By Alison Lelko

Have you ever driven past the train-station shaped building at the intersection of N Vancouver and N Russel and wondered “What’s going on inside that building?” The answer is more delightful than you might imagine. 

Inside the Columbia Gorge Model Railroad Historical Society in the Eliot Neighborhood is a 60’ x 70’ HO-scale model of the Gorge, complete with intricately detailed models of Union Station, the Vista House, Multnomah Falls, in situ. HO scale trains, both steam and diesel, traverse the detailed landscape, which stretches from Portland to Bend. 

As you enter the layout, you’re first greeted by miniature Portland, set in 1957, complete with the society’s newest building (built in 2025) – Portland’s own Franz Bakery with its spinning loaf. In this miniature world where people stand just ¾ inch tall, no detail has been spared. Amusement rides really spin at Oaks Park, an animated woodchopper chops logs in Hood River, and coal cars transport fuel along the Oregon Trunk Line.  

The diverse group of Portlanders that maintains the layout comes from all walks of life – the oldest member is in their 90’s and the youngest members are just 12 years old. The Historical Society’s 140 members meet every Tuesday evening, at which time the public can pre-arrange to visit the layout, or attend a meeting to consider joining the society. Without a doubt, however, the best time to visit the layout in action, with trains galore, is during their biannual Open House, taking place in May and November. 

The next CGMRHS Open House is Saturday, May 2nd and Sunday May 3rd, from 10 am – 5 pm. Tickets are available online and pre-purchase is encouraged: www.cgmrhs.org. Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for kids aged 3 – 12, and free for under 3 years.