I would describe my HO Scale model railroad as a freelanced B&M based layout with D&H and other Northeastern roads well represented. It is rather large, about 2/3 of our cellar, with 2 turntables, 2 reverse loops, 2 yards, & a double track wye leading off the mostly double track main line into the larger yard. My scenery is not bad, but it could definitely be better. I enjoy operating the layout often, but I now see the limitations of the DC operating system. I was happy with it for years until I saw what DCC offers at Frank A’s layout. I moved the layout to Stillwater 6 years ago, which required major surgery including a complete rewiring of over 85 DC track blocks and 60 turnouts. As I mentioned before, I have not yet rewired my signals pending my impression of the new integrated Atlas system. I had some with Optoelectronic detection, some solenoid activated by turnout position and some that were just direct wired through on-off switches at the old house. I designed a novel method of wiring using standard telecom terminal blocks, which allows each layout module to be connectorized and provides the ability to isolate each section of every circuit if troubleshooting is ever required. I use typical Atlas control components with a few extra controls for power routing. The layout has 3 control panels and 4 MRC Power Supplies, including a hand held walk-around throttle network which is a bunch of RJ14 type modular phone jacks connected in parallel. I take a lot of pride in my trackwork too. Its code 100 and code 83 rail, and mostly flex track. It’s very reliable for smooth operations, but not a lot is ballasted.
I have always modeled the “modern” era, but having been in the hobby since the 1970’s, what was once contemporary is now nostalgic. I always loved the D&H lightning stripe so it’s well represented. I operate a lot of GRS equipment, but also NYC. I try to group era specific items together in different sections of the layout, so you won’t see E-L or D&H Centuries pulling Pan Am 50’ boxcars. I prefer Atlas locomotives and newer Athearn, but you will also find some Proto 1 & 2 K locomotives that I found interesting on the roster too.
The layout area is not a “finished” basement yet, but eventually it will be. I was the general contractor for the building of our home, so the layout was paramount in the design of the cellar. There are lots of windows to allow natural lighting and provide a good view of our woods. I feed many wild birds out there, so it’s common to see woodpeckers, turkeys, hummingbirds in summer, deer etc. from the primary operator’s control position on the layout. It’s also a walk out basement so you can go right from working on the layout to my trail network and landscaping.
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