WELCOME
December 2, 2025 was not only a banner day for the Crossville Model Railroad Club, but for Cumberland County and Middle Tennessee. The first step in the rebirth of a long-standing family and community tradition spanning generations, drawing over 400,000 visitors from 40+ countries, is made possible solely due to the generous donations by members of the community who have fond memories of bringing their children and grandchildren to see the trains.
I thank our local dignitaries, Chamber of Commerce, our Benefactor, our contractor, and members of the club who braved the elements to help celebrate this monumental event. Special thanks also goes to Ed Potts, on the far right, immediate past president and Bruce Herring, just to the left of the sign, incoming president for 2026. It was my job as current president to get the ball to the 1 yard line so the team could push it across in 2026. We are looking forward to seeing all our friends again at the Crossville Model Railroad and Upper Cumberland Railway Museum.
Pat Taylor president CMRC.
IT’S OFFICIAL
At last night’s [8/11] club meeting, which was well attended, after a very long discussion, a motion was made to approve moving forward with the rebuilding of the club on the West Avenue site. The motion was overwhelmingly approved.
Our thirty-month frustrating search for a new home is now over and the club has but one mission and that is to rebuild. We still have some financial hurdles to overcome, but according to those who spent a great deal of time documenting a myriad of numbers, it was determined we can in fact, financially support this project.
Link to map:
June 9 Update
NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT:
There are 3 things from last night’s meeting that needs to be disseminated quickly:
1. The Annual Picnic has been moved to September details to come out soon
2. Since the picnic has been moved to September there will be a Club meeting on August 11th. There are currently no plans to have a September meeting.
3. Update on 87 West Ave
As some of you may have heard we received a very favorable report from Jim & Ann last night a copy of that letter from Ann is attached to this E-Mail. Jim also reported that he received a call Yesterday that the State has decided to remove any issues/restriction from 87 West Ave regarding the ability to build on the property. NO REMEDIATION is needed. The red flag that should have been attached to the deed (the flag was never attached to property and the problems was identified during the engineering evaluation) on the property will be lifted soon. Jim & Ann will go to the Register of Deeds Office and have the notice of restriction removal attach/registered with the deed.
The membership (19 of 53 members) at the meeting agreed that we should reevaluate this property at the July 14Th meeting. This was done for the following reasons:
a. The need for a larger percentage of the membership to vote.
b. Up to date real financial numbers (the hardest task in this process).
c. And lastly, not to make a quick and ill-informed decision.
87 West Avenue has run into a snag. There used to a gas station on the property and despite the tanks being removed over 25 years ago the State wants the site excavated and any existing contamination removed. This would be a considerable cost. The members have voted to renew the site search for a new home for our hobby.
Apr 1, 2023
The saddest day we could imagine finally transpired yesterday, Mar 31, 2023, as our 21 + year home in Crossville. TN at the former Crossville Outlet Center (now Landers Crossroads) terminated our Lease, and we formally terminated our presence in that location. Thanks to our members untiring efforts, we accomplished a complete disassembly, packaging and storing of all our reusable components and operating necessities into our new storage location. (Quite a task in less than 30 days, for sure.) While we may not currently have a permanent physical home, we will continue to have a ‘virtual’ one, keeping our website updated with our current efforts, events, and items which will hopefully keep our thousands of patrons up to date on our efforts to return to the #2 Attraction in Cumberland County. To date, with many available facilities having been reviewed and visited, we have not as yet, found a completely suitable, available, and affordable location at this time. We continue to remain optimistic, as our efforts work toward the return to rebuilding and displaying our ‘Wonderful World of Trains’ for all of our enjoyment. Stay tuned to this website for more news, as time progresses.
Update – Mar 23, 2023
We have successfully found and rented a secure climate controlled facility for our short/long term storage requirements, and are in the process of reviewing numerous sites for a potential new home for our Railroad Display. We have packaged approximately 95% of our items, and moved the vast majority of them to the rented facility as of this date.
The many individual and public expressions of sympathy and support are greatly appreciated.
Please stay tuned to this Website for additional information as we progress through our journey to rebuild, and operate as we have done in past years.