James River Division MER NMRA

I am looking forward to the next meeting in Lynchburg on January 11th, 2020. We have two Chesapeake & Ohio layouts on the tour with Chris Wiley doing an overview of his CTC equipped James River Sub along with lessons he has learned along the way.  I am still looking for the second clinic as my first choice fell through recently.  If you are interested let me know. Details about the meeting here

November  16, 2019 ,   Modeling Outreach Program Event – A Joint Event with the James River Division On Saturday the 16th of November ,  we’re in for a bit of treat as the Potomac Division  in company with  the James River Division to have a day together for several clinics, some layouts to visit, and lots of time for socialization where we can talk about model railroading together.  Doors open at 9 am and we’ll gather together in Room 109 for a few words, a cup of coffee, and maybe even a donut or two. After that we’ll have two tracks for clinics where you will have a selection of four clinics before lunch. After the clinics, we are planning  to  hold an open discussion on the Achievement Program where you can bring your models and we can either  do an evaluation for an award  or just discuss whatever you want regarding all aspects of the Achievement Program with at least three MMR’s. We’ll have a modeling theme as well so that you can bring your models for display and popular

The JRD had a good meet in Charlottesville today at Rail Tales.  A special Thank You to owner Bret Jones for not only hosting us but doing a hands on clinic for our members and guests.  Most of us weathered a car or two resulting in cars that either looked grimy or toned down the plastic sheen on our cars.  After the clinics we had the privilege of seeing Bob Macionis layout which has really come along far further than many of us thought possible in such a short time.  A real testimony to Bob’s dedication to his layout’s construction and it gives hope to that by years end it might be ready for early operations testing.   Thank you to all who came and I hope to see you in November at the joint meet with Potomac division in the Warrenton-Gainesville area.  Please note this meet will be on November 16th which is a week later than normal for us.

This good news for the hobby was posted this afternoon NorthWest Short Line Press Release For Immediate Release (August 19, 2019) NorthWest Short Line is pleased to announce that the entire line has been acquired by an NWSL employee, effective September 3rd, 2019. All existing back orders will be filled, and NWSL will be open to new orders as soon as the new websites are rolled out; the primary website nwsl.com will carry forward as the primary contact point. The line is expected to carry forward largely unchanged although the company will no longer offer phone support. NWSL will be headquartered in Kila, Montana, located near Kalispell, and the new address is PO Box 219, Kila, MT 59920. Email contact is through the website.

It is just under two weeks to the Summer Layout Tour 2019. By the time this posts all JRD members and permanent visitors should have received an email with the details of the meeting.  Please let me know at jrdnmra@gmail.com if you have not seen your email or if you have seen it and plan to come on June 8th.  Come and see Jim Taverna’s Northern Central Division of the PRR and Ed Rappe’s Middle Division. Both of these layouts are O Scale and show the beauty of O Scale when you have the space.

We had a good meeting this last Saturday in Fredericksburg.  Though delayed due to weather in January it was worth the wait.  We were treated to Mat Thompson discussing tank car history and how he applied it to choosing cars for his layout.  Shannon Crabtree was voted in as Assistant Superintendent to fill in Ross's unexpired term.  Andrew Dodge brought the winning scratch built steam locomotive along with a scratch built Rotary Snowplow with incredible detail.  The tour of Ken Mead's very large HO layout was inspiring and amazing to see such long trains run with a signaling system. Our next meet will be in Midlothian in May.  This will likely be the first Saturday in May which is a change.  Check back for more details in the coming week.  The next Modeling Theme is a critter which can be steam or diesel.  Please consider bringing one of your models in this category to the May meeting. The June Layout Tour will replace the July meet.  More details will be forthcoming as we

Our next meeting will be in Fredericksburg, VA March 9, 2019  Fredericksburg, VA Time: Doors open at 9 a.m. and we start at 9:30 a.m.   Location : Central Rappahanock Regional Library: Howell Branch 806 Lyons Blvd, Fredericksburg, VA 22406 Clinic  1 : Mat Thompson on Tank Cars Annual Meeting Layout Tours: Ken Meads HO Layout

Meeting Cancelled due to weather. With the impending snow beginning earlier in the day for our southern division members including Farmville, Charlottesville, and Lynchburg I have decided to cancel todays meeting.  Though I believe we could get to the meeting it is likely from the forecast that many would be driving home in snow.  Also, our layout tour had to cancel last night due to illness.  With all this I feel it best to cancel todays meeting.

Just a reminder about this weeks meeting on Saturday January 12th. Our primary speaker will be Mat Thompson about Tank Cars.  No matter the era you model or follow tank cars are an important part of the railroad scene with more diversity than is appreciated by most Model Railroaders.  There will be a short annual meeting followed by lunch and then a tour of Ken Meade's basement filling HO layout.  January 12, 2019  Fredericksburg,  VA   Time: Doors open at 9 a.m. and we start at 9:30 a.m.   Location :  Central Rappahannock Regional Library Howell Branch   Clinic  1 : Tank Cars - Mat Thompson  Annual Meeting Layout Tours: Ken Meade