No pictures yet, but Kevin and I set up modules today a the Turf Valley Scale Model Train Show. The show is taking place Saturday and Sunday at the Turf Valley Resort Hotel in Ellicott City/Mariottsville. Being a hotel/conference center venue, it’s a kinda strange setup. The vendors are in two large, adjacent ballrooms at one end of the building, and the layouts are scattered across the opposite wing — the show has basically taken over the entire ground floor of the complex!

There are only a few layouts — MADModules On30, N-Trak and the Four County Society of Model Engineers HO layout. And, MADModules is the first layout visitors will see when viewing the layouts.

I didn’t get into the vendor room, except to poke my head in once, but it looked like a fair number of vendors were bustling around in there. I’ll give full reports with pictures tomorrow and Sunday.

Today, a new modeling club was inaugurated.

It was determined that the MADmodules group be formed; That it shall plan monthly operations in homes and show venues as our primary schedule. Extras and specials may be added when there is more interest (and perhaps more layouts). Like everything else, attendance at meetings is not compulsory.

On30 is our primary scale and gauge, but folks that want to branch out are welcome to try.

Further, members with home layouts used in the round-robin meetings are urged to provide one or more modular connections for visiting modular elements. Modules are suggested as part of each member’s trackage, to allow public display and involvement at shows. No club requirements or group planning is needed for modules, but regular meetings will help to share design intentions, and suggest consistency across modules for optimum operations and display impact. (Certain minimum track standards are outlined in the Mid-Atlantic Standard)

The group will also help get members together to help in building layouts. Gatherings for construction or improvement of private layouts are welcome, but should not preclude meetings for operations.

In the initial phaze of group development, no offices shall be assigned, and no group structure shall be outlined. This arrangement will be maintained until a) things come to blows, or b) there are enough group assets to warrant further organization.

This agreed by the unanimous vote of the remaining active members of the Mid-Atlantic On30 Group.

Berrett Hill Trains is pleased to sign on as a club sponsor.

The November Winter Holiday Show, November 28th and 29th, at Turf Valley will be our first operational meeting. Badges may be had for involved members.

Click here to become a member!

No doubt, if you’ve visited the site before, you’ll notice some changes. The most obvious change is the layout of the site, and the new, fresh, bright colors. More subtle changes include the addition of a discussion forum (with more topics to be added), and some subtle re-wording on many of the pages.

These changes are largely due to the re-organization of the MADModules website and On30 Modules: Mid-Atlantic groups into one: MADModules.com. Over the coming weeks, you’ll see that transformation complete, as we make MADModules.com the internet home for On30 Modular Railroading in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Thanks to a lot of hard work by Kevin Hunter, our updated module standards (version 2.01) are finally published! Never fear, though. As promised, the updated specification is fully backwards compatible with the original standards, as well as those of most of the other On30 modular groups across the United States.

Be sure to get  your copy today!

MADModules Standards rev201

I received word this morning that Bob Beebe, one of the organizers of the Kimberton module meet, passed away yesterday morning at his home in Pennsylvania. Bob had been running the meet for nearly 20 years, after having taken it over from Roger Cutter, Steve Fisher and Bill Miller.

More information will be provided as I receive it.

Progress made on Geren's yard modules

This year’s Kimberton module meet is fast approaching, and it looks as if the MADModules groups will be well represented. Approximately 48 feet of “standard” modules will be augmented with 45-50 feet of Kevin Hunter’s “Berrett Hill” modules to build one of the largest layout for the MADModules groups to date. A splendid time is expected for everyone!