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 Their eyes wide with excitement, children circled the track in the lobby at Spring Valley YMCA, gazing in wonder at the tiny trains chugging along.
The Royersford Modular Model Railroaders are hosting a show at the Y, with one day left in the exhibit, Saturday, Jan. 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, although donations are accepted.
The railroad club builds scale-model railroads that “come apart in sections that can be arranged in a different order,” explained club secretary Fred Monsimer.
The Royersford group formed in 2001, Monsimer said. The founding members were all members of a railroad club which was building a permanent layout in Oaks. Unfortunately, the group lost its space in Oaks and had to move.
Many of them had previously been members of the North Penn Model Railroad Club in Lansdale. That group, too, lost its lease in 1994, which had led to the formation of the Oaks group.
After having to tear down their new permanent display before holding even one public show, the model railroaders decided to go with the modular format. “We didn’t want to have to tear it down again,” Monsimer recalled.
The group now meets in the basement of Open Door, 350 Main St., Royersford. During their meetings, held most Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m., the members work on the railroad, including scenery work and making sure the track is reliable and wiring is safe and reliable.
According to the group’s website, www.geocities.com/royersford_modular, the concept of modular railroading is similar to that of a train itself. The “modules connect together like the cars of a train.”
Monsimer noted that the modular format is easier than a permanent layout. For example, if a member wants to take a module home to work on, that can be done. It’s also convenient for showing, Monsimer said. The club can take the railroad to the people who want to see it, instead of the people having to come to the club.
In addition to setting up their own displays, the group has participated in larger shows, such as one held in Fort Washington. And a few months ago, the Royersford club joined with three other clubs for a show just outside Baltimore, MD. Since all the clubs build their modules to the same specifications, Monsimer explained, they could connect together.
The show at the Y features 21 modules and 100 linear feet of mainline track. One of the benefits of modular railroading, according to Monsimer, is that the display can fit the space. If the space is smaller, for example, the club can use fewer pieces. Usually, he noted, the display is rectangular, but for the available space at the Y, this year’s exhibit is L-shaped.
With modular model railroading, Monsimer added, “you can leave things out and it still works.”
The Royersford Modular Model Railroaders currently has just five members, but the group is “always looking for people who are interested.” All ages are welcome, although anyone under that age of 18 is considered a junior member and must be supervised.
People don’t need to be expert model railroaders to join, Monsimer said, although experts are certainly welcome. “If people want to learn about it, they’re welcome to come to the meetings, and we’ll teach them what we know.”
If someone wants to build their own modules, he noted, the club provides standards they must meet, as well as recommendations to follow. “We encourage people to learn from our mistakes so they won’t repeat them,” he quipped.
Anyone interested in visiting or joining the club should call Monsimer at 610-888-4306 to confirm the meeting times.
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