Local Layout Tours

These outstanding local, up to 30 miles from the convention center, tours will be open during the convention itself. For layout tours occurring before or after the convention see the Pre/Post convention layout tour page.
Locations for each layout may be found in the convention timetable.

The Norfolk Tennessee Southern RR is a finely detailed, two-level layout with complete scenery. The two levels are unconnected and operationally independent with the bottom level being 42″ high and the top level being 61″ above the floor. The Railfan opportunities abound on this layout which is designed for simultaneous continuous running of up to five trains. Mainline traffic is diverse including unit trains (refrigerated, grain, and coal), dedicated freight (autoparts, Intermodal & mixed freights) and passenger trains. Urban scenes with detailed structures are combined with rural farm and nicely landscaped wooded areas. Modeled scenes include Quaker Oats, Golden Valley Canning Co, Roberts Printing Co, Caldwell Jeep, Rockville Building Supply Co, and McDonalds Farm.

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This layout represents the Springfield MO area of the old Frisco (SLSF) on the Burlington Northern in 1996 immediately before the merger with Sante Fe.
Double-ended staging on lower level represents east terminations, Memphis and St Louis.
Heading west past the Teed Junction, single track mainline passes the large Intercontinental intermodal yard, then a connection with ALCO-powered Arkansas & Missouri RR at Monett and connections from coal mines out west.
The route becomes double track entering West Springfield and passes Southerland’s Lumber, French’s Mustard plant, Associated Wholesale Grocer’s warehouse and Rich Mix concrete. Like the prototype, the double-track mainline passes between the headhouse and silos of ADM, the connection to Springfield Underground (Kraft cheese storage) and Springfield Iron & Metal before entering the 7-track Springfield yard.
Kerr-McGee’s railroad tie plant is along back of the yard. Continuing west from the yard, the mainline swings past Southwest Power’s two-unit coal-fired generating site before entering Aurora, which is also served by the Missouri & Northern Arkansas Railroad.
After a connection with Kansas City Southern at Neosho, the BN route splits again, where the uppper level double- ended staging represents west terminations, Tulsa and Kansas City.