There are many Special Interest Groups that allow those who share like interests to share thoughts and passions about facets of the hobby. They are usually referred to as SIGs for short. These are different than the typical RR historical society that focuses on one specific line. Some include topics such as operations, layout design, early rail, and the Civil War.
In future posts some of the SIGs will be explored in more detail and maybe one will appeal to you enough to join that group.
The James River Division's purpose is to share the fun and excitement of model railroading with modelers in Central and Southside Virginia.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
JRDs own Radical Flats mentioned in Blog
The JRD's own Radical Flats was prominently mentioned in a blog by Lance Mindheim on how to build a great simple layout by New Years. The idea is that you could in the last two weeks of the year build a very basic switching layout using some code 70 track and the Radical Flats building fronts. Great idea and one worth considering if you are a beginner or never seem to get a layout built. Add a couple cars, dcc/sound switcher and a basic DCC system and you have an operating layout that can fit on a bookshelf.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Podcast worth your time
If you are like many of us who commute long distances and want to listen to something other than the same song for the 5th time or the same news story rehashed from yesterday then take a look at The Model Railway Show. Each show is about 30 minutes and is available from iTunes or other subscription sources. For example, Episode 45 had Doug Gurin of LDSIG and Charlie Getz of the NMRA. Take a listen and see what you think.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Pictures of Rail Destruction from Sandy
The following link shows some of the rail damage from Sandy
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nj_transit/sets/72157631895879101/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nj_transit/sets/72157631895879101/
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
MER Election Results
Thank you to everyone that ran for office this year. 463 valid ballots were received.
The results (excluding write-ins) are:
President:
Chuck Hladik - 193
John Janosko - 270
Vice President:
PJ Mattson - 446
Secretary:
Mike White - 448
Treasurer:
Tom Buckingham - 449
......................................................
Bob Price
MER BOD / Archivist
The results (excluding write-ins) are:
President:
Chuck Hladik - 193
John Janosko - 270
Vice President:
PJ Mattson - 446
Secretary:
Mike White - 448
Treasurer:
Tom Buckingham - 449
......................................................
Bob Price
MER BOD / Archivist
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
MER Convention in Suffolk
The next major event in the area for the NMRA is the MER Convention coming October 18th to 21st. It is nearby and should provide a good time for all. Use this link to go to the convention website.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Two Clinics for November
Clinics for November
There are two clinics for November. More details will follow.
DCC by Don Wells
Going to War With the Railroad you Have:
Designing and Operating the Chesapeake and Ohio's Olby Branch in 1944
by Gerard Fitzgerald
There are two clinics for November. More details will follow.
DCC by Don Wells
Going to War With the Railroad you Have:
Designing and Operating the Chesapeake and Ohio's Olby Branch in 1944
by Gerard Fitzgerald
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Geographic Membership Distribuiton
The results from plotting the geographic distribution of the membership was a little different than expected. There are a few folks in the Valley, Farmville, Danville, Warrenton, Culpepper but the big concentrations are in Richmond, Charlottesville/Fluvanna, Lynchburg and Fredericksburg. Of the top 4 Richmond has half of that group with each of the other three having about an equal amount. The unexpected result was the Division having the same membership in Fredericksburg as Charlottesville/Fluvanna or Lynchburg.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Next Division Meet Nov 3rd
The next division meet will be November 3rd in Richmond at Church of the Redeemer.
930 AM - Registration
1000 AM - Meeting
Contest - Maintenance of Way including Vehicles
More Details to come
Directions:
View Larger Map
930 AM - Registration
1000 AM - Meeting
Contest - Maintenance of Way including Vehicles
More Details to come
Directions:
View Larger Map
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Northeast Prototype Modelers Meet
Saturday, September 29, 2012
The event runs from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm at the Ted Blum 4-H Center in Bridgewater , NJ. The spacious facility is located just off of NJ Route 202 and easily accessible from Interstates 78 and 287. Best of all, advance registration is only $20, which includes a hot Italian lunch buffet!
Register in advance and save. The cost will be $25 at the door the day of the event.
Line up your plans in advance. Download the 2012 Registration PDF and send it along today.
Everyone is encouraged to bring recent work or works in progress to show and discuss. The model display is the heart of any RPM meet and there will be plenty of tables set to a comfortable viewing height.
A 4-H benefit feature will be a “Tracky Tray” auction. If you have some new hobby items that just aren't on the current plan, bring them along for the auction. Proceeds benefit 4-H.
Set your date and send in your registration for a full day of presentations, models, discussions, a great lunch and a fabulous time.
The NEFF RPM Schedule:
We have the following presenters at this time with more details to come!
Craig Bisgeier - TBA
Ted DiIorio - TBA
Steve Funaro - TBA
Ralph Heiss - TBA
Mike McCann - There Was A Railroad There; New Jersey aerial railroad photography
Mike McNamera - A Free-mo Review
Dave Messer - Modeling FGEX Refrigerator Cars
Dave Ramos - TBA
Bill Schaumburg - Slate Quarrying in Pennsylvania
Any presentations are subject to change without notice.
Just over 100 people attended the 2011 event, and more than 200 models were on display. Check out these galleries for images from the 2011 NEFF RPM meet.
The event runs from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm at the Ted Blum 4-H Center in Bridgewater , NJ. The spacious facility is located just off of NJ Route 202 and easily accessible from Interstates 78 and 287. Best of all, advance registration is only $20, which includes a hot Italian lunch buffet!
Register in advance and save. The cost will be $25 at the door the day of the event.
Line up your plans in advance. Download the 2012 Registration PDF and send it along today.
Everyone is encouraged to bring recent work or works in progress to show and discuss. The model display is the heart of any RPM meet and there will be plenty of tables set to a comfortable viewing height.
A 4-H benefit feature will be a “Tracky Tray” auction. If you have some new hobby items that just aren't on the current plan, bring them along for the auction. Proceeds benefit 4-H.
Set your date and send in your registration for a full day of presentations, models, discussions, a great lunch and a fabulous time.
The NEFF RPM Schedule:
We have the following presenters at this time with more details to come!
Craig Bisgeier - TBA
Ted DiIorio - TBA
Steve Funaro - TBA
Ralph Heiss - TBA
Mike McCann - There Was A Railroad There; New Jersey aerial railroad photography
Mike McNamera - A Free-mo Review
Dave Messer - Modeling FGEX Refrigerator Cars
Dave Ramos - TBA
Bill Schaumburg - Slate Quarrying in Pennsylvania
Any presentations are subject to change without notice.
Just over 100 people attended the 2011 event, and more than 200 models were on display. Check out these galleries for images from the 2011 NEFF RPM meet.
Monday, August 13, 2012
MER Ballot Issue 13 August 2012
The ballots sent out by the Mid Eastern Region NMRA have the incorrect return address on them. Mine arrived on the 13th and I can confirm the issue.
Please do not return them. A new ballot in a color other than white will be mailed shortly for you to submit your vote for officers
Please do not return them. A new ballot in a color other than white will be mailed shortly for you to submit your vote for officers
Monday, July 30, 2012
Tweeting from Grand Rails 2012
The JRD is tweeting from Grand Rails 2012. Hear what is going on and what is new. Follow us on Twitter @jrdnmra
Formal Obit for Bill McMillian, Sr, MMR
William “Bill” Arthur
McMillan, Sr, MMR
Master Model Railroader #401, Bill McMillan peacefully
joined his beloved wife Carola on July 24, 2012. He was a retired Congressional Liaison for
the Department of the Navy yet continued working as a private consultant to the
department and pursuing his love of model railroading. Bill was a long time member of the NMRA, active in
the MER and James River Division, the James River Division On30 Modular group,
the Ma & Pa Historical Society and various local groups. He is survived by his son, Artie McMillan;
his daughter Sue McMillan; and his two granddaughters, Alex and Tyler
McMillan. Bill was 85 years of age.
Among his many model railroad accomplishments, he was most
proud to obtain his MMR certificate on September 21, 2007. He was a superb modeler as witnessed by his
beautiful HO scale Ma & Pa layout of the Maryland District set in October
1939 between Baltimore, Maryland and Delta, Pennsylvania with staging into York
Pennsylvania. The layout was fully
sceniced and operational with a new Dallastown branch nearing completion. Bill’s Ma & Pa was regularly operated by
a devoted group of operators who also volunteered many hours towards
construction and maintenance efforts becoming a part of the layout.
The family graciously allowed a small group of the Ma &
Pa operators to visit Saturday July 28 to operate the layout one last time as a
tribute to its Chief Operating Officer and creator. Two “sweeper trains” were run, much like the
prototype railroad ran upon its discontinuation of service, to clean out all
the sidings and towns. A final train was
run out of Baltimore to Delta with lone Ma & Pa 2-8-0 #41, a Baldwin locomotive built in
1941, pulling coach #20 as the McMillan Memorial Special carrying its fallen
leader. The Special stopped at every
station along the line for mourners to pay their last respects.
As a fitting farewell to Bill, the following poem is
repeated from the memorial service bulletin.
Travel
The railroad track is miles away,
And the day is loud with voices
speaking,
Yet there isn’t a train goes by all
day,
But I hear its whistle shrieking.
All night there isn’t a train goes
by,
Though the night is still for sleep
and dreaming,
But I see its cinders red on the
sky,
And hear its engine steaming.
My heart is warm with the friends I
make,
And better friends I’ll not be
knowing,
Yet there isn’t a train I wouldn’t
take,
No matter where it’s going.
by
Edna St. Vincent Millay
The model railroading hobby has lost a valued friend and
mentor. He will be greatly missed.
Compiled by Mike Garber
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Master Model Railroader #401 William "Bill" McMillan
It is with great sadness that this information must be shared. On
Tuesday, July 24, the hobby lost a valued friend and mentor. Mr. William
"Bill" McMillan ended his journey on earth at the age of 85. Bill was
an avid HO scale model railroader building his Ma & Pa layout and an On30
module, both to the highest degree, helping him to earn MMR status.
Bill will be greatly missed by many.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 27th at 4pm at The
Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 2341 Winterfield Rd, Midlothian, VA
23113. A celebration (with BBQ!) following the service will be
held at his home at 3608 Rivermist Ct, Midlothian, VA 23113. All
are invited.
To help with arrangements it would be appreciated if those who plan to
attend please provide an email RSVP to preferably Ken Montero at va661midlo@comcast.net or myself at mgarber819@verizon.net . Please
do not respond to this message.
My apologies to those who receive this message multiple times. Please
share this message with others in an effort to share this news.
With all sadness,
Mike Garber
Midlothian, VA
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Web Site Revision Started
The revision to the web site is now underway. The home page has a new look though the ads from Trainweb which help to support the site keep overlapping the division map. Hopefully, experimentation will yield a fix. The current goal after fixing the main page is to add one new page every two weeks to flesh out the web site. Of course, that is dependent on content from those who whose area is covered by that page. Those responsible for areas will be asked for content and if none arrives the webmaster will make his best guess.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Chance to hear Mark Chase on Modeling a Soapstone Railroad
Those of you who missed Mark Chase's presentation on Modeling a Soapstone Railroad at the last JRD meet will have the opportunity to hear him again. Mark will be speaking at the NRHS Rivanna Chapter meeting in Charlottesville on Tuesday July 17, 2012 at 7 PM. The meeting is held at the Elks Lodge in Charlottesville. A buffet dinner is optionally available at 6 PM for $14 during which Mark will have a slide show running.
Summary: We are fortunate to have here in Central Virginia such a diverse and interesting railroad heritage to provide inspiration for our railfanning and modeling. An example would be the unique and picturesque operations of the railroads that once served the soapstone industry in Albemarle and Nelson counties. My program examines Alberene Soapstone Company from the perspective of a model railroader searching for an engaging theme for a new model railroad.
If you need directions please click on Elks Lodge
Summary: We are fortunate to have here in Central Virginia such a diverse and interesting railroad heritage to provide inspiration for our railfanning and modeling. An example would be the unique and picturesque operations of the railroads that once served the soapstone industry in Albemarle and Nelson counties. My program examines Alberene Soapstone Company from the perspective of a model railroader searching for an engaging theme for a new model railroad.
If you need directions please click on Elks Lodge
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
JRD Member Keith Stillman has OPSIG article of the Quarter
JRD member Keith Stillman article on Demand Driven Operations was recently honored as 'The OPSIG DO Article of the Quarter'
The article describing demand driven ops was published in the most recent OPSIG issue and is now free on their website as the article of the quarter.
One of the charts is wrong in the article and the corrected one is available here.
The system generally works well and traffic is never uniform.
Main site is http://www.easton-and-potomac.com
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Do You Tweet?
As part of reaching out in new ways the JRD has a twitter account for those who tweet. Follow us @jrdnmra for updates.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Welcome to the blog for the James River Division, MER, NMRA. It is hoped that this blog will lead to more timely communication of material. The combination of multiple means of communication will be used to reach our membership. The blog is not the be all/ end all but only a part of the whole process. We may experiment with other means of communication to make sure members can receive the information they need in a way that meets their needs. Welcome!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Next Meeting Sept 21 in Charlottesville at Rail Tales
Next Meeting Sept 21 - Charlottesville at Rail Tales **THIS IS A CHANGE OF OUR NORMAL WEEKEND** We are heading into the Fall and for the Ja...
-
Next Meet is Virtual Zoom Meeting on February 10th. Login details will be sent via Email the week before to members and regular attenders....
-
Layout Tour 2 Ed Fischer’s HO Piedmont and Tidewater Railroad represents a short line that runs up the Northern Neck from Reedsville to Fred...