By Julia Train
The Cape Atlantic Model Railroad Club has a new home at 224 Philadelphia Ave. in Egg Harbor City. Once a part of the Shoreline Model Railroad Club, the club had to move from McNaughton’s Garden Center in Somers Point after the store closed in August of this year.
Once a part of the Shoreline Model Railroad Club, the Cape Atlantic Model Railroad Club started with eight members once the two clubs split in 2020 and now has 31 members from Cape May, Atlantic, Camden and Gloucester Counties.
The club currently has two displays— one is its holiday display in EHC and another in a shed at the Cape May County Park and Zoo that runs from April 1 to Nov. 30.
The displays are intricately set up, with different town themes, like a fire department, a beach, amusement park, a city and even a subway.
“[Members] bring in their own trains to run on their assigned day, so that the display stays fresh, and when visitors come, they will constantly see new and different trains on the display,” said John Barbieri, president of the Cape Atlantic Model Railroad Club. “As far as the [scenes] that are on display, a lot of those items have been donated by private citizens or visitors. “
Barbieri said they try to incorporate any donations they receive, but if they are unable to find a home for the items, the club reaches out to other nonprofit organizations and other railroad clubs, to see if they all would be interested in them.
He said a majority of the trains displayed have a price point in the range of $1,000 to $3,000 each.
“The members that join us like the fact that they are able to bring in their own items to run and show them off to the public,” said Barbieri.
After McNaughton’s closed, the club had to find a new place. They went to 43 different businesses, churches, garden centers and even the Hamilton Mall, looking for a place to relocate to. They were turned down by all of them.
Out of nowhere, a member was able to contact an individual who was prominent in Egg Harbor City, who then put the club in contact with the landlord of its current residence.
The club moved there in October, and after three and a half weeks, the display is up and running, although not complete.
“I’d like to extend our appreciation to all the residents in Egg Harbor City. They’ve been nothing but ecstatic about us bringing this display to their community,” said Barbieri.
The display will be open on a seasonal basis while also working in conjunction with the city to be available to visitors during festivals and events throughout the year. The club is currently figuring out the logistics as to whether it will be open all year long or not.
The display at the Cape Atlantic Model Railroad Club is free and open every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m. through Jan. 19, 2025. Check out their Christmas display and visit with Santa on Saturday, Dec.14 and visit them during the EHC Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 21 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
