Site last updated 10/7/2026
CID Activities & Events
The Central Indiana Division (CID) of the Midwest Region / National Model Railroad Association is an active group. Plan to join us during these and other NMRA activities.
Saturday, October 24, 2026
CID "Ops Day" 2026
The Central Indiana Division is happy to announce a unique opportunity, Ops Sessions on some of the great layouts in the Division. There will be sessions scheduled in the morning from 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon, and sessions scheduled in the afternoon from 2:00 - 5:00 PM. You can sign up for just a morning or just an afternoon session, or one each . . . and spend the full day operating on great pikes. We like to call this “op til you drop”!
Participating layouts will be located in Lafayette, Indianapolis North side (Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield, and Sheridan), and Indy West/South (Avon, Mooresville, and Bloomington).
Full details are found at this link: CLICK HERE
Use this link to register by October 3rd!: CLICK HERE
Please submit your request no later than October 3, 2026. You will be notified well in advance of Ops Day which layout(s) you have been assigned to along with directions and any other pertinent details.
Please send any questions to: stevejohns@yahoo.com
Monday, November 2, 2026
CID Board of Directors Meeting
The Board of Directors (and the CID leadership teams) will meet on-line during the first Monday of November. The session starts at 7:00 PM. Check your e0mail for log-on directions.
Saturday, November 7, 2026
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Carmel Clay Library Public
Model Railroad Meet
The Carmel Clay (IN) Public Library hosts area model railroaders each November, as we celebrate National Model Railroad Month. The display at the Carmel Library includes modular (portable) layouts and informational displays. No vendors!
For more information: CLICK HERE
Join the fun as we highlight the hobby of model railroading!
The next in-person Modelers Meet will be held Saturday, January 2, 2027
The CID will meet the first weekend of the new year, at a location TBD. Please check back for details closer to the event.
All CID members are encouraged to participate in the interesting presentation(s) and show-and-tell sessions during Modelers Meets.
As always, we enjoy sharing our projects (past, current, and future) with each other. Plan to join us in early 2027!
Track Talk Programs: Alternating In-person Meets and ZOOM meetings
The next Track Talk session will be announced soon. Check back here for details about this actvity!
CID members are encouraged to participate in these educational and social events.
Note: We are always seeking topics for our Track Talk. Contact us with any ideas you would like to present or see discussed.
Bring your deep thoughts, questions and pictures to share with all.
CID Vocabulary 101
Below are some of the names, terms, and titles used by the Central Indiana Division of the National Model Railroad Association!
Train Show - A train show is a major activity for the Division; each show will have commercial vendors, modular layouts, informational displays, perhaps a contest (likely involving a people's choice vote), and an educational clinic or two. Shows are very popular due to the dozens of commercial and private vendors at each event . . . . modelers can find new and used locomotives and cars, scenery supplies, tools, etc. at train shows (often at great prices!!!!).
Train Display - This type of activity is smaller, but no less important. There are only train layouts and informative displays for guests to see (no vendors!). Some modular displays are set-up for youngsters to run the trains around the layout. Display events are usually held at neighborhood libraries, like the Carmel Clay or Avon public facilities.
CID / MWR / NMRA
CID - This designation identifies the Central Indiana Division of the NMRA, a dedicated group of over 200 hobbyists who support fellow modelers in Indiana and Kentucky. Most members of the Central Indiana Division live in or near the communities of Indianapolis, Bloomington, Lafayette, Kokomo, Muncie, and Columbus in Indiana. Note: Sometimes the CID will co-sponsor events with nearby Divisions. Link: CLICK HERE
MWR - The National Model Railroad Association is divided into 18 regions across the globe. Technically, the CID is one of 10 divisions in the Midwest part of the nation that are a part of a "region" that extends from Kentucky north to Wisconsin and the upper peninsula of Michigan. The CID is in the Midwest Region, abbreviated MWR. Regional conventions and meetings are held in the central part of the United States, mostly in Indiana, Illinois, or Wisconsin. Link: CLICK HERE
NMRA - The primary organization for the promotion of our hobby is the National Model Railroad Association. The headquarters is in Soddy Daisy, TN (just north of Chattanooga). Link: CLICK HERE
Area Train Shows
Click on photo to view
