Board Elections for 2026-2027
21 September 2026 10:19 AM
The results of the NJ Division Board of Directors election for 2026-2027 were announced.
These are the new Board members elected to a 2 year term:
They join the remaining Board members below:
Fritz Plenefisch and Joe Zebrowski have now retired from the Board. We thank them for their service!
The structure of the new board (superintendent, assistant superintendent, etc) will be announced following the next Board of Directors meeting.
These are the new Board members elected to a 2 year term:
- Geert Marien
- Gary Stroh
- Drew Marshall
They join the remaining Board members below:
- Glyn Thomas
- Thom Radice
- Thomas Neukirchen
- Rick Stoneking
- Chris Conaway
Fritz Plenefisch and Joe Zebrowski have now retired from the Board. We thank them for their service!
The structure of the new board (superintendent, assistant superintendent, etc) will be announced following the next Board of Directors meeting.
PO Box for the NJ Division Discontinued
03 June 2026 07:44 PM
The Post Office for the NJ Division has been discontinued. No mail has arrived in over a year, and the Board decided it was best to stop this service and save the funds for other purposes.
In Memoriam: John Rahenkamp
14 April 2026 11:54 AM
John Rahenkamp passed away on Friday, April 10, at his residence in Maple Shade. He was 89 years old.
John was a longtime member of the NMRA and the New Jersey Division. Over the years, he generously hosted many open houses and operating sessions on his Clairmont, Lewiston and Western Railroad in Delanco.
John had articles published about his layout, gave clinics and was a regular operator on many of the layouts in South Jersey that hosted regular Op Sessions. John's method for car cards and train operations have been adopted by many layout owners in the Division.
John will be deeply missed by his family and by his many friends throughout the Division.
No arrangements have been announced at this time.
John was a longtime member of the NMRA and the New Jersey Division. Over the years, he generously hosted many open houses and operating sessions on his Clairmont, Lewiston and Western Railroad in Delanco.
John had articles published about his layout, gave clinics and was a regular operator on many of the layouts in South Jersey that hosted regular Op Sessions. John's method for car cards and train operations have been adopted by many layout owners in the Division.
John will be deeply missed by his family and by his many friends throughout the Division.
No arrangements have been announced at this time.
In Memoriam: John Swift
21 January 2026 08:28 PM
John Swift, past NJ Division Board member and long time NMRA member passed away on January 20th at age 92.
Viewing will be Wednesday January 28th from 4PM to 8PM at Carmona Bolan Funeral Home, Tom's River.
Mass at St. Joseph's Church, Hooper Ave, Tom's River at 11:30AM Thursday January 29th, followed by burial at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Tom's River.
A nice obituary and more details can be found at:
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/john-swift-obituary?id=60599747
Viewing will be Wednesday January 28th from 4PM to 8PM at Carmona Bolan Funeral Home, Tom's River.
Mass at St. Joseph's Church, Hooper Ave, Tom's River at 11:30AM Thursday January 29th, followed by burial at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Tom's River.
A nice obituary and more details can be found at:
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/john-swift-obituary?id=60599747
In Memoriam: Mike Prokop
11 January 2026 11:49 AM
The NJ Division has learned that board member Mike Prokop passed away on January 10, 2026 after battling a long illness.
A viewing and funeral will occur on Saturday January 17th, 2026.
This was the date of the next Division Meet, so the Meet has been RESCHEDULED to the 31st to allow Division members to attend Mike's services.
More details:
https://www.saulfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Michael-William-Prokop?obId=46905127#/obituaryInfo
A viewing and funeral will occur on Saturday January 17th, 2026.
This was the date of the next Division Meet, so the Meet has been RESCHEDULED to the 31st to allow Division members to attend Mike's services.
More details:
https://www.saulfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Michael-William-Prokop?obId=46905127#/obituaryInfo
Updated Division Bylaws
30 December 2025 10:54 PM
The New Jersey Division Board of Directors recently updated the Bylaws for the Division.
Check them out by going to the Crew page and clicking on the link to Bylaws
Check them out by going to the Crew page and clicking on the link to Bylaws
New Board Members at September Division Meet
30 October 2025 10:24 PM
At the September Meet, 5 of the 8 current Board members were on hand for a quick picture.
L to R: Thom Radice, Geert Marien, Joe Zebrowski, Tom Neukirchen, Glyn Thomas
L to R: Thom Radice, Geert Marien, Joe Zebrowski, Tom Neukirchen, Glyn Thomas
Board Elections, New Superintendent
16 October 2025 02:14 PM
At the September Meet, John Gallagher completed his 4 year run as Superintendent of the Division. He will be followed by new Superintendent Glyn Thomas, who has served as our AP Chair for the past few years.
John Gallagher transferring the NJ Division NMRA charter to new Superintendent Glyn Thomas at the September Meet in Forked River, 9/20/2025
John Gallagher transferring the NJ Division NMRA charter to new Superintendent Glyn Thomas at the September Meet in Forked River, 9/20/2025
Increase in Activity Fee
15 September 2025 02:40 PM
As with everything else these days, operating expenses for the New Jersey Division has increased over the past few years. The Board of Directors has been very diligent in finding ways to be creative in keeping these expenses under control. Unfortunately, the board has reluctantly decided to raise our Activity Fee to $15.00. This will cover you for all five meets throughout the year (September -May) or $5 per meet at the door. First time guests are no charge.
Elections are coming!
28 July 2025 03:56 PM
All current and up to date members of the New Jersey Division will receive an electronic ballot via Election Buddy in the later part of August. A few of you have requested a paper ballot which you will receive by USPS mail around the same time. Follow the instructions on the ballots and return them ASAP. THANK YOU.
There are four directors running for re-election. They are Tom Neukirchen, Mike Prokop, Thom Radice and Glyn Thomas. Click on the buttons to read their biographies and view a photo of each person.
At the September meet, adhering to the by-laws of the NJD, the elected members of the board of directors will vote for the offices of the Division, namely the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Secretary (Clerk) and Treasurer (Paymaster).
Would you like to join the Board of Directors of the NJD and help influence the direction the division takes?
You can still run for the board in the upcoming election next month. You must first submit a petition for nomination as a director of the NJD. Click the link below to download the form. Fill out according to instructions on the form. Submit it to our Election Coordinator, Geert Marien, by August 1st, 2025. Geert's email is geert @ mindspring dot com
Petition for Nomination as a Director of the NJD
There are four directors running for re-election. They are Tom Neukirchen, Mike Prokop, Thom Radice and Glyn Thomas. Click on the buttons to read their biographies and view a photo of each person.
At the September meet, adhering to the by-laws of the NJD, the elected members of the board of directors will vote for the offices of the Division, namely the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Secretary (Clerk) and Treasurer (Paymaster).
Would you like to join the Board of Directors of the NJD and help influence the direction the division takes?
You can still run for the board in the upcoming election next month. You must first submit a petition for nomination as a director of the NJD. Click the link below to download the form. Fill out according to instructions on the form. Submit it to our Election Coordinator, Geert Marien, by August 1st, 2025. Geert's email is geert @ mindspring dot com
Petition for Nomination as a Director of the NJD
3D Roundhouse Construction
06 November 2024 09:08 AM
This roundhouse built for the Garden State Central RR Club represents the Scott St roundhouse of the Delaware & Hudson located in Wilkes Barre, PA. The roundhouse is long gone, and the location is now occupied by Central Clay Products.
The model itself is made up of 3D printed front, rear, and side
walls and stock-built trusses. The design has been modified from the original to fit the space and needs of the club.
Model builder: Dave Guthrie
(Submitted via Thom Radice)
The model itself is made up of 3D printed front, rear, and side
walls and stock-built trusses. The design has been modified from the original to fit the space and needs of the club.
Model builder: Dave Guthrie
(Submitted via Thom Radice)
Board of Director Election
10 September 2024 08:26 PM
The final counts are in from the 2024 Board of Director election. The three incumbents, Jack Menaker, Joe Zebrowski and Geert Marian were all re-elected to a 2 year term.
Thanks guys for stepping up and helping lead the Division! And thanks to everyone who took the time to vote.
Thanks guys for stepping up and helping lead the Division! And thanks to everyone who took the time to vote.
In Memoriam: Ron Baile
13 August 2024 10:38 AM
Our friend and long time New Jersey Division Member, Ron Baile died suddenly on Saturday, August 3, 2024 while visiting his sister on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. He collapsed suddenly and the ENT's couldn't revive him.
Ron was a fixture in the NJ Division, MER and NMRA. Ron was Master Model Railroader #496. He was also a long time member and past president of the Gateway Model RR club back to the days when the club was located on the 3rd floor of a building in Gloucester City. In recent years Ron worked at the Cape May Seashore Lines Railroad as a conductor and engineer. Ron had an HO scale layout, the Delaware & South Park, and also worked in other scales, including an outdoor G scale garden layout.
Ron's obituary can be found here:
https://www.njfuneralhome.net/obituaries/ronald-baile
HO Scale boxcar custom painted by Mike McNamara for Ron's HO scale D&SP.
Ron was a fixture in the NJ Division, MER and NMRA. Ron was Master Model Railroader #496. He was also a long time member and past president of the Gateway Model RR club back to the days when the club was located on the 3rd floor of a building in Gloucester City. In recent years Ron worked at the Cape May Seashore Lines Railroad as a conductor and engineer. Ron had an HO scale layout, the Delaware & South Park, and also worked in other scales, including an outdoor G scale garden layout.
Ron's obituary can be found here:
https://www.njfuneralhome.net/obituaries/ronald-baile
HO Scale boxcar custom painted by Mike McNamara for Ron's HO scale D&SP.
August 2024 Meet Canceled
18 July 2024 12:50 PM
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances out of our control the special August Division meet scheduled for August 3rd is cancelled. We will resume our normally scheduled New Jersey Division meets for the upcoming season with the September meet. Stay tuned for information and details about the September meet.
Individual Layout pages on the NJD web site
21 June 2024 02:48 PM
We have started adding web pages here on the New Jersey Division web site for individual layouts. We can accommodate about 4 photos per payout along with text about the layout and captions for the photos. We can also put a link to your personal web site, Facebook page or other online presence.
Check out the latest from Mike Prokop, Joe Zebrowski and Thom Radice from the Layouts page.
Use the Contact form to reach out about sending in your layout pictures and information.
Check out the latest from Mike Prokop, Joe Zebrowski and Thom Radice from the Layouts page.
Use the Contact form to reach out about sending in your layout pictures and information.
In Memoriam: Bill Birchall
01 May 2024 09:50 PM
It is with sadness we report the passing of Bill Birchall.
Bill Birchall was part of the original team that established the New Jersey Division as the first division of the Mid-Eastern Region of the NMRA. Bill was elected its first superintendent in 1968. He passed away on May 1, 2024.
Bill Birchall was part of the original team that established the New Jersey Division as the first division of the Mid-Eastern Region of the NMRA. Bill was elected its first superintendent in 1968. He passed away on May 1, 2024.
NJ Division unable to host MER 2025 Convention
14 March 2024 04:42 PM
The New Jersey Division’s directors spent the last 18 months searching for a venue for our 2025 Regional Convention. We have been unable to find a hotel with the needed facilities at a price affordable by either our Division or the Mid - Eastern Region. Therefore, regrettably, a letter has been sent to the Region advising that the New Jersey Division is not able to host the 2025 convention. Our division is located in the most expensive area of the region; the convention hotels are simply quoting prices far above what we or the Region can afford. There might be a 2025 regional convention, but it will have to be hosted by another division. We regret that this action is necessary. Unless something significant changes in the future, the New Jersey Division cannot afford the expenses of hosting a regional convention going forward. Therefore this will be the final Convention Updates entry. The Convention Committee thanks all who had volunteered to assist in this effort.
In Memoriam: John Dunn
15 December 2023 09:50 PM
It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of John Dunn. John passed peacefully December 15t.
John was the longest serving member of the the Patcong Valley Model RR Club, having joined in January 1970. In early November, John had a stroke and was hospitalized. During this hospitalization, it was discovered that John had advanced stages of cancer in several critical areas. He was recovered sufficiently from his stroke to enter rehab in mid-November with the goal of getting home in 2 weeks, and then to address his cancer, Unfortunately, it was decided to place John in hospice care on Dec 13. May his soul rest in peace.
John was the longest serving member of the the Patcong Valley Model RR Club, having joined in January 1970. In early November, John had a stroke and was hospitalized. During this hospitalization, it was discovered that John had advanced stages of cancer in several critical areas. He was recovered sufficiently from his stroke to enter rehab in mid-November with the goal of getting home in 2 weeks, and then to address his cancer, Unfortunately, it was decided to place John in hospice care on Dec 13. May his soul rest in peace.
In Memoriam: John Johnson
04 September 2023 05:40 PM
| Unfortunately, we have more sad news to report on the passing of a founding member of the New Jersey Division, John Johnson. See the |
In Memoriam: PJ Mattson
03 May 2023 02:25 PM
| Unfortunately, we have some sad news to report on the passing of another beloved New Jersey Division member and friend, PJ Mattson, MMR. His obituary is below. PJ was a predominant figure in the NMRA, especially the Mid Eastern Region, but most importantly in the New Jersey Division. He served in many roles supporting and contributing to the NJD and will never be forgotten. We will dearly miss him. There will be a memorable service for PJ on the morning of Friday May 5th. Please read his obituary for details concerning the time and location of the service. |