A must see layout! I have a lot of scratch built things from buildings to rolling stock to road signals and grade crossings. A duck under to the center of the layout or a walk around on the outside of the layout is best for more viewing and provides a lot of space for a lot of people. The Ford Motor Coal Dock has a ton of interesting detail with a lake freighter at dock side unloading coal. Detroit, Dearborn, Wayne, Dexter all have a spot on the layout. Over Dearborn, with banner in tow, is a bi-plane actually flying the full length of the southern part of Dearborn. A full moon (light globe) provides enough light for viewers to get a night time view of operations on the M&NYC. The Mercury and Wolverine passenger trains run daily out of the Michigan Central Depot. I use pine bark for rock formations and for some of my yard ballast I use dirt collected from the street at curb side. I have all my electric poles on the layout wired (thread or stretch line) and all street lights working. A very populated layout with people, cars, trucks and trees. I make what I can, kit bash if I have to and make it fit when it's necessary. If you pass my layout up you have really missed a very interesting visit.
Scale / Gauge
HO
Size of Layout
23 x 23
Prototype
Freelance and fantasy. Names of places are for real.
Location Modeled
Detroit, Michigan area
Era
Mid 1950's
Style of Track Plan
Other
Length of Main Line
100'
Layout Height
table height 53 inches"
Benchwork
Plywood shelf tables
Roadbed Material
Other
Track Manufacturer
Atlas
Turnouts
Atlas
Minimum Main Line Radius
18"
Scenery Techniques
Styrofoam and covered in other than commercial products.
Backdrop
painted 8 x 4 sheet foam and mural on foam
Control System
DCC - other
Car Forwarding System
Switch List
Train Authority / Dispatching
Mother May I
Operating Group
no group name however, we do have run sessions
Direction Comment
from the street to the basement door is easy navigation with no stairs to climb or hills to navigate. Entrance is plainly visible from the street.
