Model rail museum opens: Layout depicts Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad

STERLING – Trains traversing the rolling hills of West Virginia. New River Railroad Museum visitors have witnessed that scene for more than 10 years.

“I’m just fascinated. This is a lot of fun. This touches a lot of people,” museum creator Doug Brandau said.

Those people include coal miners, who once worked in that region. Brandau said they’ve confirmed the layout’s authenticity, while sharing their stories.

“It’s fascinating talking to these guys,” he said.

More visitors can experience the slightly smaller scenery. The museum is hosting a special public opening from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at its Rigler Drive location in rural Sterling.

The 150 scale square-mile layout recreated the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad – circa the 1950s. H.O. trains make the trek up and down the main line and branches of the petite railroad.

“I traveled this area and loved the mountains. I wanted to make this so you could see the mountains and majesty,” Brandau said.

Though the museum was his brainchild, it’s certainly not a one-man show. Bill Hammer and Richard Jones, both of Polo; and Paul Pierson of Loves Park, contribute their handiwork and expertise. They hold a work session – usually toiling from 5 to 10 p.m. – each Sunday.

“I think the hobby itself ... It’s brought out the creative possibilities in people. Meeting the guys I have, it’s changed me,” Brandau said.

Creating the layout – from depicting God’s work to railroad lines – has inspired a keen sense of observation, Brandau said. Trees and sunshine have become that much more amazing.

“We tried to create the look as [God] did,” Brandau said, referring to the mountains and trees.

While kits comprise most of the layout, Hammer contributed an original piece, using Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad blueprints for the actual building.

“He built it from scratch,” Brandau said.

A real-life experience also was incorporated into their true-to-life rendering of the railroad. Jones lost a piano from the back of his pickup, after taking a corner too fast. Now, a tiny replica of a truck with a piano graces the scene.