• Andrew Dodge (On3 fine scale)
• Steve King (N scale heavy coal hauler based on Clinchfield / N&W)
• Pete & Jane Clarke (HOn3 EBT layout)
• Bob Johnson (HO freelance short line running between the B&O and the WM in central WV)

RPM-East prototype modeler event in metro-Pittsburgh, PA

The 2025 RPM-East returns to the Westmoreland County Community College in Youngwood, PA, March 21 & 22! The location of our long-running railroad prototype modeler meet is just 40 miles southeast of downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Make plans to rekindle your modeling efforts!

Thirty-eight modelers and historians are scheduled to speak at RPM-East. Many presentation titles have been posted to the RPM-East website. A tentative presentation schedule will be posted to the website in late February.

Early bird registration is only $40 (until February 28th). RPM-East is sponsored by Division 2, MCR-NMRA. Registration forms, presentation details, op session layouts, and participating vendors can be reviewed at the RPM-East website: http://hansmanns.org/rpm_east/index.htm

There will be plenty of action over March 21 & 22.

• two days of prototype and model presentations
• a large display room to share your modeling efforts and learn new techniques
•  a variety of vendors selling goods for prototype modeling
• Thursday operating sessions on local model railroads
• Sunday model railroad layouts to visit

There are several hotel options in nearby New Stanton, PA, just off of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. This Google Maps link can help you find lodging. https://goo.gl/maps/Kf55KEzfHJSMmaEV7

Gather your models and make plans to attend the 2025 RPM-East prototype modeler event in Youngwood, PA!

Eric Hansmann, RPM-East Publicity and Web Guy eric@hansmanns.org

Mid-Atlantic RPM

Visit the Cumberland Valley Model Railroad Club

In 1996 a small group of railroad enthusiasts recognized the need for a club in the Chambersburg area, thus in April of that year the Cumberland Valley Model Railroad Club was founded. The club derived its name from the Cumberland Valley Railroad. The Cumberland Valley Railroad’s headquarters, which was located in Chambersburg served the Cumberland Valley from 1836 to 1919, when it became part of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

https://www.cvmrrc.com/

Visit the Frederick County Society of Model Engineers (FCSME)

The FCSME’s Catoctin Central Railroad operating exhibit is a 56’ HO scale layout housed inside a 70’, 6-door Chesapeake and Ohio horse express car. The layout is a mythical short line that crosses Frederick County, traversing the Catoctin Mountains where it connects with the HOn3 scale Catoctin Mountain Lines. Two HO scale loops laid out in an overlapping dog-bone shape span the majority of the club car’s interior and include a centrally placed yard with a turntable. The HOn3 portion, located inside and over one end of the main-track loops, is a short branch consisting of a point-to-point switch-back with a dual gauge yard. Motive power and most of the rolling stock is from member’s private collections and include a mix of steam and diesel of various eras and road names. The layout is controlled with Digitrax DCC. Using JMRI (Java Model Railroad Interface), members are able to use mobile device applications to control train movements across the layout. Many areas of the layout are currently being improved and are under construction.

The club was founded in 1966. The 6-door horse express car was purchased in 1972. Through the generosity of the Young family the car was provided a safe home for decades in the City of Frederick. It was transported by truck to Walkersville in 2022 under the direction of the WSRR. The Young’s continued benevolence has recently afforded the club the opportunity to have a fresh coat of paint applied to the full exterior. This historic car is maintained in the late C&O tri-color paint scheme and reapplication of lettering will take place soon.

The club car and layout are usually open to the general public, monthly, on first and last Saturdays in conjunction with WSRR operating schedules. For future dates and times refer to the club Facebook page <https://www.facebook.com/FCSMEtrains/>.

34 W Pennsylvania Ave, Walkersville, MD 21793

@ Walkersville Southern Railroad (WSRR) yard/facilities

Parking along Mill Street beyond the club car. <https://maps.app.goo.gl/G4B7MaZ7SDLHAU3S7?g_st=ic>

Visit the Northern Virginia Model Railroad Club

Visit to our club and see our model railroad in action.  The layout’s HO scale trains depict the Western North Carolina Railroad during the steam to diesel transition.    Traction fans will enjoy watching our trolleys running under overhead wire.  The layout also features award winning structures and operations conducted on a permanent 20 x 50’ layout using DCC.  Bring the kids to see Thomas the tank engine and his friends who will be running too.  The Northern Virginia Model Railroad Club resides in the historic, circa 1859, Vienna Depot of the former Washington & Old Dominion Railroad (W&OD), 231 Dominion Road NE., Vienna, VA.  History buffs will enjoy the museum in the waiting room with its displays of the history of the W&OD.  Hours: 1-5 PM.  FREE ADMISSION (donations accepted). https://www.nvmr.org/schedule/.