AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi
and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services
It was December 2, 2016 and the Community Tree Lighting and Open House was in full swing at the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce. At the town’s historic railroad station next door families were already lining up to visit the Severna Park Model Railroad Club’s train display.
Bagpiper Michael Binney, who’d entertained the crowd earlier, was still wearing his Scottish kilt as he viewed the club’s impressive train layout with wife Julie and children Peter, Andrew, Emily and Aiden.
Katie Kanas ducked beneath the “Baltimore Truss Bridge” with daughters Maisie and Josie to enter the layout. The girls were fascinated as they followed speeding locomotives down the tracks of the mythical Chesapeake and Allegheny Railroad over mountains, through tunnels and past farms, steelworks and cityscapes. Exiting beneath the same bridge as trains raced overhead, Katie asked railroad club members Sam Shepherd and Hal Holton about the group’s history.
The model railroad club was founded in 1964 at Severna Park’s Depot Hobby Shop where it immediately constructed a layout. But the club rapidly outgrew the space. Fortunately, the Severna Park Railroad Station, built in 1929, became available following a stint as the town library. The club moved into the building late in 1964 and have occupied it ever since. They’ve constantly upgraded the display which they share with the public during their open houses. At first, the open houses were held in the spring and at Christmas but have since been held more frequently.
Severna Park homeowner Lindy Lammens-Anderkin, who attended one of the Severna Park Model Railroad Club’s regular Thursday night meetings recently, contacted us to say that this year the model railroad club will be holding open houses on weekends throughout December. She also alerted us to the fact that the club may no longer be able to stay in the building they have occupied for 60 years.
By now, after six decades of continuous operation, the model railroad club is a community tradition. Generations of local children, including my own, have visited the train layout and some nowadays bring their children or even their grandchildren. The idea that it could close was a subject I felt worth exploring. Thus, I spoke at length with club member Tyler Noland.
Noland first noted that the train layout has basically remained the same as when it was created in 1964. However, there have been considerable changes to the electrical controls.
“Those have been completely redone – a major overhaul from the old analog controls to a modern digital system. In fact, the conversion is still ongoing,” he said.
When asked if Lammens-Anderkin’s comment that the club might not be able to stay in the building for much longer was accurate, Noland answered that her statement was true.
“Our future is very uncertain,” he said. “Owners of the building are the Olde Severna Park Improvement Association – a community association. The president and some board members said they wanted to do something different with the building. They put out a survey to their members asking what they’d like to do with the club. Apparently, 50% said to leave it alone and 50% would like to see it used for something else. But, when asked for suggestions about what that might be, no one had a single suggestion.”
According to Noland, the Improvement Association bylaws say the building cannot be rented or sold for profit…but bylaws could possibly be changed.
“If we get kicked out, we’d have to take saws to the layout, and it would never go back together again which would be sad,” he said. “There’s a lot of history in that layout which is original to the club’s beginning but has been modified over the years.”
Noland and the other members believe that the Improvement Association members think the Severna Park Model Train Club only benefits one community – Severna Park. But he emphasized that’s not the case. The club attracts members from Baltimore, Southern Maryland, and Western Maryland and visitors and train aficionados from as far away as Germany. The holiday open houses alone attract visitors from Annapolis, Arnold, Severna Park, Millersville, Crownsville, Pasadena, Baltimore and farther afield. Being located along the B&A Trail is a tremendous blessing as club members frequently keep the doors open in mild weather so folks can wander in. Unfortunately. the building is poorly insulated so it’s too cold to keep the doors open in the winter.
Much like the gentleman wearing the Quebec hat and his daughter in the photograph below that I took during an open house 2011, people very much appreciate the opportunity to see the trains. (It’s similar to the pilgrimage made by many to see the Homestead Davidsonville train layout at Christmas.) For some, it’s a reminiscent of their childhoods when they may have had trains of their own. For others, it’s simply a wonderful novelty.
At present the club has about 25 members who meet once a week and keep the layout and equipment in tip top condition. Each time the trains are operated, at a meeting or open house, the members supply locomotives from their own collections, so the rolling stock is different from one time to the next. Up to five trains may be run at once- three on the lengthy main line and another two on smaller branch lines.
Members originally held their open houses twice a year in the spring and during the holidays but have since expanded them. The club is now open more frequently – especially during mild weather as mentioned before. The heaviest attendance is usually on holidays like Independence Day or during the Christmas season.
As noted, the club will be hosting Holiday Open Houses each weekend through December and, of course, will be open during the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s Community Tree Lighting on December 6. From the moment the chamber moved into their headquarters at 1 Holly Avenue and former Chamber CEO Linda Zahn started the community tree lightings, the Severna Park Model Railroad Club has been open and an amazing draw. Last year when the photo below was taken, the club was highlighted by the chamber’s “big tree”. (The illumination was provided by Pasadena-based Maryland Lighting & Sprinklers.)
The holiday weekend open houses generally go from 1 to 3 pm but there may be changes. To keep abreast of the Severna Park Model Railroad Club’s Open House Schedule, you can follow them on their Facebook page.
Local Merchants’ Black Friday and Olde Severna Park’s “Pink Friday” on November 29 plus Small Business Saturday on November 30.
Just a reminder that next week’s Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving when stores along Ritchie Highway in Arnold and Severna Park and at Park Plaza are busy and bound to offer some deals. The day after Thanksgiving is also Olde Severna Park’s “Pink Friday” with The Big Bean, The Blended Essentials, Dawson’s Liquors and other shops along B&A Boulevard starting the holiday shopping season with a bang. And don’t forget Small Business Saturday when Severna Park’s small independent businesses offer special discounts. Be sure to #SHOPLOCAL for the holidays.
Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber Holiday Taste & Sip on December 10th
The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce announced that its annual Holiday Taste & Sip will be held on December 10th from 5:00 till 8:00pm. The event will once again be held at Chartwell Golf and Country Club. According to Chamber CEO Liz League, this festive occasion is the most well-attended and anticipated event of the year. Attendees can enjoy an evening of food, drink and live music where you can sample offerings from area restaurants, bakeries, cafes and liquor stores in a wonderfully seasonal atmosphere. You won’t want to miss the silent auction. To learn more, visit Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce (gspacc.com).
The Talent Machine Company Holiday Show kicks off on December 13th
The 2024 Talent Machine Company Holiday Show, “A Jolly Holiday” will open on December 13th and run through December 23rd at Indian Creek School at 1130 Anne Chambers Way in Crownsville. Talent Machine Company holiday shows are a perennial favorite.
Media representative Kim O’Brien said this year’s show promises an array of colorful costumes and spectacular performances, featuring traditional holiday favorites and contemporary pieces. The show includes a talented cast of performers ages 7 to 18 from Anne Arundel County and the surrounding region.
Attending a performance of “A Jolly Holiday” is a perfect way for the entire family to celebrate the season together. To learn more visit Talent Machine. Tickets are available at www.talentmachine.com or https://tinyurl.com/aha3dxrj.
The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center.)
and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.
