Modular layouts were spread across three large rooms, and ranged from detailed prototype models like the On3 East Broad Top to the whimsical, like this ultra narrow gauge train that traveled in a circle on a single rail track.
Here is another large scale circular railroad with an incredible amount of detail. The owner was nice enough to stop the train for a photograph,
Some of the modular layouts were quite large, with impressive scenic effects. One layout featured extremely realistic rural Maine scenery, and even a winter scene harvesting ice from a frozen pond.
Several of the modules on display featured typical Maine 2 foot narrow gauge railroading. Here are some photos of a relatively small but very well done modular layout. The Sandy River boxcar and the autos in the parking lot date this module to the 1920s.
Cold climates called for water tanks to be enclosed and heated in the winter. The unique shape of this tank clearly places it in Maine in the early 20th century.
New England structures are unique to this part of the country, and give a peculiar character to a railroad scene.
No New England scene would be complete without a harbor and fishing boats. The modelers have captured the look of the water.
A small New England square or common is a part of life in this area of the country.
Many of us were captured by the Soggy Bottom and Deep Cut Railway, Navigation and Cartage Company from Ohio, which featured a free standing modular layout with built-in valence and lighting, including realistic canal boats.
Cold climates called for water tanks to be enclosed and heated in the winter. The unique shape of this tank clearly places it in Maine in the early 20th century.
New England structures are unique to this part of the country, and give a peculiar character to a railroad scene.
No New England scene would be complete without a harbor and fishing boats. The modelers have captured the look of the water.
A small New England square or common is a part of life in this area of the country.
Many of us were captured by the Soggy Bottom and Deep Cut Railway, Navigation and Cartage Company from Ohio, which featured a free standing modular layout with built-in valence and lighting, including realistic canal boats.
The Soggy Bottom also included a risque scene borrowed from Pettycoat Junction. Note the damsels skinny dipping in the water tank while a young man hides in a nearby tree.
One of the smaller layouts was built around a logging theme. A very slow moving Climax chugged over a crude bridge past a backwoods sawmill.
One of my favorite modules was an On3 model of the East Broad Top Railroad at Robertsdale, with detailed models of the railroad's Company Square and several coal tipples and truck dumps. I have to admit to some partiality, since I model the same railroad in HOn3. I took plenty of photos to compare with my own efforts back home. Here is a beautiful model of the Robertsdale Company Store, built in 1875, where miners could buy everything from black powder to toys and candy for the children.
The Robertsdale station was a simple stone block structure, built early in the 20th century. The bay window enclosed a scale to weigh coal from the near-by mines before shipping it north to Mount Union and a junction with the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Winters were cold in the mountains of Pennsylvania. The unique enclosed water tanks contained a coal stove to keep water from freezing in the winter.
This is a model of mine number 1, located just south of Robertsdale. The mine tipples were built with the advice and counsel of Ron Pearson, one of the foremost experts on the history of mining and the EBT. In a previous post I mention attending his clinic on coal mines of the East Broad Top.
The railroad also used truck dumps to load their three bay steel hoppers. This model of a truck dumping its load into a waiting hopper car is seldom modeled.
This has been just a brief sample of the modular layouts on display at the 2016 National Convention. Such a brief survey cannot do justice to the quality and realism of these outstanding models. Kudos to the folks who created and operated them. Our next and last post will touch on some of the social events at the convention, as well as the closing program on Saturday night. I hope you have enjoyed my summary of the 2016 National Narrow Gauge Convention,
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