Prototype Tours

We hope you're ready for hours of interesting and unique activities including tours of historic stations, grain elevators, the BNSF Operations Center, the McKinney Avenue trolley barn, the Museum of the American Railroad, the Texas State and Grapevine Vintage Railroads, and top-shelf railfanning opportunities around the region! Read More >

Clinics for Every Interest

There will be clinics for all scales and aspects of Model Railroading: scenery, photography, DCC, electronics and animation, operations, painting and weathering, prototypes, and so much more - delivered by notable modelers from the Region and around the world - including the make-and-take Modeling with Masters series. Read More >

Amazing Location

An amazing convention needs an amazing location, and the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine delivers! Located a short six miles from the DFW airport, it includes huge indoor gardens, a waterpark, golf course and ten restaurants with food for every taste. Read More >

Layout Tours

The DFW area hosts dozens of world-class layouts in all shapes, sizes and scales that will be open for visitors on both guided and self-guided tours. Read More >
Platinum Sponsor BNSF Railroad Thank you to BNSF for helping to make the 2023 Texas Express possible. Make sure to join our tour of BNSF's National Operations Center!

Banquet Speaker
Spencer Christian

Be sure to join us at Saturday's closing banquet, which will feature guest speaker and host of Tracks Ahead, Spencer Christian. Read More >

Celebration Room

Whether you want to work towards your Master Model Railroader award or just want to show off your latest work, the Celebration of Models, Photos and Crafts will include both judged contest and non-judged categories of all types, including modules, kit-built models, and more. Read More >
Platinum Sponsor Scale Trains Thank you to Scale Trains and its family of quality model railroading brands for helping to make the 2023 Texas Express possible.

Mini Diorama

Join the fun and build your very own miniature diorama and then connect it with others to form a layout. Your imagination is the limit, from prototypical to whimsical! Read More >

Layout Design SIG

Want to learn more about designing model railroad layouts and their elements? The LD Special Interest Group is for you! Check out their clinics and stop by the SIG Room for more, including their annual membership meeting on Wednesday morning. Read More >

Operations SIG

If you're into realistic operations, then the OpSIG is for you! Join them in the SIG Room and enjoy a number of operating sessions on layouts around the area throughout the week. Read More >

Feeling Crafty?

Ready for some arts & crafts? There will be plenty of activities for you, including painting, cake decoration, Cricut, and more. Also consider participating in Project Linus, where we'll be making quilts for children in need. Read More >

Something for Everyone

We have some special general interest tours lined up that include AT&T Cowboys Stadium, the George W. Bush Presidential Center, the Kimbell and Modern Art Museums, the JFK Museum, a Wine Tour and more. Even if you don't want to venture too far, Grapevine has plenty to offer. Read More >

A Scale Figure of You

Make your appointment for a 3D scan of yourself at miniprints for Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Miniprints will make a "minime" 3D printed scale figure of YOU. Come dressed as an engineer, conductor, waybill clerk, or just a regular you.

National Train Show

Convention attendees receive a free pass - and exclusive early access - to the National Train Show, which will be held Friday August 25 through Sunday August 27 at the Gaylord. The event combines an industry trade show with a public train show with vendors and model railroads of all scales. Don't miss it! Read More >