Cherokee Strip Model Railroad Association

ENID

Within the same complex as the Railroad Museum of Oklahoma, the Cherokee Strip Model Railroad Association calls building 2 their home. Once you tour the museum and rail yard, you can go into the big building behind the museum and see the very impressive collection of model trains and the artistic work of the tracks and towns that the trains travel through.

I walked in and was greeted by a friendly guy. I thought in might just be him, but I walked around the corner and a whole crew of gentlemen was discussing things and solving the problems of the world. I'm sure they have better ideas that most of our governent folks! They were okay that I interrupted their chat because they got to crank up their trains to show me what amazing work they have done. I talked with Pat Bandy about the association and all the work they do to keep the hobby of model trains alive. To some, it's less of a hobby and more of an all-encompassing lifestyle! They love their trains and they want to share their model train experiences with people who are either casually interested or people who would like to find their new hobby. They currently have enough space for each member to have their own track and train. Even so, they are constantly altering the landscapes, adding new sections, and expanding the model rail yards. It's all difficult to figure out, but it ensures that everyone has a space to show off their work.

The CSMRA has five different scale models working in their building. I had learned a little bit about model railroads when I visited the Oklahoma Model Railroad in Oklahoma City, so I wasn't completely in the dark when Pat and the crew were talking about N scale and OH scale. Since I'm not around them every day, I have to dig in my memory banks to remember which is which, but I can fake it a little until the old thinker kicks in. But even if you have zero experience with model railroads, they're more than happy to show you what everything is and how it works. Another helpful feature, they have a few trains for sale so you don't even have to leave the building to get started. I truly had a great time watching the worlds they've created as the trains lumber down the tracks. Sometimes the little joys in life are the best.

One last thing about the CSMRA, they are part of Operation Lifesaver. It's an organization that teaches kids and adults not to play or hang around trains. When you live in a town like Enid, there are train tracks everywhere. I felt like every turn had me going across another set of tracks. Some occupied and some not. But even if you don't see them from your car, there are train cars everywhere. Some are active and some are parked for later use. But they all share one thing, they're dangerous. Keeping people from getting injured or worse is the paramount goal of Operation Lifesaver. A noble cause if ever I've heard one. I'll share a link below if you would like to contact them. So if you're in Enid looking for something cool to see, hit the Railroad Museum of Oklahoma and wander back to the back building and see the Cherokee Strip Model Railroad building. It's fantastic.

702 N Washington St, Enid

Facebook - https://facebook.com/groups/csmra

Entry Fee: Free

Jonathan Elmore ©2025