The world's longest model railway started as one man's backyard dream, but now has 32 miles of track

What started as a simple backyard hobby has become the world’s longest model railway, sprawling across 2,200 acres in Southern Oregon, and known as Train Mountain.

The railway boasts more than 32 miles of 7.5-inch gauge track, a Guinness World Record, and enough charm to delight train enthusiasts of all ages.

Visitors can hop aboard 1/8 scale trains for a ride through a miniature wonderland or explore on foot, taking in a museum filled with over 50 full-sized railcars and vintage maintenance equipment.

It’s a place where imagination meets engineering, and where one man’s passion grew into a full-scale railway adventure.

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From backyard project to the world’s longest model railway

The journey began with Ed St. John, who built a small backyard railroad called Over-The-Hill Live Steamers.

Local volunteers, drawn by Ed’s enthusiasm, supplied materials, helped bring his miniature tracks to life, forming the roots of what would eventually become part of Train Mountain.

Inspired by Ed’s dedication, Quinten Breen bought the adjacent property with a dream of creating something even bigger.

By 1992, the two railroads were joined, and Quinten eventually acquired Ed’s property, turning a patchwork of backyard tracks into a sprawling network.

By the turn of the millennium, the railroad had grown so large that it became the world’s longest model railway.

Around the same time, Quinten hosted a meeting of the International Brotherhood of Live Steamers, drawing nearly 100 trains to the property.

This event evolved into the Train Mountain Triennial, a massive gathering held every three years that now attracts more than 1,000 enthusiasts, including hobbyists from Germany and Australia.

This shouldn’t be that surprising, considering many people around the world seem to really love trains, like this man who attempted to break a world record with the world’s fastest LEGO train.

Oregon’s only property zoned as a ‘train park’

Supporting this whimsical empire are two non-profits: Friends of Train Mountain (FTM), and Train Mountain Railroad (TMRR).

The former was created before Quinten’s death in 2009 to manage infrastructure and preserve the land, while the latter coordinates volunteers to maintain the tracks, greet visitors, and organize monthly meets.

Conservation is key: much of Train Mountain is private forest and Elk habitat, blending the love of trains with environmental stewardship.

In 2014, Train Mountain earned another first, becoming Oregon’s only property zoned as a ‘train park’.

Many of us have our own unique projects that we want to work on, from buying a wrecked McLaren Senna to fix it up, to tracking down the world’s rarest bus in an attempt to restore it.

However, not every backyard passion project can become as successful as Train Mountain.

After all, the world’s longest model railway is now a world-renowned tourist destination, so that’s pretty tough to beat.

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