Hands-On Trains in a Historic Freight House
The Lakes Region Model Railroad Museum is an all-volunteer, year-round museum taking shape in the restored 1872 Freight House beside Wolfeboro Station. Visitors will operate model trains and explore the railroad history of towns from Boston to North Conway, including Wolfeboro's own place on the Boston & Maine system.
The Freight House, listed on the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places as the Wolfeboro Freight Shed, stands just left of the station in downtown Wolfeboro. Layouts are still being designed and built. A partial opening is planned; check lrmrm.org for the latest before you visit.
What to Expect
- Interactive Operation - Hands-on train running for visitors of all ages
- Two Layout Levels - HO scale at bench height and O scale on a mezzanine shelf
- Town-by-Town History - Sections for Boston, Portsmouth, Dover, Rochester, Wakefield/Sanbornville, Wolfeboro, Ossipee, and North Conway
- Lake Winnipesaukee Line - Upper layout featuring stations along the west side of the lake
- Storytelling Stations - Tablets and first-person narratives that bring each town's rail story to life
- Educational Programs - STEM learning and school-friendly railroad history
The 1872 Freight House
The Wolfeboro Branch reached Lake Winnipesaukee in 1872, linking the town to the wider Boston & Maine network and helping open Wolfeboro to travel, trade, and summer visitors. The Freight House next to the station is part of that story. Restoration of the building is complete, and the museum interior is being built so guests can still see how the original structure was framed.
Visit or Get Involved
Work sessions are often held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The museum welcomes visitors who want a look at progress, as well as volunteers to help with design, scenery, painting, history, and day-to-day operations. For opening updates, donations, or volunteer details, see lrmrm.org.
