Vacation Time

While visiting my in-laws recently, I had the chance to visit fellow modeler extraordinar Jeff Kaker, who is modeling the Manns Creek in On3. Jeff has an amazing talent for trying new techniques and succeeding in miraculous ways. He also happened to be a very talented modeler. I'll post his work in the future, some top secret cool stuff awaits.......While visiting, he managed to arrange visits to three amazing layouts. 

The first layout was built by Patrick Thoney. Pat is modeling the Quincy and Torche Lake in On30. Pat was a VERY gracious host, he lined up the other two layout visits, planed our outing, then replanned the outing when I had to modify my plans AND then treated us to lunch. Supper fantastic! While I've had a moderate interest in the Q&TL over the years, I've never seen anyone build a layout representing the line. There have been models, rock cars, engine house, water tank, etc. but this was the first operating layout based on the Quincy that I have seen and what a fine job it is! While I've seen his work on Facebook, I've never been able to grasp how it was set up, i.e. how it ran from one end to the other. Great track plan and I hope to get back someday to operate.

Two overview videos of the layout:

The next layout(s) were done by Gregg Condon. Gregg had both a full HO and a a full HOn3 layout. I want to say he build the Hon3 layout in 16 months? Whew!  His HOn3 layout is based on the RGS and has been featured in the NG&SLG many times. It was a quick visit and I felt that the photo's in the NG&SLG do it much greater justice than my cell phone. Here are Jeff, Gregg and myself in front of this station building, where dispatching occurs.

The final layout we visited was built by Jack Gutsch, and is based on the Chicago and NorthWestern narrow gauge in the Black Hills. The line was originally the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley, a narrow gauge that used 4-8-0's exclusively. The Black Hills was full of cool narrow gauges, three different ones that eventually became two competitors. While there are several good books on the subject, this one is free online : Railroads of the Black Hills While this area has great history, scenery, logging, mining, little and BIG narrow gauge engines and trolleys, I've also never seen it modeled. Jack has done a wonderful job capturing the feel of the line and the surrounding area. I was impressed with the size of the towns that the line passed through and all the structures he had to build. 

                                        Overview of 1/2 the layout room:

Pat, Greg and Jack were all great hosts and each had a unique perspective on modeling. I really hope to get back to the area to operate on these fine layouts. I hope you enjoyed seeing the results of our visit to these fine layouts in Wisconsin.