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WE’VE CREATED AN AWESOME LAYOUT

Our passion for creating a realistic microcosm of the world of trains and providing engaging experiences for our members and visitors is the fuel behind what we have done at the Chesapeake Bay & Western Model Railroad Club.

Fall Open House – November 23rd and 24th

CHESAPEAKE BAY & WESTERN MODEL RAILROAD CLUB

Welcome to Virginia’s largest HO Scale model railroad club. Our layout features 28 scale miles of double-track mainline, multiple sidings, classification yards and 247 turnouts.   Take the adventure of a lifetime and view various industrial complexes, picturesque scenery and the chance to be a part of a phenomenon which served as the backbone to the growth and expansion of this country.

Amazing Scenic Sections

Whether you want to see industrial complexes, country towns, big cities or rolling countryside you will find it on the railroad.  There are hundreds of building structures, thousands of trees, large train yards and many water features to be viewed. Visit us to see them all.

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CB&W Dispatch
Prototypical Operations

During operating sessions, traffic across the railroad is managed by two remote dispatchers who control all movements on the railroad.  Engineers communicate prototypically using radios, as well as observing signal indications on some portions of the layout.

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28 Scale Miles of Mainline

Double track mainline through beautiful scenery on a 40 minute trip from Langley Yard to French Creek.  Single track mainline sections require engineers be aware of oncoming traffic while switching operations ensure deliveries are made to diverse industries across the layout.

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WELCOME TO THE CB&W MODEL RAILROAD CLUB

“ALL ABOARD!” and welcome to the Chesapeake Bay & Western Model Railroad Club website. The Chesapeake Bay Railroaders began in July 1974 with their first layout built in the Grafton Hobby Center. In 1975, club members dismantled the layout and move it to a farmhouse at 246 Railway Road in Grafton Virginia.  Seven years later, in April 1982, the club rented the east half of the present building and began construction on what is now the current layout. As quickly as the layout was completed, the club had outgrown the layout. A decision was made in February 1995 to rent the entire building and plans were begun to expand the layout.  By the summer of 1996, trains were running some limited operations into the new western end of the railroad and most of the major construction was complete. However, a great deal of track laying, scenery, and electrical wiring remained to be done.

ABOUT US

The CB&W is incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia and operates as a 501c3 non-profit hobby organization. Member dues and donations are our primary source of funds to support our operations.

LARGE HO SCALE LAYOUT

A multi-level model railroad housed in a 2400 sq. ft, building. Double track mainline totals 28.7 scale miles with an equal amount of siding and industry trackage. Layout showcases multiple large helixes to support elevation changes.

ALL TYPES OF TRAINS

A wide variety of steam locomotives and all eras of diesel power representing railroads in North America, Europe and Asia. You will see railroads names from A to Z, and some you may not know existed.

REALISTIC SCENERY

Scenic areas across the layout that include industrial complexes, mountainsides, refineries, small country towns and water ports. Layout theme focuses on areas found in West Virginia where coal was the primary source of revenue.

WHAT OUR VISITORS SAY

  • If I lived closer, I would most certainly become a member. All this space to run lots of trains. I feel like I'm a little boy again. Thanks for sharing the experience and letting me run a train.

    Anonymous

  • I haven't been here in about ten years and it's remarkable what you guys have done. I really like the lights in the building across the layout. It adds so much life to each of the scenes. The attention to details makes a huge difference. I will certainly be back when I'm in the area again.

    Anonymous

  • We first found out about you 5 years ago at a big train show in Maryland and have been coming to our Fall Open House ever since. We look forward every year to the road trip from Washington DC to see the layout during our birthday celebration weekend. Keep up the good work.

    C. Montgomery

  • I come to several of your Open House events and every time I have a hard time getting my 5-year-old son to leave. It's amazing what you guys have done.

    Anonymous

  • I've never seen anything this big with so much detail. How long did it take to build?

    Open House Visitor

Layout Facts
28 Scale Miles of Mainline Track0%
Over 200 Powered and Manual Turnouts0%
250+ Buildings and Structures0%
Operating Dispatcher's Panel0%
10+ Scale Miles of Staging Track0%
Thousands of Handmade Trees0%

TAKE A VIDEO TOUR OF THE LAYOUT

Our collection of videos will let you follow trains running across the layout.  You will see trains from the steam era all the way to modern day double-stack trains.

  • Video tours of the layout
  • Member equipment
  • Railfanning across the country
  • Historical videos

LAYOUT TOUR SHOWCASE

Welcome to the Chesapeake Bay & Western.  We are going to take you on a tour of the layout traveling westbound from Langley Yard to French Creek.  This one-way trip would take approximately 35-45 minutes for a train traveling at prototypical speeds and covers a round trip of over 28 scale miles. Embrace the journey!

We are committed to educating all about the hobby while sharing our skills and experiences with one another and the surrounding community.