All Aboard for the Fall 2026 Relay!

The Fall 2026 issue of The Relay, the quarterly newsletter of the Chesapeake Division, is now available! This issue is packed with projects, practical information, and stories from our members.

Inside, Pat Flash takes us to Florida for a look at the expansion of the Scale Rails N-scale club layout, including the construction of its version of Horseshoe Curve. Bill Freeland provides another look at his impressive multi-level B&O layout, featuring approximately 1,100 feet of mainline and operations representing the steam-to-diesel transition era. 

For those interested in the technical side of the hobby, Randy Smith’s “Let’s Figure It Out!” explores resistors and rectifiers and shows how these basic electronic components can be used to add lighting to our models. Russ Sampson begins Switchman’s Nightmare—or Switching It Up, describing the construction of a compact switching layout that serves as a test bed for operations, scenery, electronics, and even Arduino-controlled turnouts.

The issue also includes Kurt Thompson’s Chesapeake Division Achievement Program update, news about the Division’s Book Bash/Sale, and the debut of Every Cap Tells a Story. Alan Feldman shares his experience with the OPSIG Achievement Program, including earning awards for Conductor & Engineer, Dispatcher, YardMaster, Mentor, and Volunteer.

Superintendent Kirk Bateman also looks ahead to a busy fall of model railroading, including MARPM, the MER Tracks to Tidewater convention, the Great Scale Model Train Show, November’s Model Railroad Open House Month, and the Division’s annual meeting.

The Fall 2026 issue of The Relay is a particularly full edition, with 24 pages highlighting the projects, accomplishments, and experiences of Chesapeake Division members. From layout construction and operations to electronics, Achievement Program updates, and Division activities, there’s plenty to explore. A special thanks to Relay editor Kurt Thompson, MMR, for putting together another great issue, and to all of the Division members who contributed articles and photos. Download your copy of the Fall 2026 Relay and see what your fellow Chesapeake Division members have been working on!