The St. Louis Railroad Prototype Modeler (RPM) event is just around the corner, July 23 through 25, in Collinsville, Illinois. This RPM has attracted the largest attendance over the years and may surpass 1,000 modelers through the door.
The St. Louis RPM is the largest prototype modeler gathering in the US. The quantity of fine models on display is mind boggling. All the major modeling scales will be represented, plus a couple you probably didn’t think of. Vendors and historical societies will be there selling a wide variety of models, detail parts, books, and magazines. The images on this blog post were taken at a number of past St. Louis RPM meets.
Steam, diesel, and electric locomotives, freight cars of many eras, the 1/87th Vehicle Club, and structures of all sizes will be on display.
Lonnie Bathurst of the St. Louis RPM crew sent some notes on the upcoming event. With such a large number of models on display, they have an Early Entry Modeler Program to ease the set up. You can download this PDF of the Early Entry Modeler Program so you are ready for the big event.
Lonnie says to bring models! Several dioramas and modules will be on display. Joel Nicodemus brought his work from Florida, as seen in the photo above from 2021. There are usually a couple of modular layouts operating through the event.
Members of the Layout Design Special Interest Group (LDSIG) will be on hand during the RPM. They will have a Learning Station in the main hall, for help with layout design concerns. They will offer four layout design clinics, on yard design, operations, ergonomics, and an updated “Make Only New Mistakes” presentation. Bring your layout ideas, plans, and questions as their members will be available to help you refine your design.
Don’t miss the 2026 St. Louis RPM! Make your plans now for July 23 through 25, in Collinsville, Illinois. Maybe I’ll see you there!
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