Greg, The main running oval is about 17 x 35 feet, with a stub appendage of an along-the-wall shelf into Memphis that is about 35 feet long as well. The whole room, which contains both the HO-scale and the G-scale layouts, is approximately 30 x 40 feet. Ken McElreath
Yes, I cannot do outdoors in Iowa, especially living in a forest of critters. In both the HO and G scale layouts, I have rather enjoyed working around obstacles and challenges. Some of my best scenes have been shaped by them. Ken McElreath
The last scene to be finished is along the lead track for the Joint Yard, which breaks off the main line, runs around the back side of the double backdrop, and gives room for the yard switching simultaneously while running the main line. Here are my finished photographs. Ken McElreath
And of course the trains. Here are the MoPac GP7 yard switcher and an arriving Cotton Belt freight from Pine Bluff, Arkansas. I added the little frog pond to bring some texture and interest to the foreground of the scene. Ken McElreath
Since the G scale Arkansas and Memphis Railway Bridge and Terminal Layout is now fully finished and some have asked about its size, here are a couple of photographs of the main oval, about 17 x 35 feet. The Joint Yard and the Memphis scenes are behind the dividing backdrop. Ken McElreath
And last but not least, since both the HO scale Birmingham Terminal Division layout and the G scale A&MRB&T layout are completed, I am now done with building models and layouts. My plan is to share railroading sessions with the small group of long-term committed fellows that I have had the privilege of knowing for 45 years of wonderful model model railroading here in Iowa. From left, Dick Schultz is an artistic craftsman, a retired professional artist and creator of unbelievable scratch-built structures and scenic backdrops. He has built a beautiful HO CB&Q layout of the line from Galesburg to Quincy IL. He built the most impressive of the structures on both our HO and G layouts. At center is Darren Ferreter, modeler par excellence and owner/entrepreneur of "Model Railroad Dreams," a full-time business of building custom layouts and projects on site for clients from Indiana to Alaska. His expertise in layout design and especially electronics is amazing. He is also a master organ specialist, one of a select society of such persons who rebuild, install, tune and maintain instruments all over the country, including both home and large pipe organs for churches and theaters. He is constructing his HO home layout of downtown Chicago, including Union Station, as well as scenes along the CB&Q/BN from Chicago to Burlington, IA. The fellow on the right is Mark Dean, retired Iowa State Highway Department snowplow driver and project overseer. He loves fast cars and the Union Pacific Railroad. He has an HO layout of the UP in Kansas and runs his domeliners with E9 A-B-B-B-A locomotive consists just like the prototype. In short, I have been truly blessed by the Lord in knowing these guys. My experience in model railroading has been a delight, thanks to them. Ken McElreath
Ken, I have found that the real craftsmen in the hobby are always at the ready to lend a hand and will almost always be willing to create those special structures, that special bits of scenery or some special electronic features that create a better layout. They truly are blessings and I am glad you have yours. I look forward to making another trip to visit and operate on your newly completed layout(s).
