Annual HARM Dinner

The second annual HARM Dinner was held on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at the Hickory Lodge restaurant near Bel Air, MD. Sixteen members of HARM were present and enjoyed good conversation, good fellowship and a good meal. Some members were surely missed from this event, but they were remembered fondly with a toast. Although the seating was a little tight for the size of our group, the restaurant did a great job accommodating us. We are already looking forward to next year's dinner.

HARM Members Visit New Jersey Model Railroad Clubs

Several members of HARM ventured north to visit a couple of the Model Railroad Clubs in New Jersey. The first stop was at The Model Railroad Club, Inc. located in the A. Paul Mallery Model Railroad Center in Union, NJ. This club, founded in 1949, puts on a short show about the history of the railroad and the industries that it serves in the New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania regions. After the show, we were able to get a closer look at the model railroad. They are in the middle of doubling the size of the model railroad by adding on an addition. HARM member, Rich Kunig is also a member of The Model Railroad Club, Inc.

The other stop of the day was at the Burlington County Model Railroad Club in Cinnamonson, NJ. HARM member Harry Ivory is the acting Treasurer of this club. Earlier in the year, after the open house season, this club removed a significant portion of the layout, including a large yard. They just recently completed the rebuilding of that section, at least far enough to run the mainlines through. This layout features coal and steel industries among others. Recently, they were the recipient of one of the stations from Dave Renard's home layout that they will incorporate into a prominent scene on the model railroad.

Oak Crest Village Model Railroad

On November 8, HARM members were invited to Oak Crest Village in Baltimore County to enjoy the sights and sounds of the senior living facility's Model Railroad Club. The Model Railroad has been in existence since March of 2000, but has undergone several changes in that time. They have approximately 20 active members that do everything from laying and maintaining track, to building and detailing structures, to keeping up on the maintenance of its many locomotives. Much of the material, rolling stock, buildings and locomotives come from the residents of the facility. When some residents move in, they come bearing a box of model railroad stuff that they had at their house and ask if anyone wants it. The club openly accepts and donations that they get. The model railroad features several loops of track and meanders through neighborhoods, a ski resort, a rail yard, a waterfront scene, and even a scale version of the old Memorial Stadium on 33rd Street in Baltimore City. Members enjoy sharing the hobby with each other and their many visitors that they get throughout the year.

HARM Open Houses

Several members' layouts will be open this year in November for National Model Railroad Month. Ken Poznaniak will open his HO scale Chesapeake, Susquehanna & Western railroad featuring modern mainline diesels. Bill McAleese will run his B&O/C&O representation of the West Virginia region. Bill Freeland will show his rendition of the B&O from Chicago to Baltimore. And Scott Wooddell will open his N-scale Deer Creek & Susquehanna for the first time. Check out when they are open at http://modelrailroadopenhouse.com.

Passing of Alan Anderson

It is great sadness that we report the passing of long-time HARM member Alan Anderson on May 24, 2016.

Alan Wayne Anderson of Bel Air, MD passed away Tuesday May 24, 2016 at the age of 70.
Alan was born May 27, 1945 in Huntington, NY. He was the son of the late Carl and Elsa Anderson. He attended the Huntington Elementary Schools and graduated from Huntington High School in 1963. He then attended Grove City College in PA majoring in Secondary Education and English. It was there that he met the love of his life- Jayne Gillespie. Upon graduation they were married and moved first to Aberdeen, then Bel Air, to pursue teaching careers. After graduation from Grove City he continued his education earning a masters degree in Education from Towson and a masters degree in Photography from Maryland Institute College of Art.
In his professional life Alan was a teacher of English, Photography and Drama at Aberdeen High School. After 18 years of teaching his passion for photography took him away from teaching and he opened a studio- Anderson-Mayer Photography- in Churchville. Photographing many portraits and 2500 weddings, serving most of the High Schools in Harford and Cecil counties, Alan made wonderful memories for the community.
In his 30's Alan was sure his girls needed a train set to play with at Christmas. Thus became a train empire, completely scratch built that encompasses the entire Anderson basement and the garden outside as well. He helped form HARM- Harford Area Railroad Modelers- a group of like-minded guys who get together weekly to "run" trains. His love of family, however, was paramount. Alan always wanted to be part of everything that was going on. No game or recreation activity was too small. He was also an active member of Bel Air United Methodist Church, serving as head usher for 30 years as well as instrumental in the Pass it on Ministries and food distributions mission.
Alan is survived by his wife of 49 years, Jayne, his beloved daughters Kristen Smith and her husband Andy, and Michelle Adams and her companion Mike Chance, both of Bel Air; his grandchildren Brendan and Corinne Smith and Kayla Adams; a brother Lance from Texas; Sister-in-law Sue Anderson and niece and nephew Maren and Kristopher also of Texas.

New Website and YouTube

As of January 1, 2016, HARM has a new presence on the Internet in the form of this website. We plan to update these pages monthly with new pictures, news from our association and links to interesting model railroad related sites. Along with this website, we have also created a YouTube channel to share the work of our members. Please visit, subscribe and like the videos here. Check back often for more updates.