Category: News

From the Desk of the Superintendent, NOV 2025

By Dan Mulhearn

Greetings, fellow model railroad enthusiasts. We are gearing up for the holiday season; and remember November is Model Railroad Month! It’s a good time to recruit new folks, if not to the NMRA, at least to our hobby.

Thank you to Bob Johnson for hosting our October meeting, and the opportunity to inspect his outstanding West Virginia Midland. The meeting was well attended, and there were a couple of questions raised which might be discussed in the newsletter.

First, a home layout is not required in order to host a Division meeting. The only thing you need is the space and the willingness to host. This brings us to the topic of clinics at our meetings. Clinics need not be limited to topics related to model railroading. Most, if not all, of us have at least a passing interest in the prototype we model. Clinics on any of the many facets of the prototype would be fine. This could be history, development of a particular car, locomotive, operation, or your visit to a place of interest.

I was able to attend the recent MER regional convention in King of Prussia, PA. The Philly Division did a wonderful job hosting this convention; more on this later.

I was able to attend clinics on Layout Command Control, a subject which fascinates me. There were also “You can do this” clinics on attaining the AP Certificates for cars and locomotives; at least one of which is required to join the ranks of Master Model Railroader.

To repeat, the Philly Division presented a great convention. It bears mention that the New Jersey Division had committed to hosting the 2025 convention, then determined they were unable to host. This resulted in the Philly Division having only one year to pull the convention together.

Our Division has volunteered to host the 2027 MER Convention. It’s time to get serious about preparing for that event. The Region does a lot of the work involved, but there is plenty of responsibility for us. The Region VP plans on visiting one of our upcoming meetings, and the 2027 Regional is high on his agenda.

See you at the November meeting.

NMRA’s Vision 2035: Full Speed Ahead to Our Centennial!

The National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) is embarking on an exciting journey, one that will redefine our future as we approach our 100th anniversary in 2035. We’re thrilled to unveil Vision 2035, a comprehensive plan designed to solidify the NMRA as the premier global association dedicated to the growth and enjoyment of the scale model rail community. This isn’t just a roadmap; it’s a commitment to every member, ensuring that your passion for model railroading has a vibrant, supportive, and innovative home for decades to come.

READ MORE…

“Vision 2035” PDF

Graphic Standards/Brand Identity Guide PDF

Promotional Materials

Next Business Meeting; 12 October

The Sunday, 12 October meeting will be held at Bob Johnson’s home where we will be visiting the West Virginia Midland RR (WVM). This is a stand gauge short line operation that features steep grades and lots of geared engines. The Midland is a “what might have been” railroad inspired by the prototype West Virginia Midland and is set in the early summer of 1954. The only catch is that the real WVM was a narrow-gauge line that went out of business in 1930. In my world the WVM survived the great depression, converted to standard gauge and prospered during World War II. Like the prototype, the WVM is based in and around Webster Springs, WV. It connects with the B&O on the west end and Western Maryland Ry on the east.

As usual, the meeting starts at 2:00PM.

Please email southmountaindiv@gmail.com to obtain the street address.

Park on the street in from of the house walk down the driveway. Enter through the basement door at the rear of the house (directional signage will be posted).

Reminder:

SMD membership meetings are always the 2nd Sunday of the month at 2PM. The only exceptions are for April, when the Mini-Con replaces our business meeting, and in May, which will take place one week later, on the 3rd Sunday.

Please consider hosting a meeting sometime during the 2025 – 2026 program year. Email southmountaindiv@gmail.com. We try to avoid back-to-back repeat visits so if you have never hosted, or it has been a year or so since you did, give it a thought.

The schedule is as follows.

  • November 9th – Larry Daily; Shepherdstown, WV.
Hosts Needed:

As of this writing we do not have any meeting hosts signed up for December through May of 2026. We need volunteers to step up as hosts. Your layout doesn’t need to be large, or finished, or even operational. Without hosts we cannot hold our meetings. Repeat hosts (within the past year) are okay but we really would like to see some layouts that we have not visited for a couple of year or never seen at all. If you would like to host, or have any questions concerning hosting please contact your Division superintendent at southmountaindiv@gmail.com.

Mini-Clinics:

It has long been the policy of the SMD to present mini-clinics at each meeting. In some cases clinics are conducted by the host. However, not every host is in a position to do so. We are asking for members to volunteer to develop and present mini-clinics at meetings to fill these gaps. If you can to do a mini-clinic please contact your Division superintendent at southmountaindiv@gmail.com.

From the Desk of the Superintendent, OCT 2025

By Dan Mulhearn

I was reading recently of some politician, I believe it may have been a vice president who said, “This job is just one dxxx thing after another.” I know the feeling. Thanks to the wonderful physical therapy and occupational therapy staffs here at Quincy Village; I was off the walker and even driving again. Subsequently, on September 11th, myself and two other gentlemen seated at my table tested positive for COVID-19. My apologies for not being able to attend our September gathering. As this is written my quarantine ends tomorrow. Barring some other dxxx thing I look forward to our October meeting as well as the annual MER Convention at King of Prussia, 16-19 October.

Have you downloaded the latest MER newsletter? It updates us on National and Regional happenings. There are also well done articles on such things as decals, structure building and other items of interest. It is well worth your time.

Our Division needs volunteers willing to host a Division Meeting at their home. If that volunteer is you, please reach out to Division staff to put that in motion. We are always interested in what you’ve been up to and enjoying the progress on your model railroad.

Next Business Meeting; 14 September

The September meeting will be a return visit to Steve King’s home to enjoy his large “N” scale layout. As usual, the meeting starts at 2:00PM.

Please email southmountaindiv@gmail.com to obtain the street address.

Steve operates the Virginia Midland Railroad, which is a large “N” scale layout that features heavy coal operations with just enough general freight traffic thrown in to make things interesting for the operators. In many ways the Virginia Midland brings back memories of the N&W (post Virginian merger). It features long trains of hoppers, multi-engine power consists, and even independently controlled helpers. Even if you are not personally into heavy freight drag operations this layout is worth seeing. This is probably one of the largest N scale layouts in the area. All operations are controlled using CVP (Easy DCC) wireless throttles.

Reminder:

SMD membership meetings are always the 2nd Sunday of the month at 2PM. The only exceptions are for April, when the Mini-Con replaces our business meeting, and in May, which will take place one week later, on the 3rd Sunday.

Please consider hosting a meeting sometime during the 2025 – 2026 program year. Email southmountaindiv@gmail.com. We try to avoid back-to-back repeat visits so if you have never hosted, or it has been a year or so since you did, give it a thought.

The schedule is as follows.

  • October 12th – Bob Johnson; Jefferson, MD

Mini-Clinics:

It has long been the policy of the SMD to present mini-clinics at each meeting. In some cases clinics are conducted by the host. However, not every host is in a position to do so. We are asking for members to volunteer to develop and present mini-clinics at meetings to fill these gaps. If you can to do a mini-clinic please contact your Division superintendent at southmountaindiv@gmail.com.