Train Song of the Month
Presented by Frank Reed

Paradise
John Prine  (1971)

https://youtu.be/DEy6EuZp9IY?si=dEpSaB31-RMZfYUt

“Paradise” was written and originally recorded by John Prine in 1971.

John Prine   (October 10, 1946 – April 7, 2020) was an American singer-songwriter widely cited as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation. Prine was known for his signature blend of humorous lyrics about love, life, and current events, often with elements of social commentary and satire, as well as sweet songs and melancholy ballads.

Paradise was a coal mining town in Kentucky. Production of coal in the area dates back to the 1820s. Pittsburg & Midway Coal Company and Peabody Coal Company stripped the coal around it and The Tennessee Valley Authority bought out the remaining residents when health concerns were raised from the ash of the coal fired plant.  The last of the town's residents were relocated from the area no later than December 30, 1967

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

Toy Train Show

Getting Started in the Hobby

Many prospective new model railroaders will get a train set for Christmas next month. It's been a predictable tradition for many years since the end of WWII. Trains have just become part of the Holiday Season. I think the progressive advertising by Lionel and A.C.Gilbert in the late 1940s and early 1950s had as much to do with that as anything else.

So, if you get a model train set for Christmas, what are you going to do with it? Well, you could put it around the tree and enjoy it for a week or so until the Christmas Season is over, then pack it away and never see it again 'till next Christmas.

I have a better idea. Why not set it up on a table as a permanent display in that extra guest bedroom that nobody uses anymore except during the Holidays. That way, it could be enjoyed by you and the rest of the family all year long.

Start with a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood and a 1" thick sheet of foam to go on top of it, put a frame around it and make some legs for it. Go to the fabric store and buy some material to use for a skirt for the table and staple it around the edges to hide all the model railroad supplies (paint, glue, scenery, Hydrocal plaster, etc. you're going to store underneath. Paint the surface green, tan or brown. Now you're ready to set up your track and transformer, wire it up and run your train. Look at some track plans and buy a few turnouts to make branchlines. When you have the track set up exactly where you want it, glue it down with white glue, but don't put any glue under the turnouts.

Now decide the purpose of your railroad. Will it be to haul freight, containers, coal, steel, lumber or perhaps passengersw? Once you decide that, it will help you in choosing the proper buildings for your industries. Use your imagination and creative instincts to carry you forward to develop ground cover, roads, and artistic scenery. Get ideas from model railroading books or websites like bymrr.com. And if you need supplies consider viewing what we have available in the Museum Gift Shop. Remember that everything you purchase in the Museum goes back into making the Museum even better. Check out the "Beginner's Guide" on the NMRA.org website, which also has some great information. Consider joining a club or becoming a Member here at the Museum. You will find that model railroading has an added advantage that may not be obvious in the beginning: the friendships that you develop last for a lifetime.

STEM/STEAM Program

The STEAM Program is alive and well. Teens have been enrolled and are building their own N scale model railroad. We will include pictures in the next issue once they are a little further along. They are very talented and are learning quickly. Our next session is planned for the first Saturday in December (the 6th) at 1:00pm.

Videos of the Month

Christmas Trains

A Polar Express Christmas Layout

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.

Volunteer

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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

We Are Open for Group Tours

If you have a school group, senior group, church group, assisted living patients, etc. that you would like to get out to explore the world of model trains, let us know. We'd be happy to schedule a group tour for you anytime at no cost. To make the arrangements, call 757-816-8399, or 757-904-1379.

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 Birth of Virginia Beach

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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