Layouts

The Bellingham Railway Museum features a number of model railroad layouts in several scales. These include display layouts, interactive exhibits where visitors to the museum can actually run the trains, and a floor loop layout for the kids to play with. The BRM believes that model railroading is both an important part of railroad history, and also an excellent vehicle for communicating the history of railroads to the public.

G gauge

The largest model railroad at the Bellingham Railway Museum is our G gauge layout depicting logging and mining railroads. Our new G gauge layout is best described as a work in progress. We were able to get a single loop of track up and running for opening day and ever since. G gauge is the largest of the indoor trains and these monsters feature smoke and realistic sound which can be heard throughout the area as they thunder down the track. Our layout has both standard and narrow gauge trains and features Shay and other logging locomotives with their unique gear drive system. A number of other steam and diesel locomotives pull freight and passenger trains around the large layout. The G gauge layout is always a favorite for train enthusiasts of all ages. Click here to see more photos of the G Gauge layout.

Lionel

The Lionel model railroad exhibit began while the museum was still located at the radio museum. A generous donation of equipment from the late Willard Brown and has now grown to become a large interactive display featuring the rich history and happy memories of Lionel Trains. The Lionel layout has recently been expanded and will soon include many of the operating accessories for which this manufacturer was famous for. Unlike many layouts, Lionel kids of all ages can run this layout through a simple push-button and transformer control system. The layout features those wonderful smoking locomotives and exciting sound. Here is your chance to relive the memories of that first train set you had as a kid and share the experience with your kids and grandkids!

G-Gauge Floor Loop

For our youngest visitors we have constructed a small loop layout right on the floor for the kids to run and play with. In addition we show Thomas videos in the kids area and provide a number of toy trains and related items for children to enjoy as they learn about railroading. At the BRM we strongly believe that the best way to foster interest and spark imagination is to create exhibits which kids can not only look at, but also play with and touch.