The NMRA is actually a world-wide group. We are a collection of modelers who banded together over 90 years ago to promote our hobby. While education is our major focus, we also are concerned with the standards necessary to assure that all our trains play well together.

When you belong to the NMRA, all of this world-wide fellowship is yours for the taking. Find yourself amongst some of the finest modelers in the world who are pledged to help you advance your skills to the level you desire. 

The NMRA hosts annual conventions where model railroaders from throughout the world converge to share ideas and fellowship and explore railroading venues in different locales.

What is the point of belonging to an organization if you can’t have fun while you socialize and learn? Fun is our goal. We encourage you to join us. CLICK HERE

The NMRA is divided into regions and divisions. Arizona Division (AZD) is in the Pacific Southwest Region (PSR). The PSR encompasses Arizona, Southern California, and much of Nevada.

Closer to home than the national conventions are the annual PSR conventions. These provide a more budget-friendly and less intimidating way to get to know model railroaders who live nearer to you. These get-togethers still have things like swap meets, social events, seminars (we call them clinics), layout tours and the opportunity to visit local train-related venues.

Learn more about the PSR on their website - CLICK HERE.

When you join the NMRA, if you register with an address in Arizona, you are automatically a member of the PSR and Arizona Division (AZD). The AZD encompasses of all of the state of Arizona. 

Winter residents and visitors are part of life in Arizona. AZD welcomes you all. If your NMRA membership is not in Arizona and want to be on our distribution list for AZD activities, CLICK HERE.

Learn about and contact our leadership team - CLICK HERE.

We maintain a calendar on this website with train related events we know about. CLICK HERE to view our calendar.

AZD sponsors three division wide events per year. These are spread throughout the state to help everybody share in our model railroading journey. We don’t have a summer event, as many folks are gone then.

AZD also has hands-on training on occasion. Check out the calendar for Cactus Clinics.

Cactus Crawl is our annual state-wide model railroad open house. This is held during National Model Railroading Month (November) every year. Again, the calendar will have information.

AZD hosts the PSR convention every four years. The next one will be in 2027. 

While the majority of AZD members live in the Phoenix area, our goal is to bring the NMRA as close as possible to all folks living or wintering in Arizona. This map from October 2025 shows where our members live.

AZD is divided into subdivisions:

• • The Phoenix area is the Valley subdivision
  • South is the Sonoran subdivision
  • North is the High Country subdivision

Each subdivision hosts its own events based on local interest and available member support. AZD members our encouraged to participate in any NMRA event, including subdivision sponsored ones.

If you want more events in your subdivision, volunteer to help.

To find and contact the leaders in your area, CLICK HERE.

Arizona has one of the most active Achievement Programs (AP) in the NMRA. Whether you are looking for a little help on a specific model or want to become a Master Model Railroader or something in-between, we are here to help.

More information about the AP program is on this website, CLICK HERE.