Join the Club!
We are open to new members if you love trains and if you like to work with other model train enthusiasts.
The National Capital Trackers run ‘O” gauge model trains on temporary modular layouts at public venues throughout the Washington metropolitan area. We support 12-16 shows a year, such as the Great Scale Show in Timonium, MD, the
Manassas Railway Festival, the Kensington Train Show in Kensington, MD, the College Park Aviation Museum show, and at the National Capital Trolley Museum in Colesville, MD. Layouts vary from show to show, depending on the size of the venue. Complex layouts have trains and trolleys running on several levels.
Trackers of all ages build and decorate standardized modules. These modules are connected to form sizable layouts, many of which are
holiday-themed. Club-owned power equipment, specialized modules, and skirting are transported to and from shows via our trailers. Not every member participates in every show, but those who do set up their own modules and then run their favorite trains for hours at a time. Members who do not contribute a module may also run trains. Our show schedule is busiest from September through February, but we run trains at shows all year long. Several shows are so large that trains of other model railroad gauges, such as standard gauge and HO scale, are run by other clubs.
Our monthly meetings are held via Zoom on the 3rd Thursday at 7 p.m. Twice a year our meetings are at a restaurant in suburban Maryland and in Northern Virginia, where in addition to agenda items we discuss new model railroading technology, new products from Lionel, MTH, and other manufacturers, upcoming national hobby events, and classic toy trains.
We also socialize and discuss the hobby over dinner during show weekends, at an annual summer barbecue, and at cocktail receptions hosted by venues.
Several Trackers have held office in the Train Collectors Association, the signature national model railroading organization.
We are always happy to discuss locomotives, rolling stock, and hand-held operating systems with new members.
NCT is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. We have proudly promoted the model railroad hobby and increased public awareness of railroading since 1991.
Dues are:
Partners – $30
Passengers – $40
Juniors – Free
Here's How You Join
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Download our New Member Application.
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Print the form and fill it in according to the instructions on the form. You can mail it to the Membership Chair at the address on the form.
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We prefer that you indicate a Tracker member that recommends you for membership.
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If you have any questions, please click here to email the Club.