Are there any members in Prince George, Calvert, or St. Mary’s counties in Maryland? I moved to St. Mary’s County at the end of February, and I know of no other model railroaders. I’d love to get involved in a round robin group if one exists.
The short answer is yes. I belong to a round robin operating group that meets every Tuesday night at one of several layouts in Charles, P.G. and Calvert. The Calvert Co. layout is usually operated during the day on Tuesday’s. The group has been meeting for over 40 years.
I also belong to another round robin group that meets the second Thursday of each month during the day. We railfan and attend model railroad events rather than operate. Most members are also members of the Tuesday night group. We have operated on Paul Dolkus’ Baltimore switching layout and have recently visited Lance Mindheim’s Miami layout. We’ve gone on overnight trips to the C&O society at Clifton Forge, VA, Horseshoe Curve, Fostoria Ohio, Strasburg, the EBT, the US Army transportation museum at Ft. Eustis and many other places . Membership is by invitation.
There is a southern Maryland club that meets sporatically at the La Plata train station in Charles Co. They are presently building a small N scale display layout in the station.
The Popes Creek railfans email group also meets at the station, once in the fall and spring. Anyone can come. I can add your email to their list if you want.
I live in Charles Co. and would love to have you visit my layout. The layout was in the 2009 issue of Great Model Railroads and photos have appeared in MR Planning 2009, MR issues Oct. 2008, Dec. 2001 and in the 2010 Art of Model Railroading calendar. Just email me and hopefully we can get together sometime and we can discuss the round robin groups in more detail.
Dale Latham, Piedmont Southern RR
Dale, I’d love to!
I am in Waldorf for the week (24-28 October) and was wondering if there were any operating sessions, meetings or other Model Railroading events this week?
I know it’s the 29th and 30th, but the Great Scale Model Train show is at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Md. north of Baltimore. I’ll be going. It’s a little less than an hour and a half away. One of the largest train shows in the country. www.gsmts.com
Thursday through Sunday is also the NMRA/MER annual convention in Cary, NC and I know at least 5 southern Maryland modellers who are making the trip down there. We got together Tuesday evening to operate, but I didn’t see your message until Wednesday, so that was of no help to you.
Dale Latham, Piedmont Southern RR, GMR 2009
Good plug!
The Timonium show is one of the better shows I’ve been to. I have lived in various places in the US from Davis/Sacramento CA, Houston TX, Indianapolis IN, Rochester and Syracuse NY and now Fairfax VA. In addition I’ve visited other shows in Louisville KY and Springfield/Amhearst MA and Timonium is up among the top shows! I think only Springfield MA gave it a run for it’s money but brrrrrr it was always bitter cold when that show is held! Of course it was 3.5 hours each way to visit Springfield from Syracuse!
I am living in Centerville/Chantilly now and planning on visiting Timonium north of Baltimore. It’s worth the drive!
I’d love to go this time, but I’m on ambulance duty this weekend. I’m keeping the next Timonium show open, though.
Dale, summer’s over. Any time I can visit?
I like the show. Lots of vendors and layouts. Any one in the DC area should consider attending.
I’m on the Eastern Shore… if you have a boat, I’m only 45 minutes away! I’ll be at Timonium on Saturday afternoon, too. Probably hanging around with either the Conrail Historical Society, WM Historical Society or the Baltimore Area N Trak club.
I’ll be the one with the big eyes and tiny wallet…[:'(]
Lee
I’ll give you a call. Operating sessions are scheduled to start on my layout Nov. 15th.
Dale
I live in Lexington Park and was hoping to find a model railroad group to get involved with again. I am also a member of the severna park model railroad club, I have been a member with them since I was 12 yrs old. Dale I am very interested in getting back involved with operating sessions if you could message me and give more information that would be outstanding.
Its great though my two youngest evern though they are 3 and 5 yrs old are in love with everything trains and I cannot wait to got to the WSMR again when they have the 1309 up and running.