Layouts at a Glance

 

The following information was provided by the layout owners to give you more details about their railroads and assist you in choosing which layouts to visit.  Many have been featured in the commercial model railroad press.  Some have websites for even more details.  Peruse the page and enjoy the layouts.

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Ken Jaglinski                 

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owner’s Name:  Ken Jaglinski

 

RR Name:  Ashland, Superior & Pacific

 

Website:  None           

 

Scale:  HO / HOn3

 

Size:  Two rooms 11 x 37 & 10 x 21

 

Prototype:  Freelanced based on Northern Pacific

 

Locale: Superior, WI to Grand Forks, ND and beyond

 

Era: Steam to Diesel Transition

 

Style:  Point to Point

 

# Decks: 1

 

Mainline run:   (exclude staging and helix)  180 feet

 

Minimum radius: 24”

 

Typical aisle width: 2 ½ ft

 

Minimum turnout: #6

 

Maximum grade: 2%

 

Benchwork: L Girder

 

Height:  42” – 48”

 

Roadbed:  Homosote over Plywood

 

Track:  Walthers code 83

 

Scenery:  (method and %)  Hardshell and foam, 100%

 

Backdrop:  Linoleum flooring hand painted with pictures cutouts for added detail

 

Control:  NCE DCC

 

Operating Crew:  6 -7

 

Operating System:  Train cards

 

Special Features:   There is a lot of hidden running that allows the engineer to loose sight of his train giving to illusion of going from town to town on a longer run. The narrow gauge features switch backs and a long hidden run. The AS&P has its own paint scheme and decals. Most steam engines have sound.

 

 

 

Don Drum                      

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owner’s Name: Don Drum

 

RR Name: Chicago and NorthWestern System

 

Website:

 

Scale: HO (1.87.1)

 

Size: 1140 Sq feet

 

Prototype: C&NW Lakeshore Div.- Ashland District

 

Locale: Northern Wisconsin – Eland WI to Ashland WI

 

Era: 1956 to 1960

 

Style: Out and back

 

# Decks: One

 

Mainline run: (exclude staging and helix) 377’

 

Minimum radius: 27” Max 40”

 

Typical aisle width: 30”

 

Minimum turnout: #4

 

Maximum grade: 1.25

 

Benchwork: L-Girder – Shelf – Cabinet - Bookcase

 

Height: 55” Max, 49” Min.

 

Roadbed: ½” Plywood, ½” Homosote, ¼” Cork

 

Track: Code 100/83/70/55

 

Scenery: (method and %) Chicken wire,Screen,Cardboard,Styrofoam 97% Complete

 

Backdrop: 1/8” Painted Masonite

 

Control: DC PSI Walk Around Throttle

 

Operating Crew: None

 

Operating System: None

 

Special Features: Nine Prototype Stations. Pictures-See Scales Rails November Issue

 

Jerry Gunderson             

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owner’s Name: Jerry Gunderson

 

RR Name:  Ford City Northern Railway

 

Website:          www.fcnrwy.mysite.com

 

Scale:  N

 

Size:                15 feet by 11 feet (165 sq. ft)

 

Prototype:       Freelanced

 

Locale: Central Wisconsin

 

Era:     Modern  (2005-Present)

           

Style:  

 

# Decks:          1

 

Mainline run:   (exclude staging and helix)  1.75 miles

           

Minimum radius:          9.75 degrees

 

Typical aisle width:      30”   Narrowest point 20”

 

Minimum turnout:                    4

 

Maximum grade:          .25%

 

Benchwork:                 ¼” plywood over 1x2 framework.  Attached with “L-girder” system

 

Height: 52 – 54”

 

Roadbed:         cork

 

Track:  Mainline – Atlas code 80,  Sidings, Yards – code 55

 

Scenery:  (method and %)  Woodland Scenics materials over foam and Sculptamold,  95% complete.

 

Backdrop:        1/8” hardboard

 

Control:           DCC (NCE ProCab system)

 

Operating Crew:          NA

 

Operating System:       NA

 

Special Features:   Layout is of a single-tracked mainline.  Location names are taken from a CNW rail line that existed at one time.

Operating theme is that of a modern shortline, with Class 1 RR connections.

90% of the Building Structures are scratch-built.  With most of these having a Prototype counterpart located somewhere in the state of Wisconsin.

A complete Engine Maintenance facility is modeled, with interior details.

The largest industry and largest modeled area on the layout is a Paper Mill

One of the modeled scenes is a “Cranberry Bog” with the Harvesting Season being modeled.

 

Bob Zoeller (NAPM)                    

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owner’s Name: North American Prototype Modelers

 

RR Name: Same

 

Website: NAPMLTD.com or NAPMLTD.org

 

Scale: HO

 

Size: 4,000 square feet

 

Prototype: Generic Midwestern scenery.  No specific prototype.  Members run what they bring.

 

Locale: non-specific, with some Western scenery, some Eastern foothills, but heavily granger-Midwest oriented.

 

Era: Late 40’s up to but not including Amtrak (1971)

 

Style: Point to point, with provision for continuous running for exhibition purposes.  Single track division weaves in and out of double track ala the “Non-branching Branch” as described by John Armstrong in an early MR article.

 

# Decks: 1

 

Mainline run:   9 miles of double track and 9 miles of single track (excludes staging)

 

Minimum radius: 42”

 

Typical aisle width: 30-36”

 

Minimum turnout: #6

 

Maximum grade: 1.5%

 

Benchwork: Our own take on “L girder”

 

Height: 42”

 

Roadbed: Homasote

 

Track: Shinohara Code 100 on main, Code 83 in other areas

 

Scenery:  Hardshell; 60%

 

Backdrop: Painted masonite

 

Control:  NCE DCC (47 boosters, radio control).  Many Macros and accessory controls for turnouts.

 

Operating Crew: Up to 25

 

Operating System: Timetable and Train Order

 

Special Features:   18-track Union passenger terminal and train shed with 4 track Y similar to St. Louis Union station throat, main engine terminal, intermediate yard, industrial switching district, winding River Line, open Granger country, mountain division under construction, two large staging yards . 

  

Tim Hensch             

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE: Tim Hensch’s Norfolk & Whey Railroad

 

Owner’s Name: Tim Hensch

 

RR Name: Norfolk & Whey Railroad

 

Website: www.nfwrailroad.com

 

Scale: HO

 

Size: 26’ x 36’

 

Prototype: Norfolk Southern Pocahontas Division

 

Locale: southern West Virginia

 

Era: modern

 

Style: walk-in, bi-level

 

# Decks: 2

 

Mainline run: (exclude staging and helix) 360 feet

 

Minimum radius: 34” mainline; 22” branch

 

Typical aisle width: 36-40”

 

Minimum turnout: No. 6 mainline; No. 4 branchlines

 

Maximum grade: 2.5% mainline; 4% branchlines

 

Benchwork: open grid

 

Height: 42” lower deck; 56” upper deck

 

Roadbed: cork over Homasote w/5/8” plywood; Homasote (yard)

 

Track: Code 83 flextrack mainline & branchlines; Code 100 staging yards

 

Scenery: (method and %) Hydrocal over cardboard & wire mesh; 25%

 

Backdrop: 1/8” masonite

 

Control: NCE DCC

 

Operating Crew: 8-12 (10 ideal)

 

Operating System: Car card & waybill

 

Special Features: (notable items not included above, such as mushroom design, 36”R helix, CTC machine,etc) continuous grade—no helix betw. decks; JMRI PanelPro for dispatching; currently installing Bruce Chubb’s C/MRI interface for CTC control of mainline; six working branchlines

 

 

 

 

Bob Frey             

 

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE       

 RR Name:                    U.P. & Western Railroads

 

Website:                      http://bobfrey.auclair.com/

 

Scale:              HO       1:87

 

Size:                            26 x 30 x 40 x 10 feet-Around the walls, center is open.

 

Prototype:                   Union Pacific Railroad and a possible Railroad called “The Western R.R.”

                                    (This layout was: Steve Frey, Model Railroader, Feb. 1990 Page 128).

 

Locale:             U.P.  is Laramie to Granger  (single track)

                                    “The Western” is Winton Jct. to Lake Jct. (branch line)

 

Era:                             Summer 1950- 59   Mostly diesel and some steam with sound.

 

Style:               The U.P. has acquired The Western R.R., therefore, all equipment is U.P.

 

# Decks:                      One Deck, Track 42” low to 52” high & a hidden loop 38” from the floor

 

Mainline run:   (exclude staging and helix)  250 Feet one way (Loop to Loop)

 

Minimum radius:          U.P. RR is 30" radius min and The WESTERN RR is 24" radius min.

 

Typical aisle width: 18” min. but open center.  Max capacity in my basement is 24 people.

 

Minimum turnout:  Code 100 track with #6 & #8 turnouts.  Some home built #8 curved turnouts.

 

Maximum grade:   2 Percent grade Max.

 

Bench work:    "L" Girders, 1x4" boards to wall, ½” plywood & track on Homosote sheets.

 

Height:             Range is 38’ to 52”

 

Roadbed:                     The track is laid directly on to the Homosote sheets.

 

Track:              Code 100   Main line is ballasted with a Floor Dry Clay Based Absorbent for oil.

                                   

Scenery:  (method and %)  98%   The Diatomatous Earth clay based absorbent (33LB Bag) material was crushed, and filtered for an HO size ballast.  A diluted white glue was used. (Nice size, nice color).   Wire screen & plaster for hills, broken ceiling tiles for cliffs, painted twisted wire, and tumble weed for trees.

 

Backdrop:                    Mostly WALTERS backdrops and some photo backdrops

 

Control:                       Digitrax Chief Radio Throttles and walk-around plug-in throttles.

 

  

Operating Crew:          Job opportunities:  GRANGER Yard, WESTERN Yard, Big Island Local, Alchem Local,

                                    Train Crews (Switching cars to Industries) and Stage Crews (Trains out & back to Stage)

 

Operating System: A Computer Generated preprinted switching list, ready for one day of operation.

 

Special Features:   My railroads had signaling before DCC was added.  With two or more Digitrax Boosters, both rails must be completely isolated between each DCC boosters.  Both of my layouts still had a common for signaling.  I have designed a special block detector circuit to solve my problem of using five Digitrax Boosters.  I am now changing my signaling from 12 VDC lamps to Super Bright Led’s.

 

All my turnouts have a “Toggle Action” which means that they can be manually operated at the turnout.  Some can be electrically operated, some have a colored Leds to show direction, and others have a rotating plate to indicate direction.

 

 

Keith Schmidt (MNSE)             

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owner’s Name:  Milwaukee-N-Southeastern Model Railroad Club Ltd            

 

RR Name:   Milwaukee N Southeastern           

 

Website:      www.mnse.org

 

Scale:   N scale

 

Size:   17 feet x 40 feet

 

Prototype:   Freelance

 

Locale:   Midwestern

 

Era:    Transistion Era to Modern

 

Style: 

 

# Decks:   Partially 2

 

Mainline run:   (exclude staging and helix)  7 Scale Miles of Double Track Mainline

 

Minimum radius:   18"

 

Typical aisle width:   36"

 

Minimum turnout:     Mainline #6  Yards and Port #4

 

Maximum grade:     Less than 1%

 

Benchwork:   

 

Height:   42"

 

Roadbed:   Cork

 

Track:    Peco Track and Switches

 

Scenery:  (method and %)   Hydrocal and Foam - 95% scenic

 

Backdrop:   Hand Painted mostly some Walthers backdrop prints

 

Control:  Block Control Aristocraft Wireless Throttles and System One DCC

 

Operating Crew:   10 to 12

 

Operating System:  Train Lists and Sequence List

 

Special Features:   The special features of the MNSE would include that the MNSE is the only N scale club in the Milwaukee area with a permanent layout.  Some highlights include that the layout is over 90% scenic.  The layout features a large paper plant as a major industry and the plant was completely scratchbuilt by a member. Also the paper plant can easily be removed and an ethanol plant put it in the same footprint to change the era of the layout.  The ethanol plant was also scratchbuilt.   Also the urban area of the layout features the use of the HO Scale Walther Union Station that has been altered somewhat to fit nicely into the N scale layout.  Many vehicles also populate the layout.  A large hidden lower staging allows for trains to enter the layout during and operating session as if they were coming from places beyond the layout. 

 

Ken Thompson             

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owner’s Name: Kenneth H. Thompson           

 

RR Name: Burlington Northern Railroad  - Peoria Subdivision

 

Website: n/a

 

Scale: HO

 

Size: 36 ft. x 22 ft.

 

Prototype: Burlington Northern Railroad

 

Locale: West central Illinois

 

Era: Spring 1973                                                                                                                                                                                                         

 

Style: Around the walls with one peninsula

 

# Decks: Single deck

 

Mainline run:   (exclude staging and helix) 120 ft.

 

Minimum radius: 36” on main track except 24” at Peoria

 

Typical aisle width: One 20” aisle at peninsula otherwise 36” or more

 

Minimum turnout: #6 frogs

 

Maximum grade: 1%

 

Benchwork: Table top on western framing with built in bookshelves and cabinets under most of layout.

 

Height: 40”

 

Roadbed: Various using wood spline with cork,  and Homasote.

 

Track: Handlaid on wood ties with some Micro Engineering flex.  Handbuilt turnouts with some ME.

              Code 70, 83, and 100 on main with 70 and 55 on auxiliary tracks.

 

Scenery:  (method and %) Cardboard strip and foam terrain covered with joint compound for a base.

                                               Real dirt, ground foam, and static grass cover over base.

                                                75 % complete

 

Backdrop: Painted background on drywall.  Scenic dividers and coved corners are sheet aluminum

 

Control:  Command control with a combination of Dynatrol and Rail-Lynx infrared wireless control

                 equipped   locomotives.      

            

Operating Crew:  between seven and eleven operators

 

Operating System: Timetable and train orders in dark territory using two-way radio for communications

                                  Wheel reports and switch lists are manually generated using a database program in the computer, supplemented with handwritten switch lists and track reports.  Operating personnel include the train dispatcher, Galesburg yardmaster/ operator, Peoria clerk/ operator, and Yates City operator, as well as train crews.  A fast clock and a 1973 calendar are use to keep track of time.

 

Special Features:   Track layout at intermediate stations and the yard at Peoria follow those on the prototype BN Peoria Sub. as they were in the 1970’s.  Operations and equipment used represent those actually used in the era portrayed.

 

The layout can be used for continuous run display type operation or point to point operations during ops sessions.  The staging area shares space in the washroom and is used to stage trains going to and from Galesburg on one end of the line as well as helping to stage transfer runs with the BN’s offline connections at Peoria.

 

 

Marcel Trautwein             

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owner’s Name: Marcel Trautwein

 

RR Name: The Grand De Elusion

 

Website: marcelsenterprises.com

 

Scale: HO, HOn3 and N

 

Size: 20x25

 

Prototype: Freelance

 

Locale: Northwest area of the US

 

Era: 1940 to 1950

 

Style: continuous

 

# Decks: single deck, multilevel

 

Mainline run:   (exclude staging and helix) 120’

 

Minimum radius: 18”

 

Typical aisle width: 6’

 

Minimum turnout: #5

 

Maximum grade: 2.5%

 

Benchwork: Open grid

 

Height: 38”

 

Roadbed: 5/8” ext. plywood, w. AIM instant roadbed

 

Track: Code 83 on main, code 70 on secondary track.

 

Scenery:  (method and %) Gypsolite over chicken wire, wet plaster castings - 100%

 

Backdrop: Panoramic floor to ceiling.

 

Control:  DCC

 

Operating Crew: Solo

 

Operating System: Lenz

 

Special Features:

Layouts within layouts: Logging and mining - dual gage. Wildwood Scenic line local service.  N scale site seeing tram, “in HO scale” Working funicular and cable ways. European flavor resort village of Little Switzerland.  GN passenger, Empire Builder on main.

Lots of mountains, super detail, animations, sound animations, forced perspective. 

 

 

David Popp             

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owner’s Name: David Popp    

 

RR Name: The Naugatuck Valley RR

 

Website: www.ModelRailroader.com (some photos and video)

 

Scale:  N

 

Size:  13 x 17 feet

 

Prototype:  New York, New Haven & Hartford RR

 

Locale:  Naugatuck River Valley in Connecticut

 

Era:  Fall of 1958

 

Style:  walkaround

 

# Decks:  1

 

Mainline run:  Waterbury/south—44 feet; Waterbury/north—27 feet

 

Minimum radius:  10”

 

Typical aisle width:  N/A

 

Minimum turnout:  # 5

 

Maximum grade:  0%

 

Benchwork:  L-girders supporting hollow core doors and open grid

 

Height:  50”

 

Roadbed:  cork on foam insulation board

 

Track:  Peco code 55

 

Scenery:  foam insulation board;  90% complete

 

Backdrop:  painted styrene

 

Control:  Lenz DCC

 

Operating Crew:  6-7

 

Operating System:  modified 1957 New Haven timetable

 

Special Features:  My  Naugatuck Valley RR is based upon New Haven operating practices on its line paralleling the Naugatuck River in late 1950’s Connecticut. I’ve built the layout in stages, and currently, it features four distinct construction steps, with a fifth in the planning stage. This layout is a case of “the more I learn about the prototype, the more there is to add to the model,” which is the reason for the continued series of expansion projects. To learn more about my Naugatuck Valley RR see the April 06 issue of Model Railroader, as well as the September through December 08 issues of MR. Also, the railroad was featured in Great Model Railroads 2008 and How To Build Realistic Layouts: Freight Yards.

 

Rolf Plachter             

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

Owner's Name: Rolf Plachter (Ralph)

RR Name: Midwest Lines RR.

Website: www.midwestlines.org

Scale: HO

Size: 33 x 52

Prototype: Free lanced, UP-RI-CB&Q

Locale: Kansas City to Denver

Era: 1964 ~

Style:  Point to Point-operation style-

# Decks: 1

Mainline run:   (exclude staging and helix) 300 ~

Minimum radius: 36"

Typical aisle width: 36"

Minimum turnout: # 6

Maximum grade: 2%

Benchwork: Open grid

Height: 53

Roadbed: Cor,

Track: Code 100

Scenery:  (method and %) Hard Shell 100%

Backdrop: Painted

Control: DCC Lenz Digital Plus

Operating Crew: 15

Operating System: Computer generated lists

Special Features:   (notable items not included above, such as mushroom design,  36"R helix, CTC machine,etc)

 

Marty Edwards             

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owner’s Name:Marty Edwards

 

RR Name:The ‘400’ Route

 

Website:Auclair.com

 

Scale:HO

 

Size:21’ x 21’ (island)

 

Prototype:CNW

 

Locale:Southeastern Wisconsin

 

Era:1935-1952

 

Style:Agricultural switching

 

# Decks:( (2) surface & lower storage

 

Mainline run:   (exclude staging and helix) 100’

 

Minimum radius:14”R

 

Typical aisle width:3’

 

Minimum turnout:4 peco

 

Maximum grade:2.8%

 

Benchwork:2 x 2 legs, 1 x 4 framing, 5/8 ply tabletop

 

Height:45

 

Roadbed:1/8 cork

 

Track:Atlas code 100

 

Scenery:  (method and %)layered , scenery finished

 

Backdrop:hand painted  Accryics on masonite

 

Control: Atlas Tool Co dcc

 

Operating Crew:4 - 8

 

Operating System:hyperswitch

 

Special Features:   (notable items not included above, such as mushroom design,  36”R helix, CTC machine,etc)  Layout featured in June 2006 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman.

 

 

Dan Dyer             

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owner’s Name:  Dan Dyer

 

RR Name:  Burlington Northern River Division

 

Website: http://home.earthlink.net/~dandyer/

 

Scale:  HO

 

Size:  32’ x 36’

 

Prototype:  Burlington Northern

 

Locale:  Mississippi River from Savanna to St. Paul

 

Era:  Mid0-70’s to Early 80’s

 

Style:  Prototype, some free lance

 

# Decks:  2

 

Mainline run:   (exclude staging and helix)

 

Minimum radius:  Mainline 30”

 

Typical aisle width: 42”

 

Minimum turnout:  Mainline #5

 

Maximum grade:  2.1%

 

Benchwork:  Open Grid

 

Height:  40” and 60”

 

Roadbed:  Cork over plywood

 

Track:  Atlas Code 83 for the main, Micro-Engineering code 70 and 55 for industries and branch lines.  Peco switches.

 

Scenery:  (method and %)  Plaster over insulation board, currently 10% done

 

Backdrop:  Drywall, painted with hills and clouds

 

Control:  DCC

 

Operating Crew: 6 to 14 people

 

Operating System:  Digitrax

 

Special Features:   (notable items not included above, such as mushroom design,  36”R helix, CTC machine,etc)

 

Double deck design, using a signaling system and DCC with Railroad and Company software to automatically control run through trains while operators work.  Extra aisle space for multiple operators and steps for shorter operators.  Basically designed following the “River Route” of the Burlington Northern.  Lighting of both decks is via rope lights and provide the aspect for night running also.  Engines, cabooses and passenger cars are fully lit for night running.

 

BN River Division Lower Deck

 

BN River Division Upper Deck

 

Dennis Glynn             

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owner’s Name: Dennis Glynn

 

RR Name: Blue Mountain and Cascade

 

Website:

 

Scale: HO

 

Size: Full basement

 

Prototype: Union Pacific (freelanced)

 

Locale: Oregon & Washington

 

Era: Transition (1946)

 

Style: Around the wall point to point with staging

 

# Decks: 2 on branch line section

 

Mainline run: (exclude staging and helix) approximately 380 feet

 

Minimum radius: Mainline 34", branch line 22"

 

Typical aisle width: 30"

 

Minimum turnout: #6 (#4 industrial and branch line)

 

Maximum grade: 2.5% mainline, 6% branch

 

Bench work: 3/4 inch plywood on L-girders

 

Height:

 

Roadbed: 4mm beveled cork

 

Track: code 83

 

Scenery: (method & %) Plaster over cardboard strip

 

Backdrop: hardboard

 

Control: DCC

 

Operating Crew: 14

 

Operating System: Switch list

 

Special Features: (notable items not included above, such as mushroom design, 36”R helix, CTC machine,etc)

 

 

Andy Sperandeo                 

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owner’s Name: Andy Sperandeo

 

RR Name: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Ry.

 

Website: none

 

Scale: HO (1:87.1)

 

Size: 38’-6” X 44’-6”

 

Prototype: First District of the Los Angeles Division

 

Locale: Cajon Pass in Southern California

 

Era: 1947

 

Style: linear walkaround

 

Number of decks: one so far, will ultimately have a partial second scenicked deck above the San Bernardino yards

 

Mainline run: 280 feet (eastward, from Third District)

 

Minimum radius: 32”, with easements

 

Typical aisle width: 27” minimum, most are wider

 

Minimum turnout: AT&SF no. 6-1/2

 

Maximum grade: 3 percent westward (normally descending), 2 percent eastward

 

Benchwork: L girder

 

Height: 38” to 66”

 

Roadbed: HomaBed on ¾” plywood

 

Track: handlaid, codes 83. 70, and 55

 

Scenery: none yet

 

Backdrop: none yet

 

Control: DCC (NCE Corp.)

 

Operating Crew: planning on 12 to 15

 

Operating System: train movement authority will be timetable and train order, with the double-track First District main line equipped with automatic block signals and designated Rule D-152 (Santa Fe’s version of 251) territory.

 

Special Features: prototypical split grade between Cajon and Summit, including Sullivan’s Curve; station track layouts closely following prototype; Summit wye extending across aisle with nod-under clearance; spring switches where used on prototype; prototypical block signals and train sign (don’t expect to have them working by convention time)

 

Stan Olander                 

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owner’s Name: Stan Olander

 

RR Name:  CORNBELT NORTHERN

 

Website: under development

 

Scale:  HO

 

Size:  L-shaped,  15x25 and 15x50

 

Prototype:  CNW, MILW, GN

 

Locale:  Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin

 

Era:  Early 1950’s

 

Style:  Freelanced

 

# Decks: 1

 

Mainline run:   226 ft

 

Minimum radius:  32 in

 

Typical aisle width:  3 ft

 

Minimum turnout:  6-8 mainline; 4 in yards

 

Maximum grade:  2%              

 

Benchwork:  open grid

 

Height:  48-51”

 

Roadbed:  Cork                      

 

Track:  Walthers and Micro-Engineering

 

Scenery:  plaster over chicken wire; 80%

 

Backdrop: hand painted by Marty Edwards of Waukegan, IL

 

Control:  Lenz DCC

 

Operating Crew:  minimum 4;  optimum  9

 

Operating System:  unique computer switchlist developed by the late Mike Ziegler

 

Special Features:   beautiful detailed scenery

 

 

Jim Hediger                 

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owner’s Name: Jim Hediger

 

RR Name:  Ohio Southern

 

Website: none

 

Scale: HO

 

Size: L-shaped 22 x 28 feet

 

Prototype: Detroit, Toledo & Ironton RR.

                    (Huron Steel Corp. RR is freelanced

 

Locale: southern Ohio

 

Era: early 1970s

 

Style: Double deck with a helix

 

# Decks: two

 

Mainline run: 220 feet

 

Minimum radius: 30"

 

Typical aisle width: 24" to 30"

 

Minimum turnout: no. 5

 

Maximum grade: 2.8 percent

 

Benchwork: L girder and open grid

 

Height: 38" to 55"

 

Roadbed: cork

 

Track: codes 83 and 100 flextrack

 

Scenery:  (traditional, 70%)

 

Backdrop: none

 

Control: DC block control with walkaround cabs

 

Operating Crew: one to seven

 

Operating System: track warrant

 

Special Features:   (notable items not included above, such as mushroom design,  36”R helix, CTC machine,etc)

 

 

The pioneering Ohio Southern is the first practical application of the double-deck layout design concepts originally developed by John Armstrong and Linn Westcott. 

 

It’s also the historic Model Railroader staff layout where Jim initially “engineered” many of today’s common double-deck benchwork and helix construction techniques (including his unique free-standing picnic-table leg system).

 

The layout is also fitted with television monitoring of its hidden staging yards.

 

A 25^th anniversary visit to the Ohio Southern (including the track plan) was published in the September 2005 issue of Model Railroader magazine.

 

Kent Johnson                 

 LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owner’s Name: Kent Johnson

 

RR Name:

 

Website:

 

Scale: O (hi-rail)

 

Size: 14 x 48-feet

 

Prototype: Canadian Pacific and Canadian National

 

Locale: British Columbia, Canada

 

Era: Present

 

Style: Continuous dogbone

 

# Decks: 1

 

Mainline run:  200-feet

 

Minimum radius: 63”

 

Typical aisle width: 18in.

 

Minimum turnout: no.6 mainline, no. 4 yard

 

Maximum grade: 0% flat

 

Benchwork: L-girder

 

Height: 42in. at railhead

 

Roadbed: Woodland Scenics Track-Bed, cork laid over CPVC sub-roadbed

 

Track: GarGraves flexible and sectional, Ross Custom Switches

 

Scenery: Styrofoam; 70%

 

Backdrop: Painted 1/8in. hardboard

 

Control: Lionel Legacy/TMCC command control

 

Operating Crew: TBD

 

Operating System: Sequenced timetable (under development)

 

Special Features: Layout highlights both urban and mountain railroading. Specific sights include downtown Vancouver layover yard and Cape Horn Tunnel along the arid interior route of the CPR.

 

Please park in driveway or at center of cul-de-sac to avoid blocking driveways, mailboxes, or fire hydrant.

 

 

Local crew on Kent Johnson's CP

Tim Scott                 

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owner’s Name: Tim Scott

 

RR Name: Northwoods Route

 

Website:

 

Scale: HO

 

Size: 25 x 17 feet

 

Prototype: Canadian National Railways

 

Locale: Western Ontario, north and west of Lake Superior

 

Era: 1957

 

Style: linear walkaround

 

# Decks: single

 

Mainline run:  100 feet (current), 130 feet (final plan)

 

Minimum radius: 23 inches

 

Typical aisle width: 30 to 42 inches

 

Minimum turnout: no. 4

 

Maximum grade: 2 %

 

Benchwork: lightweight extruded foamboard on 1 x 2 inch benchwork (movable)

 

Height: 45 inch base elevation

 

Roadbed: extruded foamboard

 

Track: code 100 flextrack

 

Scenery:  contoured and carved extruded foamboard, 75% complete

 

Backdrop: painted sky and clouds, Realistic Backgrounds photographed hills and buildings

 

Control: MRC Tech 4 Model 250 and 350 DC memory walk-around

 

Operating Crew: eight (current), twelve (after expansion)

 

Operating System: switch lists generated with ShipIt! Software

 

Special Features: A Planning Book for the layout prior to construction, to solidify layout

theme, track plan, construction phases (planned expansion) and operation.  Industrial

areas include a Port and a modern lumber mill complex.

 

 

 

Jim Kelly                 

 LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

                   

RR Name: Tehachapi subdivision

 

Website: n/a

 

Scale: N (1:160)

 

Size: 18.5 x 19 feet

 

Prototype: Southern Pacific (Santa Fe has running rights)

 

Locale: Tehachapi Pass, southern California

 

Era: 1983

 

Style: walkaround

 

# Decks: 2 (upper deck is only partial)

 

Mainline run:  143 feet (4.3 scale miles)

 

Minimum radius: 18 inches

 

Typical aisle width: 36 inches

 

Minimum turnout: no. 5

 

Maximum grade: 2.6 percent

 

Benchwork: L-girder

 

Height: 43 to 60 inches

 

Roadbed: cork on 1/2 inch plywood

 

Track: Atlas code 55 flex

 

Scenery:  cardboard strip lattice + plaster cloth + Sculptamold, 20 percent finished

 

Backdrop: Hardboard and sheet styrene, scenery painted with artists' acrylics

 

Control: DCC, System One upgraded by NCE

 

Operating Crew: n/a

 

Operating System: will be CTC

 

Special Features:  Tehachapi loop, helix connecting levels

 

Jim Lorbiecki                                 

 

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owner's Name:  JIM LORBIECKI

 

RR Name:  "The Northwest Timberline"

 

Website: none

 

Scale: HO

 

Size:  4x20x28

 

Prototype:  Logging

 

Locale:  Western part of United States

 

Era:  steam/early diesel

 

Style:  along walls

 

# Decks:  2

 

Mainline run:  (exclude staging and helix)  Length of layout

 

Minimum radius:  18

 

Typical aisle width:  n/a

 

Minimum turnout:  n/a

 

Maximum grade:  3%

 

Benchwork:  L girder

 

Height:  38" to 60"

 

Roadbed:  cork

 

Track:  nickel and brass

 

Scenery:  (method and %)  Hardshell  100%

 

Backdrop:  Instant Horizon

 

Control:  5 standard transformers

 

Operating Crew:  2

 

Operating System:  each line runs on its own power

 

Special Features: 

 

This is a fully scenic Bi-level HO scale logging layout.  It features a switchback

that allows the trains to move from the lower level to the upper level.  It is U shaped

covering an area which is 4x20x28 feet.  It contains a newly constructed

3.5 x 7 foot peninsula that is modeled showing a lumber company with all the

buildings that go with the saw mill itself.  They are made up using Laser Kits from

Master Creations and B.T.S. along with a scratch built Slash burner and conveyer moving

wood cut offs from the saw mill to the Slash burner.

 

The layout has 4 sawmills on it and can run 5 trains at the same time.  There are

many mini scenes showing various logging riggings and loggers working in the woods.

Above the layout there are logging artifacts displayed, ranging from Oxen shoes to Cant hooks.

 

The layout portrays the western part of the United States along with the town of

Skykomish WA, It was featured on the television series TRACKS AHEAD, and was

on tour for the 1985 National Convention. My layout was featured in the Jan 2010 Scale Rails magazine.

 

Another new addition is a separate Diorama modeling the Milwaukee Road

EVERETT STREET Station and shed with interior decor, and the outdoor Milwaukk Road

Sign that lights up.

 

Don Cook                 

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owners Name: Donald Cook

 

RR Name: Great Northern-Spokane Division

 

Website: Many photos can be found

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnspokanediv/

 

Scale: HO

 

Size: 28x17 and 10x6

 

Prototype: Great Northern

 

Locale: Central Washington State

 

Era: Currently 1949 (can be updated by changing locos, rolling stock, and autos)

 

Style: Walk-in

 

# Decks: 1

 

Mainline Run;  (excluding staging and helix) Mainline=155’/Branchline=53’

 

Minimum radius:  30” (with spiral easements) on mainline

Typical aisle width: 36” with 28” pinches

 

Minimum turnout: 4 ½ (mainline  are #8)

 

Maximum grade:  0 .75% on mainline/ 1.25% on branchline

 

Benchwork: L Girder

 

Height: 47” to 54”

 

Roadbed: Homobed or cork on ½ inch plywood

 

Track: Atlas code 100 flex (painted  and weathered)

 

Scenery: (method and %)   Hardshell over cardboard strips/ 98% complete

 

Backdrop: Painted drywall and photo murals

 

Control: NCE DCC

 

Operating crew: 1 to 7

 

Operating system: Sequential dispatching  with 2 sided car card waybills

 

Special Features: There is a second layout that is a virtual connection to the main layout. It is also portable and has been moved to public shows. It represents the end of a branchline on the main layout.  It is a one man switching puzzle that takes 20 to 30 mins. to do each of the 3- 6 car trains staged on a sector plate.  It is in another room from the main layout and is an L shape that measures 6’ X 9 ½’and is fully sceniced.

 

The main layout features mostly steam and heavy electric locomotives.  Wenatchee Wash. is the main division point yard and all mainline trains swap steam for electric here, for the run thru the 8 mile long Cascade Tunnel.

 

Dan Sylvester                 

Dan Sylvester                   

            

 

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owner’s Name:  Dan Sylvester

 

RR Name: Rio Grande Southern

 

Website: none (yooperdan@earthlink.net)

 

Scale: Hon3

 

Size: 32 square feet (4 X 8)  [Note from Jeff Markey, Layout Tour Coordinator - The layour is in fact simply the same 4X8 most of us started with.  However, everything on this HOn3 layout is scatch-built.  Everthing! Nicely done.  And the owner (a 38-year veteran of the prototype) conducts 3-hour operating sessions with a crew of 3.  I was amazed!] 

 

Prototype: Rio Grande Southern (Experience: 38 years a conductor on the C&NW)

 

Locale: San Juan Mountains of Colorado (Waukegan, IL)

 

Era: 1930’s

 

Style: Island Loop to Loop

 

# Decks: One deck, 3 levels of track

 

Mainline run:   (exclude staging and helix) 115 feet

 

Minimum radius: 18 inches

 

Typical aisle width: 3 feet

 

Minimum turnout: Hand laid with curve through frog to save space.

 

Maximum grade: 4%

 

Benchwork: Finished cabinet.

 

Height: 42 inches – designed for sit down operation – use height adjustable rolling stools for operators.

 

Roadbed: Plywood – Homasote sandwich

 

Track: Hand laid code 55 on 3/32 x 3/32 stripwood ties (6’ HO length)

 

Scenery:  Mu-Cla over foam 100% complete (I’ll never use plaster again)

 

Backdrop: Actual photo mural of Lizard Head pass area.

 

Control: A modified PFM Sound System II on a rolling cabinet. It can be rolled to any location on the layout.

 

Operating Crew: One to Three persons. (Conductor-Brakeman-Engineer)

 

Operating System: Prototype wheel report – yard check – switch list.

 

Special Features:   I set out to see just how much I could do in a space of 4 x 8 feet. I have duplicated the operation of my previous 400 square foot layout that was featured in the April 1980 Model Railroader. It takes around three hours to do a days work. The layout is finished, easy to maintain, and fun to run. The best I’ve ever built. All structures and rolling stock are scratch built.

 

Jim Spice                               

 

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owner’s Name:  Jim Spice

 

RR Name:  Denver & Cat Canyon

 

Website:

 

Scale: HO/Hon3

 

Size: 30X30

 

Prototype: Denver & Rio Grande,   Grande Junction Div.

 

Locale:  Colorado

 

Era: 1953

 

Style: open

 

# Decks: 1

 

Mainline run:   (exclude staging and helix)  300’

 

Minimum radius: 19”

 

Typical aisle width: 30+”

 

Minimum turnout: “4 (in Yards)

 

Maximum grade:  2.37%

 

Benchwork:   L Girder

 

Height:    42-56

 

Roadbed:   Mixture of  Homosote and cork

 

Track:  Atlas Code 83/55  and Hand laid

 

Scenery:  (method and %)  Rockcastings over hardshell 98%

 

Backdrop: Masonite on puninsulas and drywall

 

Control: DCC radio throttles  (NCE)

 

Operating Crew: Min 13, Max 22

 

Operating System: CC/WB

 

Special Features:   (notable items not included above, such as mushroom design,  36”R helix, CTC machine,etc)

 

 

The railroad mimics the Grande Junction Div. of the DRGW in the 50’s.  Trains are made up in the main yards (Salida & Minturn) crews are dispatched via telephone.  The Railroad is point to point with staging yards in Pueblo and Grande Junction ( hidden staging). Although a time table is supplied, we seldom operate on TT/TO.  Signaling and CTC are in process of being installed as per the prototype.

There are two areas that provide operators with switching challenges and two branch lines. The “Monarch branch, from Salida to Monarch, is narrow gauge. It is combined in areas with dual gauge. 

One interesting feature on the railroad is the “Gauntlet” bridge over Cat Canyon.

The Railroad is controlled by dispatcher from a panel outside the railroad.

 

Bob Perrin                               

 

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owner’s Name: Bob Perrin

 

RR Name: Illinois Central R.R. St. Louis Division

 

Website:

 

Scale: HO

 

Size: Approx 92’ x 32’

 

Prototype: Illinois Central

 

Locale: Southern Illinois

 

Era: 1966 (May and June)

 

Style: Walk around

 

# Decks: 2

 

Mainline run:   1,300 ft.

 

Minimum radius: 42

 

Typical aisle width: 48”

 

Minimum turnout: Mainline #6 to #10

 

Maximum grade: 2 Percent

 

Benchwork: Box Grid

 

Height: Upper 57” to 62” Lower 42”

 

Roadbed: Wood Laminates

 

Track: Code 83, 70 and 55

 

Scenery:  Multiple methods 10% complete

 

Backdrop: Masonite

 

Control: DCC Digitrax

 

Operating Crew: 21 to 27

 

Operating System: TT&TO, CTC and TO

 

Special Features:   Working Signals

 

 

 

Greg Bedlek                 

 

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owner’s Name:                        Gregory J. Bedlek

 

RR Name:                                GNP Hydra Route

 

Website:                                  None

 

Scale:                          HO

 

Size:                                        2700 Sq. Ft. (L shaped 60 x 60)

 

Prototype:                               BRC, Q, NP, GN, Camas Prairie

 

Locale:                         Chicago to Seattle

 

Era:                                         Pre GN+NP Merger: 1970

 

Style:                           Walk around

 

# Decks:                                  Mostly 1, occasional 2

 

Mainline run:   (exclude staging and helix)       450’

 

Minimum radius:                      42”

 

Typical aisle width:      3’+

 

Minimum turnout:                    #8 mainline, #6 yards, industry.

 

Maximum grade:                      1%

 

Benchwork:                             L girder, Plywood, foam

 

Height:                         Varies, 42” to 54”

 

Roadbed:                                 Plywood / cork / foam

 

Track:                          Atlas Code 83

 

Scenery:                                  Light Hydrocal (my own cheap formula), foam, various, 80% complete.

 

Backdrop:                                Masonite, painted sky (blue to white) and mountains

 

Control:                                   DCC – Lenz for Railroad, Digitrax for CTC

 

Operating Crew:                      30

 

Operating System:                   Car cards.

 

Special Features:                     JMRI for dispatcher’s CTC machine, working semaphores, signals.

 

Harry Schildkraut                            

 

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owner’s Name:            Harry Schildkraut

 

RR Name:                    New York, Ontario & Western

 

Website:

 

Scale:              HO

 

Size:                            30’ x 50’

 

Prototype:                   NYO&W set in current timeframe

 

Locale:             New York & Pennsylvania

 

Era:                             Now

 

Style:               point to point mainline with 3 branches, lots of industry switching

 

# Decks:                      two

 

Mainline run:   (exclude staging and helix) 450’

 

Minimum radius:          24”

 

Typical aisle width: 24” – 36”

 

Minimum turnout:                    #4 in industrial areas, #6 on main

 

Maximum grade:                      2%

 

Benchwork:                             open frame

 

Height:             39” lower deck, 57” upper deck

 

Roadbed:                     Homabed

 

Track:              Atlas code 83 flex

 

Scenery:  (method and %)       hardshell 75%

 

Backdrop:                    masonite

 

Control:           Digitrax DCC

 

Operating Crew:          12

 

Operating System:       Digitrax DCC

 

Special Features:   3-1/2 turn elongated helix with 4 cameras, lots of trains, and lots of switching, dispatcher controls traffic flow, phones at each town (no radios)

 

Mike Ritschdorff                 

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owner’s Name: Mike Ritschdorff

 

RR Name: N&W Pocahontas Division 1958

 

Website: Choprail, Amrail yahoo groups, Choprail yahoo groups

 

Scale: HO

 

Size: 25 X 41'

 

Prototype: Norfolk and Western / Virginian

 

Locale: West Virginia/ Virginia

 

Era: 1958

 

Style: Point to Point

 

# Decks: Double Decked

 

Mainline run:   (exclude staging and helix) 250' lower 300 upper deck

 

Minimum radius: 36" throughout

 

Typical aisle width: 4'

 

Minimum turnout: All Peco large radius approx a #8

 

Maximum grade: 2.5%

 

Benchwork: flattop and open grid

 

Height: 40" to 60"

 

Roadbed: none track directly to plywood

 

Track: Atlas code 100

 

Scenery:  (method and %) 100% full nice fall colors

 

Backdrop: some printed posters and rack castings and puff ball trees to the ceiling

 

Control: Lenz DCC with CVP radios

 

Operating Crew: 15 to 20

 

Operating System: card card/ waybills

 

Special Features:   (notable items not included above, such as mushroom design,  36”R helix, CTC machine,etc) Full blown telephone system. 2 working coal loadouts with a rotary dumper yes we do live loads. Heavy Steam, Electrics, Heavy Diesel lashups and of course the Jawn Henry. Pusher service on the grade. 100% well balanced sound throughout. 

 

Michael O'Brien Review with photos may be seen at http://www.corbu.us/Chicago2006/Ritschdorff.html

 

Ted Schnepf                                    

 

LAYOUT AT A GLANCE

 

Owner’s Name: Ted Schnepf/ Fox Valley O Scalers

 

RR Name: Milwaukee Road,  Dubuque/ Iowa & Dakota Divisions

 

Website: http://RailsUnlimited.ribbonrail.com/   then to the Fox Valley section

 

Scale: O scale 2 rail with some On3

 

Size: 4100 square feet. (home is 9 sided varying footprint).  405 feet of aisle, 9 & 10 foot ceilings.

 

Prototype: Milwaukee Road

 

Locale: Northeast Iowa, Dubuque to Marquette to Calmar

 

Era: dual eras, 1954 and 1929.

 

Style: linear, multideck, with the addition being a mushroom track plan (under construction).

 

# Decks: Two sceniced, and two staging.

 

Mainline run:   (exclude staging and helix) 800 feet

 

Minimum radius: mainline is 84” radius, super elevated.  Several larger radius, cosmetic curves.

 

Typical aisle width: three to four feet

 

Minimum turnout: #7 (only 5 of them), with most being #8 and #10’s.  Total of 220 hand laid turnouts.

 

Maximum grade: The mainline has a 3 ½% helper grade.  Most mainline grades are 1 ½%.  A side track has a 6 ½% grade.

 

Benchwork: Cantilevered from wall and open grid.  Some of the cantilevered sections are 7 foot deep.  Spline and plywood support

 

Height: 29 to 95”. Constantly varying as per prototype.

 

Roadbed: Homasoate

 

Track: Mainline is code 125 and 148. Sidings code 100.  Some track is hand laid.  There is about 7000 lineal feet of track.

 

Scenery:  (method and %). Scenery is about 50% complete and varies in construction from hard shell over cardboard lattice to plaster over foam.  Rock outcroppings are anything from real rocks, plaster castings, serrated foam and serrated ceiling tile.

 

Backdrop: Masonite and wall board painted with clouds.

 

Control: NCE DCC with some sound

 

Operating Crew: maximum is 23 (mostly 2 man crews) with 13 throttles.

 

 

Operating System: Car cards with 4 cycle waybills.  Prototype based timetable sequence.  Central dispatcher, issuing verbal authority.

 

Special Features:

 

1.      A curved, flying backdrop (24’ long)

2.      Staging yard (8 tracks) 90 feet long hanging from the ceiling

3.      Cantilevered levels (one spot 7 feet deep)

4.      Large frog turnout’s, #10 and #12’s.

5.      Coal mine with 4- 50 foot long double ended tracks on a grade.

6.      Large industries (railroad size)

7.      Long staging tracks 90 feet each, double ended allowing multiple trains per track.

8.      Large yards ( Marquette 400 cars)

9.      Prototype influence in track planning and copying prototype towns.

10.   Large urban city in beginning stages of modeling (Dubuque)

11.   Swing bridge across an aisle

12.   Long, multiple industry, house tracks per prototype.

13.   Generous use of double ended tracks.

14.   Lap siding at Spechts Ferry

15.   Siding on a trestle at Edmore

16.   Lap frog turnouts in Marquette engine terminal.

17.   Wye with a diamond in Marquette.

18.   Interesting traffic mix of meat trains, a banana train, and the oil train.

19.   Passing tracks up to 37 cars long.

20.   Layout extends beyond house footprint.

21.    Flowing curved fascias.

22.    In addition, recessed controls leaving a smooth fascia

M

Michael O'Brien Review with photos may be seen at http://www.corbu.us/Chicago2006/Schnepf.html