Home Layout of Tim Robinson
Tim's train layout is an intergenerational venture created with elements passed down from his parents, gathered by his own collecting, and built with help from his son, Matthew.
Home Layout of Mike McLintock
Mike's story is a paradigm of many adult train hobbyists who as boys in the 1940s and 50s received Lionel trains as Christmas and birthday gifts. The toys became the reason to build a home layout in the basement, attic, or spare room with lots of help from dad and mom. His story is presented in the December 2007 issue of TLR.
Home Layout of William Fuller
He planned this layout to include mini-scenes around the layout that tell a story. Bill agrees, "It's all in the details." This layout is built on several levels, so the action never stops.
Home Layout of George Nelson
He enjoys running his home layout in the "spare bedroom" for visitors, especially younger visitors. Much of the joy of having an operating train layout is sharing the fun with family and friends.
Home Layout of Dale Berger
Dale added important details and finishing touches to this professionally designed and built layout that was delivered to and installed in his home. The realistic scenery – especially the waterfall – is a jaw-dropping example of a “high-rail” layout.
Train Club Layouts — the Hobby in Group Form
Some hobbyists attribute the recent rebirth of interest in model railroading in this generation to the popularity of the “Polar Express” book and movie and to the PBS TV series, “Thomas and His Friends.” The magic seemed to work for the Lone Star Hi-Railers Train Club (located in the Grapevine, Texas, area) when the famous little steamers from the Isle of Sodor came to town – in two sizes – for a Day Out with Thomas.
In "LA" (Lower Alabama), an active group of train hobbyists built a large portable modular O-gauge layout for operation at public events and places in the region: arts & crafts fairs, festivals, mall showings, etc. Several LCCA members are involved with SWARM (South West Alabama Railroad Modelers). These photos show the club's original layout and the new one featuring Lionel's FasTrack. [Photos by George Nelson, except as noted]
