About the Owner

As a lifelong model railroader and third-generation railroad enthusiast, my passion for trains began at the tender age of three, when I first played with Lionel postwar trains. By twelve, I was custom constructing and painting railroad models with airbrushes, and by fourteen, I had already clinched two junior modeling contests at National Model Railroad Association events. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of helping countless individuals design and build their own model railroad empires.

My journey took a significant turn in 1984 when I completed my first commissioned model railroad in N scale. During my time in the Air Force from 1987 to 1991, I provided custom model building and painting services for the Union Pacific Railroad Museum’s “O” scale model railroad, now proudly displayed at the Durham Museum in Omaha, Nebraska. I also crafted models for Union Pacific executives, adding a touch of railroad charm to their offices.

My experiences as a model builder have opened doors across multiple states, with one of my early projects even featured in Railroad Model Craftsman Magazine in October 2011. Currently, I maintain a 20'x20' HO scale home layout that represents the Burlington (CB&Q) Railroad in Illinois during 1965.

Outside the realm of railroads, I have a passion for theatre pipe organs and maintain the 3/12 Wurlitzer organ at the Cedar Rapids Paramount Theatre. As a proud father of four adult children, they often find humor in my enthusiasm for trains and my culinary skills!

I look forward to meeting you and sharing our mutual love for model railroading!

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

Professional Associations:

Memberships

• Cedar Rapids Area Railfan Association (Prototype 1:1 Scale)
  Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Since 1974 – Officer
• Cedar Valley Railfans (Prototype 1:1 Scale)
  Cedar Falls, Iowa – Since 1994 – Member
• Cedar Rapids Round Robin Club (HO and N Scale)
  Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Since 1983 – Officer
• Indian Creek Model Railroad Club (HO Scale)
  Cedar Rapids, Iowa – 1983 - 1986 – Officer
• Greater Omaha Society of Model Railway Engineers (HO Scale)
  Omaha, Nebraska – 1988 - 1991 – Officer
• Cedar Valley Garden Railway Society (G Scale)
  Cedar Rapids, Iowa – 2008 - 2020 – Treasurer/Newsletter Editor
• Camp Creek Railroaders (1½ Scale)
  Omaha, Nebraska – 1988 - 1991 – Officer

Affiliations

• Ushers Ferry
  Cedar Rapids, Iowa – 1987- 2000 – Trains Day Committee Officer
• Pottawatomie County Historical Society
  Council Bluffs, Iowa – 1988 - 1991 – Liaison Member
• Eastern Iowa Division of the National Model Railroad Association
  Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Since 2004 – Member
• Union Pacific Railroad Museum (O Scale)
  Council Bluffs, Iowa – Since 1988 – Builder
• Cedar Rapids History Center
  Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Since 1999 – Railroad Historian/Presenter
• Iowa Children’s Museum (HO Scale)
  Coralville IA – Since 2011 - Builder
• Marion Heritage Center (HO Scale)
  Marion IA – Since 2011 – Builder
• Carnegie Cultural Center (HO Scale)
  New Hampton, Iowa – Since 2016 - Consultant
• Elroy Historical Society Museum (HO Scale)
  Elroy, Wisconsin – Since 2018 – Consultant
• Durham Museum (O Scale)
  Omaha, Nebraska – Since 2019 – Consultant