In what is fast becoming a St. Albans tradition, the St. Albans Chesapeake and Ohio Modelers Inc. hosted the 5th St. Albans Train Show the first weekend of November. Like the last four shows held at the Hansford Center, there were model trains aplenty.

SACOM displayed the 48 X 8 foot HO layout featuring a new NCE® DCC radio control system. As in past years the layout operated lots of Chessie System era and steam to diesel era C & O trains. Improvements to some of the modules, including the large end sections, made running trains relatively trouble free.

The addition of the NCE® Power Pro R system made operating several trains a breeze. In fact, the layout operated so well that SACOM members felt comfortable allowing some young visitors the opportunity to run trains during the show. Several of the member’s trains are equipped with sound systems. The young guest operators loved sounding the whistle and ringing the bell as they went through the HO St. Albans.

Nathaniel Parrish (front) and Jarred Page are guest engineers, each running trains on the SACOM HO layout.

Greg McCartney, Baker Knapp and Tony Parrish take advantage of the new DCC control system running three trains on the same track.

The Greater Kanawha Valley N Scalers had, not one, but three, N scale layouts displayed and operating during the show. This is the fourth year the group has participated at the St. Albans Train Show and as always the smooth running very small trains were a hit with visitors.

Katie, Laura and their Mom, Chrystalle Doyle enjoy one of three N scale layouts

Scott Cyrus had the show’s popular O scale display set up on the stage of the Hansford Center. The stage is the perfect venue for Scott’s trains. It is roomy and at an excellent height for visitors. As usual, the edge of the stage was lined with kids, young and old, getting a close look at the smoke belching O scale models.

Visitors get a good look at a passing passenger train on Scott Cyrus’ O scale empire.

Back this year was a display by West Virginia Operation Lifesaver. Teaching safety around railroad tracks and trains, the display, which featured video and free goodies, attracted several young train enthusiasts.

Also back again this years was the large sales table of West Virginia Hobbies and Nitro Hobbies. With special deals for show attendees, the portable hobby shop was almost always busy.

Another popular feature of the show is the train set raffle. This year we raffled an O scale set by Rail King, donated by Nitro Hobby. The winner of this year’s raffle is J. C. Leake.

One of the less heralded, but great parts of the St. Albans Train Show is the great food. The staff and volunteers of the center have hot dogs, nachos and some of the worlds best homemade desserts.

The 5th Annual St. Albans Train Show was once again a success for the St. Albans Chesapeake and Ohio Modelers inc. Lots of trains, good food and plenty of friends to share the weekend. Its no wonder this is being called ‘The best little show in the state!”

An ABA set of C & O F units round the curve on SACOM’s HO layout.