Become A Member

BECOME PART OF THE CLUB

The Western New York Garden Railway Society (WNYGRS) was founded in 2002 and incorporated in 2007 as a New York State “Not- For-Profit corporation”. The Society’s purpose is to encourage Member friendship, enjoyment & promotion of the hobby through operation of garden railroad layout displays, as well as educating both the Membership & public about railroading in general, and garden railroading in particular. Over the years we have grown in size and hold / host and participate in a number of seasonal & annual displays in the Western New York Regional area. We meet monthly to share tips and programs on topics such as building models, care & upgrading of engines & rolling stock, layout construction, modification, operations and control, etc. 

Maybe YOU can use these ideas and new skills to create your own garden railroad!

If building an indoor or outdoor layout isn’t your particular interest, maybe then you can participate as a club member on our large (1,815 sq foot) club display located in the McKinley Mall, as well as other temporary off-site displays.

Please feel free to attend one of our meetings, or ongoing displays / events, and speak directly with the members themselves regarding our modeling interests and available opportunities!

Membership Application

Contact us

Meetings:

Regular meetings are currently held on a monthly basis: (1) Typically at The McKinley Mall located in Hamburg, NY, (2) A Member's home when hosting an "Open House" for their own Garden RR, (3) Or at a local historical site, depending on the venue. A portion of the meeting usually consists of "educational" program (e.g. a demonstration of modeling techniques, a railroad-related informational presentation, etc.), along with a business & event planning segment.

Events and Activities:

  • Holding Monthly Membership Meetings, specific planning meetings for individual displays, and frequent sessions for separate fabrication, maintenance and repair of club or Member’s personal equipment.

  • Hosting annual “Open Houses” & maintaining layouts at individual Member’s homes over summer months.

  • Constructing and operating themed seasonal displays at:

    • The McKinley Mall (2017 - Present), with currently a large, newly expanded 1,815 sq foot club layout!

    • The Buffalo &Erie County Botanical Gardens (2006 - 2023)

    • A Demonstration & Informational Display at “Plantasia” (2024)

    • The Festival of Lights (2017 - 2019, 2022 - 2025)

    • The Erie County Fair (2006 - 2019)

    • Demonstration & Informational Displays: The WNY Railway Historical Society’s Orchard Park Depot (2017 - Present)

    • Regional Train Shows: WNYRHS’s Fall & Spring at the Fairgrounds (2011 - 2017); The Central Terminal (2017 - 2020).

    • Unique Short Demonstration Displays: Baker Victory Home (2019 - 2020, 2025); Chautauqua (2017);

Requirements:

  • Submit a completed current application to the Club Secretary.

  • Participation at a minimum of two (2) club events (e.g. Meetings, Open Houses, Displays, etc.), prior to formal club acceptance.

  • Payment of Annual Club Dues.

Types of Memberships Available:

  • Regular

    • Spousal

    • Junior

    • Family

For More Information Please Contact our Club Secretary:  Email: cbartel@roadrunner.com                  Phone: (716)-675-9669      

US Mail: WNYGRS,  2300 Bowen Road, # 17 Elma, NY 14059