Train OrderOur mission is to promote education and fellowship through the sharing of information and the promotion of the world's greatest hobby. - Model Railroading.
From the Head Elf
It being December, I thought I would add some holiday cheer to the Train Order. I have also added several train related holiday events in/near our division. Some are more children oriented while some are more railfan/adult oriented. Have fun and be safe this holiday season!
WANTED! - Pictures of your Christmas layout or village!!
Please send a photo of your Christmas setup to div1ncr@outlook.com. I know many of you and your spouse enjoy decorating for
the holidays so why not share a photo and show it! Nothing is too small or too big, just a quick photo and send it in! I will be accepting images right up to Christmas.
View from the Sleigh
December already! It has been a good year for the Black Swamp Division and I am feeling very good about where we stand as an organization. We have some minor challenges ahead
filling vacant seats and getting a few more clinics for our meetings. Although we lost a couple members this year, we have actually increased our numbers by a couple to 83. It has
been a long time since the numbers were in a positive direction!! we are also seeing around 30 people per meeting, which is better than 1/3 of the membership.
Looking forward to 2023, I feel we can still do more to serve our members. Serving the needs of our members both increases membership and membership retention. From my personal experience, most individuals equate the NMRA as a value proposition. Is it worth the expense/time, do I get anything out of it? The value I get out of the NMRA and the Black Swamp specifically is the companionship and sharing of the hobby. For me, coming to the meetings is like being in the holiday spirit each month. The Show and Tell sessions along with the Clinics are a great way of sharing what you know and what you are doing. Even though I think I know just about all I will ever need to know about modeling, I am always surprised how someone will show some little tidbit of information and I am scrambling to take notes or look it up on my phone. We have a great bunch of modelers with so much that can be shared!
I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Marshall Stull,
mstull@marshallstull.com
Superintendent
In the Workshop
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Although we have a couple clinics lined up for 2023, we do not have enough!! Please think of stepping forward and helping to fill the open spots.
No one is an expert on everything and some of us are better at some things than others. If you have an idea, or you just enjoy that one thing,
please step forward and share with the rest of the group. To submit an idea for a clinic, send me an e-mail to firemedicburr1@gmail.com.
Brian Burr,
firemedicburr1@gmail.com,
Assistant Superintendent
December 9th Festivities
Our next meeting is on December 9th. Come hungry because we will have food catered by Tony Packo's. This meeting is about giving back to the membership after having a great year.
Over the past year, everyone has chipped in to fill the coffers. We did exceptionally well during the 2021 Convention and received many wonderful donations during 2022. As a
reward to the division, we will be having the meeting catered with food and we will have some fun with a White Elephant Gift Exchange.
Menu:
- Packo's Original Hungarian Hotdogs
- Chicken Paprikas
- Stuffed Cabbage
- Mac & Cheese
- Baked Beans
Bring a Treat to Share!
We encourage everyone to bring a favorite Christmas Treat to share with the group. Past favorites have been Christmas cookies, cupcakes, and other desserts.
White Elephant Gift Exchange
The more people who participate the more fun it will be!! Please bring a wrapped gift to place on the designated table. The gift must be model railroad/hobby related but can be old or
new. Each person will have the chance to pick a gift or steal a gift from someone else. Remember! The More, The Merrier!
If you have not already done so, please RSVP so we can make sure we have enough cheer for everyone!
Please click here to let us know if you will be at the December 9th Meeting!
Holiday Cheer
Season Happenings
Train Related Christmas Events
CP Rail Holiday Train through Michigan and Ohio
Wabash/NS main, Detroit MI to Montpelier OH
https://www.cpr.ca/holidaytrain
The Canadian Pacific (CP) Holiday Train will return to the rails this season, including passes through Allen Park, Taylor, Romulus, Adrian and Montpelier Ohio on its first cross-continent tour in three years! The train is scheduled to cross Michigan and Ohio on the evening of December 1st after their evening show in Windsor, Ontario. The CP train will be entering the Detroit Downriver area between 8:00-9:00pm as it continues to the Chicago area. One of the biggest gathering places to view the train in years past has been the vacant lot next to Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park MI. It is unknown if the train will have its holiday lights on through Michigan and Ohio. Norfolk Southern (who owns the ROW in this area) has raised concerns over lineside crowds and the safety of the public.
Southern Michigan Railroad Santa Express Train
Tecumseh Station - 112 N Evans, Tecumseh MI
http://www.southernmichiganrailroad.com/ride/santa-express/
Step aboard the Santa Express train for a 45-minute ride up to Santa's workshop. Kids will have a chance to tell Santa just how good they've been this year and what they have on their Christmas list! Book your spot on the 'Presents and Toys' coach filled up with holiday lights and wrapped presents or enjoy the trip in the 'Candy Cane Caboose' stuffed with candy canes and a Christmas tree! Santa's workshop will be full of lights and you'll be able to enjoy a fresh cup of hot chocolate!
North Pole Express with Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation
12505 County Road 99, Findlay, Ohio 45840
http://nworrp.org/north-pole-express.html
Hop aboard the North Pole Express in Findlay, Ohio. You'll enjoy quarter scale Christmas train rides along the track that's surrounded by festive lights and holiday decorations. See delightful toy trains running in their beautifully decorated museum and train barn. Hundreds of decorated trees are inside and out, plus Santa and Mrs. Claus are there to visit on select nights.
Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad
6140 N Bray Rd, Flint, MI
https://geneseecountyparks.org/crossroads-village/programs/christmas-holiday-magic/
You will think you have stepped into a Norman Rockwell painting when you visit this lovely Michigan Christmas village! Visiting Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad, located in Flint, Michigan, is a fantastic way to kick off this holiday season!
The Polar Express (Michigan)
405 South Washington Street, Owosso, MI 48867
https://michigansteamtrain.com/north-pole-express/
Although this event is sold out, it is still a big railfan event. Unfortunately the PM 1225 will not be in action this year due to a much needed extensive wheel and running gear rebuild so diesels will be used. Perhaps the crowds will not be so bad this year!!
Many do not realize, the North Pole (Village of Ashley's Country Christmas) is open to both train riders and car going guests. It's fun to wander around the nostalgic village while enjoying treats, sipping hot cocoa, stopping into eateries, shopping, seeing live entertainment and getting into the holiday mood!
The Polar Express (Ohio) at The Dennison Depot
400 Center Street, Dennison, Ohio 44621
https://dennisondepot.org/polar-express/
Your adventure begins on board our decorated vintage coaches as Storytellers read the story aloud. As the train heads north toward the North Pole, festive elves will entertain you with songs, games, and activities. As you travel to the North Pole enjoy a beverage and delicious cookies, specially made by Mrs. Claus just for you. When the train arrives at the North Pole, you will see Santa and his workshop out your train window. (Passengers do not get off the train.)
Little River Railroad's Holiday Express
29 W Park Ave, Coldwater, MI 49036
https://littleriverrailroad.com/index.php/special-events/
This December, ride the rails with an authentic 100 year steam engine train at the Little River Railroad! Enjoy countryside views while chugging along in a historic train powered by real steam locomotives! The round trip train rides leaves from the station in Coldwater, Michigan. Plus, during a short stop in Quincy, you can see how the locomotive is switched to the other end of the train for your trip back to Coldwater!
Santa Christmas Train Rides with Hocking Valley Scenic Railway
33 West Canal Street, Nelsonville, OH 45764
https://www.hvsry.org/train-rides/santa/
The Santa Train is a 40+ year annual event that you'll want to make part of your Christmas traditions! Two trains depart the historic Nelsonville Depot, traveling round-trip to East Logan and back. Santa boards each train and visits with the children as the train makes its way through the Hocking River Valley. Your kids will love being able to hand-deliver their list to Santa! Each heated coach is heated and decorated for the holiday season. Christmas music plays throughout the train and after Santa visits, the children get a special candy cane treat. Santa Train Rides begin November 26, 2022 and continue each Friday, Saturday and Sunday through December 18.
The North Pole Express from LM&M Railroad
16 E. South Street, Lebanon, OH 45036
https://lebanonrr.com/northpole
Take a ride on the Holiday Express with LM&M Railroad. Sit in their jolly, festive rail cars and travel through Lebanon and cross over the Turtle Creek. Passengers will spend time with Santa and his elves on this 75 minute decorated train ride. Each passenger will receive a souvenir bell and prepackaged cookie.
The North Pole Adventure with the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Peninsula, OH 44264
https://www.cvsr.org/npa-info/
Climb aboard and watch the magic unfold as you make the journey of the North Pole Adventure™. Enjoy hot cocoa, cookies, and festivities as you navigate the sweeping curves of the Cuyahoga Valley and across the globe for the mighty journey to the North Pole to hand-deliver your letter to Santa to the North Pole's very own Postmaster.
Future Merriment
(click ad to enlarge)
If you know about an event happening in our division, please let us know so we can make everyone aware. if a club is having an open house, setup or other activities, we could help promote it!
Check out the new Event Listings page on the NCR website!