In October 2026, the division displayed its HO scale modules and N scale T-Trak modules at the mall in Watertown, SD. Photo credits to Jim Krekelberg and Scott Nesbit.
TCD New Crossing Gate Podcast Episode: “Questions from Seasoned Operators”
Our friends to the north and east continue the conversation about model railroad operations. Many of the Twin Cities Division membership are veteran operators and even layout hosts for operations.

“This episode explores the questions asked by veteran participants during model railroad operation sessions, as well as the questions experienced operators still find themselves asking even after running trains on a specific layout many times
What questions do the veterans of your Operation sessions ask? What questions do you ask even after you have operated many times at a specific layout?
We dig into these questions and more this episode.
Joe Binish, David Hamilton MMR, and Thomas Gasior MMR are the panel for this show
Our sponsor is ‘Emptying your Wallet” with new releases this time of year.”
Access the Crossing Gate Podcast here.
The Twin Cities Division of the NMRA (TCD) is a neighboring division in the Thousand Lakes Region (TLR) to the east of us. Our friends in the TCD are quite an active group and are always entertaining with their operations focused podcast antics!
The Division Prepares for Model Railroading Season by Building Stuff!

DSED members gathered at a member’s home this weekend for a model railroad work session.
Members built 16 N scale T-Trak modules in preparation for the upcoming Comm-Ed Build a Model Railroad class which is to take place in Sioux Falls Tuesday evenings in November. Class participants complete an N Scale T-Trak module. Registration is necessary. Visit DSED’s CommEd page for details and how you can register for the event. See the division’s Community Education Facebook post also.
Members also built a pair of oversized HO Scale modules for an upcoming surprise upgrade to the division’s traveling HO scale layout. See our event calendar for upcoming appearances!
Twin Cities Division: New Crossing Gate Podcast Episode: “Networking with Others in Model Railroading” 100th Episode!

DSED tips its hat and says congratulations to the Twin Cities Division on their 100th episode of the popular “Crossing Gate Podcast”. Well done, gentlemen!
“This episode we discuss the ways networking has helped us and could potentially help you. Many different places online and in your own clubs and divisions can be of assistance.
Joe Binish, Mike Jordan, Greg Terhaar, and Thomas Gasior MMR are your hosts.
Our Sponsor lady, Diana Gassior, brings up the highlights, or lowlights, of our 100 episodes. “
Access the Crossing Gate Podcast here.
The Twin Cities Division of the NMRA (TCD) is a neighboring division in the Thousand Lakes Region (TLR) to the east of us. Our friends in the TCD are quite an active group and are always entertaining with their operations focused podcast antics!
DSED Model Railroad Events Calendar
Model Railroad Season 2026-2027 is Coming!
Dakota Southeastern Division of the NMRA is having model train fun all over the greater Sioux Falls, SD metro area this fall and early winter of 2026. Check our Event Calendar to keep up with our model railroaders if you can!

Pictures from TCD’s Open House Tour
Our friends to the east also held an open house tour this weekend. Not quite the same thing as the DSED event on Saturday Sept 26th, but very model railroad focused though! Pics were posted on the Twin Cities Division NMRA Facebook page.

Link to the TCD FB page from their website at https://tcdnmra.org/
Greater Sioux Falls Model Railroad Open House Tour: This Weekend! September 26th, 2026 10am – 5pm
REMINDER:
PLEASE NOTE that many of the layouts on this tour are situated in the basements of private homes. This will necessitate that participants descend and climb stairs to view most of the layouts.
Saturday, September 26th, 2026 10am – 5pm
SUGGESTED DONATION OF $10 PER FAMILY – GOOD FOR ALL LOCATIONS
Here are the details of our open house tour: locations, layout descriptions and photos!
Twin Cities Division: New Crossing Gate Podcast Episode: “TCD goes to the NMRA National Convention”

Many members of the TCD took the trip to Chattanooga, TN for the Annual NMRA National Convention. A discussion about what we all experienced during this fun filled week is the subject of our podcast. Jay Bickford, Diana Gasior, Ken Zieska, and Thomas Gasior talk about te highlights of the weeks adventure. From layout tours to the National Train Show.
The sponsor this episode is the Crossing Gate Curmudgeon Troll Thesaurus.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with RPMs, these meets were born of modelers getting together and showing their modeling work, completed or in progress and discussing ways it could be improved. I’m told the experience is very communal, all skill levels are welcome and there’s no competition involved.
Access the Crossing Gate Podcast here.
The Twin Cities Division of the NMRA (TCD) is a neighboring division in the Thousand Lakes Region (TLR) to the east of us. Our friends in the TCD are quite an active group and are always entertaining with their operations focused podcast antics!
The Fall 2026 Thousand Lakes Region Fusee is Here!
Click here for the Fall 2026 TLR Fusee publication. Fusee is the official publication of the Thousand Lakes Region of the NMRA. This publication is by TLR members for TLR members!
News from Chattanooga NMRA Convention
In today’s current economic climate, few people would expect the price of anything to go down. As of the announcement from NMRA National, the unthinkable has happened. According to Gordy Robinson in the last NMRA e-Bulletin, effective immediately, the cost of an annual NMRA membership has been reduced to $50.00. So whether you live in the confines of the Dakota Southeastern Division, Prairie Lakes, Twin Cites or any other NMRA division, your annual membership has been reduced!
If you’re not already an NMRA member, this applies to new members as well. Please consider joining us!
Details about NMRA and DSED membership can be found here.




