» Inspirational Layouts

The following layouts have been instrumental in allowing me to realize my vision for the Seaboard 1966 layout. I am truly thankful that the builders of these miniature empires have shared their ideas and techniques to allow others such as myself to realize our own dreams.

Joe Fugate's HO Scale Siskiyou Line
I purchased one of Joe Fugate's DVDs last year at a model railroad show, and more than any other single event, this started me on my way to finally designing and building a real layout. This DVD was both inspirational and educational. Inspirational: Joe's layout layout captures the look and feel of the real thing so well that there are times when you are not sure if you are looking at pictures of the layout or historical photos of the real Southern Pacific as it winds it way from central Oregon through the Siskiyou Mountains to the Pacific coast. Educational: The research, construction and scenery techniques displayed on the DVD series are presented so clearly and with such simplicity, it really promoted the confidence boost I needed to embark on my layout venture. I consider Joe's layout and his DVD series to be a fountain of model railroading knowledge that I rely upon to realize my vision.

CSXT Shenandoah Division
I came across Bruce Faulkner's layout in 2007 while researching the web for ideas on construction techniques that I could use. Not only is the CSXT Shenandoah Division a superb proto-freelanced N-scale empire, but the website detailing the design and construction that began in 2002 is simply off the charts! This railroad shaped my own design in many ways, such as long narrow shelves, long mainline runs, prototypical modern operations, and--most importantly--simple around-the-walls benchwork construction using ripped plywood framing members. You will notice that I have employed very similar benchwork construction in my layout, adapted as needed to fit my available space. Quite simply, I could not have built this benchwork without first seeing how it came together on the CSXT Shenandoah Division. The layout website is also expertly designed and contains a wealth of information that I have relied upon (and still do!) to bring my own layout to reality.

Southern Pacific Coast Line in N Scale
A model railroad layout in N scale (1:160 proportion) representing a portion of the Southern Pacific Coast Line in Central California between Callender and Surf, including Guadalupe yard, set in the early 1970s. The layout is focused on realistic operations.


SPSF Owens Valley Subdivision
The Owens Valley Subdivision is a double deck N scale layout depicting what could have happened if the merger between the Southern Pacific Railroad and the Santa Fe Railway was approved. It also is a "proto free lanced" railroad, where the prototype SP and SF have been put in a setting that never had a standard gauge railroad.

» Forums & Discussion Groups

TrainBoard.com
Great collection of model railroading and railfanning forums, including the best N-scale model railroading forum on the planet. The information exchanged on this forum, such as how-to, examples and layout tours, has helped me out every time I have got into a jam on my layout. Also an excellent source for model railroad and prototype photography.

Carolina Rails
Because So Much Is Riding On Your Carolina Rails. Carolina Rails is dedicated to covering railroad action in ALL of the Carolinas from the mountains to the coast line, as well as slipping over into Georgia, Tennesee and Virginia. Whether you're interested in the various and historic shortlines in the area such as the Great Walton, Carolina Southen or the Lancaster and Chester or the Class 1 Carriers, CSX and Norfolk Southern, or their ancestors such as the Seaboard and the Southern, this is the list for you.

In addition, we discuss the goings on at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer as well as the South Carolina Railroad Museum in Winnsboro. We also like train spottings that involve foreign units or lease power on lead or anything that is rare on Carolina Rails. But most of all, we're about railroading and railfanning in and around the Carolinas.

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