Estate Sized layout loosely modelling NS mainline Spencer to Selma NC.  Trackwork mostly complete, accommodates multiple 40-50 car trains simultaneously.  Staging yards below.  Mountain centerpiece hides hidden loops between levels.  More than 70 Tortoise equipped turnouts, 60 to 78-inch curves, code 100 rails, will have working signals in future.

Bill recently relocated his residence and his new layout is under construction.  The layout framing is completed and rapid progress is being made on track laying.  Special attention is given to buildings and scenes along the Seaboard mainline from Raleigh to the marshalling yard at Hamlet.  These include accurate and detailed models of stations and industries along the line.  The images from top to bottom depict the old Seaboard Raleigh Station, Dillion Supply which is the frameworks of the new Raleigh Amtrak station, the Ready-Mix Cement plant in Raleigh, the Apex passenger and freight stations.   Apex is also an interchange location with the original Durham & Southern.

Large layout is personally named Archer Lodge of NS. Has separate Dispatcher’s Desk with computer screen showing active train locations on custom programmed schematic of layout.  Duck-unders are swing away or elevating bridge structures.

Layout models Ticonderoga & Champlain Divisions of D&H.  Meticulous framework and track laying.  Rails & crossties are painted with attached fishplates for details.  Extensive staging yard trackage underneath main layout.  Switches have Tortoise machines. Scenery is hardshell and plaster castings over foam. Will feature working signals when completed.  Napierville Junction is a branchline off D&H main. 

The NY&HV RR is a free lanced branch line connecting New York City with the industrial and rural areas along the Hudson River. This layout is set in the late transition era with the New York Central being the prototype influence.

You will see diesel and subway power in an urban setting.

The layout exhibits a dense array of over (100) kitbashed structures. Waterfront areas feature small boats and scratch built barges.

Layout controls are Digikeijs DCC, JMRI and DMX lighting.

Over (50) Panel Pro panels are displayed on (3) tablets.

JMRI scripts run numerous trains simultaneously.

Special effects include automated day/night lighting, ambient sounds and historical audio guides. 

Layout based upon original Southern RR territory and industries from Lynchburg to Greensboro.  Custom made photo backdrop is blended into forefront scenery.  Hidden staging tracks.  Duck-under at top of stairs.   

Freelanced rural California layout primarily SP/UP with occasional run-throughs from other western roads like AT&SF, NP.  Layout has two levels connected by hidden helix and staging yards.

The Boston & Maine Terminal Division is a fictional point to point switching layout inspired by B&M’s North Station and nearby industries.  The L-Shaped has a seven-track terminal for switching head end cars and local freight.  Layout has earned Master Builder Scenery and Structures awards. 

Features a large yard, engine facilities, automated turn table, ten stall roundhouse, LCC controlled turnouts/block occupancy/ABS signaling, and a largely scratch built compressed model of the SRR New River Bridge.  Bob used digital photo compression software in his photographs to achieve significant depth of field. 

Both layouts feature dual track running with multiple crossovers in an E-shaped configuration.  Large yard supports local/switching traffic.  HO layout has 1200 feet Code 83 mainline track, N Scale has 380 feet Code 80 mainline track.
***NOTE: Please read the News page for important information about directions to the club layout.

Humongous walk-around club layout features model of Amtrak’s Rocky Mount Station, harbor scenes, numerous industries, custom built structures and bridges.  Multiple peninsular extensions from backbone allow for extensive continuous running of trains.  Layout is built to modular standards for relocation.

Layout features masterful selective compression of Albula Valley in Switzerland.  Has multiple stone viaducts and tunnels.  Scenery constructed of sculptured foam covered with resin castings. Spectacular recreation of famous LandWasser Viaduct.  Future extension will go down mountains to Bernina Pass into Italy.  

Incredible detailed scenery, many custom built structures follow prototypes in Fayetteville NC area.  A&R interchanges with SCL and Southern RR’s.  One duck under to viewing area.

Estate-sized layout—models Lehigh Valley Allentown/Bethlehem Upper Lehigh Gorge territory.  Heavy duty construction and intended operations.  Slow motion Tortoise switch machines tied to sophisticated operational panels for local yardmasters to control.   Will have dedicated dispatcher area, has phone system for operator’s communication.

Expertly detailed scenery, basically modelling Anthracite—Allentown area roads.  Has 63 Tortoise switch machines and tower operator control panels.  Future plans include expansion module featuring harbor car ferry/float dock. 

Berkshire Short Lines is a free-lance interchange road between the larger NH and B&M.  Based upon his childhood home of Holyoke Massachusetts, it includes faithful modelling of such places like the Indian Motorcycle Factory. 

Jim’s layout was featured in the February 2016 issue Model Railroader.  Car staging is handled by multiple 8-foot trays on a rotating vertical trolley system designed by Danial Fisher, a member of CPD whose Norfolk & Western layout is also featured.

NRV has own club building (72 x 42’) and separate rooms for layouts.  HO and N share same room.  Layouts are built to modular standards for transport.  Each year the NRV sponsors two large train sows at the NC State Fairgrounds.

Layout relives the late Golden Days of Otto Mear’s RGS.  Many custom-built structures and meticulous attention to details and scenery. Layout has frequent operating sessions using car cards and JMRI scheduling.  Hand laid switches, complex trackwork, Digitrax controlled turnouts.

Layout based on SP Prototype of Peninsular and Gilroy Subdivisions of SP California coastline north of Watsonville Junction. Layout has about 400 feet of mainline.  Supports 2 yards and 3 local switching runs.  Includes San Francisco Wharf Terminal.  Operating Signals with Dispatcher’s Panel made from actual L&N CTC Switch Console resurrected from scrapped equipment. 

Urban Chicago Union Station, serves multiple railroads including PRR, CB&Q, etc.  Has hidden staging yards below main level.  Using Raspberry Pi with JMRI.  Custom benchwork done by CMR in Baltimore.  Many scratch-built/kit-bashed buildings.  Union Station among others were custom made by CMR.  Many other buildings custom 3D printed.

Layout features working signals powered by custom designed Arduino sensors. Estate sized layout with hidden staging in lower level. Tortoise slow motion switch machines.  Rural Western Virginia/Maryland theme.

Excellent tour of layout on YouTube “Narrow Gauge Off the Beaten Track” Lou Sassi presents his SR&RL RR.  Also 2.5-hour interview on the Modelers Lifestyle – Lou Sassi.   Lou used Code 70 rail for sidings, mainline is code 83.  Uses Caboose Industries for turnout controls.  Google Search on Lou Sassi for web pages.  Numerous publications.  Lou is an expert photographer.

The South Durham Railway provides the switching chores for interchange traffic from the Southern Railway and the Seaboard Coast Line. Layout features many kitbashed weathered buildings found in towns in NC along with details added. All motive power is sound equipped and weathered. Many custom painted/lettered and weathered freight cars are featured on the layout. Local people and workers are provided to make the scenery come alive!  A second phase is planned in an adjacent room to include grain facilities, staging, and a classification yard for interchange traffic. Ken's layout will be featured in a Lou Sassi's article for the October2024 issue of Model Railroader!

Has Arduino control ambient lighting on 12-minutes/24-hour fastclock simulating dusk and dawn transition. Nighttime features movie house marquee showing Muppet Movie with Kermit and Miss Piggy (definitely 1979).    Modelled childhood brick residence with interior details.