Our Story
Our mission is to further to hobby of model railroading.
The society will be building two new layouts in our interim space as we look for a permanent place to house our collections and demonstrate rail transportation systems.
The following is for historical records and is what we had at our previous location on Saratoga St.
The society operates both HO & O Scale layouts. The O scale layout is set in early 1950s, the late steam and early diesel era. This means the majority of the trains will be Steam and first generation Diesel Trains, but you will see an occasional modern passenger or freight. O scale is not the same a Lionel or O gauge, the most notable difference is no center (third) rail. If you compare O scale and O gauge car next to each other you will see more detail and more accurate dimensions of the scale cars. The O scale layout also has a trolley system running the 65' length of the layout running off the overhead wire! You might see city trolley models of Baltimore Streetcars as well as interurban cars running on the line.
The HO scale layout operates modern SD-90 diesels next to a ten wheeler (4-6-0) steam train with 40 foot boxcars. This is primarily to give the visitor a look at how trains have changed through the years. The HO Layout models the fictitious railroad the Chesapeake and Western, which operates a double track mainline from Baltimore, MD to Wheeling, WV, so the scenery reflects that. The City trolleys are undergoing restoration and expansion as the citizens look for green transportation alternatives.
Comments
What's the latest on your O scale endeavors? Are you back up and running?
Hello Model Engineers:
The Fire Museum of Maryland is seeking volunteers to help us out with our annual O-scale train garden.
We need a train garden supervisor, who will remove the plastic that has covered everything since last year, clean the tracks, and who will help get the garden in shape for opening day on Saturday, November 28. We are also seeking volunteers on Saturdays in December to keep an eye on the garden and troubleshoot any issues. This year the crowds will be socially distanced and masks are required. Our Fire Museum train garden at 1301 York Road in Lutherville is a holiday tradition and we could really use your help to make the event a success during this very challenging year. The garden and museum are open every Saturday from 10 am - 4 pm. A couple of our regular volunteers are unable to assist this year, so we could really use your help! Contact museum director Steve Heaver at
[email protected] or 410-321-7500, x101 for more information and please feel free to share this post with anyone you may feel is interested. Thank you all! #firemuseumofmaryland.
www.firemuseummd.org. "#traingardens, #modeltrains
Former members would like to know what happened to the 2-rail O hand laid track that was originally laid by George Nixon, Roland R. Klages, Jr., and the 6 other original founding members of the Baltimore Society of Modeling Engineers.
THE special steam train which ran the length of the Conwy Valley line in North Wales to celebrate its reopening and the start of the National Eisteddfod, drew crowds at every stop. The line, which was closed in March due to extensive flooding, had just been fully reopened to the public. The line which runs alongside the River Conwy is one of the most beautiful in Britain. The double headed train, hauled Nos 48151 and 45690, ran from Chester to Blaenau Ffestiniog, stopping at Llandudno Junction and North Llanrwst on the way. The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways, which also runs into Blaenau Ffestiniog station, arranged an additional trip for passengers to continue their journey from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Tan-y-Bwlch on the narrow gauge railway. The Ffestiniog train can be seen on the film.
Good memories and great friendships formed at the club. Hoping your transition to a new place is a successful one.
So, I have a lot of model railroader magazines from my dad that need a new home. Does anyone need any? particular issues. Are there holes in the club collection?
O scale division.
Rest In Peace Dad. I miss you so much. Eugene Nash JR. Dec. 19, 1942 to May 21, 2018. Memorial viewing is 12 noon to 1pm, Service is at 1pm. Cookout 4pm. Saturday, May 26th, 2018. RestHaven Memorial Gardens, Frederick, MD
I remember my dad taking me there as a kid maybe 40-45 years ago. The o scale layout ran off of third rail then. I became friends with George Nixon when i joined BSM who i think was a early member and modeled the PRR. I keep thinking we had to walk uphill slightly to get to the building...might have been another location then.
Awesome
