About the Owner

I have been a life long model railroader and third generation railroad buff.  At three years old I recall playing with Lionel postwar trains. I began custom construction and painting railroad models with airbrushes around age twelve.  I won two junior modeling contests at National Model Railroad Association events by age fourteen.  I have helped many people with design and construction of their model railroad empires.  

My first commissioned model railroad was an N scale railroad in 1984

While serving in the Air Force, I provided custom model building and painting services for the Union Pacific Railroad Museum’s “O” scale model railroad now housed in the Durham Museum - Omaha, Nebraska.  I also constructed and painted models for Union Pacific Executives who wanted to display models on desks in their offices.  It seemed like they all wanted DDA40X "Centennial" locomotives.

Locally I am known in the community as “The Train Doctor” providing train repair and maintenance for clients of many ages.   

After spending 19 years as a Food Manager, I found an opportunity to provide custom railroad construction for clients in Iowa.  One railroad was featured in Railroad Model Craftsman Magazine - October 2011.

Besides the railroad business, I enjoy theatre pipe organs and I am President of the Cedar Rapids Area Theatre Organ Society where I maintain the Cedar Rapids Paramount 3/12 Wurlitzer Organ.  I have four adult aged children.   

I look forward to meeting you!

-Darren Ferreter, Model Railroad Dreams, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Organizations & Memberships

  • Indian Creek Model Railroad Club (HO scale) Cedar Rapids – 3 years – Officer and builder
  • Union Pacific Railroad Museum (O scale) – 2 years – Custom model building
  • Camp Creek Railroaders (1½ scale) – 3 years – Officer
  • Greater Omaha Society of Model Railway Engineers (HO Scale) – 3 years
  • Pottawatomie County Historical Society – 3 years – Liaison member
  • Ushers Ferry – 13 years – Ushers Ferry Trains Day Committee
  • Cedar Valley Garden Railway Society (G scale) – 4 years – Newsletter editor / Treasurer 
  • Cedar Rapids Area Railfan Association (Prototype 1:1 scale) – 30+ years – President and other elected positions held. 
  • Cedar Rapids Round Robin Club (HO and N scale) – Since 1984 –  Officer
  • Cedar Rapids History Center –  since 2000 – Railroad Display Committee / Railroad Historian
  • Cedar Valley Railfans (Prototype 1:1 scale) – since 1995 – Member
  • Marion Heritage Center (HO scale historic display)
  • Iowa Children’s Museum (HO scale permanent exhibit)
  • Durham Museum, Omaha Nebraska - Since 2016
  • Eastern Iowa Division of the National Model Railroad Association - Since 2005