Apple Valley Model Railroad Club
  • Home
  • Location, Contact & Hours
  • Special Events
  • Depot History
  • Calendar
  • Slide Show
  • Layout Videos
  • Little Pauline
  • Outdoor Layout
  • Museum
  • Members
Apple Valley Model Railroad Club

APPLE VALLEY MODEL RR CLUB

APPLE VALLEY MODEL RR CLUBAPPLE VALLEY MODEL RR CLUBAPPLE VALLEY MODEL RR CLUB

Founded 1984

  • Home
  • Location, Contact & Hours
  • Special Events
  • Depot History
  • Calendar
  • Slide Show
  • Layout Videos
  • Little Pauline
  • Outdoor Layout
  • Museum
  • Members

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.

Apple Valley Model Railroad Club

650 Maple St, Hendersonville, NC 28792

828-270-0858

Copyright © 2022 Apple Valley Model Railroad Club - All Rights Reserved.

Last Updated April 8, 2022