Members of the Harford Associates for Railroad Modeling (HARM) traveled to Virginia Beach, Virginia, from October 15-18 to participate in the Mid-Eastern Region (MER) Convention. The four-day event brought together model railroaders from across the region for clinics, layout tours, operating sessions, model evaluations, and opportunities to connect with others who share a passion for the hobby.
Representing HARM at the convention were Rick Barton, David DiCarlo, Alan Feldman, Jim Fisher, Harry Ivory, Bill McAleese, Rick Stoneking, and Scott Wooddell. HARM members were actively involved in many aspects of the convention, contributing as clinicians, evaluators, exhibitors, and attendees.
A major highlight for HARM was the club's T-Trak layout, which was transported to Virginia Beach and displayed throughout the convention. The layout showcased the flexibility and appeal of T-Trak modular railroading while demonstrating the craftsmanship and creativity of HARM members.
The display area featured several other unique portable layouts. Among them were a door-sized N Scale layout, a Depression-era Lionel layout, a Z Scale railroad housed inside a guitar case, and a mini-module layout. These displays highlighted the diversity of modeling approaches and the ingenuity found throughout the hobby.
Another popular part of the convention was the opportunity to visit area layouts and participate in operating sessions. HARM members toured several impressive home railroads, including Rick Lull's HO scale Richmond Terminal layout and Mike Pulaski's HO scale Mohawk & Hudson layout. Mike is also one of the coordinators of the Mid-Atlantic Railroad Prototype Meet, which was held earlier in October near Baltimore.
Operating sessions provided a chance to experience different approaches to railroad operations. Alan Feldman and Scott Wooddell participated in an operating session on Gary Friedhaber's Phoebus Railroad. The layout recreates the eastern end of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway branch that extended from Newport News through Phoebus to Fort Monroe and Old Point Comfort. The prototype railroad played a significant role in the growth of the community of Phoebus and included the famous 2,800-foot trestle crossing of Mill Creek on its route to Fort Monroe. Operated using traditional DC block control, Gary's layout offers numerous switching opportunities and captures the flavor and operation of this historically important Virginia railroad.
Alan Feldman also attended an operating session on John Cryderman's HO scale Detroit Terminal Railroad. Based on the prototype Detroit Terminal Railroad, the layout represents the west end of the belt line that served western Detroit and Dearborn. The prototype was an industrial switching and interchange railroad that connected factories with the major railroads serving the city. The area modeled includes traffic associated with western Detroit industries, Ford's facilities in Dearborn and the Rouge industrial district, along with interchange connections to railroads such as the Pennsylvania, Wabash, and Michigan Central/New York Central. The layout offered operators a challenging and realistic switching environment that reflected the unique role of the Detroit Terminal Railroad.
HARM members played an important role in the convention's clinic program. Bill McAleese presented four clinics: Scratch with a Match, Cardboard in Model Railroading, Which Glue to Use, and Micro Cameras and Video in RR. Scott Wooddell presented Introduction to the OPSIG Achievement Program, while Jim Fisher presented the Pine Tree Clinic. Bill's presentations focused on practical modeling techniques and creative problem-solving, while Scott and Jim shared their expertise in operations and layout construction.
Another significant accomplishment came through the work of Bill McAleese. Several of his modules were evaluated under the NMRA's new Modular Railroading Achievement Program Certificate. The modules earned sufficient Merit Awards for Bill to qualify for the certificate, an important milestone recognizing excellence in modular model railroad construction and presentation.
In addition to presenting clinics, both Bill McAleese and Scott Wooddell volunteered as evaluators in the contest room. Their efforts helped support the NMRA Achievement Program and model contest process while contributing to the success of the convention.
The convention offered attendees a wide variety of educational opportunities covering subjects such as scratchbuilding, layout planning, operations, scenery, signaling, 3D printing, lighting, and prototype railroad modeling. HARM members returned home with new ideas, techniques, and inspiration to share with the club.
HARM is proud of the members who represented the club at the convention. From exhibiting the club's T-Trak layout to presenting clinics, evaluating models, participating in operating sessions, and earning Achievement Program recognition, HARM members made significant contributions throughout the event.
The club extends its congratulations to Bill McAleese on earning the Merit Awards necessary to qualify for the Modular Railroading Achievement Program Certificate and thanks all of the members who helped make HARM's participation such a success. Their involvement demonstrated once again that HARM remains an active and respected presence within the Mid-Eastern Region model railroading community.