APPLE VALLEY MODEL RR CLUB

Founded 1984

WELCOME

The Apple Valley Model Railroad Club is one of the Top Tourist destinations in Western North Carolina. Our HO layout is located inside the Historic 1902 Hendersonville, N.C. Railroad Depot. It occupies an area of 22’x100’ and has a Western North Carolina setting. Our main yard is Asheville, N.C. where mainline trains run south to Spartanburg, S.C. and east to Spencer, N.C. At Hickory, N.C., the Carolina and Northwestern railroad departs to an upper level through Lenoir and Mortimer and joins with the W.M. Ritter logging railroad at Edgemont. Our G Scale All-Weather Layout is located outside behind the Depot.

We use a Digital Command Control (DCC) radio system to control the railroads. The tall mountainous scenery has view blocks that makes it necessary for operators to actually walk around and follow their trains as they progress thru the layout. Track signals are installed to help members safely operate their trains.

The scenery is complete but the railroad still requires added details to enhance the overall effect. Visitors can expect to see a wide variety of locomotives and rolling stock as the club has a large collection of equipment. Members also bring their own equipment to run as well.

There are many aspects of model railroading that involve operation of the railroad and the model trains in a manner that very nearly replicates prototype operations. Many model railroaders today, including some of our members, are particularly interested in this aspect of the hobby. Once a month we conduct prototypical operating sessions.

What We Have For You

Free parking on the streets and FREE admission to Visitors.
1920s era telegraph key and sounder along with 2019 era touchscreen system to let you practice Morse Code and even let you compare your speed to what others have done. Simple enough that anyone can do it.
Historic 1902 Hendersonville Depot filled with historic railroad artifacts on the walls, in cabinets and outside.
22' x 100' Operating HO Layout inside the Depot. Camera car with live video on wall-mounted TV from train.
Separate Thomas and Emily HO layout that kids can control themselves. This layout includes an amusement park with multiple attractions that children can operate.
Outside G Scale Layout viewable year round. (We don't operate on it in bad weather). Caboose-mounted drone camera displaying live video inside the building from the caboose point of view.
1910 1000 pound Steam Engine "Pauline" on Display that has sound, lights and rotating wheels
Friendly members willing to talk to visitors, answer questions and share information
Historic Southern Caboose that visitors can go inside.
Railroad videos showing most times on a big screen with plenty of seating for the weary.
Clean Restrooms.

What's New

The Club has a number of exciting projects in process or just completed:

1) There have been many scenery improvements on the layout including new and additional lights in layout buildings, additional furniture and interior items, and some moving items in them.

2) The City has upgraded the restrooms to provide Baby Changing tables and other items for our visitors.
3) We now have new and additional lighting that provides realistic daylight transitions both in the lighting and on the layout.

4) Our historic Southern Rwy caboose has gotten a brand new paint job with correct prototype lettering.

Club Donation Policy

The Apple Valley Model Railroad Club would be pleased to accept any donations of scale model railroad equipment as well as historic railroad items. This equipment would be evaluated and used by the Club or for our museum, sold to members, or sold on eBay or at local Model Railroad shows, with the money collected going toward the maintenance and support of the Apple Valley Model Railroad Layout and maintenance of selected items for the depot.
Note we are not a 501.c3. We are a Not-for-Profit Club, therefore we are not able to give a estimated cost receipt for items donated to the Club nor are donations tax-deductible.
We thank you in advance for your contributions.