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Model Railroading is Fun for
Everyone!
Gordon Cowan is disabled. His hips and pelvis were crushed in an accident several years ago. He is in his early 70s now and can barely walk even short distances with his rolling walker. Did he give up? No way!
About eight months ago, he started a new hobby - Model Railroading. With his wonderful wife to help him, they have built a very nicely detailed L- shaped HO layout in one of the spare bedrooms, where he now spends much of his time at his desk/workbench. He even has a second hobby, involving CB radio equipment helping him keep track of the the world outside.
He purchases most of his model railroad equipment online from eBay and other outlets with mixed results. Most of it is good; but occasionally the pieces either don't work or are broken when he receives them. He tries to repair what he can himself but admits that he doesn't have the dexterity in his fingers that he once did.
He recently found our website and decided to become a member. He called me up and told me about his situation, So, by his invitation, I decided to take a ride over to his place and do a layout tour. He had some beautiful locomotives and rolling stock, including Santa Fe, Amtrak A and B units in Dale Earnhart design, Pennsylvania, etc. In addition, he had four Burlington Northern units, A-B-B-A, with several missing or broken couplers that I ended up taking with me with his permission for repair. He donated several of his locomotives and rolling stock that he didn't need any longer to the Museum. This exchange made us both very happy and a new friendship developed quickly.
A week or so later, I was able to deliver his repaired locomotives and made sure they ran well on his layout. There was no charge for the repair service, but he decided to donate three more boxes of equipment to the Museum. Our HO guys were elated to get some new stuff!
Shown here are some photos of his layout which illustrate his great attention to detail. The design is a dogbone inside an oval with a branch off to the right, which provides plenty of operating potential. He loves to demonstrate his railroad to his friends and family all of whom are amazed by what he and his wife have been able to accomplish in such a short amount of time.
Are you disabled? No problem. Don't give in to it. Model railroading could be just the right hobby for you too!
After all, this IS the World's Greatest Hobby!
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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
Building-Your-Model-Railroad.com (BYMRR.com) Is the most comprehensive website available on model railroading, providing written tutorials on how to build a model railroad from benchwork to scenery to advanced automation. This has become the 'BIBLE" for many model railroaders around the world since 2009.
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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.
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