Category: Articles
Articles written by members of the Chesapeake Division
Stretch Your Hobby Budget with the NMRA Partnership Program
One of the best—and often overlooked—benefits of belonging to the National Model Railroad Association is the NMRA Partnership Program. Whether you’re purchasing locomotives, rolling stock, scenery materials, structure kits, electronics, […]
Earn Your Golden Spike: A Milestone for Every Model Railroader
Many NMRA members spend countless hours building layouts, detailing rolling stock, wiring track, constructing structures, and creating realistic scenery. Yet many never realize they have already completed much of the […]
Big Boy Heads East: A Historic Journey to the Northeast
Railfans across the Northeast are enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity this year as Union Pacific’s legendary Big Boy No. 4014 makes its first-ever journey to the East Coast. The world’s largest […]
Enhance Your Model Railroad with Realistic Operations
The Operations Special Interest Group (OpSIG) enhances model railroading by promoting realistic railroad operations, focusing on freight movement and realistic scheduling. With resources like a quarterly magazine and an Achievement Program, OpSIG fosters learning and community engagement, appealing to enthusiasts of all experience levels while emphasizing the transformative nature of operational layouts.
Start Your Model Railroading Journey
A Friendly Guide for New Hobbyists by Alan Feldman If you’re new to model railroading — welcome! You’ve just stepped into one of the most creative, hands‑on, and rewarding hobbies […]
From Perryville to Aberdeen: A Railfan’s Day Among Historic Stations
On April 18, 2026, a few members enjoyed a day centered around two historic railroad stations in northeastern Maryland, each offering a unique look at the region’s rich railroad heritage. […]
Call for Content: Help Us Build a Better Chesapeake Division Website
Have photos, articles, layout features, or event recaps to share? We’re looking for member-submitted content to showcase the talent, creativity, and activity across the Chesapeake Division. Whether it’s a write-up […]
Railfanning the Canton Railroad with a Drone
By John Stralka (Reprinted and slightly edited from The Relay, 2017, Volume 7, Issue 3) On Friday June 9th, 2017 the Canton Railroad in Baltimore, MD hosted a group of […]
Model Railroad Book Reviews
BY FRED SCHEER (Reprinted from The Relay, 2016, Volume 6, Issue 1) Lance Mindheim 8 Realistic Track Plans for a Spare Room 8 Realistic Track Plans for Small Switching Layouts […]
The Importance of Testing (or Not)
By Sparky, the Division Chief Electrician(Reprinted from The Relay, 2014, Vol 6 Issue 3A) When doing any large wiring project, remember to test your work frequently. Everyone of us will […]