Northwestern Ill Model RR Club Open House

[NWILMRR]

Northwestern Illinois Model Railroad Club
101 Main Street
Chadwick, IL 61014

Next open house will be the weekend before Thanksgiving mark your calender now.

We have an “N” scale running up stairs in the store and “HO” scale running in the basement. The model train layouts are located in the Northwestern Illinois Hobby Store at 101 Main Street Chadwick, IL
The Club was formed in January 2003 with an empty basement and 16 members. The club now has 32 members, and two different size working layouts. The “HO” scale layout has 3 levels covering the entire 30’ x 60’ basement. The 30’ x 14’ “N” scale is growing in size with a yard and bridges it now takes up half of the store front.
The club would like to take this opportunity to show the model train layouts to the public. Enjoy your visit. We are always welcoming new members to join and share their interest in trains. $1 donation at the door.
To have your name added to our mailing list or for more information on this event send an email to: nwilmrr@frontiernet.net (nwilmrr@frontiernet.net) , you can also call the Hobby Store (815) 684-5699 (days) or Duane Imel (815)684-5216 evenings).
Thank you.
Sincerely,Duane Imel

Duane Imel aka mr. train
Treasurer
Club email nwilmrr@frontiernet.net (nwilmrr@frontiernet.net)
Club Web Site http://tinyurl.com/yyxvla (http://webmail.frontiernet.net/horde/services/go.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fyyxvla)

[NWILMRR]

Just a quick reminded March 31 is just a few days away. Take a drive into the country to see our club layout. Were down town Chadwick right along side the BNSF main line.
:lightbulb:

[BoxcabE50]

Hope you can post up a few photos of the activities!

:D

Boxcab E50

[THarms77]

One of these times I'm going to make it out there. This weekend I'm busy. This summer I'm hoping to see Mr. Train out that way.

For those firsttimers, keep your camera handy while in the shop, you never know what BNSF could be sending down the main. Great area for railfanning!!!

Tim Harms
Rockford IL

[Mr. Train]

For those firsttimers, keep your camera handy while in the shop, you never know what BNSF could be sending down the main. Great area for railfanning!!!

Tim Harms
Rockford IL

Tim
thanks for the plug:thumbs_up: , you know where I am when you get out this way and I got an old bridge for you to see.

[ppuinn]

I had a chance to attend the open house yesterday and take some pictures of both the HO layout downstairs and the N scale layout upstairs.
The HO layout has multiple decks with staging above (and I think, below) the main deck(s).
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1465/DCP_3708.JPG


The trains move from one level to the other by this 2- and 3- track, 6 or 7 loop, stacked helix. The helix is plywood and homasote loops supported by threaded rods. (Me, taking pics of a helix…who’d a thought it?)
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1465/DCP_3700.JPG

The electrical system is Digitrax DCC with 14 gauge bus wires and large feeders. I saw several boosters. Several of the locos running on Saturday were equipped with sound. The club members have made attractive throttle holders of wood and positioned them on the fascia paneling next to the UP5 panels.

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1465/DCP_3707.JPG

In areas where they are just starting scenery, they have painted clouds and they've made some building flats and used a few printed backdrop buildings. They have started constructing buildings too, and the town of Hillcrest had some especially nice structures. For the open house, they were running several very long coal, ore, and stack trains.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1465/DCP_3696.JPG

[ppuinn]

In some areas, they have increased the apparent depth of their shelves by using building flats and partial buildings as background.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1465/DCP_3705.JPG

Steam passenger service. The trestle and rockwork behind it are very impressive...unfortunately, my pic of the rockwork didn't turn out well, so I'm hoping someone else has a good picture to post.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1465/DCP_3702.JPG

A closer look at the ATSF 4-8-4 pulling the passenger cars on the HO scale layout. http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1465/DCP_3714.JPG

[ppuinn]

The N-scale layout is located on the main floor of the train shop. It is on a single deck with some elevations provided by cookie-cutter design. On Saturday, there were also multiple trains running on the N-scale layout. The club is starting to put scenery on the N-scale layout, too.

CN Freight on the N scale layout
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1465/DCP_3722.JPG

UP Passenger service on the N scale layout
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1465/DCP_3719.JPG

[NWILMRR]

Thanks for the photos you posted ppuinn
I was out of town with work and was unable to be at the open house. You can go to our railimages link below to see more photos of where we started building the layout. I am still uploading photos to show what we have now.



http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/500/2006_0402Layout_expansion0019.JPG
N scale it has more done on it since this photo but you can see the entire lay out from this vantage point

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/500/05280015.JPG

I am hopping to get some newer photos up loaded soon so bear with me for now.

[J Starbuck]

Sorry you had to work Mr.T., you missed a good one.

We had lots of fun running trains and talking with so many of the freindly folks who came by to see us.
A special thanks to everyone for their support and encouraging comments.

Jim

[tstarbuck]

All in all, it was a great open house.

Thanks to all who attended, and who have given advice, encouragement, and support to our fun little group.

Tom

[BoxcabE50]

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/500/05280015.JPG



This looks like a gantlet track. A rare model RR feature! Any other photos? Looks like it crosses a bridge?

:D

Boxcab E50

[tstarbuck]

The large curved trestle on the HO layout is a gantlet track. It really needs to been seen to be appreciated. I'll try to remember to bring my camera with me for Thursdays club night and get some pictures posted for you.

Eventually we'll get all these HO guys in the club upstairs running with us N scalers. *grin*

[Mr. Train]

The large curved trestle on the HO layout is a gantlet track. It really needs to been seen to be appreciated. I'll try to remember to bring my camera with me for Thursdays club night and get some pictures posted for you.

Eventually we'll get all these HO guys in the club upstairs running with us N scalers. *grin*
Watching N scalers T, just watching

Boxcab you can look at the NWILMRR railimage album (there is a link in the NWILMRR sig in this thread) for more photos and yes I am a little behind uploading photos. That is on my things to do list. :computer:

[Mr. Train]

This looks like a gantlet track. A rare model RR feature! Any other photos? Looks like it crosses a bridge?

:D

Boxcab E50
Here is a link to the bridge. There is you guessed it another gantlet on the other side of the bridge. Sorry no photos of the other side of the bridge uploaded yet. :embarassed:

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showphoto.php/photo/48534/ppuser/7796

[BoxcabE50]

I'd seen the pictures of that large curved trestle. Had no idea the gantlet was also a part of it. Wow. A lot of effort went into that! A work of art!

:D

Boxcab E50

[Flash Blackman]

This looks like a gantlet track. A rare model RR feature! Any other photos? Looks like it crosses a bridge?

:D

Boxcab E50
True! How about that! Pretty rare in real railroads, too.

[NWILMRR]

Northwestern Illinois Model Railroad Club
101 Main Street
Chadwick, IL 61014

An open house is planned at the Northwestern Illinois Model Train Club for Saturday March 31 and Sunday April 1, from 10a.m. to 4p.m. We have an “N” scale running up stairs in the store and “HO” scale running in the basement. The model train layouts are located in the Northwestern Illinois Hobby Store at 101 Main Street Chadwick, IL
The Club was formed in January 2003 with an empty basement and 16 members. The club now has 30 members, and two different size working layouts. The “HO” scale layout has 3 levels covering the entire 30’ x 60’ basement. The 30’ x 14’ “N” scale is growing in size with a yard and bridges it now takes up half of the store front.
The club would like to take this opportunity to show the model train layouts to the public. Enjoy your visit and make sure to tell us your a trainboard member. We are always welcoming new members to join and share their interest in trains.
To have your name added to our mailing list or for more information on this event send an email to: nwilmrr@frontiernet.net (nwilmrr@frontiernet.net) , you can also call Duane Imel (815)684-5216 evenings.
Thank you.
Sincerely,Duane Imel

Duane Imel
Treasurer
Club email nwilmrr@frontiernet.net (nwilmrr@frontiernet.net)

[NWILMRR]

Northwestern Illinois Model Railroad Club
101 Main Street
Chadwick, IL 61014

An open house is planned at the Northwestern Illinois Model Train Club for Saturday March 29 and Sunday March 30, from 10a.m. to 4p.m. We have an “N” scale running up stairs on the main foor and “HO” scale running in the basement. The model train layouts are located at 101 Main Street Chadwick, IL
The Club was formed in January 2003 with an empty basement and 16 members. The club now has 30 members, and two different size working layouts. The “HO” scale layout has 3 levels covering the entire 30’ x 60’ basement. The 30’ x 14’ “N” scale is growing in size with a yard and bridges it now takes up half of the main floor.
The club would like to take this opportunity to show the model train layouts to the public. Enjoy your visit and make sure to tell us your a trainboard member. We are always welcoming new members to join and share their interest in trains.
To have your name added to our mailing list or for more information on this event send an email to: nwilmrr@frontiernet.net (nwilmrr@frontiernet.net) , you can also call Duane Imel (815)684-5216 evenings.
Thank you.
Sincerely,Duane Imel

Duane Imel
Treasurer
Club email nwilmrr@frontiernet.net (nwilmrr@frontiernet.net)

[BoxcabE50]

Please post some photos of the excitement. Or anything new on the layout.

:D

Boxcab E50

[NWILMRR]

Please post some photos of the excitement. Or anything new on the layout.

:D

Boxcab E50

Sorry I had to work all day sat and I was manning the door sunday There were photos taken just not by any members. :tb-hissyfit:

as for new stuff watch this thread (http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=97773) for new photos

[NWILMRR]

Northwestern Illinois Model Railroad Club
101 Main Street
Chadwick, IL 61014

Summer open house In conjunction with "Chadwick Days"

An open house is planned at the Northwestern Illinois Model Train Club for Saturday June 14 and Sunday June 15, from 10a.m. to 4p.m. We have an “N” scale running up stairs on the main foor and “HO” scale running in the basement. The model train layouts are located at 101 Main Street Chadwick, IL
The club is buying the building where there is two different size working layouts. The “HO” scale layout has 3 levels covering the entire 30’ x 60’ basement. The 30’ x 14’ “N” scale is growing in size with a yard and bridges it now takes up half of the main floor.
The club would like to take this opportunity to show the model train layouts to the public. Enjoy your visit and make sure to tell us your a trainboard member. We are always welcoming new members to join and share their interest in trains.
To have your name added to our mailing list or for more information on this event send an email to: nwilmrr@frontiernet.net (nwilmrr@frontiernet.net) , you can also call Duane Imel (815)684-5216 evenings.
Thank you.
Sincerely,Duane Imel

Duane Imel
Treasurer
Club email nwilmrr@frontiernet.net (nwilmrr@frontiernet.net)

[NWILMRR]

Northwestern Illinois Model Railroad Club
P.O. Box 411
101 Main Street
Chadwick, IL 61014


An open house is planned at the Northwestern Illinois Model Train Club for Saturday November 22 and Sunday November 23, from 10a.m. to 4p.m. We have an “N” scale running up stairs on the main foor and “HO” scale running in the basement. The model train layouts are located at 101 Main Street Chadwick, IL
We have two different size working layouts. The “HO” scale layout has 3 levels covering the entire 30’ x 60’ basement. The 30’ x 14’ “N” scale has a yard and bridges it now takes up half of the main floor.
The club would like to take this opportunity to show the model train layouts to the public. Enjoy your visit and make sure to tell us your a trainboard member. We are always welcoming new members to join and share their interest in trains.
To have your name added to our mailing list or for more information on this event send an email to: nwilmrr@frontiernet.net (nwilmrr@frontiernet.net) , you can also call Duane Imel (815)684-5216 evenings.
Thank you.


Duane Imel
Treasurer
Club email nwilmrr@frontiernet.net (nwilmrr@frontiernet.net)

[John G. Adney]

I used to live in Savanna, Ill. Chadwick is nearby, about half an hour; the population is less than 1,000 but the club has members from other towns. I now live retired in a metro area of about 170,000 and there's not a single model railroad club in any scale. And only one LHS. It just shows that bigger is not always better.

[Mr. Train]

I used to live in Savanna, Ill. Chadwick is nearby, about half an hour; the population is less than 1,000 but the club has members from other towns.

Thanks for the kind words Chadwick is now a little short of 600, but no one here is counting.:tb-sad:

Mr. Train is a member of NWILMRR

[NWILMRR]

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1844/11230006.JPG
HO scale


http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1844/11230002.JPG
N scale

[NWILMRR]

If you didn't make it to the open house here is a video from one of our members filming some of the action. The Beginning is the N scale then the HO scale in the home road company "Rock River" Enjoy.

YouTube - Rock River Open House 12-13-08