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Contact: Sharon Russell, 4146 U Way, Havre De Grace, MD 21078. Email: wishme@comcast.net
About us
Introduction
The Baltimore Area American Flyer Club is a non-profit model railroad club dedicated to the preservation and operation of American Flyer Trains. The club is centered in the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan area although our membership extends from Pennsylvania to Virginia and beyond.
The Beginning of the Club
The Baltimore Area American Flyer Club had a simple beginning in 1992. Tom Davis had the original idea to start the club. He was a member of an O Gauge Club based in Washington, DC. When he made the important switch to American Flyer, he realized that there was not a S gauge club in the area. He placed an ad in the Clubs column in S Gaugian magazine. Three people came to the first meeting at Tom’s house in September, 1992. Over the next few years, membership grew slowly but steadily. The Baltimore Area American Flyer club had 27 members at the beginning of the fourth year, 85 members at the beginning of the seventh year, and 200 members as of 2012.
Club Rules
The Baltimore Area American Flyer Club has an unusual organizational structure: “It’s just for the fun of it”. The following are the club’s “non rules”:
l. Effective May 1, 2016 an annual dues of $25 will be required. See Club Dues below.
2. Operate on consensus: majority rules but the minority has to be able to go along with it or we just don’t do it.
3. Attendance is never required at club functions. Members attend the functions in which they are interested.
4. Club members are encouraged to participate in the operation of the modular layout. Members get free admission to the shows in which they participate.
Primary Club Activities
The club’s regular monthly activities consist of club meetings and the development and operation of our modular layout. We hold monthly club meetings at member’s homes. The primary purpose for the meeting is viewing the host’s American Flyer collection and home layout.
The club’s modular layout consists of 4′ modules that can be connected in a wide variety of configurations. The layout has 2 operating loops, a great variety of accessories and scenery and can be as small as 14′ x 14′ and as large as 24 ‘ x 44’. The layout is set-up and operated at 8 to 10 commercial train shows per year as well as B&O Museum, and other community service events.
Club Dues
The club has passed a requirement for annual dues. The dues are set for $25 for all members over 18 years of age. Spouses and youth under 18 are free. New perspective members will have a six month grace period prior to the requirement to pay a prorated amount. The dues are payable on April 1 to the BAAFC, Inc. and are to be sent to Sharon Russell, 4146 U Way, Havre De Grace, MD 21078. Dues will be payable annually on April 1st.
Join the Club
Whether you have a well established layout or are just beginning, membership in the club offers many resources from experience modelers who are more than willing to share their talents and knowledge. You have the opportunity to learn what works and what does not and what neat tricks that can make building a layout fun and easy. You also get to experience the joy of seeing an operating layout both in fellow member’s home and at the train shows. If you would like to be a part of an exciting adventure in the world of model trains and S-Gauge appeals to you, contact: Sharon Russell, 4146 U Way, Havre De Grace, MD 21078 or use the CONTACT US link.
Non-Profit Organization and By-laws
The BAAFC is a 501(c)(3) organization. As such, we have a set of by-laws that we are required by law to have on record at both the federal and state tax agencies. The following link will display the BAAFC By-laws 10-2018 Rev.
Dedicated to the preservation and operation of American Flyer Trains.