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MMRR 2024 New 1955 Drive-In Movie Theater Diorama Module (Press Release)

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In the past couple years, although the space that the Metrolina Model Railroaders have been allotted has dwindled, our enthusiasm and excitement for sharing the wonders of model railroading and the joyful splendors of the Christmas spirit has not.  We keep coming up with fresh ideas to share with visitors and shoppers of the Southern Christmas Show for whom we really appreciate providing us with a venue during the holiday season to help us entertain and celebrate with those that come through each year.

Zuzu Bailey 1946
Zuzu Bailey 1946
Karolyn Grimes 2019
Karolyn Grimes in 2019 – SONY DSC

Mrs. Karolyn Grimes
was Zuzu Bailey in 1946 It’s a Wonderful Life

This year, we were informed that a special guest, Mrs. Karolyn Grimes, a child actress in the move “It’s a Wonderful Life”, will be attending.  Mrs. Grimes played Zuzu Bailey alongside Mr. James “Jimmy” Stewart as one of his daughters in this classic holiday movie where a man who has given up on his personal dreams to help others in his community considers ending his life until he is shown by a guardian angel all the lives he touched and what the world would be like if he had not existed.  The movie has become one of the greatest films of all time and among the best Christmas films.  To honor Mrs. Grimes, we have added a new diorama to an adapted corner module this year, that features an American Drive-In Movie Theater as it might have looked during the height of their popularity in 1955, and it will be playing It’s a Wonderful Life which entered the public domain in 1974.

Its A Wonderful Life photo of the Bailey Family
James Stewart and cast members of the movie It’s a Wonderful Life showing him, his stage wife, and 3 children.

On May 16, 1933, Richard Hollingshead Jr., an auto-parts store manager, patented the idea of the Drive-in theater.  On June 6th, 1933, he and three other investors cut the ribbon on the world’s first Drive-in movie theater and opened it to the public in Camden, New Jersey.  People paid 25 cents per car as well as per person to see the British Comedy Wives Beware.  Drive-in theaters became very popular, and at the height of their popularity in the 1950’s and 1960’s, there were roughly 4,000 drive-in theaters across the United States.

Among its advantages was the fact that older adults with children could take care of their infants while watching a movie. At the same time, youth found drive-ins ideal for dates. Unlike indoor cinema theaters, there was an air of informality that was appealing to people of all ages, but specifically to families.

1950's car with family in it parked at drive-in theater in 1951 Chicago
2 people in car in Los Angeles in 1949 watching movie at drive-in theater
aerial view of drive-in theater parking lot with airplane on the lot

Although most Drive-in movie theaters were operated in the summer months, we felt like this would be a splendid opportunity to share a little bit of the World’s Greatest Hobby of Model Railroading with you.  Come out and visit us during the Southern Christmas Show at The Park Expo & Conference Center, 800 Briar Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC  280205 (Off Independence Highway), in November 2024, the 14th thru the 24th.  If you come during the second weekend, the 22nd thru the 24th, Mrs. Karolyn Grimes, Zuzu Bailey, from “It’s a Wonderful Life” will be selling her cookbook, which includes delicious recipes, movie anecdotes, interviews, trivia, photos and more. She will also have other movie memorabilia and gifts for sale. Come see Zuzu while doing lots of Christmas shopping and don’t forget to stop by the model train display booth #31B in Olde Towne near Santa Claus and take a gander at our tribute to Mrs. Grimes which can be found on one of the rear, corner modules featuring our New 1955 Drive-in Movie Theater.

As the author of this article and the main developing model architect of the Metrolina Model Railroader’s New Christmas Edition 1955 Drive-in Movie Theater, who happens to live in Belmont, North Carolina, you may be excited to know that there is an operating Drive-In movie theater located at 314 McAdenville Road, Belmont, North Carolina 28012 and they are playing movies every Friday and Saturday night through December 7th this 2024 Holiday Season.  If you wish to experience the enjoyment of a real drive-in movie theater, check out their schedule on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/p/Belmont-Drive-In-100063570731472/ or their website at: https://belmontdriveinmovies.com/.  Celebrate with them on December 6th, 2024, and join in the fun by wearing an Ugly Christmas Sweater during the night of their final weekend of this season.

October 27th, 2024 Henry, MMRR Webmaster.  Updated & Published November 17th, 2024.

HO scale model of animated 1950's Miller Engineering sign with era cars in the parking lot
Customized Marquee from Walthers Skyview Drive-In Theater kit installed on MMRR FBC Layout 2024 at SCS
HO scale model Walthers drive-in theater kit installed on MMRR FBC Layout at 2024 SCS

Press Release. You can download this press release file about the Metrolina Model Railroader’s 2024 Southern Christmas Show New 1955 Drive-In Movide Theater Diorama module.

File Name: About-the-MMRR-Drive-in-Christmas-Module-2024-11-17_OfficialCopy.pdf

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Power Plant Modules

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Metrolina Model Railroaders are currently working hard on a new double-size Power Plant Module which consist of 2 8′ long modules. Visitors to the North Carolina Transportation Museum during the summer of 2024 can view the ongoing construction of the Power Plant modules as we continue to build them.

Progress of Work

  • 2024-07-25: Rick informs Henry that more plaster cloth has arrived.
  • 2024-07-22: Information, History, and Updates posted on the MMRR website about the Power Plant Modules.
    • Henry emails responses to Joe and Bradley.
  • 2024-07-20: Scenery work session #2 at the NCTM.
    • Gordy and Henry put down the foundations of a highway across the back of the 2 Power Plant Modules.
    • A combination of different types of Styrofoam were applied to the top of the plywood.
    • In some places, brown paper, newspaper, and paper towels were used as filler and underlying ground / road formations.
    • Woodland Scenics Plastercloth was applied to the right-side module (as viewed from the back) with the Turnouts Control Panel (TCP) on it to form the roadway and portions of a mountain near the control panel.
    • The removable Styrofoam Mountain used to conceal the wires and the back of the control panel was covered with plastercloth on the inside to give it more strength and rigidity.
    • View: Henry’s MMRR Power Plant Modules Google Photos Album. (Note: This album will have the lates photos and videos that I take, and they will appear within this album much sooner than they appear elsewhere on this page.)
    • Input via emails from Joe and Bradley regarding suggestions for scenery and power plant building.
      • Bradley:
        • I would point out that there should be a step up transformer located against the wall of the power plant. They take 3 phase power from the generator bus and step the voltage up to the transmission voltage. Something like a 14kv to either 38kv or even 138kv depending on the system being served. 
        • Then wires leading to the yard with a set of disconnects then breakers then attached to the yard bus.  
        • Prior to the 1950s the step-up transformer would not be one 3 phase unit but 3 single phase transformers. 
        • You should also have a reverse circuit at much lower load capability for plant auxiliaries. Picture the previous step-up transformer circuit but with 3 smaller breakers and transformers. 
      • Joe:
        • Just a reminder we do have some sub stations that can be used for this. I did send Rick some items for boiler rooms and the control room along with instructions for the turbine/condenser installation.
    • Rick brings the Power Plant Building, a previously assembled Substation, 2 new boxes of substation kits, a small fenced-in set of power equipment, the package of used Powerlines, more Styrofoam, and Hydrocal to the NCTM to be used on the new Power Plant Modules.
    • Henry emails proposed vision of scenery for the 2 Power Plant Modules:
      • I have more work to do on the scenery sections of the Power Plant.
      • I cannot remember if we have a power-station / substation kit already.  If we do, it would be nice to have that available if someone can bring it.
      • If the club doesn’t have a substation, I would suggest that we buy 2 of the HO scale Walthers Northern Light & Power Substation kits and use the platform from just 1 of the kits but put the majority of all the equipment from both kits on that 1 platform.  I suggest this because looking at the Duke Energy plant via Google Maps they have a lot of electric equipment in their station at the plant.  It is crammed full of stuff.  I don’t feel that the model is dense enough with equipment.  The part # is: 933-3025 (currently $37.98/each at Walthers.com).
      • Rick said he would bring the Walther’s High-Voltage Transmission Tower packages that I believe I purchased for the club in Asheville earlier this year.  I don’t remember for certain if what I bought was the Walther’s kit as I think we received it without the original box.  Regardless, I can use whatever we have.
      • I asked Rick to bring the Power Plant as well.
      • Alan brought his Rotary Dumper 2 weeks ago, and we sort of have a plan as to where it will be located.  Unless he has already started on it, the dumper needs to be constructed.
      • We need some more denser Styrofoam, like 1/4″ and 1/2″ blue board (actually green)/ construction grade house insulation.  We could use at least 2′ x 1′ of this.
      • I am constructing a mountain face over the removable top that covers the turnout control panel (TCP)
      • I am going to used plastercloth to form the ground and cliff areas of the mountain.
      • If the club has some rock molds, we could use those as well, along with some compound to make the molds.
      • I was going to sketch a hand drawing of what I have planned and share it with you. However, that did not happen. Instead, I have created a digitized representation of the track plan on the Power Plant Modules and marked it up with the intended scenery plan.
      • I reviewed the materials and information provided by Joe which primarily focuses on the building and its interior.
      • I added to that, the ideas that Alan and I discussed 2 weeks ago as well as my suggestions / proposed overall vision of the entire module. [See photo below:]
      • If any club members have additional input, suggestions, or dislikes of anything I proposed, please let me know your thoughts.
  • 2024-07-12: Joe reminds the club via email of the research he previously conducted on the Power Plant module before purchasing and constructing the basic floor structure. (He also provided the next 2 documents shown below:)
    • I included an updated file with the Power Plant drill guide which has a format for the plant with data that should be helpful.
    • I also included the CMR Turbine assembly instructions which tells how to build the 4 turbines and other items.
    • I recently found a box with hardware and a floor with a condensing tank I have that will be needed. The condensing unit will sit below the 2nd floor and establishes the height of that floor. The tabs on the bottom will have to be removed for a flat fit to the base.

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  • 2024-07-06: Scenery work session #1 at the NCTM.
    • The removable Styrofoam Mountain is constructed.
    • Walls and a base are carved out of Styrofoam and placed around the Turnouts Control Panel (TCP) on the right-side module (as viewed from the back inside the layout),
    • The removable Styrofoam Mountain is fitted and contoured to fit between the walls and around the TCP to hide the wiring and internal circuitry of the TCP. The fit is good with minimal seams between the walls and mountain.
    • A Powerline Swath is established to rise out the far right-hand side of the right module.
    • The mountain is steep and will have some sharp front-facing clifts.
    • No pictures were taken of the progress of the module on this day (by Henry). [Other club members may have some photos to share.]
    • Alan brought a Walther’s Rotary Dumper kit. He and Henry collaborate on forming ideas for where to place major aspects of the scene, the rotary dumper, and how to intergrate it all together.
    • Plans are made to extend the frontmost track siding on the left-hand module to allow this siding to go through the rotary dumper and have additional storage track for coal cars not being dumped inside the dumper. This plan is the most efficient we could come up with without making changes to track placements on the other module.
    • Alan will build the rotary dumper kit and bring it back when it is ready to be placed on the module.
    • Henry will build a Styrofoam platform to hold the extended track sections and allow the platform to be cut into to house the underground elements of the rotary kit.

Research Materials, Photos, and Videos

The images and materials below were examined to get a better understanding of how a Power Plant looks and operates. The location of natural resources and other objects around a plant and other aspects were all taken into consideration to formulate the proposed vision of scenery for the Power Plant Modules. They also provide information on Rotary Dumpers and the cars that can be dumped by a rotary dumper.

Duke Energy Catawba Steam Plant Google Maps Aerial View
View of what looks like a shed with a rotary dumper inside at Duke Energy Catawba Steam Plant
Ground view of real Rotary Dumper in use
Walthers Rotary Dumper Kit
Rotary Dump knuckle coupler (pulled from a car)
Industrial Plant with water sources found on the Web.
Duke Energy Catawba Steam Plant Google Maps Aerial View
Coal dumps and coal transported by conveyor examples at Duke Energy Steam Plant
Duke Energy Catawba Steam Plant Google Maps Aerial View over top of plant
Close-up view of Coal Dump mound.

The Power Plant modules were first begun in 2014 (?Needs actual year). During the summer of 2022, we began coming up with some ideas on how to lighten the 2 8′ modules. We cut out a lot of plywood that made the modules tremendously lighter. Now we are using a lot of lightweight materials to build-up and add scenery.

Quite some time ago, Joe did a lot of research on Power Plants. He also constructed the framework for the Power Plant itself. He has purchased most of the components and model pieces that will be used inside and outside of the Power Plant. Additionally, he has headed up the installation of the electronics and wiring of the track pieces and control panel.

Other members have worked diligently on the modules as well. Some, doing the cutting, drilling, and screwing. Track was laid by several members at different times. Joe Todd (JT) airbrushed the tracks to give them a rustic late 1950’s used appearance.

Henry and Alan have come up with a scenic plan and Gordie has helped out a lot to get us started working on the scenery. Mike is the club’s most reliable tree maker and will be planting his special custom-made trees before the summer is over. Bradley has provided us with his Power Plant management input as to the correct type of transformers that should be in the building and the right equipment outside the building leading up to the substation. Rick’s tools and model building experience is invaluable as he crafts the exterior to the Power Plant.

Lots of members are busy testing the modules during train running sessions on the weekends that we operate the layout.

There are many contributions that I have not mentioned yet. More details to come accompanied by photos and videos of the work in progress as well as some shots over the years (hopefully).

We tried to get Duke Energy to grant us an inside tour of one of their nearby steam powered electric generating plants. However, even though we were told this might happen, it hasn’t happened in the past 8 years. So, we are moving forward without their direct influence.

New Christmas Train Modules

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In 2023, we made 2 new 4′ long Christmas scene modules for our display at the Southern Christmas Show. This was necessary because once again the amount of display space we received was less than the year before and we had to make new modules that would allow us to fit a much smaller version of the layout into the space.

In 2024, the Metrolina Model Railroaders club adapted a short 10″ deep corner module into the New 1955 Drive-In Theater Module. You view the Press Release for this module and even examine how it was made. Visit the Southern Christmas Show this year between November 14th and the 24th and you can see the module live in all its splendor.

More information such as the idea, plans, concepts, and views of trains running on the layout will appear here.

Light up your Train Lantern

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Sometime between 2022 and 2023, the Metrolina Model Railroaders club received a donation of authentic yesteryear train lanterns that were used at various railroads throughout the country. These lanterns were originally lit using kerosene or some other fuel source such as whale oil. The were used during the night by train engineers, conductors, station agents, and other train workers as signaling devices. During the daylight, flags were used instead.

Gil is one of the electronic gurus in out club. He took a look at the lanterns we received and decided to outfit one with LED lighting. You can see one of his rechargeable battery lit train signaling lanterns in the photos. He is offering a service for a fee to install LED lighting into either some of the lanterns we have remaining or in your own lantern that you provide to him. As you can see in the photos, Gil does an excellent job of lighting up the lantern.

There are a lot of cool features that he adds to the lantern. Let’s encourage him to give us a break down of the features that you can expect to receive should you get purchase his service or buy one of the lanterns we received that he has equipped with LED lighting.

To get in touch with Gil, use our contact us form and let us know if you are interested in either buying one of the lantern’s we have with Gil’s LED lights in it or if you want Gil to install LED’s into a lantern you already own.

LED Lit Train Lantern by Gil
Gil with his LED’s installed in a train lantern

MMRR club member makes Bi-Lo train run again

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Gil, an MMRR club member makes Bi-Lo train run again in early 2020. The Gastonia Gazette originally covered this story and it appeared on GastonGazette.com on February 20, 2020. It still appears there as of today, July 22nd, 2024. Normally, links would be provided to the original article where you could view it as presented by the original source. However, while reviewing the article on July 22nd, 2024, a pop-up virus scam scare warning appeared from the advertisements displayed within the body of the article. As result, we will not send any of our website visitors or links to the original source page.

The following article is completely reproduced by us without requesting permission from the Gaston Gazette. All the original words presented were taken directly from the article shortly after it first appeared as well as copies of the photos shown on the Gaston Gazette’s website. They retain the copyrights to the materials.

Longtime Stanley Bi-Lo train runs once again

Gavin Stewart. Published originally 9:50 am ET Feb 20, 2020 | Updated Feb 20, 2020 at 10:03 AM

A model train inside the Stanley BI-LO that’s brought joy to children and enthusiasts for 21 years is once again making laps around the store’s checkout lanes.

According to store manager Cindy Leming, when the Stanley BI-LO opened in 1999, the store was one of the last to feature a BI-LO Express.

“A lot of the BI-LOs used to have the trains and they took them out,” Leming said. “Mine is the last BI-LO left with the train.”

Jack Ford, a preacher and former BI-LO employee, was the last person to regularly clean and maintain the locomotive.

But as Ford’s health worsened and he could no longer work, the train experienced many mechanical failures that kept it parked for the last several years, Leming said.

“I couldn’t find the right person to come work on it,” she said.

Ford died on Dec. 4, 2019 at age 71. Shortly after his death, Leming said heaven sent a “train angel” into the BI-LO to bring a new life to the train set.

Through mutual acquaintances, Cramerton resident Gil Harris – a model railroad enthusiast since he was a child – heard about Leming’s need.

“One day, Gil showed up,” Leming said.

Harris, who serves as vice president of the Metrolina Model Railroaders, regularly travels to Stanley and was quick to get the BI-LO Express working again.

“All the employees were beside themselves, ‘are you going to get the train running? All the kids love it! They come in and want to stand there and watch the train go around,’” Harris said. “I said I’ll do everything I can to get it running. I said I can’t stand seeing a train set that doesn’t run. It breaks your heart.”

After replacing the engines, repairing the power supply, and installing new accessories here and there, the BI-LO Express was once again running at the end of January.

Harris believes the BI-LO Express ran nonstop for many years on the 280-feet-long track, resulting in the engine failures. Now, the train runs on a timer each day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“In one year, this train will [run] 2,100 miles,” Harris said.

The BI-LO Express, fashioned with new flatbed cars, also hauls and promotes products sold in the store. Most recently, a pack of Peeps marshmallows and a chocolate rabbit rode around with the train.

“I bought $12 worth of candy, stuck it on there and when Easter’s over I’ll have candy,” Harris laughed.

Jerry Whitlock works at BI-LO two days a week. He said nothing makes him happier than seeing a child’s face light up when they see the express.

“I love kids anyway, but they just brighten me up when they see it,” Whitlock said. “They’ll just stop and look at it going around and around. It’s great.”

Wearing a conductor hat in spirit of the express, Whitlock said before Harris fixed the set, children often asked about the non-functioning train.

“The other day, this little boy came in with his mom. Gil was here working on it. The little boy said ‘mom, the train’s running again.’ So I pointed over there and said ‘that man fixed it,’” Whitlock said. “He said, ‘Can I go thank him?’ I thought that was just the neatest thing.”

To help Harris keep the BI-LO Express tip-top, Leming placed jars at each checkout lane, hoping customers will help keep it going.

“This is his (Harris) hobby. He just loves doing it,” Leming said.

You can reach Gavin Stewart, who still remembers the joy of watching the BI-LO Express go round and round as a child from information presented in the original article on Gaston Gazettes website.

Addendum. Bi-Lo has permanently closed the Stanley store, so unfortunately, the Bi-Lo train can no longer be observed running there.

MMRR featured in a Magazine

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MMRR (The Metrolina Model Railroaders club) was featured in the August 2018 edition of the Carolina Country magazine. Journalist Tina Vasquez along with a photographer from Revival Photography stopped by the North Carolina Transportation Museum’s Backshop in 2018 and interviewed a few club members at the time with focus on Rick, our club president at the time.

Carolina Country did a wonderful job of covering the Metrolina Model Railroaders club (MMRR). We appreciate the fact that they make the article entitled “Scenes from the NC Piedmont, in Miniature” available via their online website for interested readers to view for free. Because of this, the article is not reproduced textually on our website. To view it and read it, please visit Carolina Country via this link. However, small, copied, pictures of the digital pages including the cover of the magazine are presented below to give you a visual idea of how the magazine looks/ed and to provide appealing support for this mention of the article. Please be aware that the photos appearing on this page are presumed to be copyrighted by Carolina Country, their owners, and publishers. This particular webpage was created on July 21st, 2024, six years after the magazine was originally published. MMRR did not request permission to copy and present the pictured pages. The photos below were found and obtained from issuu.com which has a viewable online version of the August 2018 Carolina Country magazine from whence photocopies were captured and individual pages cropped.

Donations

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Metrolina Model Railroaders is a train club with its roots in Belmont, North Carolina. The majority of its members are located within the greater Gaston, Mecklenburg, and York counties. The club is officially organized as a Limited Liability Corporation and has been in operation for over 30 years. It is not a legal non-profit tax exempt organization. It does encourage and accept monetary and quality physical HO and some N scale contributions / donations.

French Broad & Catawba Metrolina Model Railroaders Donation Receptacle

Monetary donations can be made at the Club’s French Broad & Catawba railroad layout display via a donation receptacle located under the large blinking white & black railroad cross-buck or via U.S. Mail to the club’s postal address:

Metrolina Model Railroaders Club
c/o Law Offices of Richard Beam
PO Box 2401
Gastonia, NC 28053

Physical donations should be made by arrangement. You may complete the form below to indicate your interest in donating and we will contact you to make arrangements. We can always use Nickel Silver Atlas & Peco code 100 tracks, scenery building materials, Plexiglas, light weight woods such as Luan (Lauan) plywood, styrene plastics, HO scale locomotives and rolling stock, N scale locomotives and passenger cars, and N scale Kato tracks. Persons exiting the hobby or downsizing may gain peace of mind knowing that their donations are going to an organization that can use them or redistribute them to members that build, operate and maintain model railroad layouts.

Among our members are active Tax Accountants and retired IRS Agents. Together, they agree on the following with regards to the subject of Tax Deductible Contributions:

The Metrolina Model Railroaders Club is not a recognized charitable organization by the IRS so unfortunately any  donations to the club are not tax-deductible.  With the new higher standard deductions on tax returns these days it is likely that a donation to our club, even if tax-deductible would have no impact on your tax return but it would  have a big impact on our club and we would be honored and appreciative of any and all donations, small or large.

Disclaimer: This information should not be considered as legal or tax advice. Please consult an active, legally authorized tax professional.

Complete this form to make arrangements for physical donations.