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Set in the year 1929, prior to the Great Depression, this model railroad represents the Southern Railway mainline through Spartanburg, SC, and the line to Asheville, extending as far as Hendersonville, NC. Staging yards represent the "off-stage" cities of Atlanta, GA; Washington, DC; Columbia, SC; and Asheville, NC. At this time, diesel locomotives had not yet been introduced, so all of the locomotives on the layout are steam-powered. Passenger trains were still prevalent, featuring deluxe services such as the Crescent Limited. The Saluda Grade, known for being the steepest grade on a Class One railroad at nearly 5%, is included in this layout and is used to reach the second level. The layout is currently under construction, with 98% of the track completed.

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The Adirondack Division represents this New York Central division in 1952. Recently the time modeled was changed from 1927. The layout models the area from Remsen, NY to Raquette Lake, NY. Many of the scratch-built structures and cars were entries in Piedmont Division contests. As a modular layout it has been exhibited at the Northeastern and Southeastern Regional Conventions and the 2009, 2013 and 2017 NMRA National Conventions.

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My wife (who passed away in 2019) was the main influence on the design of my layout (and boy was she sorry!). It features 4 layers including a 6’ diameter 2 track Helix (her requirement), 2 12’ suspension bridges and a 4’ arch bridge. It has ceramic and plastic buildings, lots of lights, and multi-levels (also her requirement). Most lights and accessories can be operated by visitors. The layout contains about 1000’ of track and can run 14 trains and a trolley on dedicated loops. The major loops include the dual 110' long mainline using Gargraves track, and the 202' helix loop with Lionel track. The most common description I've heard from visitors is that it is a fun layout. After the virtual layout tour was recorded, I renamed my layout slightly after my grandson. The name is now "North Pole, Tinseltown, Sabastian, and Bigville" instead of "North Pole, Tinseltown South, and Bigville". The town of Sabastian is now the 'Little Town with the Big Future'.

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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.