Summer Layout Tour 2019

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.

Good Meeting Last Saturday and Future Meets

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 approach the date.

I was glad to see and talk to many last Saturday and those I missed last time I hope to talk to at the next meeting.

Philip Taylor
JRD Superintendent

Next Meeting In Fredericksburg, VA

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 Today January 12th

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.

Meeting Reminder for this Saturday January 12th

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

November 10th Meeting Information Updated

On November 10, 2018 the JRD will meet at the Richmond Railroad Museum (Hull Street Station) for a clinic on Reliable Track using Fast Tracks Fixtures and Jigs by Rick Lull.  After Lunch we will have the pleasure of seeing both Rick's Richmond Terminal layout

and Mike Pulaski's Layout.

We will have the usual contest table, door prizes and white elephant table.  Doors open at 9 and meeting starts at 930 AM

Hope to see you there.

Meeting coming up September 8th, McDonald Estate, and 2 more Meetings

Looking forward to seeing y'all at the September 8th meeting of the James River Division of the NMRA in Farmville, VA

Rod Vance will be talking about Vinegar and the Pickle industry which are classics in Model Railroad lore.  Philip Taylor will do a short clinic on the new ProtoThrottle. After lunch Richard McClintock will present a program on the High Bridge followed by a guided tour led by Rod Vance.  A full day.  All the details are at this LINK

Ken Montero has updated the list of items from the John McDonald estate that are still available.  Please look and see if there are any items you can use or perhaps do a little early Christmas shopping.  The lists are in this folder
Two events are coming up in October that you need to put on your calendar.  The James River Rails Ops Weekend and the MER Convention in Rockville.

Hope to see you this Saturday at the meeting.

Philip
JRD Superintendent

Next Meet in Farmville

Our next meet will be in Farmville, VA on September 8th with a full day of clinics and activities. 

Click Here for details

Great Meeting in Midlothian

Thank you to Keith and Mike for great clinics and Keith and Don for opening their homes to us today.  It was good to see the progress and updates to the layouts and how to put sound in older Kato drive Stewarts while fixing the split gear issue.  It was a good size crowd for July and I am looking forward to seeing everybody in September at the Farmville meet.  Thanks again to all those who helped today and made it so enjoyable.

Passing of Chuck Hladik - Updated

It is with profound sadness that I have to announce the unexpected passing of Chuck Hladik early on the 4th of July 2018.  Chuck was a valued member and friend of the James River Division and model railroaders in general.  Though Chuck could have a gruff exterior he was always willing to help.  He has served as a JRD Division officer and as AP Chair along with positions with the MER.  When the JRD leadership wanted to hold a hands on clinic and we needed a clinician Chuck volunteered to do his clinic on making trees.  I still have mine from that day and I will think about Chuck everytime I look at it.  Chuck took an early train and we wish to express the condolences of the JRD and members to Chucks family and wish him green lights on his journey.

Details for the July 17th memorial service in Lynchburg  can be found here

Meeting on July 12th Reminder

July 14, 2018— Midlothian, VA 

Time: Doors open at 9 a.m. and we start at 9:30 a.m. 

Location: Mt Pisgah United Methodist Church

Church near old Chesterfield Hobbies site and across from Arby's
Clinic 1: Agriculture on the Move - Keth Pritchard

Clinic 2: Problems and answers Session - Bring your questions about problems to seek advice from the group

Layout Tours: Keith Pritchard