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APN News
Expansion is complete!
We now have twice the room!  And in the expansion more of the space will be devoted to layout
Next Op Sessions
April 28, 10:00 AM
 - Spouse Invitational 
May 26, 10:00 AM 
(Generally the 4th Friday of the month)
Next Business Meeting
April 21, 10:30 AM
May 19, 10:30 AM
June 16, 10:30 AM
 
Latest Additions
5/6/2012
Photo Gallery of our first
Spouses Invitational
Operating Session
Click here
 
Railroading
Upcoming Events
Lone Star Region of NMRA
 Annual Convention
 June 6 -10
 Houston, TX
Click here
UP Steam Engine returns to Houston
 October 27-28
 Click here
 
 
Railroading in other media
Podcasts for Model Railroaders
Did you know there are hobbyists like us that produce Podcasts that you can download and listen to on your computer or MP3 player?  For a list of a few of these,
Click here
 
A few good reads

Although we have our own library, the public library is also a source for books on railroading and our hobby.  One example is this book that most model railroaders would enjoy: "Playing with Trains: A Passion Beyond Scale"

"Check it out" at the
Montgomery County Library.    Click here

Or check out this suspense thriller about a railfan that tries to stop a killer responsible for a mysterious series of train wrecks: "Foamers Click here
 
Recommended reading from the APN library:
"Model Railroading with John Allen
by Linn Westcott
 
Trains for your ear
Instead of music, how about a free download of an MP3 "old time radio" melodrama for your iPod / MP3 Player?
Click here
 
2-10-0 Road Test
How does it perform? 
"It corners as if it is on rails!"
Click here to read Road & Track magazine's road test of a 1924 Baldwin Decapod.
 
Better than YouTube
Vintage movie footage,
some full length featurettes
from when rail was king
Click here
 

 

Welcome!

 


We have doubled the size of our Clubhouse, now we are doubling the size of our already HUGE layout.  Do you want to be a part of it?


Take a tour of our layout/clubhouse by looking through our Photo Galleries.  In particular, the Pike Scenes gallery really shows off detailed areas of our layout - click on the link to take a look at it, we think you will be impressed.  Or come visit us and take an up close and personal tour.  Just call one of the 2 phone numbers below and set a date to watch trains running over our mainline. 

To get under the hood and learn about some of the more detailed mechanics of operating our layout, click here.  Like what you see?  Do you want to become a part of this?  Come play trains with us.

 

 

 

Join us as we celebrate our 30th year!
 

Welcome to the official website of the All Points North Model Railroad Club

Founded in 1981 as a social club, APN currently has over 3 dozen members.  In 2001 APN completed construction of a new 2,500 square foot clubhouse located on two acres of land in Conroe, Texas (just north of Houston).

In early 2003 we began construction of our permanent layout.  We feature an operating HO scale point-to-point railroad with over 530' of mainline run.  We also have a narrow gauge HOn3 line. 

In less than 7 years we constructed 1500 square feet of layout, and wanted more.  In May of 2010 we added an extension to the building, doubling its size to 5,000 square feet. More of this space will be available for layout than the original building.  This summer we will embark on our plan to more than double the size of what is already one of the largest if not the largest HO layout in the Greater Houston Area.

We are one of only a handful of model railroad clubs in the United States that owns both the land and a building solely dedicated to model railroading.  Members have access to the club anytime, day or night, allowing them to run trains or access the club's library, or use the work bench or paint booth to work on their models.

Saturdays will almost always find someone at the club house sometime during the day.  We hold a business meeting the third Saturday of the month.

Operating Sessions have become an important facet of our enjoyment of our layout, and is what most modelers ultimately aspire too, many at the expense of finishing the scenicing of their layouts.  Come play with us at APN and enjoy both!  We hold an Operating Session on the fourth Saturday of the month.  From time to time we also alternate with other layout owners in the Houston area (and beyond) and operate as guests on their layouts.  Click here to find out more about operating on the APN Railroad.
 

Become a member as we  grow our layout

In less than 10 years we've bought our own land, erected a Clubhouse, paid off our debt, and built what we think is a very nice, large layout.  See for yourself by looking at the photos on this website or better yet, by paying us a visit. 

If you have been putting off joining a club, now is a great time!

Not just a great time, this is an exciting time at APN, and a time for opportunity.  If you would like to be a participant in our excitement, by joining APN now you can get in on the ground floor as we develop and implement plans that we expect will culminate in one of the premier layouts in the Houston area.  Become a member now and be a part of it.



APN has memberships available to individuals with an interest in any phase of the model railroading/rail fanning hobby.  Membership is restricted to individuals 21 years of age or older.
Click here for an Application for Membership.

Potential members are welcome to visit our clubhouse.


For more information contact:

John Christiansen, APN President:

(713) 851-1641

Duane Darling:

(281) 257-8555
 

 

 

Marty BarkleyJason BienekB.J. CaronJuan CBrian Chapman2012 President John ChristiansenErrol CokerRich Cutler, 2012 Vice PresidentDennis Crwford

Duane DarlingMike DurhamGerald FlottmannMike FriedrichsMike GoetzSam GreenfieldRandy HandleyTim HarrisMark Herzog

Moe JanuaryJim Kastor 2012 Member-at-LargeMike KelleyMike KremhellerJohnnie KrezinskiScott KurzawskiJim LedlowThis could be you!Roger Macauley

Miguel Macias, past VPRay McClureMike McCrae, 2012 SecretaryJack McKeonDon Menard2012 Treasurer Robert MillerChip MullenRandy PalevichRick Pomeroy

Joe ReedCharlie Richmond 2008 Member-at-LargeDavid RobersonJim ShoelenKen SkillernLarry StellaDavid TumultySteve VanMetreBrad Wilburn

 

The 44 members of the All Points North Model Railroad Club
Click on an individual's picture for more info on that member
We play with trains and aren't ashamed to admit it!

 

 

 
 

 

All Points North Model Railroad Club's "Caboose Cam"



A freight train prepares to depart APN's Conroe Yard. Scramble up the ladder and take a seat in
the caboose cupola.  Enjoy the view as the train makes a round over just a portion of the mainline.
Be sure your speakers are on so you can hear the steam engine.
(Click on the photo to play)

 

 

Here are a couple of additional videos shot on our layout



Train meet on APN's Ralphred siding, just outside the town of Big Bend.
In both of these videos watch for the signals change, giving the train in the siding the OK to proceed.
(Click on the photo to play)

 

 

Another train meet, this time at CP Sabinal near Port Keechi.
(Click on the photo to play)

 

 

 

 

Comic strip courtesy of www.fborfw.com

(refresh page for random comic strip)

 

 

 

Link to NMRA WebsiteWant to know more about Model Railroading?

The
National Model Railroad Association is the largest organization devoted to the development, promotion, and enjoyment of the hobby of model railroading.

The NMRA has a web page devoted to beginners in the hobby.
 
Click here to go to that page.
Other sources to consider:
 -Visit the World's Greatest Hobby Website
 -Visit the nearest local Hobby Shop that carries Model Trains
 -Call and arrange a visit with the nearest Model Railroad Club
 -If you live in the greater Houston Area,
Join APN!  

Boy Scouts
of America


Railroading
Merit Badge

Click here for
requirements


Link to Merit Badge Requirements
 

If you are an adult leader of a Houston Area Boy Scout Troop and would like to arrange for a workshop on the Railroading Merit Badge, please contact one of the following:


Houston Railroad Museum
Galveston Railroad Museum
Galveston County Model RR Club

  Free counters! free counters

 

Created on 01/25/2007
Updated 05/07/2012