~ MANNM Railroad (HO Scale) ~
This is where my love for the hobby was ingrained. My first train layout was a 4' x 8' like many others start out with. After learning so much from the first layout, a new 5' x 12' was made to improve on the first. I also started to become interested in detailing and weathering of both the trains and structures. The links below catalog the HO scale layout and some of the models that I have worked on.
5' x 12' HO Scale Layout
The HO scale layout started in 1999 when I was 9 years old. This was going to replace the 4' x 8' starter setup, and it was going to be located in the house rather than in the garage. Dad and I were able to negotiate a 5' x 12' portion of one of the upstairs rooms from Mom. I began to work on the new track plan. Originally, it was to be an L-shaped dog bone and I went through many drafts before settling on this particular one. The goal was to get as many trains running as I could in the limited amount of space.
The plan was for a freelance railroad with three main lines, one of which would include a 1% grade. Main line one was designed for large equipment such as intermodal or large steam engines. Main line two and three would support a large station centered on the layout. Main three was also intended to serve industry, like the lumber mill on the far left and later, an oil refinery on the right. Originally, a city was located where the oil refinery currently is, but during construction, I decided that I would rather have the industry. Little did I know then that after college I would be an engineer working at a refinery!
The plan was for a freelance railroad with three main lines, one of which would include a 1% grade. Main line one was designed for large equipment such as intermodal or large steam engines. Main line two and three would support a large station centered on the layout. Main three was also intended to serve industry, like the lumber mill on the far left and later, an oil refinery on the right. Originally, a city was located where the oil refinery currently is, but during construction, I decided that I would rather have the industry. Little did I know then that after college I would be an engineer working at a refinery!
The corners were also a concern. In the far left corner, a large mountain would cover all three tracks. On the other corner, I added a partial golf course. This is one of my favorite scenes on the whole layout! On the right, I added yet another industry - the Agro Grain siding will accommodate two railcars. The last corner includes an oil tank to complement the refinery.
This occupied my time for a while, but I had to expand. There was about an 11" gap between the back of the layout to the front of the shutters. What a great place for a diesel service facility! This was the last expansion to the MANNM HO division railroad. The pictures seen below show the layout in its current state.
This occupied my time for a while, but I had to expand. There was about an 11" gap between the back of the layout to the front of the shutters. What a great place for a diesel service facility! This was the last expansion to the MANNM HO division railroad. The pictures seen below show the layout in its current state.
More Pictures from the HO Scale layout:
Control Panel
Storage
Lumber Mill
Union Station
Oil Refinery
Golf Course
Diesel Service Facility
Other Industry
The Local
Night Shots
Storage
Lumber Mill
Union Station
Oil Refinery
Golf Course
Diesel Service Facility
Other Industry
The Local
Night Shots