Shop Departments:
Trains - HO Scale Model Railroad Club
What is the theory behind the club?
Silk City operates one of the largest HO scale model railroad layouts in New England.
Who are the club leaders?
Superintendent: Jeramiah Walden, Assistant Superintendent Mark Granville, Treasurer: Frank Lea.
Is an application needed?
No.
Does the club put on any shows for the public?
Every 1st and 3rd Sunday here at Time Machine Hobby.
When does the club meet?
Thursday nights from 7:00pm - 9:00pm.
What are the club dues?
$48.00 per year.
Additional Comments...
We are always looking for new members who like model trains, and like working with a good group of enthusiasts.
History
Founded 1971 - Prior to the development of synthetic fiber, Manchester, Ct. was a major producer of silk and silk fabrics, hence its nick-name, "The Silk City", which we chose to use for our club name. Originally, around 1971, when the Train Exchange was located across the street, we were just a group of interested modelers who gathered together to expand and operate the model railroad that Bob Bell was building in the back room of the store.
After about 5 years, we realized we had actually become a club, so we drew up a brief charter and formalized our organization around democratic lines. The club continued to enjoy operating and building at that location until the summer of 1980 when preparations to move to the Bon Ami building were begun. Although it could have been painful to destroy what we had spent so long creating, the anticipation of building of a railroad much bigger and better made the task much easier. Of course, we salvaged everything we could and much of the track and many buildings in use now came from the other railroad.
The first layout just grew like Tops, with no overall plan, but for the new layout, a carefully thought out, detailed, blue print was drawn of the new track plan before any construction was begun. This actually was completed before the final cleaning and preparation of the room was finished. The plan calls for as many features as practical for the ideal model railroad. Some of these include a long double track main line, broad sweeping curves, long passing sidings, a railroad that goes somewhere, dramatic flowing scenery, a Horseshoe Curve, big cities, and area of electric(overhead) engine operation, a trolley interurban line, heavy industry, a wharf area, a coal dock and our own North and South Manchester! Are we lucky we've got these and more! The Bell Line is set in the Northeast about the mid fifties era. You may, however, see equipment from the west and even very modem trains. (I should point out one of our "1st rules", we do what we like! This may not sit well with purists, but we want to have fun.) The line runs from an area around New Haven, Ct. to just west of Gallitzen, Pa. with a through run to "Chicago". We interchange with the BLM, NH, NYC, PRR, MC, LV, Erie, B&O... you get the picture, you'll find most anything on our railroad.
A Trip on the Bell Line
Let's take a trip on the line. The journey starts in Bell City at the main passenger terminal. Our passenger Limited train has just arrived from the South with an electric locomotive that's being changed to diesel (or steam) locomotive. Also a dining car is being added. We are ready to go off to the West.
As we leave Bell City, we pass the main freight yards at Fair Haven. At the West end of the yards we see the freight engine facilities. Then past the oil depot and into a tunnel. Out of the tunnel, we're at Edgewater passing a large warehouse area and rows of tractor trailer trucks at the T.O.F.C. facility. Past the ferry dock on our left, we cross a bridge and notice the coal loading dock on our right. Our train starts around a big curve, passing a dam and power house.
We leave the city area. In a while we start to slow a little as we pass through West Reading noticing that this is the end of the commuter runs. Into another tunnel. As we emerge, we notice on our left a trolley track paralleling the line. A regular traveler points out that we are coming into North Manchester, Although our Limited does not stop here, he points out that this tower gets trains bound for South Manchester, the silk capitol of the world. He also shows us a big factory building on our right as the home of the Orford Soap Company, makers of world famous Bon Ami cleanser. We then pass the station and a large set of grain elevators. Rounding the curve we notice the train is climbing through a large gorge next to a fast flowing river which we soon cross and continue a climb through the gorge. On our left, we next notice a small well-used branch line with a load of hard coal.
Our traveling guide tells us to watch for the stone quarry on the left as we are approaching Summitville where the coal branch interchanges with the main line. This is a small, but industrious town. Exiting the town, our train enters a tunnel and exits over a huge gorge crossing on a stone arched bridge. What a sight! But no time to dwell on it as we again enter a tunnel in the mountain area. As daylight again appears, we come out of the tunnel and we can look down the hill to a small town on our right that is served only by trolley (interurban) cars - that's got to be fun!
We are going down hill now and the conductor announces West Juniata coming up, As we slow for the stop, we notice an electric steeple cab loco switching a group of factories on our right. Stopping in West Juniata, our train is serviced.
We stretch our legs and notice the village on our right with the freight yards behind. A small jolt and we remember that another locomotive has been connected to the front of the train for we will need this extra helper for the climb up the famous Horse- shoe Curve. Soon we're ready to leave as we pull out of the stations. The engine facility appears on our left and on the right up the hill slightly are the trolley barns. A track moves off to the right with a large set of power from the B & 0 and N & W. This must be the southern interchange. We feel the locomotives begin to strain as we start up the "Horseshoe". Rounding a curve, we look across a big valley. This is it - we're going all the way up there! Really climbing now. There's the K4 Pacific on display - quite a crowd waving! We can see the back of our train. We're still climbing. Look down the valley these rock cuts are something else. A train goes down the hill past us with its brakes smoking and wheels screeching. We're at the top now. In a few moments we enter a tunnel and slow of Gallitzin where the helper engine is cut off. Soon we're off to the West and beyond. Quite a trip over the "Bell Line"!
Please Note:
We love to have you visit our fine model railroads. For over 25 years we have never charged admission. We operate for the public on the 1st. and 3rd. Sundays of each month. (except on holidays) Hours 1:00pm - 4:00 PM. During December we operate every Sunday. Membership in our club is open to anyone 18 yrs. or older who is interested in model railroading. See any club member for an application or more information. Thursdays 6:30 to 10:00 pm is our regular club meeting night. The model railroad clubs are sponsored by Time Machine Hobby. Please, if you're a model railroader or starting to become one, shop with the experts at Time Machine Hobby.
Thank You.
P.S. Tell your friends!
