This is information on the MCHS Model Railroad Museum in Anderson Indiana and it’s many attractions. It is in the basement of the Madison County Historical Society, Inc., and is open any time Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9AM to 4PM. We are on exhibit after Thanksgiving until the first of the year.
We are on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mchsmodelrailroadmuseum
Baker Valve Gear
There is a mock up of a ¼ scale model of the Baker Valve Gear ready to operate on a New York Central Railroad steam locomotive. This is a large wooden setup built by Maurice Lewman, a retired engineer.
HO Scale Layout
Our HO Layout started out as a 3’x 6’ yard layout. It was exhibited seven years ago. Two years ago we added a 4’x 8’ and this year another section was added to it. There are numerous buildings, houses, and a couple of factories. On the other side is a water tower, a coaling tower, a control tower, a station, several houses, a business and a farm. The layout is divided to separate the small 1950s town from the older town. We have now added a roundhouse and a diner.
On30 Scale
The On30 is a 4’ x 6’ O scale layout operating with an old time steam locomotive and rolling stock painted with an American Flag motif. This was built 5 years ago when the train was purchased with a power pack and track. A small layout sets it off. This is the 1900-1910 era. A push button must be held to make it run and it stops when you let off.
O Scale Traction
This is a 4’x 8’ setup. What is traction? It was what your grandmother and grandfather rode from about the turn of the last century to 1941. It was THE way to go. There were 5 trains each way through Anderson from Indianapolis to Muncie and vice-versa. There were trains running through Anderson to Marion and beyond. This was the method of passeng