8/2005 - this was my old layout. Now it's history... :-(

My layout is currently in-progress, and will be so for a long time! My goal is to make a hi-rail layout modeling small town louisiana in the late 50s (steam & diesel power). Here are some particulars:

• Train room is a 8.5' x 20' shed with A/C, carpeting, etc.
• The 8.5' x 19' layout is on 2 4x8 fold out tables plus an around-the-wall addition. An 18" walk in area allows access.
• The tables and wall shelves are all covered with 1.5" of foam insulation to help dampen the noise and allow scenicing.
• As seen in the pics below, you walk into the layout via a dropdown door.
• Gargraves Stainless steel flex track. Curves are all bent by hand.
• Gargraves O42 remote controlled switches, controlled by Lionel (formerly IC Controls, Inc) ACS units.
• O31 minimum curves due to space limitations.
• Design features an outside main line loop with O42 curves, a switching yard, a downtown area with passenger station, and a handful of industry sidings.
• Both Lionel TMCC and MTH DCS control is used. I hate having 2 control systems, but I wanted to play with DCS. Unfortunately, you can't control all aspects of TMCC engines/switches/etc via DCS, so I get to use 2 remotes.
• Powered by a home grown 20amp 18VAC supply, the layout is blocked into 3 blocks that each get max 10amps (due to DCS limitations).