HARM Does T-Trak

During this year’s pandemic/quarantine, HARM decided to try something new for most of the members, building and operating T-Trak modules. T-Trak modules are small (roughly 1-square foot) modules that sit on tables and connect with each other to form a continuously running layout. More than a dozen of our members were up for the challenge and constructed standard straight modules and four corner modules. A few members strayed from the usual double track mainlines and added switches to industries, a double crossover, and an industrial switching area. To keep everything pretty uniform, we used CMR Products (great people to work with) module kits for all of the modules. Most of the participants were able to complete their modules by the Christmas deadline, but a few will still be working on theirs into the New Year.

We will be operating the T-Trak layout at our last Tuesday of the year meeting virtually via Zoom. A YouTube video link will be posted here or you can subscribe to our channel to be notified. If you would like to vote for your favorite modules, then note the code in the bottom left corner of the pictures in the gallery below (some modules have more than one picture). Then follow the link below to vote for your favorite three modules. Also, leave us a comment and tell us what you think.

HARM T-Trak Voting Link (vote for top three using code on pictures)

YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/cefKQ5wqXUE

HARM Goes Virtual

In the midst of our COVID-19 pandemic, it was nice to get together with some model railroading friends, even if it was just through a computer screen. The meeting added some sense of normalcy to our regular Tuesday night operating session. About a dozen of our members got together through a Zoom meeting for roughly an hour to check on one another and share their current modeling projects. We talked about locomotives, JMRI projects, electronics, prototype modeling and scenery. Of course there was the usual amount of joviality and just plain kidding around. But in these times, any type of human interaction is good. We decided that it would be good to keep this type of regular meeting up during the duration of this world-wide event. One of our members even hosted a Facebook live event a few weeks earlier. If you have a group like ours, give this a try and see how it works for you.

Zoom Train Group.png

P.S. - There are several different services available for this type of virtual meeting. Most of them have a free version that you can use for small groups and to try out the service.

  • Zoom

  • WebEx

  • Facetime

  • Skype

  • Facebook Messenger

  • Microsoft Teams

  • Google Hangouts

  • GoTo Meeting

Another HARM Visit to Howard Zane's Layout

We are so fortunate to live so close to so many wonderful layouts. And one of the finest you might ever see is that created by artist Howard Zane in Columbia, Maryland. HARM member and longtime operator at Howard’s, Fred Eisen, arranged for several of us to visit his home and layout on Sunday, March 8, 2020. Of course, before we could do any model railroading, we had to meet for lunch at a local sub and pizza shop. HARM runs on their stomachs. HARM members that attended included Dave R, Bob U, Scott M, Bill F, Harry I (and friend from NJ), Jeff D, and Scott W. When you first enter Howard’s home, you are greeted by walls of floor to ceiling display cases of brass locomotives of all types in HO and O scales. It is just an overwhelming sight to behold. Also on the main floor of the house is his workshop with several desks where Howard builds, paints, and details locomotives, rolling stock and structures. Once down into the basement, you see that the model railroad encompasses all but the aisle ways of his basement in three distinct “rooms”. Some of the space is original to the home, while other spaces have been added on over the years. Howard has also rebuilt several of the sections and reconfigured track and scenery. Speaking of scenery, it extends from the facia to the ceiling in most places and presents a nice backdrop to the layout. You really feel as though you are in a mountain valley. Howard’s structures are exquisite, with details galore to bring them to life. You can really tell that Howard enjoys hosting groups at his home and enjoys talking about his layout, experiences, and model railroading in general. He was not too mobile today, recovering from recent knee surgery. If you ever get a chance to visit this layout, jump at the opportunity! The pictures below really don’t do the layout justice, but enjoy anyway.

If you would like to see more pictures from our other visit to Howard Zane’s layout, CLICK HERE.

Open Houses for 2019

November is National Model Railroad month and once again several members of HARM will be opening their home layouts up to the public. For Nov. 24, Bill M, Ken P, and Scott W will be open, and on Nov 30, Bill M, Bill F, and Scott W will be open. You can find more information such as times and addresses at modelrailroadopenhouse.com. We look forward to seeing you there.

You can get a preview of each of these layouts by visiting these links:

Passing of Walter Wolfel

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of HARM member Walter Wolfel. Although Walter did not have a model railroad to operate, he was often a fixture at our operating sessions with his outspoken sense of humor. He also enjoyed hosting movie nights so that he could hang out with the railroad boys. His friendship will surely be missed. “Damn you Walter!”

Obituary as posted:

“Walter Andrew Wolfel Jr. of Bel Air, Md. passed away peacefully on October 22, 2019. Born on January 7, 1924 to Rachel Rebecca Wolfel and Walter Wolfel Sr. in Baltimore, Md. Walter was a devoted husband of 54 years to Thelma Marie Wolfel and is survived by his daughter Corey Wolfel of Baltimore Md., son Andrew Wolfel, wife Tanya Wolfel and grandson Christopher Wolfel of Richmond, Va.

Walter was a devoted Christian in the Episcopal Church, loved model railroading, bible study, Wii bowling, work shop and singing (terrible voice) in the choir at Avondell. Walter always had a positive attitude, never short on words and always felt you could never have too many friends. Special wishes to all his friends that made his life so special including Clare Dippel, Donna Panzer, Dr. Sam Wilson and the railroad boys.”

Walter Wolfel, 1924-2019

Walter Wolfel, 1924-2019

HARM Members Ride Behind N&W 611

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon several HARM members, spouses and friends spent the day at Strasburg Railroad enjoying the sights and sounds of the famed Norfolk and Western J-class 4-8-4 #611. The day began with a delicious lunch at Plain and Fancy Smokehouse BBQ and Brew. After that, we made our way over to the the railroad grounds to check out the sights and pick up our tickets. On the way over, we passed several large groups of railfans parked at grade crossings, ready to catch a glimpse of the locomotive. We arrived at the station just as 611 was pulling in from its 12:30 run. The Strasburg Railroad crews had everything worked out perfectly to switch between trains. #611 pulled forward to clear the end switch, backed onto the siding, and then pulled forward on to a dedicated spur. After 611 was securely in place, the SRC SW-8 switcher then pulled forward, coupled to the passenger cars and pulled them into the yard to make room for #475 to come into the station. Once 475 departed, the process was reversed to get 611 ready for its next run. In between runs, the 611 crew allowed visitors (for an extra fee) to climb into the cab and blow the whistle. This was also a perfect time to capture some stunning pictures of this magnificent locomotive. Just before 2:30 it was our turn to board the open-air cars for a 45-minute ride up the line. The trip took us through the beautiful Lancaster County countryside and through a passing siding, where we met #475. At the end of the line, #611 moved from one end of the train to the other for the return trip. After the ride, and dusting the cinders from our har, we explored the station area a bit and then visited the Strasburg Model Railroad club in a tent on the other side the rails. They had their modules setup that give a pretty accurate depiction of the tourist line in HO scale. The weather was beautiful, the trains majestic, and visiting with friends made everything that much better.

Mainline Hobby Open Houses

On Saturday, September 21, 2019, a couple of HARM members, Scott M and Scott W., ventured out to see some of the model railroads featured in the Mainline Hobby Open Houses. There was some fantastic work featured this year, and we were able to squeeze in eight of them during the day. Pictures can be found below.

Burlington County MRC Operating Session

On Saturday, August 10, 2019, several members of HARM, Bill M., Bob U., Rich, K., and Scott W., ventured to New Jersey to participate in an operating session at the Burlington County Model Railroad Club with crossover member Harry I. After a filling breakfast at the local crew’s regular place, the Cinnimonson Diner, we drove the short distance over to the model railroad club building, which is in the basement of a converted theatre. Recently, the club has been working on an operating scheme and schedule for their wonderful layout using JMRI Operations Pro to generate train orders and switch lists. Each of the HARM members were paired with one of the BCMRC members in order to get the lay of the land and understand the operating procedures. Rich volunteered to work one of the two main yards, while the others worked through freights and locals. The layout design provides a variety of operating potential. In addition to the two main yards, there is an extensive steel mill, waterfront with barge tracks, power plant, breweries, and facilities for loading and unloading coal. All of these industries kept us busy for over three hours. It was a great day of running trains and visiting with friends. We even got to see some structures that were removed from founding HARM member Dave R’s layout to live on in another location. Check out some of the pictures from our visit.