States. The membership of over one hundred have joined together in the common interest of preserving the historical significance of American Railroads through models and memorabilia.

The Society's Annual Holiday Exhibition will be open the weekends of, Nov. 21, 22, 23, Nov. 28, 29, 30 and Dec. 5, 6, 7, 2008. The Society is located at 341 Hoboken Road, Carlstadt, NJ, only one-half mile from Giants Stadium. Hours of the exhibition are Friday from 7 P.M. to 10 P.M., Saturday and Sunday 1 P.M. to 6 P.M.. Admission is $5.00 for adults and $1.00 for children Additional information and travel directions can be obtained by calling 201-939-9212 or visiting their Web Site at http://ModelEngineers.org