West Of Free Press — December 2022 - Flipbook - Page 29
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WESTDASEHLEY
Model Railway Club Laying Track
for Future Train Enthusiasts
story & photos by Joan Perry | Contributing Writer
I
like trains. As a child, I rode the old
steam engines trains in India. I spent my
last vacation before the pandemic riding
the Flam Railway in Norway. When I go to
Citadel Mall, I pop in to see what is new
at the Charleston Area Model Railway
Club (CAMRAC).
Club Treasurer Tom Kabele, shared
that the local club has 80 members
between the ages of 14 and 90. It was
started in 1983 and moved to the current
location next to Dillard’s Department
Store in 2006.
Volunteer-run, they use O, HO and
N scale models and members stay busy
laying track, repairing and building scenes
to scale. During my visit, kids were happily
pressing control buttons to start trains
and control action in buildings and the
miniature fairground. Tom’s upcoming
challenge is to scratch build a replica of
the new Charleston Train Depot.
The club is open Thursdays from 5-8
p.m., Saturdays 12-4 p.m., and Sundays
1-4 p.m. Donations are welcome in the
form of model railroad equipment or in
cash. As a 501(c) organization they don’t
buy or sell equipment. Donations support
the club and they try to keep a surplus
box to encourage new hobbyists getting
started.
The club is pleased to announce
the upcoming Charleston Area Model
Railroad Club 2023 Train Show. Partnering
with Citadel Mall, they will welcome up to
100 vendors on Saturday, Jan. 7 (10 a.m.-4
p.m.) and Sunday, Jan. 8, 12-4 p.m.). For
more information check their website at:
www.camrc.club/.
Stay healthy my friends and wave at me as I
wander. Send ideas for upcoming columns
to westashleywanderer@gmail.com.
Cody Rogers & Lizzy Cockrell — Charleston Area Model Railway Club Members
Tom Kabele — Charleston Area Model Railway Club Treasurer
Take a step back in time to the
early days of St. Andrew’s Parish,
modern day West Ashley.
By West Ashley Flashback
author Donna F. Jacobs
www.arcadiapublishing.com
29
DECEMBER 2022