Updated - 04/13/2025
Updated - 04/13/2025
Great Central & Western HO Scale Railroad
Great Lakes District - East & West Divisions
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Fast, Reliable
Service to Your HO Scale Community
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Expert HO Transportation
Consulting and Engineering Expertise
Charging into the Future –
GCW announces it Newest Acquisition
AMTRAK MIDWEST CHARGER ALC44 #4618
with a three car Venture Series Coach Set
After years of negotiations, a few weeks of test runs and crew qualifications in early 2025, the GCW contracted with the State of Michigan to operate Amtrak’s Midwest Siemens Chargers, placed them into regular service on the Wolverine and Bluewater trains, running at speeds up to 110 mph. Here we see IDTX 4629 leading Amtrak Train 350 east under the old New York Central steam locomotive coaling tower in Michigan City, Ind.
Amtrak Train Departing the Ann Arbor Station with Two Charger Locomotives
What a nice day to be outside, and watch the #353 depart from the station
Bachmann Amtrak Midwest IDTX4611 SC-44 Siemens Charger ho scale DCC SOUND startup
Amtrak Venture Car Review and Ride
Venture Cars on Amtrak train 355 between Ann Arbor Michigan and Chicago Illinois.
90th NMRA National
Model Railroad Convention, STATION No. VI
July 14-19, 2025 – Novi, Michigan
The convention is being hosted by the NORTH CENTRAL REGION of the NMRA. Our goal is for A Convention Like No Other. We are planning a great week of model and prototype railroading, just for YOU!
This convention is open to ALL model railroaders! You do not have to be an NMRA member to attend!
What Your Favorite Railcar Says About You
From the "BNSF 1458" YouTube Channel
The GCW HO Railroad is a Proud Supporting Member of the
Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) T1 Steam Locomotive Trust
The T1 Trust is constructing a Brand New PRR T1 5550. Slated to become the fifty-third locomotive of its class when complete, 5550 combines stunning art deco design with a unique 4-4-4-4 wheel arrangement.
The GCW HO RR is an ongoing Monthly Contributing Donor to this worthy cause. Please follow the link and help do your part build a Brand New, from the ground up, PRR T1 Steam Locomotive!
The GCW Crew is a
Proud Member of the
The Ann Arbor Railroad Technical and Historical Association
The GCW Crew is a
Proud Member of the
Ann Arbor Model Railroad Club and a Supporter of the
Huron Valley Railroad HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Take a Virtual Tour of the AAMRC Layout
The GCW Crew is a
Proud Member of the
National Model Railroad Association (NMRA)
The GCW Crew is a
Proud Member of the
Operations Special Interest Group (OPSIG)
America's Railroads are Addressing Climate Change -
As an Idealistic, Wannabe, and Wishful Member
(They don't accept HO Railroads and won't let me join, they think we are too Small)
of the Association of American Railroads,
the GCW pledges to really, really try to be Carbon Neutral by 2050.
Every three hours in the U.S.,
a person or vehicle is hit by a train.
TOGETHER, WE CAN SAVE LIVES AT RAILROAD CROSSINGS AND ON TRAIN TRACKS.
PHOTOGRAPHER SAFETY
Operation Lifesaver, the nonprofit rail safety education organization, urges professional photographers to refrain from taking photos of high school seniors, wedding parties, and other subjects on train tracks or trestles.
Contact GCW HO RR Operations
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