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Holiday Model Railroad Show Gives Way to Unique Museum

Product of the former Tidewater Modular Railroad Club

The late Jim McLemore's Fine Scale Modeling.

The late Max Robbins' Legacy

N Scale by Greg Warth

HO Engine Roundhouse by Carl Lunde

 The Holiday Show was a great success. We are tremendously grateful to the City of Norfolk Downtown Council and the MacArthur Center for sponsoring our 2024 Show and to all of our volunteers and members who worked so hard to make this happen. And special thanks to all our visitors (over 140 per day!) who made it so enjoyable for us. The delight on the faces of the young and old alike watching trains of all sizes is our greatest reward, but the generous donations from all the visitors will help us immensely as we move into our museum era.

The Christmas decor is gradually being dismantled, which might ordinarily be a bit of a 'downer,' if it were not for the ongoing joy and the spirit of the Holidays carrying us into the New Year. The prospect of developing a new Model Railroad Museum now brings new excitement into the air, which we would like to share with the community. So, instead of being completely closed while working on the Museum, we have decided to stay open on the weekends, so you can see what we are doing and the projects we are working on. A few of our smaller layouts will still be running as we build the larger displays in the back. And, of course, we will be there to demonstrate what we are doing and to answer all your questions.

So feel free to come in on the weekends and watch as we grow from what looks like nothing to something the community can be proud of; because this is your project as much as it is ours. Thank you so much for your support!

Train Song of the Month

Rock Island Line
Song by Johnny Cash ‧ 1957

https://youtu.be/FX1BPItDcDo?si=czQ2Py7F-ZdMJU6G

Other notable versions:
Leadbelly.  1937
Lonnie Donegan.  1954

"Rock Island Line" is an American folk song. Ostensibly about the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, it appeared as a folk song as early as 1929. The first recorded performance of "Rock Island Line" was by inmates of the Arkansas Cummins State Farm  prison in 1934.

The original Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad (CRI&P RW, sometimes called Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway) (reporting marks CRI&P, RI, ROCK) was an American Class I railroad.  It was also known as the Rock Island Line, or, in its final years, The Rock.

Dates of operation
October 10, 1852–March 31, 1980

Johnny Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was a Country Music superstar and one of the best-selling music artist of all time, having sold more than 90 million records worldwide.

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

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

Keeping Track of the Model Railroad Enthusiast

Thought you might like this slideshow!

Thank you for reading Making Tracks. Come and visit us at MacArthur Center, second floor, directly below the Regal Cinema.

We're open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 12-6pm while we are rebuilding the Museum.

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

Donate

The Model Railroad Museum of Hampton Roads will be 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. Scouts are welcome. Even youngsters will have their own wooden models to enjoy. Classrooms 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 or the yellow DONATE button below to make it happen... 

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