About GMRC
The Gilbert Model Railroad Club (GMRC) is a community of passionate HO scale model railroaders dedicated to recreating the charm of central Arizona during the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Founded in 2006, the club began as a small group of enthusiasts seeking a space to bring their vision to life. A partnership with the HDSouth Museum provided the perfect opportunity, aligning the club's ambitions with the museum's goal of creating a Historical Gilbert diorama. By 2008, the initial Gilbert Diorama was completed, marking the club's first major milestone. Over the years, this impressive display expanded into a sprawling layout featuring multiple towns across central Arizona, spanning the entire room and two levels—a true celebration of railroading history and craftsmanship. Check out the photos of early days of building the train display.
The GMRC Story
Our Train Display
The train display is an impressive recreation of the Arizona areas served by the Santa Fe (SF), Southern Pacific (SP), Magma Arizona(MAA) railroads, showcasing the dynamic rail activity of central Arizona. The layout divides the Phoenix area into east and west regions. Including Phoenixes passenger station that was shared by both SP and SF.
The Santa Fe Railroad, founded in 1859, connected Kansas to New Mexico and later expanded into Arizona and California. It played a vital role in developing the American West. The train display includes the Santa Fe railroad operating to the western side of Phoenix. Stops modeled along the layout include Mobest yard, Glendale, Wickenburg, Prescott, and Drake, AZ.
Santa Fe
The Southern Pacific Railroad was founded in 1865 in San Francisco with the goal of connecting California cities like San Francisco and San Diego. It expanded rapidly, acquiring other railroads and reaching states like Texas, Arizona, and Oregon, becoming a major transportation network in the western United States. On the eastern side of Phoenix, the Southern Pacific dominates, serving locations such as the SP yard, Phoenix Union Station, Phoenix Industrial, Tovrea Cattle Yard, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Williams AFB, and Queen Creek. Additionally, SP branch lines extend to Kyrene, Chandler, Poston, Coolidge, and Randolph to the south. This detailed layout beautifully captures the historical essence of railroading in the region
Southern Pacific
Modeling Central Arizona
The Magma Arizona Railroad was established in 1915 to transport copper concentrates from Superior to the Southern Pacific Line at Webster. Initially, the railroad also hauled cattle for ranchers in the Superstition Wilderness Area, but as trucking became more efficient, cattle transport declined. The narrow-gauge track faced challenges, including harsh terrain and high construction costs. By 1923, the railroad transitioned to standard gauge, allowing for more efficient copper transportation without the need for transfers at Webster.
Steam engines remained the backbone of the railroad until diesel locomotives arrived in 1958. The Magma Arizona Railroad became the last industrial short line in the U.S. to use steam for commercial revenue runs. In 1971, Old No. 5 made its last run performing for the cameras of Twentieth Century Fox on December 8th and 9th, in the filming of "How the West Was Won."
The line played a significant role in supporting Arizona's economy and preserving the legacy of steam locomotives. Stops on the Magma Arizona include Magma and Superior.
Magma Arizona
Location
Visit us in the lower level of the HDSouth Museum in Gilbert, Arizona, where our model railroad layout showcases the golden age of railroading.
Location Address
HDSouth Museum 10 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, AZ 85296
Hours
Viewing Area
Tuesday – Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sundays, Mondays and Holidays
Walk-though Tours
Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.