Looking ahead to 2024, mark your calendars for the 19th Annual Nappanee Train Show, proudly presented by the Elkhart Model Railroad Show. This exciting event is scheduled for Saturday, March 16, 2024, and will be hosted at the Claywood Event Center. For further details about the show, including additional information and updates, please don't hesitate to CLICK HERE for more information on the show.

Join us on Friday, September 22nd for a special occasion at EMRRC – it's Formal OPS night! This time, we'll be transported back to the year 1945, a pivotal moment in history as World War II was drawing to a close. With some troops making their way back home, it's an era when Big Steam locomotives reigned supreme.

We invite you to bring your magnificent Big Boys, Challengers, T1s, and impressive Northern Pacific engines to the event. This is your golden opportunity to experience the thrill of running these colossal steam locomotives on the tracks at EMRRC. However, for those who find themselves assigned to switching duties, we will also need smaller steam engines and diesel locomotives at your disposal (yes, diesel locomotives did exist in 1945) to tackle those tasks. Don't miss this Formal OPS event and the chance to relive the era of Big Steam in 1945. See you there!

In other exciting news, some of our members have been exploring the world of trains beyond EMRRC. Jeff Cain, one of our dedicated members, recently ventured to Denver and had the pleasure of touring the captivating Colorado Model Railroad Museum. The museum boasts an impressive 5,500-square-foot HO-scale model railroad layout, accompanied by a treasure trove of artifacts and exhibits showcasing both model and real-world railroading.. CLICK HERE  for a look at the museum.

Ken Prager, Bill Trail, and Jim Ford, members of our club, embarked on a journey to member Jim Kitt's Calumet Railway in the charming town of Chesterton, Indiana, where they had the opportunity to participate in an operations session. During their visit, they had the pleasure of crossing paths with Chummley, the conductor who keeps things running smoothly on the railroad.

For an in-depth look at the fascinating Calumet Railway, we invite you to visit EMRRC's YouTube channel by CLICKING HERE. This remarkable HO-Scale railroad stretches over 10 miles, connecting the towns of Westville and Michigan City, Indiana. What sets it apart is the entire 10-mile route being electrified with a catenary system, adding a unique and captivating dimension to this model railroad experience.

 Here is the latest schedule for Clinics at EMRRC.

• October 6, 2023: Building Custom Switches by Ken Prager. Discover the art of crafting custom switches using your tools and the ingenious Fast Tracks system. This will be a video presentation. Ken will be available for questions after the video
• November 3, 2023: Running the RailPro Control System Instead of DCC by Bryan Good. Escape the hassles of wiring and DCC as you learn the transformational approach of the RailPro system.
• December 1, 2023: Safety Equipment and Procedures by Mike Miller and Jeff Lapier. Equip yourself with knowledge about the club's safety gear and emergency protocols, guided by Mike and Jeff.
• January 5, 2024: Basic 3D Printing by Rick Cawley. Journey into the realm of 3D printing as Rick demonstrates the setup of our AnyCubic 3D printer and imparts essential file preparation techniques.
• February 2, 2024: First Aid by Dr. Jeff Cain. Dr. Jeff Cain will lead a fundamental first-aid course tailored for the club's environment.

For our latest "Friday Running at the Club" video, please CLICK HERE. We warmly welcome visitors most Fridays from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Refer to the top of this page for a succinct schedule and do check in here weekly for reminders about our meeting schedules.

 We will be open to the public at 7:00 p.m. on September 22, 2023. This will be a Formal OPS session the public is invited to watch or you can be assigned to a train with an experienced crew.   Feel free to CLICK HERE for more images showcasing our members and their trains. Here is a listing to explore the latest regional train show listing around the Midwest, CLICK HERE.

I hope everyone had a fantastic Labor Day holiday! As we transition into the fall season, we're excited to see more members, visitors, and guests joining us at the Elkhart Model Railroad Club. We have a bunch of exciting events lined up every month that are open to both our wonderful members and our valued visitors.

  On Fridays, we have our main meeting night, and it's not just about trains running! You'll also get to witness ongoing maintenance projects, 3D printing in action, and the bustling operations of our vibrant club community.

For those who love to get hands-on, our members gather on Tuesday nights for maintenance, ensuring everything runs smoothly. And on Sunday afternoons, members come together for a relaxed general run session, where the joy of model railroading takes center stage.

We're thrilled to have you be a part of our club during this exciting season! 

This past Friday was an absolute blast at EMRRC! Several of our enthusiastic members brought in their impressive large locomotives for an epic photo shoot. We had Big Boys, Cab Forwards, T1s, and even a Northern Pacific A3, which happens to be one of the heaviest Northern engines ever produced, tipping the scales at a whopping 508,500 pounds!

These magnificent engines were all lined up on the tracks, strategically positioned around our EMRRC roundhouse, just outside of Hammes Yard.

But that's not all - our N-Scale layout had something special too. We were running a captivating Big Boy engine that was originally purchased back in 1980 for just around $115. Believe it or not, the owner still has the original box and certificates, all in excellent condition. It's fascinating to note that similar engines are currently fetching around $400 on eBay, and that's without the box and certificates. It just goes to show that model trains can truly appreciate in value if you make the right choices!

 As always, our dedicated members were hard at work with maintenance tasks around EMRRC. Whether it's rebuilding tracks and scenery, performing engine maintenance, or meticulously ballasting, it takes a committed team to keep our nearly 75-year-old layout in top-notch condition.

Additionally, our 3D printer has been working tirelessly, churning out accessories and parts for the club. One of our talented members, Matt Glassman, designed and printed speaker boxes for an Athearn Ready to Roll series GP40X. What's cool is that Matt had to get creative – he not only made the boxes to hold the speakers but also designed them to accommodate wheel weights, effectively adding weight back into the locomotive.

And the innovation doesn't stop there! Matt also designed and printed NS remote control antennas that can be used on various GPs for remote control operations in the yards. Our member, Rick Cawley, contributed to this creative streak by 3D printing bottles and cases from transparent resin for a new beer distributorship building that fellow member Jim Metzger is constructing in Mishawaka/Osceola.

Exciting times are always ahead at EMRRC, and we're thrilled to have such a talented and passionate group of members shaping our model railroad world!

Here is the latest schedule for upcoming clinics at EMRRC. 

 

• October 6, 2023: Building Custom Switches by Ken Prager. Discover the art of crafting custom switches using your tools and the ingenious Fast Tracks system. This will be a video presentation. Ken will be available for questions after the video
• November 3, 2023: Running the RailPro Control System Instead of DCC by Bryan Good. Escape the hassles of wiring and DCC as you learn the transformational approach of the RailPro system.
• December 1, 2023: Safety Equipment and Procedures by Mike Miller and Jeff Lapier. Equip yourself with knowledge about the club's safety gear and emergency protocols, guided by Mike and Jeff.
• January 5, 2024: Basic 3D Printing by Rick Cawley. Journey into the realm of 3D printing as Rick demonstrates the setup of our AnyCubic 3D printer and imparts essential file preparation techniques.
• February 2, 2024: First Aid by Dr. Jeff Cain. Dr. Jeff Cain will lead a fundamental first-aid course tailored for the club's environment.

For our latest "Friday Running at the Club" video, please CLICK HERE. We warmly welcome visitors most Fridays from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Refer to the top of this page for a succinct schedule and do check in here weekly for reminders about our meeting schedules.

Members join us on Friday, September 15th, at 7:00 p.m. for our monthly business meeting. We will be open to the public at 8:00 p.m. or as soon as the meeting ends. We will do a quick setup for formal operations and then have informal running of trains.  Feel free to CLICK HERE for more images showcasing our members and their trains. Here is a listing to explore the latest regional train show listing around the midwest, CLICK HERE.

Have some fun with Model Railroading.

 

The recent Operations Night, which took place last Friday, witnessed a strong turnout of our club members. Additionally, we were delighted to have a couple of enthusiastic young operators who were eager to acquaint themselves with the layout and gain insights into operations. Two of our seasoned members, Rick and Aaron, worked with Ava and Domonick to provide an in-depth understanding of large-scale layout operations, particularly when managing multiple trains.

For those already affiliated with EMRRC or those contemplating membership, the club's constitution, articulated in Article II, outlines its fundamental purpose. "The organization aims to foster camaraderie among model railroaders and railfans, to offer education both to the public and enthusiasts about the hobby, to cultivate diverse hobby skills, and ultimately to advance the realm of model railroading."

Shifting focus to Saturday, the 3rd Annual Rockin' the Rails Event, hosted by The National New York Central Railroad Museum in Elkhart, was a noteworthy occasion. EMRRC made a substantial presence at the event, showcasing two setups: an outdoor table providing information about the club along with a playing video, and an indoor T-Track setup. The event boasted the participation of nine dedicated club members who were actively engaged, with many more attending as visitors. We extend our gratitude to all members who passionately contributed to championing both the hobby and our club.

As we approach the upcoming Friday, September 1st, please note that there will be no clinic session due to the Labor Day Weekend Holiday. Nonetheless, the evening will feature light maintenance activities and open running. For members of the public, we extend an invitation to join us between 7:00 PM and 10:30 PM. We welcome you to seize the opportunity to connect with us, explore our expansive HO-Scale and N-Scale layouts, and relish a glimpse of our location, nestled just south of the Norfolk Southern Railway’s Elkhart Yard. This yard holds the distinction of being the second-largest railroad freight classification yard situated to the east of the Mississippi River. Our address is 2703 Hawthorne Street in Elkhart, Indiana. For your convenience, you can find a map for directions by CLICKING HERE. 

Here is the latest schedule for upcoming clinics at EMRRC. 

 

• September 1, 2023: Labor Day Weekend Holiday - No Clinic.
• October 6, 2023: Building Custom Switches by Ken Prager. Discover the art of crafting custom switches using your tools and the ingenious Fast Tracks system.
• November 3, 2023: Running the RailPro Control System Instead of DCC by Bryan Good. Escape the hassles of wiring and DCC as you learn the transformational approach of the RailPro system.
• December 1, 2023: Safety Equipment and Procedures by Mike Miller and Jeff Lapier. Equip yourself with knowledge about the club's safety gear and emergency protocols, guided by Mike and Jeff.
• January 5, 2024: Basic 3D Printing by Rick Cawley. Journey into the realm of 3D printing as Rick demonstrates the setup of our AnyCubic 3D printer and imparts essential file preparation techniques.
• February 2, 2024: First Aid by Dr. Jeff Cain. Dr. Jeff Cain will lead a fundamental first-aid course tailored for the club's environment.

For our latest "Friday Running at the Club" video, please CLICK HERE. We warmly welcome visitors most Fridays from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Refer to the top of this page for a succinct schedule and do check in here weekly for reminders about our meeting schedules.

Join us on Friday, September 1st, at 7:00 PM for informal open running and light maintenance. Feel free to CLICK HERE for more images showcasing our members and their trains. Here is a listing to explore the latest regional train show listing around the midwest, CLICK HERE.

Have some fun with Model Railroading.

EMRRC has been buzzing with summer activity, welcoming both members and guests to its premises. Despite the usual slower pace during the summer, the last two meetings have witnessed a lively gathering of members and visitors who have been relishing the comfort of air conditioning and the captivating display of numerous trains at EMRRC. Every Friday, guests are graciously welcomed, and a growing number of local residents are seizing the opportunity to witness the 73-year-old operational marvel that is an integral part of Elkhart's history.

One intriguing highlight has been the current display of a large framed print above Hammes Yard, depicting an NYC Niagara #607 The print has been with the club since the early 1950s. Despite prior efforts to gather information about this piece, the origins remained elusive, apart from a modest sign attributing it to Weber Mechanical in South Bend, Indiana. However, a recent breakthrough occurred when a letter arrived from an individual who had ties to the artist, William Weber, owner of Weber Mechanical. This gentleman shared that he possessed a sister print to EMRRC's, a sepia-tone print of NYC Hudson #5291 measuring 84" by 24".

The manner in which the club acquired the print remains shrouded in mystery, but EMRRC considers itself fortunate to have this splendid artwork adorning its walls.

The club also had the privilege of hosting the widow of Fred Rapp, a dedicated member from the early 80s to the early 2000s. During her visit, she was accompanied by her daughter and 8-year-old grandson, who was celebrating his birthday. Fred Rapp's significant contribution to the club, such as initiating the annual train show in 2005, left an enduring legacy.

The recent Friday gathering also encompassed the monthly club business meeting, where a range of subjects were discussed. These included the revision of the EMRRC constitution and bylaws, both of which have been made available on the club's groups.io platform for members to review, with a probable vote slated for the September meeting. Club safety updates were also addressed, with plans to allocate a budget and finalize decisions during the forthcoming September meeting.

An essential upcoming event for members and visitors to mark on their calendars is the 3rd annual Rockin' The Rails event scheduled for Saturday, August 26th, from 12 PM to 6 PM. This event, hosted at the New York Central Railroad Museum, presents another distinctive railroad treasure in the Elkhart region. EMRRC is set to make a significant presence at the event, inviting all to explore the abundant attractions and enjoy the kid-friendly zones it has to offer.