Another Chesapeake and Ohio Modelers Weekend is in the books. This, the seventh held at Hawks Nest State Park Lodge, was as fun, relaxing and enlightening as any of the past weekends.

This year, Mother Nature played an April Fools joke on us with chilly damp weather and snow falling Saturday night. However, inside the Lodge, the clinics and C&O models had everyone smiling.

Ron Lane and Tom Maule started the weekend with a very interesting talk on their HO Manns Creek. Ron and Tom both model the Manns Creek area, but have chosen different years to model. Tom and Ron gave a very interesting talk on their different approaches to modeling the area with photos and information on the real Manns Creek for inspiration.

The Manns Creek clinic included some great diorama displays

Everett Young treated everyone to one of his excellent slide show tours. This year Everett took us down the Logan Subdivision and back to the mainline. Everett's show included tons of his classic photography from the C&O, Chessie and CSX eras.

A first time speaker this years was the model editor of the Pere Marquette Historical Society, Fritz Milhaupt. Fritz gave a slide show covering early Pere Marquette diesels, which became the first Chesapeake and Ohio diesels. The talk centered on which models make the best starting points for the earliest geeps, switchers, BL2s and the famous PM/C&O E7s.

Our featured speaker this year was Russ Hass. Russ is the long time modeling editor for the C & O Historical Society. Russ' first talk was on building and detailing a Tiger Valley metal model of a C&O RSD-12. Russ presented an in depth slide show on the best way to build and detail what is truly a "heavyweight" model.

Russ followed-up on Saturday with an informative talk and slide show on modeling C&O maintenance of way cars using Cannonball Shops troop sleeper kits.

C&OHS modeling editor, Russ Hass, points out details for modeling C&O MoW cars.

Saturday started with a car-pool and walking tour of the Thurmond area led by Joe Vandenburg. Though the weather was cool and damp, a large group left the lodge with cameras to see the heart of the New River Gorge and C&O coal country.

Dave Sepos and Ross Jack presented a PowerPoint presentation with information on detailing the new Athearn Chessie System SD50 models. The research and correct parts information was a hit as were the many models they brought to display.

Chessie System was well represented by this display of models by Dave Sepos and Ross Jack.

Earl Hackett gave an informative demonstration of handlaying track. Earl's presentation included actual hands on demonstration with on-screen photos with detailed information.

Joe Vandenburg presented his technics for building the C&O depot at Raleigh, WV. Joe brought his under-construction depot and gave a detailed PowerPoint talk that included his methods for making correct windows for this non-standard depot.

For those who model the past but still railfan today, Jesse Smith gave a talk on finding history along today's right-of-way. Jesse's talk pointed out what to look for as we railfan that may give a hint as to what once was. Jesse ended his talk with an introspective talk and slide presentation of his career as an engineer for Chessie System and CSXT. Jesse's photos gave a peek at railroading most of us mere modelers will never get to see, locomotive headlights piercing snow and rain storms and freight trains passing in the cold night.

For those modelers who embrace the modern world, Karen Parker gave an interesting talk and computer presentation on technics for comparing available models to C&O locomotives using computers. Using Karen's methods, modelers can find how much cutting and detail moving would be required to kitbash some C&O locos.

As in past years, the C&O Modelers Weekend was complete with an operating N scale layout. Thanks to the Northern Virginia N Trak group, attendee's as well as anyone visiting Hawks Nest, were able to see and even run trains through beautiful scenery using DCC technology.

A CSX work train makes way past the depot on the Northern Virginia N Trak layout on display in the lobby of the Hawks Nest Lodge.

Always a highlight of the C&O Modelers Weekend, there were many models on display. It is an education seeing the technics used by others to build, detail or kitbash models.

Karen Parker displayed this brass 4-4-2 that she is detailing to more closely represent the C&O 284. Note the new outside bearing trailing truck.

Chris Wiley displayed this model of the car repair shop at the C&O's Sandy Hook Yard.

As always, the Chesapeake and Ohio Modelers Weekend is about fun and sharing information. Seeing old modeling pals, meeting new people with similar interest and visiting the heart of West Virginia is always a welcome diversion from the work a day world.

Though hosted by the St. Albans Chesapeake and Ohio Modelers, the weekend would not be the success it is without the support and help of many groups. We would be remiss if we didn't acknowledge the Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society which set up in the main lobby and provided an opportunity for attendees to shop their wide variety of C&O models and reference material.

West Virginia Hobbies, of Scott Depot, WV, set up what seemed like a complete model train hobby shop on the fourth floor of the lodge, with special prices just for our event.

In addition to West Virginia Hobbies, the raffle was supported by several well-respected model companies. Items were supplied by Kadee Quality Products, Aztec Manufacturing and a most desirable prize, a DCC and sound equipped HO GP-9 was provided by Life-Like Products. Art Hoffman won the Life-Like GP-9.

Art Hoffman (L) receives the Life-Like DCC/sound equipped C&O GP-9 he won, from Paul Tabit, SACOM Vice-President.

As the weekend came to a close, plans are already underway for the next Chesapeake and Ohio Modelers Weekend, Hawks Nest 2006. SACOM members Russ Miller and Greg McCartney will co-chair next years event, which is scheduled for March 24-25, 2006 at Hawks Nest. We hope to see you there.