Kansas: DeQuincy Railroad Museum

http://www.dequincyrailroadmuseum.com/home

From their website:
The DeQuincy Railroad Museum Board of Directors is pleased to announce the display of an extensive collection of model steam and diesel engines at the 1923Kansas CitySouthern depot which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is located in downtown DeQuincy. The invaluable collection was donated to theDeQuincyRailroadMuseumin August 2006.

In addition to the permanent display at the museum, there are also items displayed at theDeQuincyCity Hall, the DeQuincy branch of the Calcasieu Parish Library, and two local banks, City Savings Bank and Chase Bank. The items displayed at the banks will alternate and will rotate in the future to Cameron State Bank and Capital One Bank, also in DeQuincy.

The engines on display are exceptional in their detail and craftsmanship. Manufactured by Samhongsa Co Ltd, Row & Co, Adler, and Markin, they are made of high quality brass and contain the standard electric motors associated with toys, but are scale museum-quality models of actual steam and diesel engines. The scale is referred to as Gauge 1, which is similar to G scale, and runs on G scale track, but each is constructed to the exact specifications of their prototypes. Most of these were produced in the 1970’s and 1980’s and very few Gauge 1’s are produced today because of the level of workmanship and the associated costs of their production making these exceptional examples of the art of model making. Each of these engines have special wood and brass cases finished like fine furniture and dense foam interiors to protect the models. These models represent some of the largest and most popular trains of the twentieth century. (Blaine Miller)

Beginning with a design concept by former DeQuincy residentFrankF.Douglasof the Douglas Group inHouston, the planning and execution of the display has evolved over several months. Blaine Miller, Assistant Director of theImperialCalcasieuMuseum, has directed and overseen the technical aspects of the project with the assistance ofGaryW.CooperandHarryMethvin. The display is presented with state-of-the-art museum quality signage and lighting in a large antique wall cabinet donated to the museum several years ago byCandaceW.Cooperin memory of her late father,JakeWillrich. Funding for the project has been provided by the City ofDeQuincy.

The collection may be viewed during regular museum hours, Tuesday through Saturday from9AMto5PM. Call 337-786-2823 for more information or to confirm hours.