At least, SACOM now has a place to build a home. After two years of failed negotiations with CSXT to obtain surplus property from the C&O successor, the City of St. Albans stepped in and, in less than two months, agreed to the lease of a city owned lot to our organization. Mayor Milam lead the drive to make arrangements to lease the property to SACOM and the St. Albans City Council showed complete support for the project. After city council voted unanimously to approve the lease, on January 20, 2004, SACOM President, Paul Tabit, and Mayor Richard Milam signed the 25-year lease. The cost to SACOM is $1.00 a year.

Mayor Richard Milam and City Clerk Barbara Cunningham watch as Paul Tabit signs the 25-year lease, giving the St. Albans Chesapeake & Ohio Modelers Inc. a home.

The lot is adjacent to the CSXT main in St. Albans and one block west of the restored C&O passenger depot. Though not as large as the CSXT property SACOM had originally hoped to obtain, the lot is large enough for a 25-foot by 120-foot building for the museum/display and a small display of rolling stock.

The SACOM board of directors is currently working to obtain funding for a building and to develop plans for the museum and display.

SACOM's new home. Looking west from the 3rd Street underpass.