HARM Switchlist - September, 2026

Welcome aboard The HARM Switchlist, the monthly online bulletin of the Harford Associates for Railroad Modeling—where serious operations meet good company trackside. Each issue keeps members in the loop with a quick, friendly read: Pick-Ups looks back at the highlights and happenings from the past month, Set-Outs flags the upcoming sessions, events, and opportunities you won’t want to miss, and the YardMaster Report spotlights a member, organization, or manufacturer helping keep the hobby rolling. Whether you’re here for the timetable precision or the coffee-and-conversation crew, grab your orders and let’s get to work.

Pick-Ups

HARM member Scott Wooddell attended the 2026 National Train Show, held August 1–2 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, following the NMRA National Convention. The centerpiece was the World Record–breaking National T-TRAK Layout, covering more than 10,000 square feet with 715 modules—the equivalent of 1,511 standard T-TRAK modules—built by more than 170 modelers. Its "Scenic City Route" featured an incredible 93.47 scale miles of continuous mainline, more than tripling the previous record of 28.4 scale miles. Numerous other modular and club layouts representing a variety of scales were also on display.

Many of the hobby’s major manufacturers attended, including ScaleTrains, Bachmann, Atlas, KATO, Rapido Trains, Walthers, Woodland Scenics, Athearn, Broadway Limited Imports, SoundTraxx, and many others. The show gave visitors a chance to see new and upcoming products, shop with vendors, and talk directly with manufacturer representatives.

The Craftsman Corner showcased smaller manufacturers and cottage industries, including Conowingo Models, owned by Chesapeake Division member Chris Coarse, along with Mine Mount Models, Mudd Creek Models, Rail Scale Models, Motrak Models, Phoenix Model Buildings, Tully Models, and others. Between the layouts, manufacturers, and vendors, the National Train Show provided a great finish to a week of model railroading in Chattanooga.

HARM members Bill McAleese, Alan Feldman, and Scott Wooddell participated in Model Railroad Days at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg, August 14–16. The three joined the Keystone N-Trak club’s T-TRAK setup, contributing modules and operating trains among the museum’s impressive collection of full-size historic locomotives and railroad equipment. Several other modular clubs representing a variety of scales also participated, making the weekend a great opportunity to share model railroading with the public while enjoying both model and prototype railroading.

Congratulations to HARM members John Zdanis and Ken Poznaniak on earning the NMRA Golden Spike Award! This award recognizes model railroaders who have demonstrated a broad range of skills in areas such as rolling stock, scenery, structures, trackwork, and electrical operation. It is a great accomplishment and an important milestone in the NMRA Achievement Program. Hopefully, the Golden Spike is just the first of many Achievement Program awards for John and Ken as they continue developing their modeling skills and enjoying the hobby. Congratulations to both on a well-deserved achievement!

Set-Outs

YardMaster Report

November means Model Railroad Open House Month, when model railroaders throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey open their layouts for fellow hobbyists and the public to visit. It’s a great opportunity to see some outstanding layouts, pick up new ideas, meet other model railroaders, and perhaps discover a railroad you’ve never visited before. Want to get involved? If you would like to host an open house, visit ModelRailroadOpenHouse.com after the first week of September to sign up. Then, check the website again in October when the complete schedule of November open houses will be posted. Be sure to mark Sunday, November 22 on your calendar! Several Chesapeake Division members in Harford and Cecil counties will be opening their layouts that day, making it a great opportunity for HARM members to spend a Sunday visiting some local railroads. Whether you host a layout or simply spend a day touring them, get out and enjoy Model Railroad Open House Month this November!

Learn more and sign up: ModelRailroadOpenHouse.com

Scott Wooddell