NMRA Convention in Chattanooga

What an absolutely incredible week. As the dust settles on the 2026 NMRA National Convention and National Train Show, we are overwhelmed with gratitude. To everyone who traveled from near and far to visit our backyard in Southeast Tennessee – thank you!

From the early days of the convention to the grand finale, the memories we made will last a lifetime. Thank you for joining us for:

• The NMRA Bus Tours: It was a privilege to welcome convention attendees to our Cleveland headquarters for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how we bring your favorite models to life and “Meet the President” session.
• The Summerville Special Steam Excursion: Stepping back in time and riding the rails behind the historic Southern 4501 steam locomotive in historic green livery was the perfect way to celebrate the golden age of railroading together.
• The ScaleTrains Open House: You completely packed the house on Friday! We loved seeing you shop the Blue Flag Special warehouse sale, admire Pelle Søeborg’s world-renowned Daneburg Subdivision, and help us send off the Road Trip in style during our final presentation.
• The National Train Show: Capping off the week at the Chattanooga Convention Center was spectacular. From our new HO product announcements to the National T-TRAK Record, spending the weekend chatting with you at our booth was the highlight of our year. 

The model railroading community is truly something special. Having the opportunity to share our home, swap stories, and celebrate this incredible hobby with you meant the world to the entire ScaleTrains Crew. 

As we officially welcome home the Road Trip, we want to thank you for allowing us to welcome you to our home, too. 

NMRA Convention

July 27 – August 2, 2026

Chattanooga Convention Center
1 Carter St.
Chattanooga, TN 37402

For the past five years, we’ve traveled the country on the ScaleTrains™ Road Trip™, meeting modelers where they live, work, and build and operate their layouts. 

This year, the journey comes home.

As the 2026 NMRA National Convention and National Train Show® arrives in Chattanooga, we’re excited to welcome you to Southeast Tennessee. Join us for a week of trains, friendship, and unforgettable experiences, including the Summerville Special steam excursion, our ScaleTrains Open House, and more.

We’re thankful to call the mountains home, and we’re honored to share our home with you. With our Road Trip completed, we’re excited to host you.

Welcome to Tennessee. Welcome to ScaleTrains.

Welcome home.

National Train Show 2026

August 1, 2026: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
August 2, 2026: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Chattanooga Convention Center
1 Carter St.
Chattanooga, TN 37402

Join the ScaleTrains crew at the National Train Show at the end of the 2026 NMRA National Convention. 

• Booth 709
• Look for the BIG red truck
• Gather around the fire with the ScaleTrains crew
• All-new Rivet Counter™ locomotive announcement
• See our latest models
• Meet with model railroad personalities
• Receive a special gift*

*Special gift will be limited to the first 1000 visitors to the ScaleTrains booth on Saturday, August 1, 2026, and the first 500 visitors to the booth on Sunday, August 2, 2026,or while supplies last. Information Subject to change without notice; visit our website for the latest information.

ScaleTrains Activities

• Clinics taught by ScaleTrains crew
  • See NMRA clinic schedule
• Summerville Special Steam Excursion
• ScaleTrains Open House

Summerville Special Steam Excursion

Departure Address
Grand Junction Station
4119 Cromwell Road
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 

Join ScaleTrains and Virtual Railfan for a once-in-a-lifetime steam train experience from the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Summerville, Georgia, and return.

We’ll depart Grand Junction Depot promptly at 8:45 AM EST on Thursday, July 30, 2026. Our 10-car train will be pulled by Southern #4501, which is being painted in the classic green passenger livery for the 2026 season to celebrate 60 years of excursion service. We’ll cross Chickamauga Creek, pass through the pre-Civil War Missionary Ridge Tunnel, and cross over Norfolk Southern to the Chattooga & Chickamauga Railway (CCKY). For the first, and likely only time, CCKY has granted special permission for a weekday trip.

On board, you’ll be able to visit with our crew as well as special guests, including Pelle Søeborg. We’ll arrive in Summerville just in time to enjoy a catered BBQ lunch with all the fixin’s. While we’re gathered under the “big top”, we’ll preview all of our National Train Show announcements. After #4501 makes a trip around the turntable, we’ll return to Chattanooga with a stop for a photo run-by, so be sure to bring your camera. We will arrive back at Grand Junction around 5:30 PM, where everyone will receive a gift bag filled with goodies, including a commemorative model.

Schedule of Events 

All times are strictly Eastern Standard Time (EST). 

7:30 AM – Check-in opens at Grand Junction Depot. We encourage you to walk the museum grounds and view the equipment on display! The air-conditioned train will be available for immediate boarding.
8:30 AM – Last call – all passengers should be onboard.
8:45 AM – Train departs.
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM – Approximate arrival in Summerville, Georgia.
1:00 PM – Enjoy an hour for a catered lunch immediately upon arrival in Summerville. You are also welcome to watch No. 4501 turn around on the Summerville turntable and the sawby with the diesel locomotive!
30 minutes after lunch begins, we’ll share our latest new announcements AND an exclusive preview of upcoming new products.
Afternoon – A planned photo run-by will take place about halfway through the return trip. Complimentary water will be available as you exit the train. Souvenir gift bags will be handed out shortly after departure.
7:00 PM – Approximate arrival back at Grand Junction Depot.

Action Required: Giveaways & Seating
Your Commemorative Model Selection

Every guest​ will receive a giveaway bag featuring an exclusive model. You have the choice between an HO or N Scale car. If you select HO, a commemorative Southern Observation Car will be included in your gift bag. If you choose N Scale, a Gunderson 3250​ Covered Hopper, which complements the 2026 N Scale Enthusiast (NSE) Manufacturer’s Breakfast car, will be shipped to you at a later date. 

• Please fill out THIS FORM ​to make your selection. 
• Deadline: Sunday, July 26th by 11:59 PM EST. Any requests after this time are not guaranteed. 

Group Seating Assignments 

Guests​ will be assigned seating by car. If there is another ticketed group you would like to be seated with, please reply directly to this email with the name of the other ticket purchaser(s). Also, if anyone in your party has mobility challenges, please let us know.

Deadline:​ Sunday, July 26th by 11:59 PM EST. Any requests after this time are not guaranteed

Industry Guests

In addition to the ScaleTrains team and our special guest Pelle Søeborg, we are excited to welcome several industry guests who are looking forward to greeting you: 

• Eric White – Editor of Model Railroader Magazine
• Lucas Iverson – Trains.com
• The team from White River Productions​ from Model Railroad Craftsman, Model Railroad News, and Railfan & Railroad magazines
• The team from ESU-LokSound®
• James Wright – better known as JLWII2000 on YouTube
• Ray Arnott – Around The Layout Podcast
• Cinthia Priest from the NMRA​ magazine
• Gordy Robinson and Roy Masterson from the NMRA
  (Guests are scheduled to appear; subject to change without notice)

Check-In & Parking 

• Location:​ Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM)​ Grand Junction Depot (4119 Cromwell Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37421).
• Check-In Process:​ When you arrive, please have one representative from your party check in at the red ScaleTrains tent in front of the depot for your commemorative lanyard and hard card credentials. Your ticket purchase confirmation email​is ​not required to board.
• Parking & Traffic: With our excursion and daily activities at TVRM, parking will likely be at capacity. We strongly encourage carpooling. If you are coming from downtown, please allow extra time for morning traffic.

Catered Lunch Menu

• Pulled Pork BBQ
• Ribs
• Chicken tenders with sauces
• Cole slaw
• Baked Beans
• Mac & cheese
• Roll
• Chocolate chip cookies
• Water and Coca-Cola® products

We will also have a commissary car where drinks and snacks will be available for purchase.

If you have special dietary needs, please email us at Sales@ScaleTrains.com, and we’ll do our best to accommodate.

IMPORTANT: With our excursion and daily activities at TVRM, parking will likely be at capacity, so we encourage carpooling. If you’re coming from downtown, be sure to allow extra time for morning traffic.

ScaleTrains Open House

July 31, 2026: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

ScaleTrains
4901 Old Tasso Rd. NE
Cleveland, TN 37312

As we welcome home the ScaleTrains Road Trip for the final time, we want to welcome you home, too, during the ScaleTrains Open House

The best part? This event is completely free and open to everyone! You do not need to be an NMRA member or registered for the convention to attend. Whether you are traveling across the country or just already call this area home, we would love for you to join us.