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Massive model railroad display searching for new home

For 33 years the Muskegon Railroad Historical Society has been filling second story space on West Western Avenue in Muskegon. The collection must be moved into a new home by August.

For more than three decades members of the Muskegon Railroad Historical Society have been adding to their collection on the second floor of a building on West Western Avenue.

Every room of the second floor is full of model trains. The club has collected an impressive and very large collection.

"There are two working layouts right now," said Michael Wood, President of the Muskegon Railroad Historical Society.

Over the last 33 years club members have also collected a massive railroad library.

The entire collection must be moved.

Wood has been informed that everything -- the thousands of pieces and hundreds of trains must be gone by August and the space above the Muskegon Heritage Association will soon no longer be available.

"So it might be a blessing in disguise, if we can get some help," said Wood.

The Muskegon Heritage Association has plans for the second story space that the railroad society currently occupies.

"They are the landlord and we are the tenant," said Wood. "We need to move, that simple -- no hard feelings, it's business and that's the way it is."

The 70-member club is looking down the line for the next stop and a new home for the collection.

"2,500 to 3.000 square feet," said Wood. " And we want to keep it in downtown."

The space would come with a tax right off for the building's owner. The club must have a long-term commitment, because moving the collection is not going to be easy.

"Be nice to get ground floor, more space, bigger layouts, more exhibits," said Wood. "We have never moved it before and we do not know what it is going to take."

The Muskegon Railroad Historical Society is located at 561 W. Western Avenue. The club is open Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

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