Our intent and purpose is to promote and encourage the art of model railroading and preserve the history, science and technology of rail transportation.  To this end we have organized our efforts for charitable, educational, literary and scientific purposes.  As part of our endeavors, we host railroad displays, give talks and presentations for school, museums and various organizations.  Our members do not presume to be experts, but rather a group of individuals sharing knowledge with each other.

Scale Rails of Southwest Florida was formed in January of 1983 after a group of model railroaders held a train show together at the Ft. Myers Public Library.  Incorporation as a Florida Corporation followed in June of 1983 and determination by the Internal Revenue Service that this organization was a 501 C-3 followed in September of that year.  This status under the tax code makes the Club a tax free publicly supported not for profit organization and all donations are tax deductible to the donor.

 

In 1985 Scale Rails bid on and purchased an 85 ft Amtrak passenger coach.  This was made possible by the contributions of two members.  The coach was parked on a Seminole Gulf siding along with two boxcars that had been donated by CSX.  The boxcars are still being used for layouts and storage but the Club later sold the coach, resulting in a $25,000.00 gain.

 

For several years the Club moved from one location to another in the Ft. Myers area.  The latest location was the Imaginarium on MLK Blvd.  When that lease was not renewed by the City, the Club went looking for a permanent home.

 

A building was purchased in June of 2003, which is now the permanent home of the Club.  It is affectionately called the "Depot."

 

Extensive renovations of the Depot have been completed and club members are now busy constructing a world class HO layout.  Our progress may be following on this web site.  Just click on the "Train Room." 

 

Membership has grown to over 37 from the low point in 1997 when there were only 14 members.