Annual General Meeting
2024-11-02 09:00 - 12:40 (America/New_York) | B&O Railroad Historical Society, 5745 Bartholow Road, Eldersburg, MD, 21784, United States
The Division will conduct our annual meeting November 2.
9:00 a.m. Doors open
9:30 a.m. Superintendent’s Remarks
9:45 a.m. Paymaster’s Report
9:55 a.m. Clinic #1 Mike Shylanski: Coil Steel Rides the B&O
11:00 a.m. Clinic #2 Fritz Dahlin: Weathering with Craft Paints
11:40 a.m. Tom Casey: CSX Howard Street Tunnel Expansion
12:00 p.m. Around the Room Show-n-Tell

The Great Scale Model Train Show
2025-02-01 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-02 09:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-03 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-04 09:00 - 15:00 | Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Tomonium, MD, 21093, United States

Division Meeting
2025-02-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Virtual
Ben Sullivan will give a Zoom clinic on the B&O’s Georgetown Branch.
The link to this virtual meeting will be sent to the Division email list one week prior to the meeting. If you are not on the Division email list (i.e., you are not receiving the monthly email Blast provided by our Division Clerk) and are interested in attending, please contact the Superintendent at the email address listed on our Officers & Staff page.

RPM-East
2025-03-21 09:00 - 21:30, 2025-03-22 09:00 - 21:30 | Westmoreland County Community College, 145 Pavilion Lane, Youngwood, PA, 15697, United States
Make your plans to attend and re-energize your modeling efforts as winter melts into spring. RPM-East is sponsored by Division Two of the NMRA, Mid-Central Region.
In addition to the on-site events, we are planning operating sessions on the Thursday before the event and a Sunday self-guided home layout tour. Railfan opportunities are nearby. The Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad runs through Youngwood as it makes rail connections in Greensburg and Connellsville. The busy Norfolk Southern main line is just north of nearby Greensburg, while the CSX mainline is 20 miles south in Connellsville, PA.
Register now to attend one of the longest running railroad prototype modeling meets in the east.

Modeler's Day-In
2025-03-29 09:00 - 14:00 | Christ Episcopal Church, 6800 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia, MD, 21045, United States
The Chesapeake Division will host a Modeler’s Day-In (MDI) Saturday March 29 from 9am to 2pm. Members of other Divisions are welcome to join us, as well. You will have the opportunity to talk with and get to know other modelers, and make progress on your project. Doors will open ~8:30 AM, with an approximate start time of 9:00 AM. We will straighten up in time to be out by about 2:00 PM. Donuts and coffee will be available. If you want something more substantial, you may wish to bring a light lunch.
We will conduct this MDI in a different format than in the last few years: a hands-on clinic, described below, and, in parallel, should you prefer to work on something else, you may bring your own project (something easily transportable), and whatever tools you may need (no spray painting, please) to work on your project.
Hands-On Clinic: Jeff Burch will be conducting a hands-on weathering clinic in which he will demonstrate techniques he uses. We will have multiple stations at which participants may work. This activity is intended to be “hands-on,” not an “arm-chair” activity. Bring models to work on! And if you don’t have any of your own rolling stock that you want to work with, we will have some cars from the Division layout available for you to try your hand at weathering.
The following weathering techniques/styles will be accommodated:

Tube Oil paints — good for rust streaks, painting streaks, faded/running lettering, and “dot filters” to provide color modulation.
Tamiya panel line fluids. Jeff will have brown, black, and grey. These are a great way to provide some contrast and make details “pop”.
Bragdon weathering powders. Jeff likes to use these often because they have a polymer binder mixed in with them. You don’t need to overspray with a clear coat to get it to stay on the model.
Vallejo and AK interactive weathering enamels and powders. Similar to the Bragdon powders, but more broadly available at local hobby shops and often used in larger scale military model displays.
PanPastel powders. These do require a clear coat to act as a “fixative”, but they can also be used on structures without a clear coat, since buildings don’t do a great deal of “moving around” on our layouts.

What should you bring?

Models to work on, they should be sprayed 24 hours beforehand with a matte clear coat (i.e. dullcoat, or Vallejo matte medium)
Modeling materials that you already own are great to bring. Even if Jeff brings the same products, you can share with others, or perhaps you already know a different technique to share. Additionally, if you have never used the products, you can gain the bravery to do so by working together with the rest of us in a group.
Brushes (cheap synthetic brushes are fine). Please don’t use expensive Winsor & Newton Kolinsky sable brushes for weathering.
Cotton swabs
Makeup sponges (wedge shaped). Makeup sponges are VERY useful for streaking effects.
Makeup applicator swabs. These are similar to cotton swabs, but benefit from not leaving little cotton fibers on your model.
Paper towels

Drop cloths and a large roll of “craft paper” will be available to minimize mess and allow for easy clean-up.
And, as noted above, if weathering isn’t what you want to do, you are invited to bring a current project (something easily transportable), and whatever tools you may need (no spray painting, please) to work on your project.

South Mountain Division MiniCon
2025-04-05 09:00 - 14:30 | Blue Ridge Fire Hall, 13063 Monterey Ln, Blue Ridge Summit, PA, 17214, United States
The South Mountain Division is conducting our annual minicon Saturday April 5.
In addition, we are planning to have several layouts open on Sunday April 6. You will have to attend the mini-con to get the address info for the open houses.

MCR Convention
2025-05-15 - 2025-05-18 | Embassy Suites Dublin, OH, 5100 Upper Metro Place, Dublin, OH, 43017, United States

NMRA National Convention Station No. VI
2025-07-14 - 2025-07-19 | Sheraton Detroit Novi, 21111 Haggerty Rd, Novi, MI, 48375, United States
2025 NMRA National Convention hosted by the North Central Region of the NMRA.
Open to ALL model railroaders. You do not have to be an NMRA member to attend.

Open House Layout Visits
2025-09-06 13:00 - 16:00 | Severna Park Model Railroad Club, 3 Riggs Ave, Severna Park, MD, 21146, United States
The Chesapeake division will offer four open house layout visits in the Severna Park area. The layouts are within a 10-minute drive of each other. Addresses will be provided at the Severna Park Model Railroad Club from 1 – 1:30 p.m. Individual layouts will be open from 1:30 – 4 p.m.

Mid-Atlantic Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet
2025-09-11 - 2025-09-14 | Doubletree by Hilton Baltimore -BWI Airport, 890 Elkridge Landing Road, Linthicum, MD, 21090, United States
11 September Operating sessions
12 September Open Houses
13 September Clinics, Vendors, Displays
14 September Clinics, Vendors, Displays, Raffle​

We return to the DoubleTree by Hilton Baltimore – BWI Airport, site of the 2024 event. There is complimentary shuttle service to the airport, Amtrak/MARC BWI rail station, and Baltimore light rail. The special MARPM rate is only $119 per night plus tax.

MER Convention
2025-10-16 - 2025-10-19 | Crowne Plaza Hotel -King of Prussia, PA, 260 Mall Blvd, King of Prussia, 19406, United States
Hosted by the Philadelphia Division.

The Great Scale Model Train Show
2025-10-25 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-10-26 09:00 - 15:00 | Timonium Fairgrounds, 2200 York Rd, Timonium, MD, 21093, United States

Annual Meeting
2025-11-01 09:00 - 13:00 | B&O Railroad Historical Society, 5745 Bartholow Road, Eldersburg, MD, 21784, United States
On November 1, we will hold our Annual General Meeting. The meeting will be held at BORHS.
We are looking for two or three clinicians. If you are an old hand at this, you are welcome to dust off an old clinic and present it to a new audience, if you have never given a clinic – this is the time to give it a try, in front of a group of people who are wishing you the best of luck in your first effort. Clinics “under construction” are welcome. And please come prepared to share a few words about what you are or have been working on. We are always happy to hear about our fellow model railroaders projects!

Meet & Greet
2025-12-12 19:30 - 21:00 | Virtual
The Division will host a meet and greet virtually via Zoom.
You should have received a link to the meeting from our Division Clerk, Tim Beaty.
If you do not have the link, please contact the Division Superintendent, Kirk Bateman, via email to super@chesdiv-nmra.org
Kirk

Great Scale Model Train Show
2026-01-31 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-01 09:00 - 15:00 | Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Tomonium, MD, 21093, United States
The Chesapeake Division will host a table at the show to represent the NMRA. NMRA members may contact the Chesapeake Division Superintendent (email address on the Officers and Staff page) to volunteer to assist at the table.

OpSIG’s Achievement Program
2026-02-06 19:30 - 21:30 | Virtual
The Chesapeake Division has invited Paul Weiss, VP for the Operations Special Interest Group, to discuss the OpSIG’s Achievement Program, aimed at recognizing facets of operations important to layouts and operators looking to improve and develop their skills in the area of operations.
We hope to cover the subject of just what is ‘operations,’ as well as what does it take to model them. Areas to cover include volunteering, Yardmaster, hosting, helper, boomer, clinician, dispatcher, and more. A topic under development with the Layout Design Special Interest Group is that of Layout Design for Operation.
Paul’s railroad modeling background includes organizing the building of the Central Vermont layout, in Northern California. An article about the layout was published in the January 2021 issue of the NMRA Magazine. You can download it here: https://tinyurl.com/Central-Vermont-RR-Weiss
Paul’s presentation will be held Friday, February 6, 2026 at 7:30 PM EST via Zoom (link below). Please tune in with us as we welcome Paul to the Mid-Atlantic and learn about the OpSIG operations achievement program.
https://jhuapl.zoomgov.com/j/1612841850?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 161 284 1850
Password: [REDACTED]

Division Meeting & Layout Open Houses
2026-03-28 09:30 - 16:00 | Perryville Train Station, 650 Broad Street, Perryville, MD, 21903, United States
Directions:
Note that in some map applications, the address provided for the venue, the Perryville Train Station, may take you to the Mexican restaurant at the corner of Broad Street and McLhinney Street. To avoid any confusion, follow the directions below.
Coming from the South on I-95. After crossing the Susquehanna River (toll), take the first exit (93) on Rt. 222 (Aiken Avenue south of Rte 40( toward Perryville. Take this road across Rt 40 to the end (stop sign). Turn right on to Broad Street. Turn left into parking lot between the railroad bridges for the two legs of the wye.
Coming from the South on Rt. 40. After crossing the Susquehanna River (toll), turn right at first traffic light (Rt 222). Take this road to the end (stop sign). Turn right on to Broad Street. Turn left into parking lot between the railroad bridges for the two legs of the wye.
There is no toll going back south on Rt 40 or I-95.

Agenda
9:30am – Doors Open
10:00 am – Meeting Called to Order
â€¢ Richard Hafer – Perryville Railroad Historical Society – Information about the society and advertisement for membership.
â€¢ Scott Wooddell – Railroads of Cecil County – History of the several railroads, both big and small, that have been a part of the fabric of this county.
â€¢ Bill McAleese (via pre-recorded video) – N scale T-Trak Modules – Bill shares his wonderfully detailed T-Trak modules that include industrial switching and beautiful 3D printed and paper craft structures. Some of the modules will be at the meeting for viewing.
12:00 pm – Meeting adjourned, visit museum, and watch trains

Lunch
12:00 – 1:00 pm – lunch on your own. Plenty of places to eat between Perryville and North East, Maryland. Local restaurants such as Woodyâ€™s, The Wellwood, Pier 1, Port House Grill, Casa Mezcal, Snatcherâ€™s, etc.

Layout Open Houses
1:00 – 4:00pm
The first two layouts are in Cecil County near North East. The second two layouts are in Harford County in Bel Air and Aberdeen, respectively. Street addresses will be provided at the meeting.
Bill Freeland – B&O from Baltimore to Pittsburg – A four level HO scale layout depicting the B&O mainline in the 1940s and 1950s.
Scott Wooddell – Deer Creek & Susquehanna – An N-scale short line set in Harford County featuring small-town depots, agricultural shippers, and local industries. Small yard operations and interchange with major railroads are featured.
Dave DiCarlo – CSX mainline – A modern N-scale layout depicts the busy CSX Transportation mainline over Sand Patch Grade and into Cumberland Yard. Long intermodal and manifest trains tackle the mountain grades while yard crews sort freight in a detailed Appalachian setting, capturing the look and feel of contemporary CSX operations.
Ken Poznaniak (tentative) – Chesapeake, Susquehanna, and Western – The HO scale railroad is a contemporary line featuring Amtrak passenger trains and modern, high-capacity freight trains. This bilevel layout is connected at each end by a helix, permitting continuous running or point-to-point DCC operation.

Great Scale Model Train Show
2026-04-11 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-12 09:00 - 15:00 | Timonium Fairgrounds, 2200 York Rd, Timonium, MD, 21093, United States

National N-Scale Convention
2026-06-23 - 2026-06-27 | Crown Plaza Milwaukee South, 6401 South 13th Street, Milwaukee, WI, 53221, United States
The National N Scale Convention is an annual gathering dedicated to enthusiasts of N-scale model railroading, bringing together hobbyists from across the country for a week of learning, inspiration, and community. The event features a full schedule of clinics covering modeling techniques, operations, and layout design, along with a vendor room offering N-scale-specific products and hard-to-find items. Attendees can participate in layout tours, operating sessions, and contests, while also connecting with fellow modelers who share a passion for the scale. Rotating locations each year, the convention highlights regional layouts and railroading history, making each event a unique and engaging experience.

2026 NMRA National Convention
2026-07-27 - 2026-08-02 | Chattanooga Convention Center, One Carter Plaza, Chattanooga, TN, 37402, United States
The NMRA 2026 National Convention, titled the “Scenic City Express,” will take place July 27 through August 2, 2026, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, bringing together model railroaders from around the world for a week of education, operations, and fellowship. Hosted at the Chattanooga Convention Center, the event will feature over 200 hours of clinics, layout tours, operating sessions, prototype and non-rail tours, and special events such as steam excursions and a dinner train, along with the National Train Show open to the public. The convention emphasizes learning, sharing, and celebrating the hobby, offering opportunities for attendees of all experience levels to connect, improve their modeling skills, and enjoy a wide range of railroad-related activities. (nmra2026.org)

NMRA National Train Show
2026-08-01 - 2026-08-02 | MD
The National Train Show at the NMRA 2026 National Convention will be held August 1–2, 2026, at the Chattanooga Convention Center, serving as the public highlight of the week’s activities. This large-scale exhibition features a wide variety of vendors offering model trains, tools, scenery materials, and railroad collectibles, alongside numerous operating layouts in multiple scales. Attendees can enjoy live demonstrations, meet manufacturers and hobby experts, and experience the latest innovations in model railroading. Open to both convention attendees and the general public, the show provides an engaging, family-friendly introduction to the hobby while offering plenty for seasoned modelers to explore.

Altoona N-Scale Weekend
2026-09-12 - 2026-09-13 | Blair County Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Dr, Altoona, PA, 16602, United States
Altoona N Scale Weekend is a premier gathering for N-scale enthusiasts held annually in Altoona, bringing together modelers for a focused weekend of clinics, layout tours, and camaraderie. The event features expert-led presentations on N-scale modeling techniques, a vendor room with specialized products, and access to several outstanding home and club layouts in the area. A highlight of the weekend is the opportunity to visit the renowned Horseshoe Curve, along with other railroad attractions that connect the modeling experience to real-world railroading. With its emphasis on learning, inspiration, and community, Altoona N Scale Weekend is a must-attend event for serious N-scale hobbyists.

Mainline Hobby Open House Tour
2026-09-19 - 2026-09-20 | MD
Model Railroad Open Houses centered around Mainline Hobby Shop in Blue Ridge Summit, PA.
