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General Information |
This page is intended to provide general information about our group. Click on an item in the list to jump to that topic.
The Crescent Model Railroaders is an O-Gauge hi-rail modular model railroad group located in the Washington DC area. We publicly display our layout at a variety of venues including community events, fairs, schools, and train shows. The public displays gives us a chance to enjoy each other's camaraderie while sharing our hobby with others.
We are not officially sponsored or affiliated with any other organization. However we follow the general module construction specifications of the Independent Hi-railers.
Our group was originally formed by members of the Royal Blue and Crescent Model Railroad Club. The founding members some of whom were members of tinplate modular clubs decided to form a hi-rail modular group. Our first public layout was June 1996 at the Manassas Railroad Festival in Manassas, Virginia.
The club's name gives a nod to both the organization from which it was formed and the national capital area's railroad heritage. However we run equipment from all eras and regions of the country.
Members of a modular group each build their own layout module following a common set of specifications. The tracks are permanently attached to the module and wired to a standard set of electrical connectors. The modules can then be easily hooked together to form a large model train layout. The resulting layout is generally much larger than the average home layout.
Model railroad enthusiasts of all scales join modular clubs for a variety of reasons. Many members of modular clubs do not have the room or the time to build a large home layout. By building a single module they have the opportunity to run long prototypical trains. Belonging to a club gives the members a chance to share knowledge and learn from one another. The public displays give the members the chance to make new acquaintances and showcase their collections and modeling skills while promoting a family friendly hobby.
To find out more information about constructing a module please visit the Fabrication Shop.
Hi-rail simply stated is operating three-rail trains in a more prototypical manner than is commonly associated with toy trains. While the definition is open to broad interpretation, our group is trying to achieve as a high level of detail as close to scale as we reasonably can with 3-rail trains. Our operating format has evolved into what could be best termed O scale 3-rail. It is not uncommon to see an entire string of scale rolling stock running on the layout. Many of the trains we run are weathered though this is not a requirement. We operate a variety of steam, diesel, passenger, and freight equipment.
One might wonder why we run three-rail trains. If you asked them, every member in the club would probably give you a different answer. Some of our members do run scale layouts at home and operate with scale clubs. Others run O27 layouts, enjoy toy operating accessories, and also belong to clubs that share those interests. Most of us grew up with three-rail trains. Another appeal of three rail trains is the ability to run larger equipment on smaller radius curves. Add to that the the general greater availability and lower cost of three-rail trains. All of us however, appreciate highly detailed O scale three-rail equipment. Our layout allows us to show the public an aspect of the hobby that they don't often get to see, realistic operation and detail in three-rail.
A final note on the subject... Our approach is not better, or worse, than anybody else's. There is no correct answer when it comes to preference. This is after all a hobby. We are doing this for the enjoyment of ourselves and others. What ever level of detail or scale a person chooses is the right one if they enjoy it.
Active involvement by its members is fundamental to the club's continued success. Membership is primarily participation in the club. Candidate members are welcome to take part in one of the club’s public layouts. If the decision is made to go forward with membership, the candidate will pay a one-time $30 membership fee. The membership fee includes the cost of a club shirt. The new member can participate in two more layouts before building or purchasing module of their own.
We can provide module construction information and assistance to new members. If you are interested in attending a meeting please contact us.
Meetings are rather informal. Meetings can range from work sessions to visits to other layouts and collections. In the past meetings have included visits to Tony Lash's hi-rail layout, the Cammack Tucker automobile collection, and railfan trips.
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