Pre and Post Convention Layout Tours

• Scale: HO – Dual – 18’ x 25’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 100
  • Track: 100
  • Scenery: 85
• Entry Point: Through garage to outside building
• Handicap Accessible: Limited, three steps
• Date/Time: 7/25, 7/26 – 10:30am – 5:00pm CDT
  8/1, 8/2 – 10:30am – 5:00pm CDT

The objective of the railroad is to integrate heavy mainline railroading, branch line railroading and narrow gauge into a coherent transportation system set in the steam-to-diesel transition era, early 1950s. The mainline is Union Pacific with trackage rights for the Great Northern. The branch line is free-lance dominated by small steam power. The narrow gauge uses D&RGW steam power. The standard gauge Todd Mill & Wildcat Creek branch line branches from the UP in Cheyenne and terminates in Slab Fork, which is a dual gauge town. The branch line continues west from Slab Fork as a narrow gauge extension over rugged terrain serving sparsely settled population. There are seven industries in Cheyenne and six industries on the main line UP outside of Cheyenne. There are seven industries on the branch line, including five in the dual gauge town of Slab Fork and there are five industries on the narrow gauge line. Slab Fork is set in the late 1920s. All three lines allow continuous running, and car card operation is used. Scenery is 85% complete, including a 4’ x 85’ hand painted backdrop.

• Scale: HO – 13’ x 25’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical 60
  • Track 90
  • Scenery 70
• Entry Point: Through the front door and up the stairs.
• Handicap Accessible: No
• Date/Time: 7/25 – 12:00pm – 4:00pm CDT
  7/26 – 1:00pm – 4:00pm CDT

Our freelanced HO layout depicts the Union Pacific and Santa Fe railroads during the mid-century; specifically the transition period between the late steam and early diesel era. The scenery was entirely hand built by Ken and Sandi Castor. The layout transitions through five specialized zones: 1. Locomotive servicing, 2. staging, 3. rural mining, 4. commercial township, and 5. a heavy industrial sector featuring a coal-fired power plant and paper mill. The electrical backbone consists of a Digitrax DCC system partitioned into five primary districts. For maximum reliability, the districts are further subdivided into two zones managed by DCC Concepts circuit breakers. Turnout control is managed by Circuitron, Smail and Tortoise motors via a centralized control panel. Beyond the engineering, the layout is defined by its high-density scenery that will reward observant viewers with numerous “hidden gems” integrated into the hand-crafted scenery.

• Scale: HO – 14’ x 34’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 95
  • Track: 90
  • Scenery: 90
• Entry Point: Front door
• Handicap Accessible: Yes
• Date/Time: 7/25 – 11:00am-3:00pm CDT

The Shoals Model Railroaders clubhouse is located 5 minutes off of highway 72 in Tuscumbia next to the restored Southern Depot.
Our layout represents the Southern’s mainline between Memphis and Chattanooga, TN in the 1970’s. The layout is a “U” shape with a backdrop down the middle. It is a single mainline with long passing sidings. We also have staging yards representing DeButts yard in Chattanooga and Forrest yard in Memphis.
There are 30 industries that receive rail service, plus a unit coal train that runs on the layout. In addition, a branchline serves 4 industries. Towns represented on our layout are Cherokee, Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, Sheffield and Decatur. We use Digitrax DCC electronics.
Highlights of our layout include scratchbuilt models of Helen Kellers “Ivy Green” home and the Tuscumbia depot, a 3D printed model of “Fame” recording studio and a 1970’s era McDonalds.

• Scale: HO – 32’ x 40’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 100
  • Track: 100
  • Scenery: 0
• Entry Point: In driveway, turn left through the fence. Building is on the right.
• Handicap Accessible: No
• Date/Time: 7/25, 7/26, 8/1 – 10:30am-5:00pm
  8/2 – 10:30am-5:00pm CDT

The Maryland Western is a freelanced version of the Western Maryland Railway between Baltimore and Frostburg, MD during the transition era in late 1956. The 327 foot mainline has two staging yards consisting of four 60 to 64 foot loops. Three peninsulas depict Baltimore, rural Carroll County and the Potomac River Valley. The mainline climbs to the mountains around Frostburg and on to Pennsylvania.
The MW is a bridge route with mostly run-through traffic of high speed freight, passenger and coal. Traffic to local industries is routed through local yards and on/ off the railroad through staging.
Baltimore has a six track stub-end passenger terminal and a seven track classification yard serving a dozen industries plus two team tracks. Eight agriculture industries, a cement plant and a large linoleum plant occupy the center peninsula.
The third peninsula has a creosote-tie plant, a large engine facility, a seven track classification yard, a three track through-passenger station and two local industries. Frostburg has two coal mines, a coal yard, and an engine facility. Arduinos control all turnouts and have LED route indication. Trains are radio and Wi-Fi controlled with walk-around throttles and cell phones.

• Scale: All scales – Varies
• DCC/DC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: Varies by layout
  • Track: Varies by layout
  • Scenery: Varies by layout
• Entry Point: Main entrance
• Handicap Accessible: Yes
• Date/Time: 7/25 – 9:00am-1:00pm CDT
  7/26 – 11:00am-2:00pm CDT
  8/1 – 9:00am-1:00pm CDT
  8/2 – 11:00am-2:00pm CDT
  

The Museum is located next to the very active CSX and Norfolk Southern Railroads, which makes it an ideal location for train watchers.
The Museum houses a collection of a variety of railroad memorabilia as well as extensive collections of toy and model trains.
There are small and large layouts of model trains running in every gauge from Z to G. Members of the NMRA built the seven layouts with the most outstanding one being the multi-level HO scale layout that replicates the numerous industries and other famous structures located throughout Decatur.
There is a G scale outdoor layout that local Boy Scouts helped to design and build. This layout is approximately 75 feet long and 10 feet wide. Its main line travels mostly over trestles, but there is a yard with two sidings which can hold complete trains waiting to run on the main line.
The Boy Scouts also built a Time Saver train switching game that consists of a yard with many turnouts, where operators compete to switch and assemble trains in the least amount of time.

• Scale: G – 100? x 100?
• DC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: N/A
  • Track: 85
  • Scenery: N/A
• Entry Point: Driveway
• Handicap Accessible: Yes
• Date/Time: Sat 7/25 10:30am – 5:00pm CDT, Sun 7/26 10:30am – 5:00pm CDT

Grant Funk Railroad is a raised, ever evolving garden railroad. It will have four track powered loops totaling 0.25 miles of track when it is completed. It is an eclectic railroad with G scale towns, fairy villages, and a western town. The trains consist of diesel, steam and electric locomotives of European and US heritage including narrow gauge to mainline that span the railroads over time. We can run whatever is interesting for that day or just get Funky. There are multiple bridges on the three level track beds and traveling over a series of waterfalls that go into a fishpond framed with water plants. The railroad has a climate-controlled train station that stores and operates the trains. The railroad took three years to build to operation level, and we have been growing plants and adding details over the past 5 years. This year we are working to add a stone face to the cinder block walls. Our railroad construction is documented in GRNews in the Bonus Content section.

• Scale: HO – 12’ x 12’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 100
  • Track: 100
  • Scenery: 100
• Entry Point: Front of home
• Handicap Accessible: No (has stairs – 1 cat)
• Date/Time: 8/2 10:00am – 4:00pm CDT

The Pacific RR Co. is a freelanced, down and out short line RR of the 1940s/early 50s. It depicts logging, mining, riverside canning and other industries. It uses standard gauge, with some HOn3 and Hon30 narrow gauge.
Lots of craftsman and scratch built structures, lots of vertical rock scenery depicting northern California. It uses logging rod and geared (shays, etc.) steam and early diesel and critters and motor cars as motive power.
The roster includes 70 locos and approximately 300 rolling stock, all weathered and detailed. It has been featured in the Narrow Gauge & Short line Gazette, Railroad Model Craftsman, 8 times in the Walthers Reference books, and Model Railroader.
It was also featured in the SER NMRA, The Southerner Vol 63 #1 winter 2021 magazine. Some Bar Mills structures appeared on the Bar Mills pod cast. I am easy to find not far off highway 65/96.

• Scale: HO – 25’ x 40’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 100
  • Track: 100
  • Scenery: 90
• Entry Point: Garage door
• Handicap Accessible: No – stairs
• Date/Time: 8/2 1:00pm – 4:00pm CDT

My layout models the NC&STL/L&N line from Nashville to Chattanooga during the 1950’s to the late 1960’s.
The railroad includes branch lines form Cowan, TN to Tracy City as well as from Decherd to Huntsville, AL.
Two major highlights include a full-size model of Nashville Union Station as well as a full-size model of Chattanooga Union Depot.

• Scale: HO _ 12’ x 20’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 100
  • Track: 100
  • Scenery: 50
• Entry Point: Front Door
• Handicap Accessible: No, stairs
• Date/Time: 7/26 1:00pm – 4:00pm, 8/2 1:00pm – 4:00pm

The Tellico & Blue Ridge Railroad is a bridge line connecting the L&N and Southern railroads in the west to the ACL and Seaboard railroads in the east via a route over the Blue Ridge Mountains in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, serving several small towns along the way.
Rolling stock is mostly 4-axle diesels and 40-foot freight cars. All track is Peco Code 75. Power is DCC from NCE. Structures are mostly built from plastic kits but modified to match the architectural style of North Carolina mountain towns. A few structures are scratch built to match specific structures in this region.
The layout wraps around three walls of a 12 x 20-foot room with a peninsula in the middle.

• Scale: HO – 36’ x 36’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 90
  • Track: 97
  • Scenery: 50
• Entry Point: Basement level from driveway
• Handicap Accessible: Yes
• Date/Time: 7/29 1:00pm – 4:oopm CDT

The layout is designed to feature the crossing of the ICG and Conrail at Effingham, IL and is set in a 1976-1979 time frame, just after the Conrail merger and the 1972 IC/GM&O merger. It also features 6 Amtrak trains.
The layout is double decked and connected by a helix located in the garage. There are 4 yards on the ICG side and one on Conrail.
The layout is designed for long trains and approximately 50 staging tracks. Car Cards/Waybills are used and towns and industries are based upon historical research.

• Scale: HO – 18’ x 86’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 100
  • Track: 100
  • Scenery: 60
• Entry Point: Main entrance in back of Mary G. Hardin Cultural Arts museum
• Handicap Accessible: Yes
• Date/Time: 7/25, 8/1 – 10:30am-5:00pm CDT

The Coosa Valley Model Railroad club is a HO model railroad based on the 1940’s railroads that served the Gadsden area. Six mainlines and several yards are present, and 6 trains from the SOU, TAG, L&N, and NC&StL run daily on this display layout.
Operating sessions are held by members working with DCC control. Care is taken to keep detailing at the highest levels. Currently at about 60% detailed many additions added monthly. Motive power is steam and diesels, and on operating nights you may see anything from the 1920’s to present day.

• Scale: HO – 30’ x 15’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 100
  • Track: 100
  • Scenery: 95
• Entry Point: Across grass yard to basement door
• Handicap Accessible: No
• Date/Time: 7/26 11:00am – 3:00pm
  , 8/2 – 1:00pm – 5:00pm CDT

The BSMRR was designed and built to be operational. It represents the real Birmingham Southern and it’s customers and operations in the years just prior to being sold to Watco, Inc. in 2012, and becoming the Birmingham Terminal Railroad. The real BSRR was a industrial short line serving the steel industries in the western areas of Birmingham. It also had interchanges with NS, CSX and BNSF.
Operations on my railroad is an attempt to capture the industrial switching that occurred on the real railroad. There are no staged trains. Operators build their own trains in yards using computer generate manifests created by JMRI, go out and do work at various customers, return to the yards and break up their trains. The locations on the railroad represent real places.
Trains move a variety of materials including steel products, various aggregates, asphalt, bio-fuels, scrap metal and a lot of coal.
I have also included some Class I (Norfolk Southern) mainline trains to handle the interchange traffic.
To get a lot more detail about the layout and how it operates, please check out my web site: https://www.bsmrr.com/.

• Scale: HO – 30’ x 20’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 100
  • Track: 100
  • Scenery: 20
• Entry Point: From paved driveway at entry door between garage doors
• Handicap Accessible: Yes
• Date/Time: 8/2 1:00pm – 4:00pm CDT

The BDMRR is a steel mill themed steam era, history based “caricature” of the Bham iron & steel, mining and related industries from about 1925 to 1955. We use Digitrax DCC and JMRI Ops for train manifests. The goal of operations is to deliver raw materials to the Fairfield Blast Furnaces (BFs) at least once per Ops Session.
We run material, passenger and interchange trains. Material trains assemble iron ore, coal, limestone and coke, for the Steel Works Turn to the BFs. L&N Passenger trains stop at the Bham Union Station which was grade separated circa 1930. Interchange trains visit 8 interchange tracks which represent the different trunk lines RR’s that operated in Birmingham.
There are 3 yards: Main yard, downtown (DT) and Fairfield (FY) yard at the steel works. DT originates commercial switching turns as well as coal and coke turns. Forty trains make up a master list used to set up an Ops Session typically operating about 10 trains. The roster includes about 450 freight cars, roughly half are hoppers and ore cars; trains run 5-20 cars. The layout has about 1,000 ft of track and about 180 turnouts; mainline run is about 200 ft plus 5 branches. A dispatcher is used with radios when we have about 10+ operators.

• Scale: HO – 25’ x 34’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 100
  • Track: 100
  • Scenery: 25
• Entry Point: From the house down stairs or from a side entrance (no stairs) to the basement.
• Handicap Accessible: No
• Date/Time: 7/25 – 10:30am-5:00pm, 7/26 – 10:30am-2:00pm

The Fungus and Mungus Railroad is a freelance, prototypical short line layout set somewhere in the Colorado high-country. The year is 1906, before the automobile, before paved roads and limited electricity.
The layout includes logging and sawmill operations owned and operated by “Hugh” Mungus and two mines operated by “Freddy” Fungus each producing about a carload per day of unobtainium ore. There is an interchange with a major railroad at Clouds Rest where cars are picked up and delivered. The rail yard at Clouds Rest includes kits from Campbell, B.T.S., Motrak Models, Bar Mills, B.E.S.T., SierraWest, as well as older kits from JV Models, Suncoast, John Rendall, KMP, and others.
The mining town of Bedrock has over a dozen craftsman kits as well. Operations are conducted using a T.T.&T.O. system using switchlists. Four trains operate simultaneously along the single track mainline. A highly-modified version of OpsBuddy is used to manage the switchlists.

• Scale: HO – 30? X 120?
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 80
  • Track: 80
  • Scenery: 80
• Entry Point: Lower Level, rear of house (will post signs to layout)
• Handicap Accessible: Yes
• Date/Time: 8/2 11:00am – 5:00pm

The CD&P is a freelanced HO layout set in the 70’s featuring railroads running from Chicago and Kansas City to Denver westward to Cheyenne, Los Angles , Oakland and Seattle. The modeled portion of the layout features Denver Yard and the industrial areas of Puelbo and Ogden with additional industrial areas enroute to Cheyenne. The layout features mainly western-themed scenery. Steel making facilities are prominent on the layout. The transportation of raw materials (iron ore, coke, and limestone) to the steel mill in Ogden are handled by dedicated freight trains. A large paper mill in Pueblo is served by a dedicated switch engine. Two online coal mines provide coal for coke making and local customers. Additional freight traffic includes unit auto, intermodal and grain trains. Through freight trains are operated between Denver Yard and the staging yards representing Chicago/Kansas City, Cheyenne, Los Angeles, and Oakland. Local freight trains serve the industries along the line.

• Scale: HO – 24’ x 40’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 95
  • Track: 95
  • Scenery: 95
• Entry Point: Located in the L&N Depot
• Handicap Accessible: Yes
• Date/Time: 7/25 10:00am – 3:00pm

The Tri-State Model Railroaders Layout covers the L&N Old Line from Atlanta, GA to Etowah , TN.
Located in the Mineral Bluff, GA, L&N Depot built in 1897, the layout is around the room with 2 peninsulas and a helix to an upper level.
The time frame is 1952 so we may us steam as well as diesel locomotives. Most of the buildings on the layout are scratch built from pictures or floor plans of the original buildings.
There are 5 switching yards located at Atlanta, GA, Marietta, GA; Murphy, NC; Copperhil, TN, and Etowah, TN. Fast freights run from yard to yard and locals working many towns and business between the yards. There are several acid trains leaving Copperhil yard, Tennessee Chemical Company for various locations as well as a long coal drag from Atlanta Yard to Etowah Yard. Interspersed through this movement of freight, acid and coal trains is a passenger train that has rights over all the other trains.
The helix represents the famous Hiawassee Loop which is partially exposed and partially hidden.
We us manifests, switch lists and a timetable to keep everyone at the correct place at the correct time.

• Scale: HO – 18’ x 35’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 100
  • Track: 100
  • Scenery: 100
• Entry Point: At red door and ramp
• Handicap Accessible: Yes via ramp
• Date/Time: 7/25 – 10:30am-5:00pm, 8/2 – 10:30am-5:00pm

The Cumberland and Western RR is a HO scale freelance modern day railroad based on the NX & CSX prototype. The Coal Creek division operates in Southern WV and Southwestern VA. It serves mostly as bridge traffic of intermodal and coal trains on this 18? x 35? linear U-shaped layout with a double track mainline. Motive power is late generation diesels with 28-33 degree minimum radius curves with spiral easements. The trains follow the mountain valleys and their small Appalachian towns.
The layout features a circus display, 3 yards and a handmade wooden trestle. Many scratch-built and kit-bashed structures dot the rural landscape. Control is DCC.

• Scale: On3 – 2,200 sq. ft. on 2 levels
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 100
  • Track: 100
  • Scenery: 100
• Entry Point: Follow signs to back door
• Handicap Accessible: No
• Date/Time: 7/26 – 10:00am – 5:00pm

The El&T Co. is a 1947-themed backwoods railroad featuring logging, sawmilling, steel manufacturing and coal mining. My focus is on scenic detail and scratch-built structures.
The sawmill peninsula includes an engine servicing facility, river, log dump and a scratchbuilt sawmill measuring 12” x 32” x 15” high.
The steel mill complex spans 30” deep and nearly 17 feet long. A detailed harbor scene at the layout entrance covers 7’ by 8’.
The 336 sq ft Elkhorn expansion includes a fully automated interchange and waterfront scenes. Notably, the 7’ x 3’ Upatoi Creek features a boatyard and an automated shuttle train, while a 6’ x 3’ rail-served riverfront has docking facilities for 4-6 boats.

• Scale: HO – 70’ x 40’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 80
  • Track: 90
  • Scenery: 20
• Entry Point: Basement door at ground level, gravel path
• Handicap Accessible: No
• Date/Time: 7/26 – 1:00pm – 5:00pm

My freelanced HO layout is based on prototype design and operations consisting of a modern Class-1 mainline interchanging with two modern short lines that were previously branch lines of the Class-1 railroad. Mainline track is owned by the BNSF, and per modern prototype practices, allows run-through traffic from many other railroads. The short lines reflect well-maintained and well-run railroads, complete with sharp looking unique paint schemes.
The mainline will be fully signaled and dispatcher controlled, while the short lines will be ‘dark’ without signals given only one train will be working the out-and-back line at any one time. Several large customers support the short lines and many other industries will keep switching crews busy for most of the operating session.
The layout occupies approximately 3,000 sq. ft. The single-track mainline is approximately 640 lineal feet including two helices, with multiple dispatcher-controlled passing sidings. The staging yard consists of 13 tracks, while the classification yard includes 8 tracks plus 3 arrival/departure tracks. Each short line is in excess of 200 lineal feet.
Interior basement walls and initial benchwork started while my home was under construction, with layout construction officially starting early in 2025. I’ve been helped immensely by my dedicated crew, for which I am truly grateful. We look forward to your visit to see our progress!

• Scale: G – 25’ x 45’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 100
  • Track: 100
  • Scenery: 100
• Entry Point: Front Yard
• Handicap Accessible: Yes
• Date/Time: 7/26 – 10:00am – 5:00pm

Cedar Creek is a small mountain Community where you would go if you were 1:32 scale to take a weekend vacation.
We have an Inn with a restaurant and there are several cabins for rent. The main attractions are equestrian activities with guided tours available, fishing in the trout stream (but the bears get first choice by the river), hiking, and camping.

• Scale: HO – 21’ x23’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 95
  • Track: 95
  • Scenery: 10
• Entry Point: Back side of house through basement door
• Handicap Accessible: No
• Date/Time: 7/26 – 11:00am – 5:00pm

CR Trains is a freelance layout with no specific era. While construction on the current layout began during the summer of 2023, the oldest part of the layout dates to 1978 when my father constructed the original 4×8 layout as a fold down for the family.
The new track layout encompasses 2 levels with transition grades at a max of 2.5%. The older existing layout operates on a self-contained higher 3rd level loop due to the nature of the tighter radius curves. Each level is approximately 4” above the other.
Over 400 feet of track has been laid with 45+ switches, 95% tortoise powered. The layout will feature several independent areas, as chosen by my children, to include two small towns, coal mine, industrial switching area, logging town, railroad museum and roundhouse. Plans for future expansion include a large staging yard in an adjacent room. The layout has been successfully tested and we are beginning construction on the mountains and scenery.

• Scale: HO – 50’ x 17’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 90
  • Track: 90
  • Scenery: 10
• Entry Point: Front door
• Handicap Accessible: No
• Date/Time: 7/26 – 10:00am – 5:00pm

The GAT RR is a freelanced HO transition period layout. It features an around the basement track plan with a peninsula containing an 8 track passenger terminal station and 3 rail yards (Newnan, Lyerly and Raymonnd) and offers both East and West train movement to and from an adjacent room staging yard. Trains move from staging to either their switching destinations or to any of the 3 yards for sorting to and from the rail customers or as through trains. The main railroad traffic consists of boxcars, chemical and petroleum tank cars, coal, and aggregates – stone or gravel, and grain. Additional switching includes a cement plant, oil and fuel oil business, meat packing, ice house, bakery, cannery, and other assorted businesses. Passenger trains perform multiple station stops as they travel from Chattanooga to Savannah with branches from Atlanta and Columbus.

• Scale: N – 25’ x 40’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 100
  • Track: 100
  • Scenery: 20
• Entry Point: Walk in basement door front of house
• Handicap Accessible: No
• Date/Time: 7/26 – 10:00am – 5:00pm

The B&O Toledo Division Second Sub is a N scale model railroad comprising 155? of single level mainline roughly representing the trackage between Needmore Yard north towards Lima Ohio in 1950.
Staging is provided by a fourteen-track computer driven transfer table powered by a CNC stepper motor and Arduino processor. The mainline is built with MicroEngineering code 40 track. Turnouts are hand-built code 40, all mainline turnouts are powered and controlled by the Dispatcher.
The layout is fully managed by Digitrax DCC and supports Wi-Fi throttles. Dispatching is done by CATS running on top of JMRI and operations are supported by JMRI Operations Pro using switch lists and manifests. Mainline is fully signaled with occupancy detection throughout. Minimum radius is 24? and all mainline turnouts are #10. Numerous passing sidings per the prototype are provided to facilitate dispatching and provide operational meets and stimulate traffic flow. Passenger stations and numerous industrial sidings generally follow the prototype placement. Motive power is provided by appropriate transition era sound equipped steam and diesel from EM-1s to F7s and E8s.

• Scale: HO – 13’ x 32’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 100
  • Track: 100
  • Scenery: 20
• Entry Point: Garage door
• Handicap Accessible: No
• Date/Time: 7/26 – 10:00am – 5:00pm

The Great Cypress Lines is a mythical Class 2 model railroad, started in 2002. The space it encompasses is 13’ X 32’ in the basement. There are also 2 staging yards on each side of the garage, both 18’, one being 5 tracks and the other being 8 tracks extending into the main layout through breeches in the wall. There is approximately 250 feet of single track with passing sidings for operations. Designed for operations, as many as twelve operators can be used. The control system is Digitrax DCC.
The layout is based the transition era, 1940’s-1970’s which allows for first generation diesel as well as late steam power. It is set in the Southeastern US which offers a variety of scenery aspects. Originally set for Florida, hence the railroad name of Great Cypress Lines, when we moved to Georgia in 2000, the decision was made to keep the railroad name, shortened from the Great Cypress Railroad & Navigation Company. My railroad existed before I had a layout for it, created in my mind in the 1970’s.
There are seven cities on the railroad with industries to support its existence. They are named for family and friends, Piedmont, (for my Division) Timothy (son), Stevenson (son) Scottsville, (son), Julian (father), Leeds (friend, mentor & MMR) Dodds Yard (best friend Rob), plus my two Staging yards, Ardsley & Eola in honor of a very good friend Sy Aufseher who lived in Orlando on these two streets. There are over 60 switches, 30+ Torti operation and some 30 more utilizing Caboose Industries 220 ground throws where track is easily reachable.
My Operating Group, the North Atlanta Rail Barons, operate 2-3 times a year on the layout. Of our 18 or so members, there are nine of us with operating layouts that are done on the first Tuesday of each month. The scenery is about 85% complete and is the only thing left to accomplish which is ongoing. A model railroad layout is NEVER done. I hope you will avail yourself of an opportunity to come by and take a look (and pictures)!!

• Scale: HO – 31’ x 23’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 100
  • Track: 100
  • Scenery: 25
• Entry Point: Through the house, enter at garage, stairs to basement
• Handicap Accessible: No
• Date/Time: 7/26 – 10:00am – 5:00pm

Set in the year 1929, prior to the Great Depression, this model railroad is of the Southern Railway mainline through Spartanburg, SC and the line to Asheville as far as Hendersonville, NC.
As this is before the advent of diesel locomotives, all of the locomotives are steam. Passenger trains were still common and included deluxe service such as the Crescent Limited.
Saluda grade was on the line that went from Spartanburg to Asheville and was the steepest, close to 5%, grade on a Class One railroad. It is used on this layout to reach the second level. Staging yards represent the “off stage” cities of Atlanta GA, Washington DC, Columbia SC and Asheville NC.

• Scale: HO – 43’ x 14’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 100
  • Track: 100
  • Scenery: 70
• Entry Point: Back basement door
• Handicap Accessible: Yes
• Date/Time: 7/26 – 10:00am – 5:00pm

The Utah Colorado & Western Railroad is a current-day proto-freelanced railroad based in the Western United States. It heavily focuses on main line operations between Salt Lake City, Utah and points West.
Heavy mainline mixed freight, intermodal and other traffic operates with scheduled Amtrak service. While a serious, operations-oriented model railroad, bits of humor are injected across the railroad. This layout was last on a national tour for the 2013 NMRA Convention in Atlanta.

• Scale: HO – 23? X 23?
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 100
  • Track: 100
  • Scenery: 100
• Entry Point: Easy access from neighborhood street parking to layout basement door
• Handicap Accessible: Yes
• Date/Time: 7/26 – 10:00am – 5:00pm

The M&NYC Railroad is a freelance depiction of the Detroit area with cities named from the surrounding 50 mile area like: Dearborn, Wayne, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, etc. Ford Motor Company River Rouge coal dock is a popular ops session in it’s self. East and West bound local freight trains deliver and pickup from industries in the Detroit area. A conductor and engineer can work train movements and with 4 trains possible during one ops session for 8 folks. The backdrop depicts the Detroit River and the Great Lakes. Railroad signals work according to turnout position. Street lamps illuminate all and building interior show a lot of activity. Planes, trains and automobiles detail the layout with a actual flying bi-plane pulling a banner over Dearborn, Michigan. This layout is a must see for those who like deep detail from the mid 1950’s. Even Henry Ford Senior and Henry Ford II has stake in this M&NYC layout. Just 2 ½ miles off of I-75 at exit 263. 678-503-8963 if I don’t pickup leave message and I’ll call back immediately

• Scale: On3 – 32’ x 54’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 100
  • Track: 100
  • Scenery: 100
• Entry Point: Front door
• Handicap Accessible: No – stairs
• Date/Time: 7/26 – 10:00am – 5:00pm

Our layout is a On3 scale model of the prototype Denver & Rio Grande Western Alamosa Colorado to Chama New Mexico Subdivision in the fall of 1949with 300 ft of mainline track, 42-66 inch elevation and 4% prototypical grades. The railroad represents the efforts of forty some friends over the past 18 years.

• Scale: HO, N – HO – 19’ x 24’ N – 20’ x 7’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 100
  • Track:
  • Scenery: 100
• Entry Point: From parking lot
• Handicap Accessible: Yes
• Date/Time: 7/26 1:00pm – 5:00pm

Tate Depot Model Railroaders operate out of the historic 1916 L&N Tate Depot. The Club is a Standing Committee of the Tate Depot Train Society, a 501c(3) tax exempt organization.
The Society is organized to further the understanding of the roll that railroads played in the development of the marble industry in Pickens County Georgia and to provide education and guidance in the historical preservation of the Tate Depot.
We operate two museum quality model railroads, one HO scale and one N scale, both depicting local railroad operations in the north Georgia area.

• Scale: HO – 35’ x 20’
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 100
  • Track: 100
  • Scenery: 50
• Entry Point: Basement door
• Handicap Accessible: Yes
• Date/Time: 10:00am – 5:00pm

The JT&TCI is an HO Scale freelanced single mainline railroad with both East and West movement which depicts the Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia area during the transition period between 1945 and 1955 acting as the interchange point between the Pennsylvania, B&O and Western Marland railroads.
The area consists of small to midsized towns with switching between light to heavy manufacturing in textiles, lumber, coal and wood products. Agricultural products are also produced, processed and shipped. The interchange facility is a joint venture between the Pennsylvania and B&O railroads to service the coal and timber business, and acts as an interchange point between the two roads. In addition, the Western Maryland brings coal drags from the coal mines in West Virginia as well as independent timber operations located in Maryland and West Virginia. The main city is Jamestown with a smaller Akersville mining community. The Layout is typical of rural farms and communities in the area during that time.

• Scale: All – Varies
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: NA
  • Track: NA
  • Scenery: Scenery Techniques: We use many techniques including a very efficient process for building large scale mountains and scenery using spray foam.
    Backdrop: Many different techniques including, but not limited to mural painting
• Entry Point: Park in front of the building, look for the door with the Train Installations logo, Suite 200
• Handicap Accessible: Yes
• Date/Time: 7/26 – 1:00pm – 5:00pm

Our workshop has a carpentry shop, paint room, and creative workspace/showroom where we build layouts for our customers.

• Scale: HO – 30 X 11.5 & G
• DCC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical 100
  • Track 100
  • Scenery 100
• Entry Point: Front door
• Handicap Accessible: Yes
• Date/Time Sun 7/26 1:00pm – 5:00pm

The Chatsworth Depot was built in 1905 by L&N Railroad. It is owned by local historical society. The freight room, agent’s office, and passenger waiting rooms are fully retored. Railroad artifacts and other related items are on display in the depot. There is a 1960 M-5 SCL Caboose out back that is open for tours.
There are two model railroads in the freight room. One is a three loop HO scale railroad running steam and diesel era trains similar to what would be operating in the southeast region. The second layout is a small G scale one loop railroad with water tower, depot, trees and other scenic items.

• Scale: G _ 100′ x 20′
• DC
• Percent Completed:
  • Electrical: 100
  • Track: 100
  • Scenery: 100
• Entry Point: Carport
• Handicap Accessible: Yes
• Date/Time: 7/26 1:00pm – 5:00pm

This is a garden, or G-Scale, railroad located in the back yard. The rail line was started in 1992, so plants are well established, and often scale appropriate. Custom wood buildings form the towns, businesses, railroad buildings, and farms, along with a few plastic kits. The era modeled is Colorado narrow gauge lines (D&RGW and RGS) from the 1940’s-1950’s. Steam locos are from Bachmann, LGB, and Hartland. Rolling stock is AMS, LGB, Bachmann, and USA Trains. The railroad has been featured in the June 2018 issue of Garden Railway’s magazine. There is approximately 250 feet of track forming 5 separate loops that operates 5 trains. Please note this garden railroad is outdoors and rain may affect the opening. Please call 706-581-5482 if there are any questions about weather.