Scale
HO Scale
Status
Construction
Control
NCE Wireless DCC
Era
1948
Locale
New York State
Superintendent
Vic Roman
Description: The layout is the New York Central in the late 1940s. It is based on the main line that runs between Albany and Tivoli NY. It features Albany Union Station, Central Warehouse, the Rensselaer engine facility, and finally the Tivoli track pans. Both steam and diesel power are present with a roster that has all of the wheel arrangements. Operations consist of both passenger and freight with through and local movements. Trains operate from east and west staging yards running trough the city of Albany over the Hudson River via the Maiden lane bridge through the Rensselaer yard and engine facility. Further east you travel past the unfinished city of Hudson and finally over the track pans at Tivoli. The control system is NCE DCC. All turnouts are controlled via tortoise or ground throws. Trains are dispatched via verbal means and are consisted using the car card system.
The host has masterfully captured the essence of downtown Albany with familiar landmarks like Albany Union Station and the Central Warehouse, blended with effective use of building facades, background buildings, and backdrops to create a real feeling of depth. The beautifully recreated bridge over the Hudson leads to the large and highly detailed Rensselaer engine facility. Other scenic features include water pans between the rails at Tivoli and a large powerhouse.
The layout is featured as a cover article in Model Railroader March 2012.
Access: Entry into the house is via the side door, and then down a small flight of stairs to the basement. Entry into the layout is walk-in. The basement has low ceilings with only 5’10” clearance in some places.
