Making Tracks - February 2026

Moving Along

Well, it's official now. We just received notice that the MacArthur Center will be demolished before the end of this year, and we will have to leave by June, just a few short months away.

This space has been home to us since November of 2024, and although that is not a long time, it was enough to develop relationships with a lot of our visitors who have become our family. Our short but significant legacy includes two Christmas holiday shows, several STEM/STEAM sessions for children and teens in the area, multiple tours for seniors, veterans and disadvantaged children, more visitors than we ever could have imagined, and a bond with the local community - people who have truly appreciated our presence here.

So, despite this minor setback, please be assured that we are not going away. You have helped us demonstrate to the world that modeling 3D operating railroad-themed landscapes is not a dying artform. In fact, we are just getting started! We will be back, even bigger and better than ever. Stay tuned. Watch closely. The best is yet to come.

Train Song of the Month

By Frank Reed

Freight Train
Elizabeth Cotton  (1957)

https://youtu.be/iL6EH0oSI_M?si=1N0GftV6tsZYhxKo

“Freight Train" is an American folk song written by Elizabeth Cotton as a teenager (sometime between 1906 and 1912), inspired by the sound of the trains rolling in on the tracks near her home near Chapel Hill North Carolina.  The song was popularized during the American folk revival and British skiffle period of the 1950s and 1960s.

Elizabeth Cotton (January 5, 1893 – June 29, 1987) was an influential American folk and blues musician. She was a self-taught left-handed guitarist who played a guitar strung for a right-handed player, but played it upside down.  Cotten retired from playing the guitar for 25 years, except for occasional church performances. She did not begin performing publicly and recording until she was in her 60s. She was discovered by the folk-singing Seeger family while she was working for them as a housekeeper.

For more “train songs” check out the “Train Songs for Model Railroad ” YouTube playlist at

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL07n2-n5FoRHYzhKfA--soywuLOFvEv1l&si=IODFaTIeOe7OBQ7G

Photos from the Museum

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Videos of the Month

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The Birth of Virginia Beach

Hist-VB

We have created and published a new historical document on the Birth of Virginia Beach. This has been written by our historian Warren Leister after researching the era and the people involved for several years. Excepts have been published here in our newsletter previously, but the information is now available all together in a 99 page document that you can purchase in our store. It factually explores the events, the dedicated people and the interesting culture in which they lived. Pick up your copy today!

The Model Railroad Museum of Hampton Roads is a fantastic community center based on running, operating and even building your own model railroads! There's something for every age here.

Learn about the real history of this area and how important it was in the building of America. Watch how railroads were built, the people involved, where America's roots were formed. 

As they build their own railroads, students will be learning about science, electronics,  architecture, technology, engineering, mathematics, and the art of 3 dimensional model landscaping. They can earn rewards for completing projects and winning contests.

Try to solve yardmaster problems on a switching layout like getting the lumber from the forest to the furniture store, by way of the saw mill and the lumber yard.

Run your train around blockades and other trains to get to the station on time without speeding or crashing.

Play railroad monopoly using model railroads. Winner is the one who can collect the most cars into his yard within an hour.

There will be programs for autistic and special needs kids, disabled adults and veterans.

School tours. Holiday Shows. Library and video rooms.  Even youngsters will have their own wooden models to enjoy. There are classes and hands-on clinics for adults. Learn how to get started in the hobby. Or just enjoy the fun.

Everybody loves trains and this will prove it!  Just click on the either the blue DONATE button below to make it happen... 

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