New York Society of Model Engineers

The New York Society of Model Engineers (NYSME) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of the hobby of model railroading and the preservation of American railroad history. Incorporated in 1926,[1] it is the oldest model railroad club in America.[2] They are located in Carlstadt, New Jersey, United States.

History

The club was originally incorporated in 1926 in New York City. There are published records that show the Society existed as early as 1901. In its early years, the organization moved to and from various locations throughout Manhattan, as a gentleman's club of members who were interested in all types of model building, model trains being a division of the Society's activities. They were also known for building miniatures and models of steam engines, boats, automobiles, airplanes, buildings, as well as mechanical and electrical items.

In 1926 the Society was formalized and incorporated under the laws of the State of New York. This was done so that the Society could obtain a permit to use a lake in New York City's Central Park for model motor boat races. It was also at this time that the Society began construction of its first Model Railroad "The Union Connecting". Over the next twenty years, the Society moved from its original location to two other locations. Each move doubling the size of the previous location and of course doubling the size of the model train layout. During WW2 many Society members were called to service in the Armed Forces. Regrettably, the largest of the layouts had to be dismantled. The location of the layout in the basement of the Astor Building was requested for the war effort. The dismantling was done with care, with salvaged usable materials going into scrap drives for the War effort. As members returned after the War a new location was searched for. This led to an invitation from the Lackawanna Railroad to move into their Passenger Terminal in Hoboken,NJ. They had the space for what would become the largest model railroad in the world at that time. The space? Only the ornate waiting room for the recently discontinued ferry boats to 23rd Street in New York City. Here the layout was built. It was based on the Lackawanna Railroad from Hoboken to Scranton, Pa. It was magnificent; from the scale model of the Hoboken Terminal to the soaring Delaware Water Gap. During the early-1950s the organization moved to its current location in Carlstadt, New Jersey.

Today, The organization features two operating model railroad displays. One railroad, The Union Connecting, models two rail "O"-Scale. (1/4" to the foot) The other railroad, The Union, Hoboken, and Overland, models "HO" scale. (3.5mm to the foot).

Full members of the Society are allowed to use all the facilities of the organization. We have an extensive railroad library of video tapes, books, and magazines. Full members are also allowed free access to the Society's machine shops and tools. In addition, full members are allowed access to both "O" and "HO" scale layouts following the completion of training in control systems and operating the layouts. Both layouts are large and operate very similar to prototype railroad operations. New members "train" with experience members and it does not take long to "Learn the road".

References
  1. Cross, Gary (2010). Men to Boys: The Making of Modern Immaturity. Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-14431-5.
  2. Leimbach, Dulcie (March 26, 1993). "Arts". The New York Times.
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