The Southern Arizona Society of Model Engineers, or SASME, is a model railroad club located in Tucson, AZ. We began promoting the hobby of model railroading in 1954. We've had several locations over the years, but in 1985 we moved into our present location. We've been building, modifying and improving the layout ever since.

The club's HO layout is the Tucson and South Western Railroad, nicknamed The Cactus Route. It interchanges with the McNary and Crown King NGRR, a narrow gauge HOn3 line. We don't, however, limit club activities to just HO and HOn3. We've built several small layouts in N gauge and members have built and operated everything from Nn3 to G gauge.

We meet each Wednesday night at the club's building at about 7:30. The first Wednesday of each month is a business meeting, the last Wednesday is one of our operating nights, while the remaining Wednesdays are work nights.

about sasme
SASME, an HO scale model railroad society, was founded in 1954 in Tucson, Arizona. Its purpose is to promote social interaction among its members through group activities, increase the modeling abilities of its members, and increase the satisfaction of the members in the hobby of model railroading though construction and operation of a scale model railroad. We have been in our current location since December 1984. 

SASME has a business meeting on the 1st Wednesday of each month (except December). On the last Wednesday night and the Tuesday night before it, there are DCC running sessions. Tuesday night is for “open” running -- for enjoyment, testing engines, programming decoders, etc. Wednesday is for prototypical operations, when car cards and a time table are used. See the Calendar page for for info. The other nights of the month are work sessions. We have an annual picnic, are active in the NMRA, and other railroad related outings.

SASME uses DCC for electrical control for both standard and narrow gauge. SASME has a few standard gauge and narrow gauge engines , but most members provide their own. The cars used in the operating sessions have been donated by members. They meet NMRA standards for weight and rolling ability. Kadee couplers and metal wheelsets are used. Members are expected to make sure their rolling stock meets these requirements when used on the layout.

For more information, please contact, SASME by email.