Brooks stover, mmr, buffalo creek
& gauley (S)
This layout will be available for viewing on Friday, July 18th.
The layout depicts the BC&G in the summer of 1964 just months before steam operations ceased. Standard gauge, but with the character of narrow gauge, the railroad runs just 9 miles from an interchange with the B&O at Dundon, WV to the sawmill at Swandale, passing the Cressmont dairy at the mid-point. Trains are short with consists of 3 to 4 cars plus a caboose. The logging operation of the ERC&L is also modeled. All the locomotives and rolling stock in service at the time are modeled. Every structure is scratchbuilt to represent its prototype.
The layout and the room were designed simultaneously. Shelves and a desk occupy one wall with the railroad along the remaining 3 walls. Four objectives drove the layout and room design: Prototype fidelity, photographic opportunities, operating fun, and overall visual impact of the room.
North Coast Engineering wireless DCC is used and all locomotives are sound equipped. Car routing is done via a simple card-draw scheme and written switch lists with ‘laid back’ operations reflective of the prototype. Several sound modules are located around the layout and song birds can be heard through ceiling speakers.
The layout has been published, and on the cover, of all four multi-scale model railroading magazines, GMR and MRP, and is featured in several Tony Koester books. For more information visit Brooks’ website: www.buffalocreekandgauley.com. Videos can be viewed at: www.youtube.com/@BCGsummer1964.
LAYOUT SUMMARY
SCALE: S (1:64)
ERA: Summer 1964
RAILROADS: Buffalo Creek & Gauley and Elk River Coal & Lumber
SCHEME: Prototype-based; Point to Point
SIZE: 12’ x 25’
MAINLINE LENGTH: 50’
TRACK COMPLETION: 100%
SCENERY COMPLETION: 100%
VISITOR LIMIT: Six (6) in layout room at one time. Family room adjacent accommodates 12.
ACCESSIBILITY: Stairway down to layout room.
DATE: Friday, July 18, 2025.
HOURS OPEN:
PARKING:
ENTRY:
