If anyone is interested in building a model railroad - modest in scope but operationally accurate, might I suggest basing it on the current north end of the
WW&F Museum tracks.
From hidden staging (a hidden return loop if you have room) the train emerges from the trees coming down the mountain and crosses the covered bridge at Trout Brook and on to the station. There, the train is turned and heads back south. Operational potential is anything but complex however, the scenic and scratch building opportunities are grand. But not overwhelming, I think. If a good running model of No9 is available, one need only build the station, turn table, covered bridge and some passenger cars which might even be kit-bashed from HO rolling stock or Bachmann On30 cars. A challenge, yes but that's the point of the hobby.
I see this layout as built on a narrow shelf attached to a wall relying on the backdrop for scenic effect rather than a lot of physical terrain modeling.
I would also point out that it is my experience that this works best when the shelf is placed high-near eye level. An added benefit is the space under the layout remains usable.
This "North End" layout could easily be relocated and might become one end of a model of the entire Museum.
There could be lifetime of model railroading pleasure in this as just about anything the Museum runs might make to the north end sometime.
If anyone is interested in discussing this further with me contact me at bob@miamirailservice.com
--Bob Springs--
