Founders Bruno and Trudy Platzer have been working on the project since 1999 and finally made headway earlier this year.

The Las Vegas City Council gave permission Wednesday for the society to use park land between Durango Drive and Rampart Boulevard on the north side of Summerlin Parkway.

Plans call for a railroad museum as well as tracks for a miniature train that will offer rides through the park area.

"We thank you for this wonderful Christmas present," Trudy Platzer said. "Please, Las Vegas, listen. This is the beginning of something beautiful."

Although council members have unanimously supported the project, they made it clear that the limits of the city's involvement have been reached. No city funds have been allocated for the museum.

"The city has set the table for you to pursue your dream," said Councilman Larry Brown. "We wish you the very best."

But, he added, "the odds are against you."

"The ball's now in your court," added Mayor Oscar Goodman. "I'm rooting for Bruno and his lovely wife."

The Platzers have said they will seek foundation and corporate support for the museum. A fundraising goal was not available Wednesday.

The museum would include exhibits on the technical workings of old trains and the history of railroads and mining in Nevada and the West. The center would be open to the public, with a focus on children and school field trips.

What the Platzers are doing won't compete with the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City, said Greg Corbin, director of that museum.

"I've never considered or really been concerned that they're pursuing anything that would compete with what we're doing. He's working with scale-type stuff. We're working with the real thing," he said.

The addition of the museum won't crowd the field in this subject area either, he said.

For one thing, the Boulder City facility focuses on railroad history related to the construction of Hoover Dam. Furthermore, railroad history is central to the history of Southern Nevada, meaning that pretty much any historical museum in the area will address it.

"They all touch on railroad history," Corbin said. "There's plenty of room to interpret the history."