Junior Engineer camp
Our Railroad Summer Camps are designed to give each child an opportunity to learn how to operate the Model train on the Old Town Cameron layout so that any time they visit in the future, they can pick up the controls and become one of our “Engineers”.
In addition, we will give the students the opportunity to design their own miniature layout using the same tools and materials that have been used to build Old Town Cameron.
Finally, on the last day of camps, the students, parents and siblings will be invited to join us for ride on the Texas Eagle (AmTrak) from Taylor to Temple. While in Temple we will visit the REAL trains in the retired train exhibit at the Temple Railroad Museum then visit the CentraMod (Temple Model Railroad Club) trains. After those excursions, we’ll enjoy sack lunches everyone brought in one of the park gazebos nearby.
A detailed explanation of the camps can be found on the following pages. Please read carefully to determine which camp your child should attend.
In addition, we will give the students the opportunity to design their own miniature layout using the same tools and materials that have been used to build Old Town Cameron.
Finally, on the last day of camps, the students, parents and siblings will be invited to join us for ride on the Texas Eagle (AmTrak) from Taylor to Temple. While in Temple we will visit the REAL trains in the retired train exhibit at the Temple Railroad Museum then visit the CentraMod (Temple Model Railroad Club) trains. After those excursions, we’ll enjoy sack lunches everyone brought in one of the park gazebos nearby.
A detailed explanation of the camps can be found on the following pages. Please read carefully to determine which camp your child should attend.
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Jr. Engineer Camp 2026
Camp 1 – Young Engineers (7 - 9 year olds) June 1,2, 3 Fee $30 Camp 2 – Junior Engineers (10 - 18 year olds) June 8-12 Fee $50 Camp 3 – Master Engineers (must have had one year of Junior Engineer Camp) June 15-19 Fee $50 Amtrak Trip for ALL ENGINEERS AND FAMILIES – June 20th Campers Fee includes camp and bus & train ticket. Parents and siblings Fee for Train Trip $25 include train ticket and bus ride. |
YOUNG ENGINEER CAMP
This camp is intended for kids 7-8-and 9 years of age.
All campers will be given instruction on operating the trains on our museum layout, “Old Town Cameron”. After the kids receive instruction, they will take a train on two laps around the layout and demonstrate their skill in operating a train with bells, whistles, speed control and switching on and off sidings. When the students master their skills, they will be awarded their “Engineer Pins”. From that point on, if the child comes to the Railroad Museum wearing their pin, they may pick up the controls and operate our trains.
The students will work with one of our “Operation Lifesaver” facilitators and learn how to be safe around trains and railroad tracks. This is an important skill do to the fact Cameron will soon have “Quiet Zones” in place of our current rail crossing signals. We will all need to be more vigilant around our train crossings now and when change comes.
Students will build a small diorama. They will construct paper buildings, build a “Lego” locomotive and rail cars. They will also construct trees, grass and shrubs on their diorama.
Our Young Engineers (parents and siblings) will get to take the Amtrak trip along with the other campers.
JUNIOR ENGINEER CAMP
This camp is intended for kids 10-18 years of age.
Campers at this camp will receive training to be able to operate the trains on the museum layout, Old Town Cameron. After the kids receive instruction, they will take a train on two laps around the layout and demonstrate their skill in operating a train with bells, whistles, speed control and switching on and off sidings. When the students master their skills, they will be awarded their “Engineer Pins”. From that point on, if the child comes to the Railroad Museum wearing their pin, they may pick up the controls and operate our trains.
The students will work with one of our “Operation Lifesaver” facilitators and learn how to be safe around trains and railroad tracks. This is an important skill do to the fact Cameron will soon have “Quiet Zones” in place of our current rail crossing signals. We will all need to be vigilant around our train crossings now and when change comes.
Students will make a diorama from plywood and extruded foam, Styrofoam, paint, and landscaping materials like what is used on Old Town Cameron. Students will be using white school glue and CA glue (with supervision). Students will also learn how to lay track, ballast and solder power wires to their track. The finished dioramas will become part of the Jr. Engineer train layout we began three years ago. The engineers will show off their full train layout at our Train Show next April.
Our Junior Engineers (parents and siblings) will get to take the Amtrak trip along with the other campers.
MASTER ENGINEER CAMP
This camp is open only to students that have had at least one year of Junior Engineer Camp
Campers will be able to hone their skills of running trains on the Old Town Cameron train layout and to operate all switching on the master control board. Students will also learn how to use the Blunami function with our O scale trains.
The students will work with one of our “Operation Lifesaver” facilitators and learn how to be safe around trains and railroad tracks. This is an important skill do to the fact Cameron will soon have “Quiet Zones” in place of our current rail crossing signals. We will all need to be vigilant around our train crossings now and when change comes.
Students will learn how to assemble their Jr. Engineer layout so the layout can be put together and take apart for Train Shows and special displays. Students will also receive training on low voltage wiring of accessories on train layouts. In addition, students will learn how to repair their trains. They will learn to replace wheels and couplers and to level couplers on a track leveler. Skills will be achieved so engineers will know how to program the locomotives on Old Town Cameron, to adjust speeds, add sounds, create consists and other advanced programing.
Students will also learn skills to create an HO scale building from scratch. They will learn how to read HO scale rulers, use scratch building tools, glues and techniques.
Our Master Engineers (parents and siblings) will get to take the Amtrak trip along with the other campers.
This camp is intended for kids 7-8-and 9 years of age.
All campers will be given instruction on operating the trains on our museum layout, “Old Town Cameron”. After the kids receive instruction, they will take a train on two laps around the layout and demonstrate their skill in operating a train with bells, whistles, speed control and switching on and off sidings. When the students master their skills, they will be awarded their “Engineer Pins”. From that point on, if the child comes to the Railroad Museum wearing their pin, they may pick up the controls and operate our trains.
The students will work with one of our “Operation Lifesaver” facilitators and learn how to be safe around trains and railroad tracks. This is an important skill do to the fact Cameron will soon have “Quiet Zones” in place of our current rail crossing signals. We will all need to be more vigilant around our train crossings now and when change comes.
Students will build a small diorama. They will construct paper buildings, build a “Lego” locomotive and rail cars. They will also construct trees, grass and shrubs on their diorama.
Our Young Engineers (parents and siblings) will get to take the Amtrak trip along with the other campers.
JUNIOR ENGINEER CAMP
This camp is intended for kids 10-18 years of age.
Campers at this camp will receive training to be able to operate the trains on the museum layout, Old Town Cameron. After the kids receive instruction, they will take a train on two laps around the layout and demonstrate their skill in operating a train with bells, whistles, speed control and switching on and off sidings. When the students master their skills, they will be awarded their “Engineer Pins”. From that point on, if the child comes to the Railroad Museum wearing their pin, they may pick up the controls and operate our trains.
The students will work with one of our “Operation Lifesaver” facilitators and learn how to be safe around trains and railroad tracks. This is an important skill do to the fact Cameron will soon have “Quiet Zones” in place of our current rail crossing signals. We will all need to be vigilant around our train crossings now and when change comes.
Students will make a diorama from plywood and extruded foam, Styrofoam, paint, and landscaping materials like what is used on Old Town Cameron. Students will be using white school glue and CA glue (with supervision). Students will also learn how to lay track, ballast and solder power wires to their track. The finished dioramas will become part of the Jr. Engineer train layout we began three years ago. The engineers will show off their full train layout at our Train Show next April.
Our Junior Engineers (parents and siblings) will get to take the Amtrak trip along with the other campers.
MASTER ENGINEER CAMP
This camp is open only to students that have had at least one year of Junior Engineer Camp
Campers will be able to hone their skills of running trains on the Old Town Cameron train layout and to operate all switching on the master control board. Students will also learn how to use the Blunami function with our O scale trains.
The students will work with one of our “Operation Lifesaver” facilitators and learn how to be safe around trains and railroad tracks. This is an important skill do to the fact Cameron will soon have “Quiet Zones” in place of our current rail crossing signals. We will all need to be vigilant around our train crossings now and when change comes.
Students will learn how to assemble their Jr. Engineer layout so the layout can be put together and take apart for Train Shows and special displays. Students will also receive training on low voltage wiring of accessories on train layouts. In addition, students will learn how to repair their trains. They will learn to replace wheels and couplers and to level couplers on a track leveler. Skills will be achieved so engineers will know how to program the locomotives on Old Town Cameron, to adjust speeds, add sounds, create consists and other advanced programing.
Students will also learn skills to create an HO scale building from scratch. They will learn how to read HO scale rulers, use scratch building tools, glues and techniques.
Our Master Engineers (parents and siblings) will get to take the Amtrak trip along with the other campers.
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