In mid July of 1977, a model railroader sent letters to about forty NMRA members with inquiries of those that might be interested in forming a "round robin" model railroading club. There were seven that responded but two declined the invitation to join.

At the end of July, the first meeting of the fledging NSMRC took place with 8 participants present. This initial meeting discussed the forming of a "round robin" group that would visit layouts in member's homes, with formal meetings once a month and informal visits in between. Also discussed was the possibility of a formal club/layout in the future.

Our third meeting took place in September 1977 and at this point the "round robin" concept was no longer considered. We established the name of our organization as the North Shore Model Railroad club. Appropriate monthly membership dues were suggested and plans to open a bank account were made. Also very importantly, a few new members had joined our group.

During this time frame a former president of the NMRA offered his home-layout to our highly motivated group. A search for club quarters began in earnest and by the middle of October our future home was found.

In December 1977 the by-laws were established and the NSMRC club became incorporated with the state. Also, in mid December, the donated layout was dismantled and stored in our new home that would become a building block of our new club. The NSMRC club officially moved into our "home" on Jan 1, 1978 with just over 30 members listed.

After a reasonable time, the inherited "Beaver Brook" layout was up and running - but of course, with problems. All the turnouts on the layout were pneumatic with hundreds of feet of plastic tubing running everywhere under the layout. That system was eventually replaced with motor driven switch machines. Members had a great time getting the layout up and running.

Lightning Strikes - The building is sold!

The new owner wanted the club to occupy the full area of rented space (previously one half). With all that available space (40 x 90 feet), the "Beaver Brook" railroad was doomed to become history.

After many club meetings with the layout design committee, the final design of the new layout was selected by the membership and the construction began in March 1980. The club's first open house/show was held in September 1980.

In July of 1986 the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) convention was held in Boston and the club was a major tour attraction. Just prior to the convention, the club was the cover feature in the May issue of Model Railroader magazine.

Now that twenty years have passed since the club was established, the membership is now over seventy, the work continues on the layout that fills the 40 x 90 ft area and the basic design of the layout has changed very little from the original concept. The club has been very fortunate to have so many talented members involved in the development of this outstanding model railroad.