Website will be accessible until 8/1/2026.
Convention shirts still available until the end of November! No pickups - all shirts now shipped directly to you. Click here
Welcome to the
PHILLY EXPRESS
2025 NMRA/MER Convention
October 16 - 19, 2025
Crowne Plaza Hotel - King of Prussia, PA
Hosted by the Philadelphia Division
Many thanks to all the staff, volunteers, participants and attendees for making the Philly Express a successful convention!
APPRECIATION CERTIFICATES not picked up at the convention will be available at future Philadelphia Division events (check in advance) or by special arrangement.
Those who attended clinics for which material was supposed to be posted; or clinicians who want material posted, please email Howard at [email protected]
A link to materials will be posted in the clinic description on the clinician's page.
Navigating tip: Use the buttons on the right side of the screen to go to the top or bottom of a page, or to the home page.
Welcome! For those new to model railroading or to the NMRA, a regional convention is a large, four-day event organized by a specific division within an NMRA region, bringing together model railroad enthusiasts for a variety of activities.These events typically feature clinics, layout tours, operating sessions, contests, prototype tours, and a banquet to recognize the winners of the contests as well as those who have achieved Master Model Railroader status. The goal is to provide a forum for members to learn, share, and enjoy the hobby of model railroading.
- Clinics: Presentations and workshops on various aspects of model railroading, covering techniques, tools, and specific modeling skills.
- Layout Tours: Opportunities to visit impressive home and club layouts, providing inspiration and a chance to see different modeling styles.
- Operating Sessions: Participating in the operation of model railroads, following schedules and procedures similar to real railroads.
- Contests: Model contests, where participants can showcase their creations and compete for awards.
- Prototype Tours: Visits to real-world railroad locations or museums, offering a chance to see the prototypes that inspire modelers.
- White Elephant Room: A marketplace where attendees can buy or sell each others' model railroad equipment and related items.
- Banquet: Dinner to celebrate the winners of the contests, the accomplishments of model railroaders in the region, and an opportunity to connect with fellow model railroaders. An noted individual in the world of model or prototype railroading will deliver a keynote speech.
- Modular Layout Displays: Local groups or individuals bring portable modules and assemble them into operating model railroads for display
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
- Suburban location HQ Hotel (https://phillyexpress.org/hotel/) with FREE parking!
- 50+ restaurants (https://phillyexpress.org/restaurants/) within 15 minutes of HQ Hotel
- Operating sessions (https://phillyexpress.org/ops/) available
- NMRA model contest and model showcase (https://phillyexpress.org/contests-2/)
- Banquet Dinner (https://phillyexpress.org/awards-banquet/) with guest speaker on Saturday evening
- 20+ Clinics (https://phillyexpress.org/clinics/) per day Thursday – Saturday
- Hands-on clinics and MMR Workshops (https://phillyexpress.org/hands-on-clinics/) (https://phillyexpress.org/mmr-workshops/)
- 45+ home/club layouts to visit (https://phillyexpress.org/layout-tours-2/)
- Prototype tours available (https://phillyexpress.org/colebrookdale/)
- White Elephant Room (https://phillyexpress.org/white-elephant/) - Sell your new/used model railroad equipment
- Convention clothing available (https://phillyexpress.org/store/)
- Admission price includes ALL layout visits/clinics