Welcome to Iowa's largest 1 1/2" scale railway

EJ&K Mission Statement: Maximizing Inefficiency Through Unnecessary Complexity

The EJ&K Ry is a 1/8 scale model railroad in Boone, IA designed for live steamers and model railroaders. It is not an amusement park open to the general public. We are usually open for visitors on Sundays, but we can also accommodate visitors on Saturdays and some weekdays with advance notice. Maintenance of facilities, grounds, and equipment is done by amateurs to rural residential standards. Visitors assume risk of injury. Rule G strictly enforced.

All operations are subject to the Federal Model Railroad Administration (FMRA) 49CFR Subtitle B, Chapter VII, Part 724.1

Videos of operations on are YouTube: Search - EJK Train Farm.

Spring 2024 tour is at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ7p5Xce_ck&t=9s

2026 Fall Schedule

Dispatch Day will be Sept. 13, 2026. Dispatch Day requires several two (or three) person crews, a yardmaster, and a dispatcher. This is an opportunity to experience classic 1950s railroading. If you are not familiar with the railroad, you will be paired with an engineer or conductor who will provide training and assistance. We will try a scheduled push-pull commuter train if anyone wants to try passenger railroading. Gate open by 900am. Morning activities are moving cars from the sheds. Train operation starts from 1100am to 100pm and from 100pm to 300pm, then put everything away. It is not necessary to be there all day. Freight trains will be departing about every 30 minutes. "Porch time" also available if you prefer to watch and not operate.

Bridge 13.7: Construction is complete, but there is a slow zone when passing over the bridge.

California Jct Yard Limit: We have added yard limits from Cal. Jct. to California. There are STOP and PROCEED signs at Cal. Jct. You must come to a complete stop before proceeding through the junction. Check for conflicting train movements.

Laps Day: There will be one Sunday in lateOctober or early November where we will run as many laps as possible and break the Iowa record for railroad laps. Last year we ran 100 laps and the goal is to increase that by an unknown amount.

NYC #5343 is ready for a new home. It has been sold and is moving to a nice home in Virginia.

We have always appreciated the assistance that Bob Drenth provided over 30 years of railroad design, construction, and operation.

Progress continues on the Eastern Subdivision.

120 feet of track is in service. An addtional 80 feet is under construction. 150 feet of ballast has been laid.

FDDMS 724 was built from several photos from the B&SV museum archives

EJ&E 724 was a billet car operated only within US Steel Gary Works. No FRA requirements and no identification other than the number.

CGW Day 2026 was a success with all four CGW locomotives and several CGW freight cars in operation. CGW 292, 273, and 319 have been sold. 292 has gone to a nice home in Missouri, 273 will go to California, and 319 will remain at the Train Farm. CGW 85 is For Sale.

New industries are being established at the Ames Yard.

Artificial Intelligence Recycling Center is open. Ames Particle Co. is using recycled AI to make a variety of products beneficial to mankind.

Three dimensional experiences are required at all industrial locations.

We completed 23 years of continuous steam on March 1, 2026. We have operated steam at least once a month for 23 years. Mother Nature always gives us at least one nice day in December, January, and February every year and we use it for steam.