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Museum Updates

By Greg Warth, Editor

We are continuing to work hard every day to develop the Museum into a showpiece that will be a pleasure to visit. The N scale layout is progressing more rapidly than the others and is nearing "completion." The word completion however is a misnomer for a model railroad because even when it is "finished," it can and probably will be changed, refurbished, added to and subtracted from later depending on the whim of the owner. The basic landscaping is done, track has been laid, ballasted and glued down, new buildings and roads have been added. "Water" is beginning to show up in the rivers and lakes. Fall scenery is popping up all over with red, orange and yellow trees and bushes. The freelanced layout is loosely based on the Hampton Roads area, including Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach on the right side, then heading into the Appalachian and Blue Ridge mountains on the left and ending in the "Star City" of Roanoke. Both urban and rural life is depicted along the way, including farmland, flatlands and mountains. Waterways include the Elizabeth River, Broad Creek and Smith Mountain Lake. The railroad is composed of two continuously running mainlines traveling from Roanoke through the mountains carrying coal, lumber, freight and passengers all the way to the coast and the busy ports of Hampton Roads and back again. There are several branches to industries along the way to pick up and drop off goods to the various communities and towns. Small switching yards are shown at both ends of the layout where railcars can be sorted before embarking on their journeys.There will even be a small container facility in the Portsmouth area where the intermodal industry can be represented although that is not completed yet. There is a turntable and engine facility on the right at Lambert's Point.

We hope you are enjoying watching us build the layouts and develop scenery. We jokingly call it "playing with trains," but truly this hobby is so much more than that. These layouts are truly visual forms of art that actually evoke an emotional response in most people. They sometimes bring back memories of childhood, of life working in the steel mill, in a lumber camp or on an old farm. It provides historical perspectives in 3D of what it might have been like in a previous era. They occasionally precipitate a humorous response. Sometimes the response is one of amazement and appreciation of the hard work and considerable knowledge required to create these landscapes. Some folks just enjoy the scenery; some enjoy the purposeful wandering of locomotives through the hills, towns and forests that you've created for them. And some love the fun of operating them with a group, simulating the transportation of all kinds of things, including people, from one town to another.

Train Song of the Month
Presented by Frank Reed

I’ve Been Working On The Railroad  by Pete Seeger 1962

https://youtu.be/TvdRJE19Bt8?si=3UOMa0XEAv2v4WAy

"I've Been Working on the Railroad" is an American folk song. The first published version appeared as "Levee Song" in Carmina Princetonia, a book of Princeton University songs published in 1894.  The earliest known recording is by The Shannon Quartet, released by Victor Records in 1923.

The "Someone's in the Kitchen with Dinah" section, with its noticeably different melody, is actually an older song that has been absorbed by "I've Been Working on the Railroad". It was published as "Old Joe, or Somebody in the House with Dinah" in London in the 1830s or '40s, with music credited to J.H. Cave.

Peter Seeger (May 3, 1919 – January 27, 2014) was an American folk singer-songwriter, musician and social activist. He was a fixture on nationwide radio in the 1940s, and had a string of hit records in the early 1950s as a member of The Weavers.

For more “train songs” check out the “Commander’s Train Songs” YouTube playlist at

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

"The Rumors of the Demise of Model Railroading Have Been Premature."

-Paraphrased from Samuel Clemens

Article by Greg Leiphart

There have been a lot of posts, emails, and other types of communications with the common theme that current proposed tariffs spell the demise of our hobby of model railroading. I must sincerely disagree for a number of reasons which I trust I will be allowed to share-

·      First take a deep breath and calm down, the sky is NOT falling and our hobby WILL continue due to the great people who enjoy our hobby. Better days are ahead.

·      Just weeks ago, we were all sharing a wonderful article about the history of our hobby. It has survived The Great Depression, several global wars, including wars with rationing, and inflation rates of all kinds. Let’s not forget this and reflect what modelers during those times did to handle those conditions and events.

·      So, what can we do during these times if you are so fearful? Please consider the following –

o   Your stash. We all have one, why not start working on it? Whether it be structures, rolling stock, plastic, wood, or scratch built.

o   Research. Increase your knowledge and learn about a railroad subject you are interested in. Protype or hobby, historical or prototypical such as car types, rail lines, mergers, current or past.

o   Practice to improve a skill, or learn a NEW skill. How is your airbrushing? Scratch building a prototype, with or without drawings? Try a craftsman kit, not just a slap and place plastic kit. Hand laying track? Ballasting? Scenery? Modeling water? How about prototypical operations on your layout, or any operational system? How well do you know your DCC system?

o   Share what you DO know. Work with another modeler, it does not have to be a youth, and teach them so they can improve their skills.

o   Get involved…at an area museum, there are many, a local club. Try presentations on related subjects you already are familiar about so others can also know and understand.

·      So…let’s drop the political rhetoric and, instead of complaining, get active in the items mentioned. Most of us will outlive our current stash so let’s use it to bring us the pleasure we know the hobby brings to us.

Thank you for your consideration, the freedom to share, and let’s refocus back
to the hobby we enjoy.

What's Happening with MOCA?

In case you haven't heard, the Museum of Contemporary Art at 2200 Parks Avenue near the beach is moving to a new building at Virginia Wesleyan. It will become vacant within the next few months. So, we at the Model Railroad Museum of Hampton Roads are putting in a serious proposal to the City of Virginia Beach to develop a space for model railroading and other cultural arts within the building. We're in the very early stages of this right now, but we're excited about the possibility and are hoping for the best. Wish us luck!

Thank you!

Thanks for reading our newsletter and for visiting our website. If you haven't seen our Museum yet, please stop by from 12-6 on any Friday, Saturday or Sunday to see what we're working on. We love seeing and talking to our visitors. We're on the second floor of MacArthur Mall in Norfolk, VA. If you have any questions, call 757-816-8399. Hope to see you soon.

New - Gift Shop!

We now have a small Gift Shop both online and in the Museum. We currently only have t-shirts, sweatshirts and mugs. But Hey! You have to start somewhere. Right?

This will also grow. Please note that all (100%) proceeds from the Gift Shop will go directly back into development and maintenance of the Museum. Thank you all so much for your support with your generous donations and purchases.

Volunteer

(Endorsed advertisement)

Welcome to

New Tracks Modeling!

New Tracks Modeling is an exciting digital opportunity to obtain mentoring to help you improve your modeling.  You will meet talented modelers and manufacturers from all over the world who will share their model building expertise and artistic advice.  New Tracks Modeling is open to all modelers of all skill levels in any scale or gauge.

Our Shows are live every Wednesday evening at 7pm Eastern/4pm Western on Zoom and YouTube. By subscribing to our website newtracksmodeling.com you’ll receive email notices containing links to both the Zoom and YouTube presentations.

New Tracks Modeling Mentoring Scholarship

Your donation will help to provide scholarships for model railroaders who are HS graduates and continuing their education in a STEAM field.Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

To donate click on this link.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/038439bf-a552-44e2-9b46-ef54aaa0e274

What's Happening with MOCA?

In case you haven't heard, the Museum of Contemporary Art at 2200 Parks Avenue near the beach is moving to a new building at Virginia Wesleyan. It will become vacant within the next few months. So, we at the Model Railroad Museum of Hampton Roads are putting in a serious proposal to the City of Virginia Beach to develop a space for model railroading and other cultural arts within the building. We're in the very early stages of this right now, but we're excited about the possibility and are hoping for the best. Wish us luck!

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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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