From the Editor

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Now how long will it take before saying or writing 2026 will become normal??

How about a Div 1 New Years Resolution - For 2026 I would like to include more articles in the Train Order about what people are doing to their layouts, so I am going to make an effort to reach out to people directly for updates. I am hoping to encourage more sharing about what is going on with our division members. We also have a number of members who cannot attend the meetings. We want to hear from you as well! I am hoping to reach out to those members as well and get some insight on what is happening all around.

I still encourage everyone to submit information when you have it (it may delay my calling you up).

I hope you enjoy this issue of the Train Order!

View from the Cab

Happy new year to everyone and I hope Santa was good to everyone. Speaking of which, if you received (or spoiled yourself with) a new item, please think about bringing it to Show and Tell.

We have a lot happening in the NMRA as the organization tries to rebuild and become more relevant in an ever changing world. The January 2026 NMRA Magazine (https://nmra.zinioapps.com/publications/nmra-magazine/39900/issues/687015) has a new look and the Presidents Car column talks about several of the changes that will be happening. Some members may feel a bit put off by some of the objectives and the changes that are taking place. I want to remind everyone that the NMRA has seen massive decreases in membership over the last couple decades. Change is required to keep the NMRA as relevant in our hobby. I agree some of the changes do not appear to be things that directly affect growing membership and may even be a waste of money but given our current state, change is required and pulling out all the stops may be necessary. We cannot keep doing business as usual and expect things to be ok. As a 99% volunteer organization just getting people to provide the required services is very difficult. Getting people who will take charge and make the hard decisions required to move forward is a really big deal.

Just as the NMRA is looking to improve, we at the local divisions should be taking stock in what role we play and what our purpose is. For me the local division exists to support local model railroaders, share techniques and forge lasting friendships. National handles the big tasks like standards and national programs while we here at the local level are the boots on the ground sharing and promoting the hobby. The only requirement I have for members is that you enjoy the hobby and share that fun with others.

Spring Modelers Meet - 2026 - Our Spring Meet is coming fast! We will need volunteers to help with setup again but most of all, we need as many people as possible to bring an item to share at the event. It is imperative that we have a good showing of items that will showcase the hobby. This year's event is being advertised far and wide. We have the attention of the community and this year's event is looking to be better than ever.

Division 1 Swap Meet/Train Show - Our October meeting showed great enthusiasm for planning a Swap Meet/Train Show for 2027. Unfortunately we have not progressed since then primarily because my time has not allowed me to follow up (we discussed this at the Christmas Party). That now changes as Steve Kellogg has volunteered to head up planning for the Swap Meet. Steve cannot do this alone! I ask that everyone that stepped forward to help, please contact Steve (atsfmktrock@yahoo.com) to help make this happen. Right now October 2027 is the target as the facility does not have any dates open in November.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the January 9th meeting!

Marshall Stull,
mstull@marshallstull.com
Superintendent

Clinic Corner

Happy New Year to all! Hopefully everyone had a nice holiday season.

For the January meeting Ray Huber will be presenting his clinic on load limits for freight cars. He will discuss what the numbers stenciled on the side of cars mean, and how that relates to the model railroader. This will be a great clinic for those looking to be prototypically correct with their loads.

See you there,

Brian Burr,
Assistant Superintendent

2026 Build Challenge

Last year went so well we decided to try another challenge for 2026! This year you have to make a flat car with a visible load. This can be any scale! Instead of providing the kits (difficult for multiple scales) this year, we will provide a $15 gift card for materials. The gift card will only be provided AFTER the finished model is displayed. Participation will also put you in a drawing for an additional $25 visa gift card. It is recommended that you consider the load and weight restrictions as printed on your car. In other words, make sure you are within the load capacity posted on the car. Here are the rules for the challenge:

• Completed model with load must be a new build (parts can be from storage)
• Model must be presented at the March 27th or April 24th meeting
• Any scale/gauge is allowed
• $15 visa gift card will be awarded to each participant
• The membership will vote for Best in Show which will receive an extra $25 visa gift card

The goal of this challenge is not to be a contest but to inspire as many members as possible to do a model and share it with the group.

January 9th Meeting Agenda

Here is a quick breakdown of what to expect at the meeting:

• Rip Track Table - Have items you want to sell or just give away? Put them on the table
• Business
• Q&A - Ask our members about anything
• Show and Tell
• Break
• Door Prizes
• Clinic - Load limits for freight cars
• Closing Remarks - Announcements and Open Discussion Points

Doors open at 6:00PM, Meeting Starts at 7:00PM
Proclaim FM Community Center
7112 Angola Road,
Holland, OH 43528.

The lighter side of the hobby

October Meeting Highlights

Ron Gilbert presented a Golden Spike award to Nancy Whitehill for her Garden Railway. Very few women in the hobby have achieved the Golden Spike Award. Ron shared that national (NMRA) was extremely impressed by the photos of her work.

The following items were brought for Show and Tell in November (apologies to those I did not get photos of);

Randy Boscher displayed a "kit bashed" mining complex as well as a small accessory building.

Dave McMullian showed some wood skewers with alligator clips on one end. Also, a small 6" dia. carousal with alligator clips. Both items are good at holding small parts for painting.

Richard Prorok displayed an all wood model of the Deshler interlocking tower in Deshler, Ohio.

Marshall stull showed a Proto 2000 E unit that was missing some bearing caps. He was asking for suggestion on how to fix or replace. A number of suggestions were offered. He also offered some extra tubs of Poly Bond cement for free.

Tony Kukwa showed us a couple of passenger cars he has customized

Steve Glass showed an old Atlas building manufacturing kit that he turned into an industrial building flat.

Jeff Schumaker displayed an all metal stock car he made from a standard 40' box car kit.

Steve Richwine displayed some old foam rock panels that were once made in Sylvania, Ohio by the Mountains in Minutes Co. They are now located in Blissfield, Michigan.

Paul Kemneer showed us a track plan (23'x17') of a trolley layout he is building.

Out with the Old, In With the New

In 2025 Doug Tagsold decided to change what he was modeling. Right after the National Train Show he commenced tearing down his 1/72 scale Colorado and Southern layout. The C&S was a fun layout to operate and had been set in the glory days of 1920s steam. Small trains and mountain railroading was the theme. Doug decided he needed a change of scenery, a return to bigger locomotives and bigger trains.

Doug is in the process of reworked the benchwork of the old layout to create a new HO scale layout based on the Pennsylvania Railroad. The "Pennsy Panhandle" recreates the railroad from Pittsburgh PA to Columbus, Ohio in the 1950s. It has only been a few months since the C&S disappeared but already this week, Doug has progressed enough to hold his first Operating session on the lower level of the double deck layout, which includes Pittsburgh (staging) to Mingo Jct. The upper level when completed, will extend the mainline west to Columbus OH. As the layout progresses, Mingo Jct. yard will be a mid point yard between Pittsburgh and Columbus where local jobs to Mingo Jct, Steubenville, and Weirton will work out of.

The photo below is of the station area at Steubenville, OH. This is the first area of the layout to receive any scenery and gives us a glimpse of what is to come with this new layout. For those who would like to see the new layout, Doug has agreed to have the layout open for our Spring Modelers Meet in April (smm.ncrnmra.org).

Upcoming Events

If you know about an event happening in our division (or nearby), 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!