Black Diamond Society Celebrates 60 Years, Showcases Two-Story Model Railroad Headquarters

The Black Diamond Society of Model Engineers marked its 60th anniversary on January 13, 2026 with a public showcase of the club’s two-floor headquarters in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The event drew families and local hobbyists to view two distinct layouts and to hear members recall decades of building, rebuilding, and running sessions that have kept the club active since March 1965.

The society’s facility features a 650-square-foot three-rail layout on the first floor that supports O, On30, and S-gauge equipment, and an 800-square-foot HO layout on the second floor. The first-floor layout’s three-rail format allows for larger, dramatic rolling stock and straightforward wiring, while the HO layout upstairs offers dense scenery and detailed operation in a smaller scale. Photographs and walk-through descriptions at the anniversary highlighted how the two floors complement different modeling styles and provide varied sights for visitors of all ages.

Members used the anniversary to recount the club’s early challenges, including recovery from a building fire that threatened the organization in its formative years. The story of rebuilding the headquarters and continuing regular operations has become part of the club’s identity, demonstrating local volunteers’ commitment to preserving the hobby and passing skills along to newcomers. That institutional memory also underpins ongoing efforts to engage youth and families at public events.

Community engagement remains central to the Black Diamond Society’s mission. The club operates public Railroad Days open houses and hosts regular meeting nights that welcome visitors, prospective members, and those curious about layout construction, scenery, and operations. During open houses the society stages running sessions and informal demonstrations so visitors can see control systems, rolling stock, turnout work, and scenery techniques in action. The anniversary event made clear that the club values hands-on learning and social connection as much as layout aesthetics.

For readers interested in getting involved, the anniversary signals an accessible point of entry: visit during Railroad Days open houses or attend one of the club’s regular meeting nights to meet members, see the two levels of track in operation, and learn about volunteering or joining. The celebration also sets the tone for the club’s next chapter as it leverages six decades of experience to expand public programming and bring new modelers into the fold.