Next Zoom Hangouts

 Our next Hangouts will be on Saturday February 8th at 9AM and Wednesday February 12th at 7PM. Invitations will come via email a day or two in advance

Great Meeting on Zoom last Saturday Morning

 We had a great meeting last Saturday I really appreciate Rick stepping up and doing his clinic on the use of signaling and LCC on his large HO Scale Layout.  The presentation generated a lot of questions and the ability to show the layout live throwing turnouts and changing sig We had over 20 participants.  

January Meeting Moved To ZOOM

 The weather forecast for 2-4” of snow early Saturday has lead to changing the January James River Division meeting to Zoom. Check your email for the invitation and the login codes. Room opens at 8am and we start at 930AM  Hope to see you Saturday 

Next Meeting in Farmville on January 11th

 Next Meeting on January 11th in Farmville 

Notice of Annual Meeting

Workshop - Railroads of Farmville - Richard McClintock - Farmville came into existence at a transportation crossroads, where the main north-south trail crossed the navigable Appomattox River. It really blossomed when the South Side Rail Road came through in 1854. But two other railroads later featured in Farmville's history: a north-south road which might have turned Farmville into Ashland, on the dominant north-south route, and a narrow-gauge road that led to an international shipping port on the James River. The town saw five-foot, standard, and narrow gauges. Clinic will explore the history and fates of these three roads, with lots of anecdotes and vintage photos.

Location: Faith Bible Fellowship

207 N. Bridge Street

Farmville, Virginia 23901

https://maps.app.goo.gl/hcqiS2Njx8dQFVQx6

930-945 AM Welcome

945-1045 AM Workshop - Railroads of Farmville

1045-1100 AM - Break to Vote on Modeling Theme

1100-1130 AM- Annual Meeting - 

1130-1145  AM- Drawings for Door Prizes Etc

Noon to 1 - Lunch

1 PM- Tully's Winter Layout

215 PM  - New Visitor Center/ Station Replica at High Bridge Tour with Presentation

Modeling Theme - Flat Car

Next Meeting in Palmyra VA November 16th

 Next Meeting - Palmyra VA November 16th

Location:     Fluvanna County Public Library

Clinics

    1:  Computerize your model railroad data - what it can do for you - Ken Montero

    2:    Heavy Lift - Wayland Moore

            

    3:    T-Trak Overview - Philip Taylor

Layouts

    1.    T-Trak in N Scale in the Library

    2.    Bob Minnis 

Modeling Theme

    Covered Hopper

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 James River Division (JRD) that usually means a trip to

Charlottesville and Rail Tales. For the last several years we have been treated to a make-and-take

workshop by Bret Jones, who owns Rail Tales. By my recollection Bret has had a hand in building

dozens of layouts if not over a hundred layouts. Most of us are lucky to build one or two layouts. If

you build that many layouts, then you pick up a few skills. Add to that all the building of military

models and the tips and tricks learned from that community. This gives Bret quite a depth of

things to choose from for workshops.

For this year’s workshop we will be scratch-building a structure. The JRD will be offering this

clinic to all NMRA members with an advanced registration so Bret can have enough supplies.

The workshop will be available in N, HO, and O. We are not requiring a registration fee, but we

are requesting a donation of $15 for N or HO scale and $30 for O scale. Donations can be made at

the JRD meet in Charlottesville.

Bret says Participants will need: 

1.  Hobby knife with fresh blades 

2.  Metal straight edge (preferably scale ruler!)

3.  Cutting mat/board/surface

4.  Fine natural fiber brush you don’t care about (for glue). We will provide glue as part of the cost. 

5.  Options- Metal squares would be great

Rail Tales is going to include corner braces in the materials.

If you need any tools, you may contact Rail Tales (434) 984-1170. They will be happy to order the tools for you and have them ready for you to pay for and pick up before the meeting starts on Saturday,

September 21.

To register for the workshop during the JRD meet in Charlottesville on September 21, please use

the REGISTRATION LINK below no later than August 30. Again, advanced registration is

required so Bret can have enough

Layout Tours

1. T-Trak Module Setup at Rail Tales Workshop after Lunch

2. Bob Macionis - Rebuilt Layout.  -  Some of you missed this last time and have asked about seeing the revised layout

Crossties for August 2024 Posted

 Crossties for August 2024 is now available 

Link to the August Issue

Meeting This Saturday

Our next meting will be on July 13th in Farmville VA at the Historic Train Station. 

Link To GOOGLE MAPS

 I am looking forward to the panel discussion with Jerry, Rod and Dick about the their current and past layouts.  The life of the layouts and the lessons learned from the journey.  Wisdom is best passed on in person and with the option to ask questions so we can all gain insight in the model railroading journey. 

• Brief overview of each of our layouts - Rod, Dick, Jerry
• Layout disassembly and preservation - Rod
• Selling collections and disposing of trains - Dick
• Downsizing a layout - Jerry
• Q&A 

Also, there will be a brief overview of the joint build of the MDC Hopper Car in HO.  

Theme: Trackside Structure

Layout Tours:

Tulley Turney - former member whose all winter layout is open for the last time

High Bridge Club - First visit by JRD

Come and join us for this event. 

Next Meeting In Farmville on July 13th

 Our next meting will be on July 13th in Farmville VA at the historic Train Station.  I am looking forward to the panel discussion with Jerry, Rod and Dick about the their current and past layouts.  The life of the layouts and the lessons learned from the journey.  Wisdom is best passed on in person and with the option to ask questions so we can all gain insight in the model railroading journey.  Also, there will be a brief overview of the joint build of the MDC Hopper Car in HO.  

Come and join us for this event. 

Crossties for June 2024 available

 The latest edition of Crossties is now available. Please follow the link below to open up a copy.

CROSSTIES JUNE 2024

Meeting This Saturday in Powhatan, VA

Meeting in Powhatan, VA Meeting starts at 930 AM Meeting  Location: Chadwicks Orchards 1240 Dorset Rd, Powhatan, VA Workshop 1 - Creating a well-built base for an Outdoor Railroad.  Art Chadwick has constructed a small but substantial roadbed to support a functional G Scale ourdoor railroad. Art will describe how he built it. The railroad is next to the main entrance to the main greenhouse. Workshop 2 - Conifer Tree Make and Take - Bill Arhaus will demonstrate how to build conifer trees of various sizes.  As part of the workshop attendees will be able to make one of the smaller trees to take home for their layout.   Layout Tours Layout 1 - John Schule - Basement filling layouts -  Layout 2 - Mike Bonner -  Modeling Theme - Vehicles Hope to see you there!!