About Rails on Wheels
Rails on Wheels was formed in 1988 by a group of model railroaders
interested in constructing, displaying and operating a high-performance
HO scale model railroad. At the time, only one of the members had the
space available for a permanent layout, so we each began to build small,
portable sections that could be joined together, incorporating the specifications
that would eventually become the Rails
on Wheels Module Standards. This layout is usually stored dismantled
between public showings.
To promote our goals of educating our members and the public about
railroading and the hobby of model railroading, our activities have
included monthly meetings and workshops, layout setups at over 40 train
shows and the NMRA National Conventions in 1992 and 1997, private layout
setups, railfanning outings and trips to train shows and swap meets.
In 1998, several Rails on Wheels members who had developed an interest
in prototypical operation branched out and began to develop the Operations
Road Show. These members constructed a second dedicated layout which
resides in a member's basement and is used to hold operating sessions
using timetable and train order operating rules. This layout was publicly
unveiled at the Maple Leaf 2003 NMRA National Convention in Toronto,
where 135 attendees participated in operating sessions. Our success
in Toronto was repeated at the Cincinnati Limited 2005 NMRA National
Convention. Our plan is to take this layout out for public operations
demonstrations far less frequently than we show the display layout,
probably no more often than once every two or three years, as the design
of this layout does not lend itself to easy viewing by large numbers
of people.
Rails on Wheels provides a forum through which members can learn techniques
and get help from persons experienced in layout design, benchwork, scenery,
electronics and wiring, rolling stock construction and structure building.
We have developed new approaches and techniques to meet our specific
construction needs, techniques which we feel have in some small way
contributed to the advancement of the hobby.
We are continually expanding and upgrading our HO scale modular display
layout, and welcome new members, regardless of their level of experience.
Our members range from beginners to people with over 40 years' experience
in the hobby.
Anyone interested in HO model railroading, from beginners to experienced
craftsmen, is welcome to join. Rails on Wheels is an independent club
not formally affiliated with any other organization. Membership is always
open. You need not own or build a module to participate.
Rails on Wheels is a founding member of the Michigan
Modular Alliance.
Club News
Club Activities
Our next activities will be:
Activities related to the Operations Road Show layout are listed on
the Operations Road Show section of this site.
We usually meet at the Saline Historical Society's ex-NYC depot at
Ann Arbor and Bennett Streets in Saline. Our meetings at the depot are
open to members and non-members alike. Click
here for a map.
2009 Train Show
This year's show will be on Sunday, November
29, 2009 from 10am to 4pm at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055
Ann Arbor-Saline Road, Saline.
This year's show will feature at least three operating model railroad
layouts, plus a Lego train display and trains kids can run, in addition
to our usual assortment of sales tables offering new and used model
railroad merchandise from vendors from around the Great Lakes area.
Admission is $3.00 per person for those aged 12 or older. Children
under 12 are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Vendors: Sales tables are available for $15.00 apiece
until November 1, 2009. After November 1, tables increase to $18 apiece.
A limited number of spaces area vailable with electricity, for an extra
$5.00 per "booth" (group of tables). Requests for tables in
the same location as last year must be received by October 15, 2009.
For information on purchasing table space, contact Jeff Fryman at (734)944-9872.
Upcoming Exhibitions
We will be displaying our layout at the following upcoming events:
| 29-NOV-2009 |
|
Rails on Wheels Annual Train Show and
Sale, Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, Saline, Michigan |
