Our predecessor, the Winchester Model Railroad Club, was formed more than 40 years ago. For many years, we operated as a club, building a large model railroad located in the old CSX freight house beside the railroad tracks in Winchester, Virginia. Our model railroad was a popular public attraction, being a feature of the First Night Winchester festivities. Unfortunately, in 2018 we lost that location and began a multi-year search for a new home. In cooperation with the Town of Middletown, Virginia, we are currently actively working to reconstruct the historic Baltimore & Ohio Railroad depot that once stood in Middletown and to make it our new home and display space. Construction will began in August, 2025. We hope to complete construction in the spring of 2026.
Recently, we have reorganized as a Virginia non-stock corporation named The
Winchester and Middletown Model Railroad Association, Inc.
and have been recognized by the IRS as a
501(c)(3) charitable organization, eligible to receive tax deductible charitable contributions. The
organization consists entirely of volunteer members interested in model railroads and railroading. The
members donate time and materials. Soon we will construct and operate a new model railroad; and
we will assemble and maintain a railroad museum in the newly rebuilt
Middletown railroad depot. The model railroad construction and operation and the museum will be
regularly open for viewing by members of the public without charge. We also set up and operate
displays at various public events, including the new First Night Middletown event and our popular model train
shows held in March and November. Active model railroaders may apply to become members of the
Association.
The mission of the Winchester and Middletown Model Railroad Association is to display and operate for the general public, schools, and other interested organizations a model railroad based on area features and industries and to use this display as an interpretive tool for explaining the importance of railroads in the growth of the area and its industrial base. Our mission also includes acquiring historical artifacts and equipment relating to the railroads in the area and providing a museum to display and interpret these artifacts and equipment.
We look forward to completing and opening our new home. We hope to see you there or at one of our upcoming events.
| Questions | Answers? | |
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| Which 'About Us' page should we use? The pages have the same text; the layouts are slightly different. One edition has the topics with wide lines and and a long screen. The other version has two columns of text -- one for each topic. :This layout is probably easier to since it has narrower columns. Which shoule we use? | Unanswered |