Train club derailed?
City needs building, so model railroad group must move on down tracks by year's end
By Bo Petersen
The club has the quaint charm of a Norman Rockwell curio: miniature locomotives whistling around homey landscapes, men in conductor's caps and children bubbling, the railroad crossing sign hung by the front door, its red lights flashing.
Video
Charleston Area Model Railroad Club
North Charleston city is ending a lease that provides an Olde Village location for the longstanding Charleston Model Railways Club, so the building can be used for higher attendance civic activities.
And, like Rockwell's America, it might disappear.
After operating more than 20 years at the old brick police station on Jenkins Avenue, the Charleston Area Model Railroad Club is getting kicked out by the city of North Charleston. The Olde Village around it is changing — new shops, trendy gourmet restaurants. Space is at a premium, and the city wants to use the building for popular art exhibits and civic groups now using The Meeting Place every day. That building, around the corner on East Montague Avenue, needs to be rehabilitated.
The railroad club has never been a big draw. It chugs along with a steady line of collectors and the curious, an off-to-the-side hobby on an off-to-the-side street. It has 38 members holding a weekly Tuesday evening open house. On a recent night, 17 adults and four children roamed the banquet-table-sized rail sets, tinkering with gear or watching it go with a wide-eyed awe.
All aboard!
Wylan Sheffield, of Walterboro, pressed his face to the glass wall waiting for the next pass of the whistling locomotive. "Train!" the 2 1/2-year-old called. "Hi, train! Bye, train!"
"It's the travel, it's the way of travel," said club member Richard Ketcham, 67, of Summerville, who's played with model trains since he was 7 years old and still has his first train set. "It's much more comfortable. And quite honestly, I have fun playing. Is that legal?"
The Post and Courier
Richard Ketcham uses a radio control to operate a model train.
And like any good hobby, it has its obsessive quality. Ed Reardon of Seabrook Island owns 200 locomotive engines, 400 passenger cars and 800 freight cars — and gets ribbed because they are tiny scale models, not the big, ridable scales. I.D. Smith, of West Ashley, has every Lionel model-train maintenance manual printed — 1946-1969 — and is the go-to guy for repairs for collectors who come from miles away. Smith helped build the huge, rambling, hill, dale and village set-up that dominates the layouts in the club.
They are, in a word, serious. Their trains run among the Christmas decorations at Charleston Place. Their modest membership is growing and getting younger. But they don't have deep pockets. The loss of the $1-per-year lease could cripple the club. President George Maas figures that, even if they can find a big and economical-enough space, they can only hold rent for about a year.
The Post and Courier
A model train is displayed inside the building where the Charleston Area Model Railroad Association meets.
"We feel we're more than a bunch of old men sitting around," Maas, of Mount Pleasant, said in his appeal to City Council for some consideration earlier this month. "We've had 24 good years here, and hopefully we'll have a few more than that. Before we tear everything up, come on by and see what we have."
The Olde Village is changing. But in a city built from its railroad tracks out, council members can't help but turn an ear to the plaintive wail of a train whistle. Council gave the club until the end of 2009. Mayor Keith Summey told Maas they would see what they could do to help find another spot.
"It's a wonderful thing for the children to see," said Councilman Kurt Taylor.
Reach Bo Petersen at 937-5744 or bpetersen@postandcourier.com.
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letstakeawalk (anonymous) says...
I encourage people to go visit the RR before they have to dismantle it. My father is a big model train buff, and when he visits he likes to go run his trains there. I've always found the group to be very friendly, and was even asked if I wanted to operate one of the trains. I was slightly embarrassed, but once I took the controls I was reluctant to give them back!
I hope the group is able to find another suitable space, at a reasonable rent. They could use a bigger place, anyway...
February 3, 2009 at 3:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trainlover (anonymous) says...
I think it's absolutely criminal that the club can be forced out this way. "Eminent domain" should be illegal. I wonder who owns the building? Are they getting a hefty fee from the city - if the train club owns the building they should demand suitable compensation.
February 3, 2009 at 4:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Slick50 (anonymous) says...
The Olde Village around it is changing - new shops, trendy gourmet restaurants. Same old rape, robbery, and murder though.
February 3, 2009 at 4:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
this is mayor sumney at his finest. take anything from anyone in North Charleston that he may make a dime off. everyone talks about how good a guy sumney is and how much he's done for nc....i disagree and i moved out of nc last year because him, his worthless police chief and the crime. he probably wants to open up a business there.
February 3, 2009 at 5:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
voxpopuli (anonymous) says...
trainlover__ what eminent domain? the city owns the building. 30 something people for over 20 yrs at no rent or a place for the larger community to use? I guess the trains should stay in your mind.
February 3, 2009 at 5:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
vox,
learn what you are talking about before you speak. you look ignorant defending the city of nc.
February 3, 2009 at 7:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
islandbenzbc (anonymous) says...
North Charleston sucks...unless you are a criminal or dope dealer!
February 3, 2009 at 7:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justjerry (anonymous) says...
sandnateater - If you read the article it appears that voxpopuli is correct and it is your ignorance that is fully on display. The city owns the building and has leased it to the club for 24 years at $1 per year. The Meeting Place (another city owned property) on East Montague is in need of repair and there needs to be a neighborhood facility for civic club meetings and cultural events. This is the next closest building. Reading is fundamental, you might want to try it some time.
I hate to see the club go, it is a great place to visit. With 38 members at $20 per month I am sure that they could find another location to rent that is not in quite as prime a location.
Glad you moved out of North Chuck sandnateater, your exit has surely facilitated our increase in property values even in a down real estate market.
February 3, 2009 at 7:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UberBlitzkrieg (anonymous) says...
Vox is right. North Charleston DOES own the building. It was never a police station. It was built by the fire department in the late 50's for getting together to hold meetings and parties. It was built with fire department money.
I would say there run in long over. That is cheap rent for 20+ years.
February 3, 2009 at 7:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kma71 (anonymous) says...
You know what islandbenzbc, I've lived in North Charleston for the last 10 years. I'm not a criminal or drug dealer.
If North Charleston sucks so bad, I guess you've never been to an event at the Coliseum or shopped at Tanger Outlet or been to Northwoods Mall. How bout keep your negative opinions to yourself!! And cheer up sunshine...I'm sure there is someone in this world that thinks you're "special!"
February 3, 2009 at 7:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
kma,
he's right. your are wrong. it's a ghetto.
February 3, 2009 at 8:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
just jerry,
i'm waiting on you on the pit bull blog. come on back and finish what you started.
February 3, 2009 at 8:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kma71 (anonymous) says...
Awww sandnateater....what's wrong? Nobody hugged you today?
February 3, 2009 at 8:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
kma71, or is your real name ghetto queen? you live in the arm pit of charleston county. get over it.
February 3, 2009 at 8:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
elcid81 (anonymous) says...
While not a collector, I truly wish I had space to accomodate these folks. If this is what brings them joy, then I would do everything possible to help them. I only see good in what they are doing. This is what is wrong with our world today. I am sorry that I do not have a space large enough as I would open my home/business/garage to them. I hope that some business or community opens their hearts to these folks and let them continue to exchange smiles and love. Peace
February 3, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
postman01 (anonymous) says...
As a life-long model train (Lionel "O" Gauge Tinplate) person, I can assure veryone that a worst case scenario--this location ceasing to exist--will not end the hobby of model trains. It will simply migrate elsewhere. Model railroading is not about to disappear because trains (real ones) remain central to the functioning of our nation.
However, this hobby must support itself. Even though I'm a big fan of model trains, I do not believe that we model train hobbyists are entitled to a government handout at the expense of taxpayers. $1.00 a month rent is a sweetheart deal to say the least and being a serious model train collector involves a LOT OF MONEY. Some of the people mentioned in this article have very deep pockets and are POORMOUTHING those who do not share their passion. So I find myself in the position of sharing the passion of these people and simultaneously being angered by them INSULTING THE INTELLIGENCE of everyone reading this article when they whine about possibly not being provided a place for their club to meet by a government entity and literally lie to us when they claim that they can not afford it.
February 3, 2009 at 8:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kma71 (anonymous) says...
You really do need a hug sandnateater!! Cheer up! It can't be all that bad!!
February 3, 2009 at 9:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jmw29410 (anonymous) says...
UberBlitzkrieg - Wrong! Before UpChuck built the city complex across from the former Charles Towne Mall, NCPD operated out of the building currently occupied by the Model Railroad Club. I used to date a Dispatcher and often dropped her off or picked her up from work.
February 3, 2009 at 10:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UberBlitzkrieg (anonymous) says...
The building was built with 1% money from the fire department in the late 1950's. The police were used it for a short period of time while their new digs were being built in the current city hall. I can tell you for a fact that the building was never built with the intent to be a police station.
Ooohhhh jmw... you got me.
tool...
February 3, 2009 at 10:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
it's all good where i live, ghetto queen suney lover.
February 3, 2009 at 11:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
amembersid (anonymous) says...
Sandnateater It's not talking, speaking, or looking. It's typing.
February 3, 2009 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
Put the train club in the Mall Drive city hall building as it becomes vacant when city hall moves across the street to the bigger building.
February 3, 2009 at 11:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
WOW..... an article like this to kick up railroad SMOKE; when in fact a MAJOR meeting is being held today at 5PM in Charleston County Council Chambers on the future of trash "SKIM" at taxpayers expense !!!!
There is not ONE mention in this paper about this MAJOR meeting....I wonder WHY !?!
Can you guess.... rail roaders ????
February 3, 2009 at 12:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kma71 (anonymous) says...
Come on now sand. Is that the best you can come up with? Ghetto queen...that's almost funny!!
February 3, 2009 at 12:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
islandbenzbc (anonymous) says...
I'll amend my statement: North Charleston sucks...unless you are a criminal or a drug dealer or don't care where you live.
How's that kma71?
February 3, 2009 at 2:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
kma, if you live in north charleston it fits you like a glove!!! wear it proudly trailer park trash!!! you better duck down, here comes another drive by shooting. they are common place in your area, right? nothing like that where i live but then again i don't live in a trailer on section 8.
February 3, 2009 at 4:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
kma,
can you say...Got Crack? NC,crack capital of the lowcountry.
February 3, 2009 at 4:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ParkCircle4Ever (anonymous) says...
Sandnateater we the people of North Charleston are ever so sorry we and our crazy pit bills made you such a hater. Please do not worry, our ever increasing home values, access to entertainment and the rest of the lowcountry will continue to thrive without you and your horrendous grammar and typing skills.
PS Are you implying that West Ashley, Downtown etc do not hae drug problems? Think again smarty pants.
February 3, 2009 at 5:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CHAMRCmember (anonymous) says...
As the secretary of the club and a member for two years, we were expecting that the city will want us out. The city is doing/done everything they can to get us a place but we are not counting on it. I know of several empty spaces that businesses have vacated and the price is not something the club can afford. We pay for the utilities for the building as well as the insurance for the clubs railroad inventory. A number of members are retired and former military. two of the layouts were donated and modified. We have received numerous space offers and we appropriate every one of them.
please check out our website @ http://www.chamrc.com
February 3, 2009 at 5:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justjerry (anonymous) says...
CHAMRCmember - best of luck with your search, I will have to make sure to walk around the corner and stop by for a look before you have to move on.
February 3, 2009 at 6:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
postman01 (anonymous) says...
Zoomru, you have an acute sense of irony.
February 3, 2009 at 6:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hwebster (anonymous) says...
Dag... if you could scrap up alot of dough, you could rent the old vacant Kmart at 78 and Berlin Myers. What a layout that would be.
February 3, 2009 at 6:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
a_set_love (anonymous) says...
Posted by sandnateater on February 3, 2009 at 5:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
this is mayor sumney at his finest. take anything from anyone in North Charleston that he may make a dime off. everyone talks about how good a guy sumney is and how much he's done for nc....i disagree and i moved out of nc last year because him, his worthless police chief and the crime. he probably wants to open up a business there.
****************************************************************
I thought the City of North Charleston seemed a bit brighter since last year. Gee sandnateater, why did you wait so long to go?
February 4, 2009 at 11:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
johnk (anonymous) says...
Dear Train Bloggers,
Wow, this is really interesting. As a former State Senator for this area of North Charleston, I am sort of fond of the place. Sure, it has crime. Sadly, so does everywhere else.
I also happen to be a member of the Model Railroad Assoc. Have been for years. It is a terrific group! All folks who are into model rr. Most of them have a lot more time than money. In fact, most of the folks don't have much money at all. On the other hand, none want a free hand-out. But, as long as the city was providing space, it made it cost affordable for all the train affictionados to get together. If the city can no longer provide the space for cheap rent, then the Assoc will fold becasue most of the folks cannot afford high dues for rent for the kind of large space model rr takes up (especially since most of the membership is on retiree income).(I rarely go - I am just a huge rail fan and huge supporter).
The sad thing to me is that cities like NC and Chas are happy to give hugh subsidies to big corp, but they never seem to have enough tax money in the end to help out their own citizens with inexp rent for groups who have been contributing to the quality of life of the community for years. When someone else wants the space for a short time, out goes the group that has become a part of the fabric of the commuity - the group that is making children and familys want to come to NC.
It comes down to prioritizing tax money. In the end, it always seems that the little guy comes out on the short end of this stick.
I wish that the City Council of NC would spend the next year figuring out how to keep their long-standing great citizen right where it is (and has been for years). On the other hand, if they truly cannot see fit to do that, I wish they would figure out a way to make the MRRA a priority for the city and help the club move to an inexpensive and good place where the membership can keep coming and keep the smiles on both the membership and the children.
This kind of Community asset is invaluable and probably should be supported far and away above most of the "economic development" items that continually seem to lock up the various communities monies.
Sadly, I agree that if one were to look very closely, one would probably find that someone is going to make a tidy profit off the building that we are not really being told about yet.
I would like to ask the Mayor and NC City Council to seriously consider helping out, and keeping, their invauable commuity asset that is very much already a part of the commuity. NC has long been a railroad town, and it would be nice to see it work hard to keep that history alive with support of the railroad club (just as NC has very commendably done with the support it has given to its military and naval history).
Thank you,
John Kuhn
Former State Senator
February 4, 2009 at 6:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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