My name is Cody. Our family is going on a vacation this summer and we are planning on going through Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I was wondering if the Model Railroader offices are open to the general public. The videos on the Model Railroader website will sometimes hint at the offices being open to the public, but to my knowledge there isn't anywhere on the Model Railroader website that gives office hours or tells us if they are even open to the public. I would really like to get the opportunity to see the MR&T (Model Railroader's club layout). I need someone's help!!!! I'd like to know...
1. If Model Railroader offices are even open to the public
2. If they are, what are the hours?
3. Is there a charge to get in?
4. Can I get a tour of the building, or is it self guided? (I'm only 15, so I don't know how these places run)
I'd really appreciate the help!!!
Thank You.
Cody Opsitnik
Yeah. I'm a teenager. I'm a Model Railroader. Your point? I guess I'd rather have fun with friendly people that want me to succeed as apposed to my drug experimenting, smoking, premarital love making peers that want me to slouch down to their level! I'm proud to say I'm keeping the hobby alive for years to come!
Thank You for dealing with me. I realize I may ask some common sense questions to you guys, but I don't have the experience that a lot of you do. I try to do some research first before asking questions, but sometimes it's easier to just ask the experts!!
Hi Cody,
welcome to the forums. There is a lot that can be learned on them. Great bunch of folks. I Think it would be great to go inside the offices. I have no idea about how you would go about getting in, but they should let you in just because your name is Cody! This is a great hobby. I hope that it keeps your interest for a lifetime. I got a train set for Christmas when I was seven, been hooked ever since.
Phil, CEO, Eastern Sierra Pacific Railroad. We know where you are going, before you do!
Several years ago my wife & I were traveling through Wisconsin and I stopped into the Kalmbauch Offices
I had a personal tour all over the building!
So I would guess that still would be the case!
Just stop by and ask. The most you will get is a NO!
But I believe that will be glad to give you a tour!
BOB H - Clarion, PA
I'd suggest you go up to the pull-down menu under the "Our Magazine" tab and click on the "contact us" link to order to get answers to your questions.
In my experience, most people enjoy where they work, and are only too happy to give people who are genuinely appreciative some time to show them around, so long as there is no good reason not to.
Personally, I work at a defense plant, so everyone who visits has to be cleared. Still, it's fun on "family day" to show people around.
That said, it's usually more well received if it's planned in advance. Most offices don't have "hours" per se. As long as someone is there, they can let you in; and a visit might be better planned for before or after normal working hours.
I'd drop them an e-mail and ask.
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
Cody,
At the NMRA's 75th anniversary convention last summer in Milwaukee, one of the convention tours was to the Kalmbach offices, including the MR&T and a couple project layouts in progress. Dana Kawala was the guide for my tour group, but several of the other MR staff were involved as well.
They were a great bunch of guys, and were very eager to show off both where they worked, and the results of that work. David Popp and Cody Grivno have also given clinics at my local NMRA division meets, and they were the same there: Great guys who were really eager to share their model railroading with us.
So I'm pretty sure they would be willing to give you a tour, but I would follow Left Coast Rail's advice and contact them directly to set something up. That way there won't be any surprises on either side!
Welcome! I'm sure by following the excellent advice above you will get your visit. Please let us know what it is like, and take some photos if possible.
Wayne
Modeling HO Freelance Logging Railroad.
MR staff has told me they would be glad to have me stop by to see the MR&T layout and tour KalmBach. They prefer you do not show up at lunch time. Mkaes sense to me. Have fun!
A few years ago, I stoppped in they were very nice. I got a full tour of the place. It is darn impressive.
Best Regards, Big John
Kiva Valley Railway- Freelanced road in central Arizona. Visit the link to see my MR forum thread on The Building of the Whitton Branch on the Kiva Valley Railway
sw1500railfan My name is Cody. Our family is going on a vacation this summer and we are planning on going through Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I was wondering if the Model Railroader offices are open to the general public. The videos on the Model Railroader website will sometimes hint at the offices being open to the public, but to my knowledge there isn't anywhere on the Model Railroader website that gives office hours or tells us if they are even open to the public. I would really like to get the opportunity to see the MR&T (Model Railroader's club layout). I need someone's help!!!! I'd like to know... 1. If Model Railroader offices are even open to the public 2. If they are, what are the hours? 3. Is there a charge to get in? 4. Can I get a tour of the building, or is it self guided? (I'm only 15, so I don't know how these places run) I'd really appreciate the help!!! Thank You.
I seem to remember a Cody's () Office a while ago that said you could get a tour if you stopped by.
Welcome to the hobby!
sfb
My general impression is that the Kalmbach folks are happy to give readers a tour -- it might be a courtesy to contact someone and give them a heads up when you expect to arrive.
As a rule the fellows who man the desks at the Walthers showroom, which is a stop you might also want to make while passing through Milwaukee, are happy to give people a tour, or at least a glimpse, of the "big back room" at Walthers.
Not far from the Kalmbach HQ is Jetco Hiawatha Hobbies and they are worth a visit.
Dave Nelson
The Model Railroader offices are open to the public during normal business hours and there's no charge to come and see us. You can visit from 9AM to noon, or noon to 4PM on Monday through Friday, except for any holidays. Just come on in and let the receptionist know that you'd like to tour the Model Railroader offices. You can also call ahead if there's a specific time that you'd like your tour. One of the staff will then show you around the building, including our workshop and our layouts.
We look forward to visiting with you and your family,
Dana Kawala
Senior Editor
You do realize, of course, that the Kalmbach offices are only a model, a 1:87 scale replica of a Milwaukee-area office building.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I asked Neil Besougloff, editor of Model Railroader magazine, and he replied with the following:
"You can reply to him. Let him know that anyone who reads Model Railroader is welcome to visit Kalmbach during regular business hours (8:30 to 4) weekdays except for holidays and an MR staff member will give him/her a tour of our offices including the MR layout."
I would add that probably a phone call ahead of time to let them know you're coming couldn't hurt.
John
I used to work there and people showed up all the time and were given tours. Most of the younger kids think that all the employees just play with trains all day!
drzmark I used to work there and people showed up all the time and were given tours. Most of the younger kids think that all the employees just play with trains all day!
They don't???????
Only the Editors! Everyone else had to "work".
MisterBeasley You do realize, of course, that the Kalmbach offices are only a model, a 1:87 scale replica of a Milwaukee-area office building.
Well said, MisterBeasley--LOL! I'm picturing all the tiny staff members glued in place at their desks....
Rick Krall
fkrall MisterBeasley: You do realize, of course, that the Kalmbach offices are only a model, a 1:87 scale replica of a Milwaukee-area office building. Well said, MisterBeasley--LOL! I'm picturing all the tiny staff members glued in place at their desks.... Rick Krall
MisterBeasley: You do realize, of course, that the Kalmbach offices are only a model, a 1:87 scale replica of a Milwaukee-area office building.
So a few weeks ago when nobody could find Cody, he was in the back getting his arms and legs cut off and repositioned for the next scene???