Operating Session Schedule Information
Early Bird Operation Layouts should plan to leave the Convention Hotel about 7:00pm. If you requested an Operation Session, you will provided with a map and directions to the operating sessions.
Bill Hanna’s » Union Northern Railway
Scale: HO
Prototype Inspiration: Pittsburgh & Lake Erie
Layout size: Approximately 26’ x 32’
Power System: Digitrax
Based loosely on the P&LE west of Scranton, PA, during the mid 1950’s and inspired by a series of Allen McClelland articles on the V&O. A steel mill drives local traffic and supports connections with the PRR. A 300’ mainline with long passing sidings and industries provide for some great operations. There is a major classification yard and four off-line storage yards that can accommodate up to 23 trains. Scenery is in progress.
Ned Harlow’s » Norfolk & Western
Scale: HO
Prototype Inspiration:
Layout size: Approximately 20’ x 50’
Power System: Digitrax
Ned’s Norfolk & Western is a “new” layout to members of the NMRA. Ned has built a large around the room layout that recreates the N&W as it travels through Ohio and West Virginia. Known as a coal hauler, a lot of hopper traffic can be found, being pulled by steam and first generation diesels. Nicely done structures dot the around the room layout with nearly completed scenery along with an extensive engine facility and yard. The railroad is approximately 20’ x 50’ and features DigiTrak control.
Cliff Hoover » Santa Fe
Scale: HO
Prototype Inspiration:
Power System: Digitrax
Cliff’s layout occupies a large basement and the scenery is nearly complete. Trains wind their way through rolling terrain with plenty of switching opportunities. Diesel power abounds on this layout with lengthy runs under the control of DigiTrak.
Darrell & Judy Logan » Cheyenne, Denver & Laramie
Scale: HO
Prototype Inspiration: Union Pacific
Layout size: Approximately 15’ x 43’
Power System: Conventional DC
The Cheyenne, Denver & Laramie RR is based upon the UP and SP during the steam to diesel era. The layout is a double deck layout that features an 8’ helix, 2 staging yards, a complete steam and diesel engine facility. Backdrops are used extensively on the layout to help achieve depth. All of the city scenes achieve depth by using a minimum of two layers of backdrops. Most of the buildings on the layout are lighted and have varying levels of detailed interiors. Several Main Line Siding Structures, Fine Scale Miniatures and other craftsman kits are featured on the layout. The layout is approximately 15’ x 43’ and controlled by a conventional block system featuring fully operational signals, and walk-around throttles. Darrell likes long run with long trains with plenty
of big articulateds and some early generation diesels. Conversion to DCC is planned after the convention. Be sure to check out the “moon rise” and working fireworks. The layout was featured in Railroad Model Craftsman in 1992 and again in Scale Rails when the stars were added.
Bill Mapes’ » Detroit, Toledo & Ironton
Scale: HO
Prototype Inspiration:
Power System: NCE wireless and conventional - DCC
The Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Railroad, is set in the early 1950’s during the waning days of steam and represents the line from Springfield to Ironton, Ohio. The layout features a 360’ single track mainline with passing tracks and sidings serving several industries. The DT&I interchanges with the PRR, C&O, and N&W. The PRR interchange portion of the layout represents the Xenia branch and serves 13 industries and also interchanges with the NYC. The layout is control by NCE DCC system along with some convention DC control. Scenery is about 50% complete at this time.
Scioto Valley Lines » Columbus Club
Scale: HO
Prototype Inspiration: unknown
Power System: DCC
The Columbus Club was established in 1934 making it one of the oldest model railroad clubs in the United States. The Columbus Club will be celebrating its 75th anniversary during the Convention. The present layout was started in 1968 and is the Club’s third home. The Club membership is about 45 persons and is made up of people with various backgrounds. Many members are retired. The layout is forty feet square.
Running between Portsmouth and Sandusky, Ohio, the Scioto Valley Lines is a single track point to point railroad with a mainline of about 650 feet. Two sections of double track and six passing sidings permit trains running in opposite direction to meet. Engineers run their trains by signal indications controlled by Centralized Traffic Control (CTC). Two large double ended yards are kept busy switching trains at the end of their runs, Typical freight trains lengths are 25 to 35 cars, passenger trains lengths are 6 to 10 cars.
The Scioto Valley Line have six yard operating positions, one train Dispatcher and about seven engineers during operating sessions. The number of trains run on the main line depends on the Dispatcher’s experience. The layout has a complete solid state track detection and signal system. The Club uses a Digitrax DCC control system. During the Thursday night Operating Session, The Scioto Valley Lines will set up to “run trains” from end to end.
Howard Smith, MMR » Baltimore & Ohio–Sandpatch Division
Scale: HO
Prototype Inspiration: Baltimore & Ohio
Layout size: 12’ x 53’
Power System: DigiTrak
Howard’s Baltimore & Ohio is based on operations on “Sandpatch” between Cumberland, Maryland and Sandpatch, Pennsylvania. The layout is a double deck design that features a double track main line configured in a folded dog bone, a helix featuring 5 levels, and two staging yards that allow up to six trains to run at once. The layout is approximately 12’ x 53’, with operating signals, and was converted from DC to DigiTrak DCC. The scenery is nearly complete, with several scenes modeled after prototype locations. A mixture of steam and diesel motive power is used in the mid-fifties time frame. The layout features long trains and multiunit lash ups. Howard’s layout was featured in Rail Model Journal.
Guy Thrams » Grafton & Ohio RR
Scale: HO
Prototype Inspiration: Baltimore & Ohio
Layout size: Approximately 24’ x 38’
Power System: Conventional DC with DCC on the way
The Grafton and Ohio RR is a representation of a mid-eastern coal hauling railroad that is somewhat based on the B&O. The time is set in the 1950’s while there is still plenty of steam power on the rails, with a few diesels starting to intrude on the roster. Scenery is about 50 percent complete. There is a lot of switching action with over 50 switches and a gauntlet track on a curved stone arch and steel bridge. The layout features convention DC control with conversion to DCC well pass the planning stage on this 24’ x 38’ layout.
Zane Trace Model RR Club » Zane Trace & National Trails RR.
Scale: HO
Prototype Inspiration:
Layout size: Approximately 37’ x 45’
Power System: Conventional DC
This is a walk-in type layout with scenery being about 80% complete. Area is representative of Southern Ohio, West Virginia and the rolling hills of Appalachia. The mainline has 6 cab capability using radio controlled throttles and is set up to be block controlled. This layout is located on the 3rd floor of an old downtown office building so there are lots of stairs to climb. Sorry, no elevator is available. The Zane Trace Model Railroad Club was featured on Kalmbach’s Dream, Plan, Build series – CD #15.
