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"Chugging Along"

By Greg Warth, Editor

I wish I could say that I coined that phrase for our Museum, but the truth is that one of our guests came up with it, very appropriately, because that defines our current activities perfectly. We are all hard at work building our benchwork, painting our modules, laying track, finishing our backdrops and working on our electronics - all in preparation for our Grand Opening later this Spring. It doesn't happen overnight, but we are getting there, "chugging along."

In a few short months, we are building multiple railroads that would ordinarily take the average model railroader at least three years to build. We are making good progress however. Many of our visitors marvel at the changes that we are accomplishing from week to week. There is a tremendous amount of interest in what we are doing and how we are doing it. People are recognizing this as a creative three dimensional art form that brings out emotional reactions and a great deal of interest in folks who never thought of it in that way before.

We are also busy preparing our STEM/STEAM lessons which will begin this Wednesday, April 7, 2025. Greg Leiphart, our Education Director, will lead off this program starting from the very beginning, so that no one will be left behind. Even those who know nothing about trains now will be able to have a conversation with those who are experts after the first session. Much of what we do in the museum is not just about trains. We teach and demonstrate general concepts of science, construction, physics, engineering and new technologies. What they learn here will support and supplement what they are learning in school while having fun at the same time.

We intend to have exhibits in all the major scales but they may not all be finished by the time of our "Opening." A relatively small G scale layout with two trains will be shown near the entrance. We have three N scale layouts which will mostly be finished soon. A large HO Scale railroad is moving along very well and should be mostly completed with trains running within the next 2-3 weeks. A large O scale layout is planned for the middle of the Museum, which will take longer to complete. But we believe some of the interest in these exhibits comes from watching them while they are being built. We also have one completed Z scale model railroad built inside a guitar case and a second one in the making.

N scale model railroad

A scratchbuilt mine made by the late Jim MacLemore, which will be incorporated into the O scale layout.

HO scale layout built by Carl Lunde.

A fully operational Z scale railroad in a guitar case.

Train Song of the Month
Presented by Frank Reed

Wabash Cannonball   By Doc Watson 1975

https://youtu.be/yAjgrCo30Qk?si=v-ZCwkVEILpCenEh

"The Great Rock Island Route", popularized as "Wabash Cannonball" and also known by various other titles, is a 19th-century American folk song that describes the scenic beauty and predicaments of a fictional train, the Wabash Cannonball Express, as it travels on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. The original song is credited to J. A. Roff (1882).  William Kindt published sheet music for his 1904 “Wabash Cannon Ball” but it is likely his revised lyrics were written by unknown authors prior to 1904.  The Carter Family made one of the earlier recordings (1929) and A. P. Carter registered it as his own (which he often did).   Roy Acuff’s 1938 version sold over ten million records.

The only train to actually bear the name was created in response to the song's popularity, the Wabash Railroad renaming its daytime express service between Detroit and St. Louis the Wabash Cannon Ball from 1949 until its discontinuation in 1971 during the formation of Amtrak.

Arthel Lane "Doc" Watson (March 3, 1923 – May 29, 2012) was an American guitarist, songwriter, and singer of bluegrass, folk, country, blues, and gospel music.  His fingerpicking and flat picking skills, as well as his knowledge of traditional American music, were highly regarded. Blind from a young age, he performed publicly both in a dance band and solo, as well as for over 15 years with his son, guitarist Merle Watson, until Merle's death in 1985 in an accident on the family farm.

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

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

Shipbuilders Go on the Rails
By Mary Kayaselcuk, Historic Site Coordinator
Lee Hall Depot

Lee Hall Depot
Riveter “Big Tom” (ask Albert Burckhard) tells the story of how the Shipyard "went on the rails” to stay in business during the lean years of the Great Depression.  From 1923 to 1927, Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company constructed over 5,000 railroad cars and repaired hundreds of steam locomotives for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway and other American Class I railroads. The end of World War I meant halting most of the Shipyard's military and commercial maritime construction and the 1922 international Washington Naval Treaty spelled the end of almost all US Navy work.  Although Shipyard founder Collis P. Huntington may have winced had he been alive to hear Shipyard President Homer L. Ferguson say he "…could not love a boxcar…”, Huntington would have nevertheless cheered him on as Ferguson personally lobbied President Warren G. Harding to find contracts for non-maritime projects. Ferguson kept his workforce of expert welders, foundrymen, engineers, fitters, and architects intact through his heroic efforts for several years at diversification and “other work” that saved the legacy of his beloved shipyard.
This rail heritage program is cosponsored by the Lee Hall Train Station Foundation and Newport News Historic Services.  Free admission.  The Lee Hall Depot is located at 9 Elmhurst Street; from I-64 use Exit 247.  For additional information contact www.newportnewshistory.org or (757) 525-7372.

MRMHR Historian Warren Leister adds:
"To add to the above, piece by Mary Kayaselcuk, I worked as a high level consultant at NNS for many years. NNS also operates and maintains it's own private railroad on the vast shipyard property at Newport News for use in the building of ships and moving things around the yard and in and out and also to and from suppliers via the C&O and other railroads. At one time I created the first computer supply chain system for NNS using elements of what we know today as Generative AI (Artificial Intelligence). Railroads were and continue today to be a vital part of the supply chain with an increase in tempo as NNS continues to ramp up for vital national security demands with for example their recent acquisition of the large facilities in the Charleston, Sc. area among other things. Railroads today are far from obsolete and are still the most efficient and cost saving form of transportation in the world."

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

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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

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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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