Cherry Valley O Scale is a not-for-profit club dedicated to the promotion of 2-rail O-scale (1:48) model railroading, located in Merchantville, New Jersey, United States, in the basement/undercroft of the Grace Episcopal Church.[1][2]
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The club was started in March 1962,[3][4][5] to replace a similar club formerly located in the B&O passenger station on Chestnut St. in Philadelphia,[6] and has occupied the same space since inception. When first started, the space was an 80' x 35' unfinished crawl space directly under the original 1890's chapel. Finishing the space took weeks, with the removal of 4' of dirt[4] before 20 cubic yards of concrete was used for the new floor.[7] The first layout in the space was started in July 1962, with the framing and scenery built before the track was laid, and the first spike driven on August 30, 1962.[7] This layout was 27 by 55 feet in size,[8] and was of a double-track folded dogbone design, built with traditional square tabletop framing, plaster scenery, and relay control. Eventually it grew to have over 4000 linear feet of track,[4] in both standard and 3-foot gauges, with some dual gauge mixed in.[8] It existed through to January 1999,[4] when it was torn down due to growing problems with accessibility and electrical characteristics.[4] Many of the original structures and switches have been saved, for eventual inclusion on the new layout. Most notable of these is a 1940's train station model which had previously been salvaged from the layout at the B&O club location on Chestnut Street.[9]
The club is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization.
The new layout was started in 2001, is of a double-track looped-8 design; but has been built around the walls, with several reversing loops, and curved laminate benchwork to match the curves in the tracks. Scenery has been built with a mix of hydrocal and extruded styrofoam board, and North Coast Engineering (NCE) Digital Command Control has been installed to allow running of multiple trains without the need for complex relay systems.[6] The layout also features working signals that display proper occupancy, as well as scale-sized lighting fixtures for night scenes. Additionally, a new On30 narrow gauge branchline is being constructed at one end of the layout, with plans to expand it as time and resources allow.[6] Rolling stock is owned by the individual members,[6][9] with the club jointly owning the layout and control system. This rolling stock is a mixture of brass, bronze, tin, white metal, plastic, resin, wood, paper, cardboard, and die-cast models; most of which has been extensively kitbashed/modified, features custom paint and water-slide decals; and has been weathered to better replicate real-world conditions.[6]
Although the original layout did have a short section of catenary, most of it was destroyed when the layout was torn down.[4] However, the new layout is being constructed with a full PRR-Style compound catenary system over the entire layout. This catenary system is being integrated into the power distribution, so that the electric locomotives and MU cars will receive power via their operating pantographs.
The club is governed by president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary. All officers serve, on a voluntary basis, as the organization's Board of Directors.
Meetings were previously held on Thursday evenings,[4] but were moved to Tuesday evenings for better attendance. Business meetings are typically held on the first Tuesday of the month.
Every year, the club traditionally has several "Open House" weekends near the end of the year, in conjunction with the Merchantville annual Christmas parade and Tree Lighting ceremony.[10] The first such Open House weekends were held Friday and Saturday, November 9–10 and 16-17, 1962.[3][7][11] Dates for the 48th (2010) Open House weekends were as follows: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 3–4-5, 10-11-12; and Saturday-Sunday January 8–9, 15-16, 22-23 (2011). Hours are: Fridays 6pm-9pm, Saturdays noon-6p, and Sundays noon-4 pm. Attendance is free (donations requested). [5]
The Club hosts two O-scale-only "Swap Meets" a year, usually on a single first Saturday in both March and September. The most recent such "Swap Meet" was held on Saturday, September 11, 2010. Admission to the Dealer's Hall is set at $5, and includes a tour of the layout. The date for the 2011 spring meet is set for March 5.
Club membership is open to everyone over the age of 16.[12] Dues are currently $175 (USD) a year for members over age 18 and $50 (USD) a year for members aged 16–18 and over the age of 70.