Lansing Model Railroad Club

The Lansing Model Railroad Club (LMRC) is a HO scale model railroad club located in Delta Charter Township, Michigan which is just west of Lansing.

History

The organization was founded in 1953 as the Lansing HO Model Railroad Club to distinguish themselves from a local O scale group called the Lansing Model Railroad Club. Initially, the Lansing HO Model Railroad Club met as a "round-robin" group where members would meet at each other's houses to work on model railroad layouts and discuss trains. The group soon found a home at a Cedar Street recreation center, in Lansing, and soon built their first layout. The Cedar Street residency did not last long and soon they were looking for a new home. The membership found two suitable locations which were small, rural Grand Trunk Western Railroad depots in Haslett and in Millett. The group chose Millett because most of the membership was closer to this depot. Meanwhile, the Grand Trunk Western Railroad soon demolished the Haslett depot.

In 1957, the club moved in the Millett depot and leased it from the railroad. The club then built their second layout which lasted until the early 1960s. At this time, the nearby Ralston Purina Company mill was expanding an industrial spur track and was right in the path of the club's Millett depot. The railroad threatened to tear down the structure if the club did not move it. Mrs Gladys Olds Anderson, daughter of Ransom E. Olds (founder of Oldsmobile and REO Motor Car Company), lived about two miles from the depot and used to board the train there. When Mrs. Olds Anderson heard the depot would be demolished, she donated a portion of her land to the club.

Now with property to move to, the club purchased the depot from the railroad for $12. In 1962, the depot was moved to its present location. Unfortunately, the move had its challenges. Neither the mover nor the club members realized that railroads did not build small depots in 1890 like houses were built in the 1950s. The railroad had laid a "foundation" of ties on the ground, built the building around it, and nailed tongue and grooveflooring down. The building was not connected to its floor. When the mover lifted the building, the floor fell out seriously damaging the layout, contents, and structure.

Once the depot was positioned in its current location, the monumental task of making the building usable began. A basement was hand dug by dedicated members and a new floor was built. External damage was repaired from the move and the building was shored up. Over the years, external changes to the depot including eliminating the back freight door, boarding up windows to control vandalism, and the addition of a furnace chimney. A third LMRC layout was constructed (second layout in the depot) in the late 1960s and the club was back in business.

Meanwhile, in 1968, the club incorporated with the state of Michigan as the Lansing Model Railroad Club after the O scale club went defunct.

In 1979, the third LMRC layout was torn down to make room for an improved forth layout. The newest layout eliminated duckunders and added an improved elevated dispatch panel. This layout is in use today with several major scenic modifications since 1995.

In 2002, the club was recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization.

Hogsback and Southern Railroad

The club's fictional railroad is called the Hogsback and Southern Railroad (H&S) and nicknamed "the Hogsback Route." It was created to show no bias to one particular railroad as the membership were fans of many different prototype railroads. The railroad's name origin is a mystery as there are several possible explanations. One explanation is that the first railroad was shaped like the back of a hog and nicknamed "the hogsback route." Another explanation, has the name coming from a geological rock formation called a hogsback which was located near Mason, Michigan. A third explanation has it come from a nickname of an interurban that once ran between Jackson, Michigan and Lansing.

The colors are blue (from the Grand Trunk Western Railroad) and gray (from the New York Central Railroad). The logo consists of a hog with a lantern in its nose, its tail wrapped around a flag, and steam locomotive on its back. The logo was designed by a club member in the 1950s.

In 2003, Accurail Inc. custom painted 50-foot H&S boxcars for the club's 50th anniversary.

Millett and Northern Railroad

The Hogsback and Southern Railroad also has an affiliate shortline called the Millett and Northern Railroad. Currently, only one locomotive is painted for this railroad. On the club layout, the gray line (indicated with gray colored ballast) is the Hogsback and Southern Railroad while the Millett and Northern Railroad is the black line (indicated with black colored ballast). The name originates from the locale and it's "north" of the Hogsback and Southern Railroad.

Layout

The current layout consists of two rail lines which include a black line and a gray line. Both lines are "bent dogbone" loops where trains make a return appearance and can run continuously. Layout features include the Summit area complete with industries, tall building, and the Rives depot. Glenwood yard area is the main switching yard. It also has more industries, a small city backdrop, a large roundhouse with turntable, and a diesel locomotive maintenance facility. The largest industry on the layout is the Brown and Childs coal mine located of the Millett and Northern Railroad Venzke Branch. Another layout scenic highlight is a canyon complete with a scratchbuilt truss bridge. All the layout scenes are set in the 1950s era.

The operating system is North Coast Engineering (NCE) Digital Command Control (DCC). Most throttles are wireless; however, a project is underway to allow for plug-in throttle stations.

Spectators can view the layout from a second story balcony. The dispatcher is also located on the second floor.

Board of Directors

The club is governed by president, vice president, treasurer, recording secretary, and corresponding secretary. All officers serve, on a voluntary basis, as the organization's Board of Directors.

Meetings and Events

The club meets every Thursday evenings with train operations on the last Thursday of each month. Business meetings are held on a quarterly basis. The club sponsors two public open houses and a train show/swap meet annually. One public open house is held in February (the weekend after Super Bowl) and another, in cooperation with the Woldumar Nature Center, on the last full weekend in September. The train show has been historically held in November at the Michigan State University Pavilion and is the organization's major fundraiser. Train show attendees can purchase new and used trains along with viewing modular model railroad layout in various scales.

Membership

Club membership is open to everyone over the age of 13. Dues are currently $6.00 (USD) a month ($60 per year) for members over age 18 and $3.00 (USD) a month ($30 per year) for ages 13-18.

External links

* [http://www.lmrc.org/ Lansing Model Railroad Club Official Website]

News Articles
* [http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051121/NEWS01/511210350/1001/news All aboard! Model railroaders draw a crowd]
* [http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2004411150322 Model Train Enthusiasts Pack Show]
* [http://www.lsj.com/news/local/031124_railroad_1b-2b.html Trains draw model crowd]