Kingston Model RR Club, Inc.

Nice, hope I can see it someday.

I had the privilege of visiting the club back in 2016 to take photos for an article I wrote for OGR magazine. There was certainly no shortage of places where I could aim the camera and capture a great scene.

The article may be found in Run 287 - the Oct/Nov 2016 issue. Worth checking out if you have subscriber access to the archives.

Here are a just a few of my photos from that visit.

The club is very much worth a trip to see in person.

Jim

They released a Weaver two-bay open hopper sometime ago:

I was lucky enough to find one; a friend pointed me to the ebay listing, oh maybe five or six years ago. I did re-wheel it with Intermountain metal wheelsets.

I checked out Run 287 and found the  Kingston Model RR Club, Inc. Article by Jim Policastro - Great Stuff and with Digital Extras!  And Oh My Goodness!  There was also a reference to Run 104 back in April 1989 (back when I subscribed to "O-Scale Railroading")  - Fantastic!  I attach some pictures I found from the 1989 Article.

The Club now meets on Saturdays, and if anyone wants to drop in around 10 AM, they will be there!  And they may put you to Work!

It is Definitely worth the trip from Anywhere!

I have fond memories of this place. I have been going to it since the late 60's. I took my kids when they were young as well. They also have an incredible collection on display downstairs Prewar, postwar, various gauges. (at least they used to, I have not been there the past few years.) I also have the the weaver two bay commemrative hopper. I added some weight to it and it comes out on the layout usually around the Holidays as that is when my dad would take me there. Fantastic layout as the theme revolves around the area of small towns in and around the Catskill Mountains and Hudson Valley. @Waste & Ruin TrainHaus I will try and make it to the show this year, it has been on my radar. March is a busy time for me.

Art (and it is that!) - if you don't find that time on 3/23/2025, they actually encourage folks to come over on Saturdays to "help out"- they would like it if you joined, but you do not have to... and you may get lucky and see a passing freight train going by!

I am definitely going to "Sign Up" on Sunday 3/23/2025 and see what I can learn - this is such a Well-Hidden Treasure!

We are an hour away, but since the O&W did go up to Kingston once upon a time, I can look at the ROW (as Rail Trail) on the way!

All Aboard!

Ah, I have discovered another source of information about  the Kingston Model RR Club, Inc. - I can only reveal that my Great-Uncle Sam told them to me from a Ouija board seance!  Let us introduce some humor from the past!

Sam relates:

"The Kingston (N.Y.) Model Railroad Club members have always been rather proud of their signs along the road's right of way since the letters are nothing more than alphabet noodles. Recently mice moved in, however, and promptly ate them up, even to gnawing them off the T&E circus train, dust and all. A search by Marnett and Eighmey uncovered one infant mouse under the tables.... Sins shall be punished even unto the third and fourth generations."

Once again Sam tells all:

"Members of the Kingston (N. Y.) Model Railroad Club have re-elected Tycoons Page, Diehl, and Eighmey as president, vice-president, and secretary-treasurer, respectively. Page and Eighmey have been busily engaged at organizing the Northeastern Region of the N. M. R. A., and possibilities are that the Northeastern Region's organizational meeting will be at Kingston. Signal-expert Gruber has stepped forth with an offer to take over the club's signal system headaches, that chore being, in part, the extermination of mice who insist upon devouring essential portions of the system, and inconsiderately short-circuiting the signal conductors. These mice probably evolved from last month's noodle-eating rodents."

Lastly, Sam relates from the Great Beyond:

"According to all reports the Kingston (N.Y.) Model Railroad Club's third annual October show was the best the club's ever produced. Over 550 people watched the 0 gauge Hudson Valley Lines roll up a creditable performance in spite of being operated by a reduced crew.

Charlie (Locomotive) Diehl was on hand until sickness laid him low, Hank Eighmey was not only sick during most of the show but also disabled after sticking two fingers in an electric fan, Fred Gruber was there every minute he wasn't working and even deserted his job for one day, and Hank Page and Bill Marnett were there for the entire show, sometimes carrying on alone.  Betty Eighmey turned up as a creditable substitute for Hank and wives Safford, Diehl and Page handled the ticket end.

The last addition to the railroad just before the show was some ersatz street lamps in the town of Kingston. Designed and installed by Eighmey, the lamps look like the real thing, in spite of being made of camouflaged acorns suspended from from lollypop sticks."

Let us hope they can surpass that 550 this year!  Remember to check them out 3/23/2025 - just a block away from the Kingston Train Show!

If I ever get the chance to make it up to see the Kingston Model RR Club, I noticed the Hudson River Maritime Museum is not that far away. By any chance would you happen to know if it is it worthwhile to go to this museum? Any other railroad related things to see in Kingston?

Phil - I will ask around, as I have never been to the Hudson River Maritime Museum - I have recently joined the NMRA, and will reach out to my Superintendent about any  railroad related stuff - all I know is that the freights rumble through Kingston on a regular basis, and that the Club is very near those tracks!

@Waste & Ruin TrainHaus Thank you very much for your efforts. I also recently joined the NMRA. That is very cool that the freight trains pass right by the club. I definitely hope to make it up there this year. It is about a 2.5 hour drive for me.

I visited the Hudson River Maritime Museum about 8 years ago. It's on the waterfront in downtown Kingston. At the time there was some renovation going on and a few areas were off limits. The collection is a good variety of watercraft, both working and pleasure, that plied the waters of the Hudson (North) River. As well as the people and places affected.

If in the area, its worth a visit.

Thanks for the information Chris.

Phil - "Better Late than Nevermind" - I just got an answer from someone who knows the Kingston area (and is a member of the the Kingston Model RR Club, Inc.,  one Gary Patrick):

"The Maritime Museum is worth visiting. Right next to it is the Trolley Museum which has rides to the Hudson River. I also recommend walking around Old Town."

Now I see why there is an extensive Trolley System on their 2 Rail Layout!

Hope that also helps!

Yes, that definitely helps. Thank you very much for your efforts.