he Stockholm Model Railway Club (SMJ) is not only the oldest club in Scandinavia, but also owns one of the largest model railway layouts in Sweden. The layout is built in HO-gauge with two-rail traction.

It is a fictitious but yet possible model of a railway in the iron ore mining part of central Sweden during the 1950's. The period is chosen to enable steam, as well as diesel and electric locomotives. Traffic at this time was extensive and stable. The chosen region creates an interesting operational idea comprising of iron ore transportation, forest products as well as limited passenger services.

The layout is jointly owned by the club members whilst the rolling-stock is privately owned by each member respectively. After a completed session each member retrieves the rolling-stock to take home again.

Club sessions are held regularly on Thursday evenings 20.00 at 54 Rosenlundsgatan, in the part of Stockholm called "Södermalm". Normally there is a traffic session open for public on the first Thursday of the month. The door telephone must be used to gain access and there is a small entrance fee. We can also be reached on club evenings by contacting +46 (0)8 84 34 75.

At the traffic session once a month, the members bring along their locomotives, freight cars and passenger coaches. The traffic runs according to a timetable. The traffic superintendent (TC) brings service timetables, train order lists as well as service schedules for drivers and others taking part in the traffic.

After a short briefing the operational personnel assume their assigned service positions. The clock system, which runs 12 times faster than real time, is started and the game commences. Just as in real life train delays occurs, but as opposed to the real railway we, as joyful hobbyists, allow it.