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Welcome to Canadian Model Railroad
an Ho scale layout
The Beginning, and a Quick Overview
It all began in 2009 with the construction of a 24' x 22' garage and a 24' x 22' fully-equip carpentry shop, on the lower level and a 24' x 34' train room
on the second level. today that train room holds an around-the-walls layout with two peninsulas, one 12' long and the other 19'.
The layout itself has a double-track mainline, 3 short lines (forestry short line, steel mill short line, and East coast short line) and a huge yard,
altogether, it is 4 layouts in one!
The layout height is 43" off the floor at it's lowest, up to 62" at its highest. Turnouts on the mainline are #6 and #8, with #4 and #6 on the short lines and spurs. The yard is a combination of #4 and #6.
The minimum radius is 18" and 20" for the short lines, and 30" to 36" for the mains. The grades vary from .5 percent to 1.5 percent in a helix. The way it is designed, operators follow their trains, watching the curves and the grades.
The era represented is from 1985 to 2000; the exact year is determined by the kinds of consists that are run during specific operating sessions. (There is steam, but it is reserved for tourist trains.) Four operators are needed to operate the layout.
At this time, the layout is about halfway completed; check back often for progress updates! We hope you enjoy seeing the layout as much as we enjoy building it.
The Various Scenes
Each scene represents a Canadian story to which many can relate. Sound effects and lighting effects complement each scene, adding to the realism. As construction progresses, you can follow along, you can even comment as one section of the layout will be features as a "scene of the month."
Operation on the CMR
The layout uses DCC (Digitrax) to provide smooth operation of the two mainlines, the three short lines, the huge classification yard and the engine servicing, plus a multitude, And let's not forget the passengers!
For operators, the layout design is challenging; for example, a car might be picked up from an industry on the north main but have to delivered to another industry on the south main, or delivered to the yard for reclassification. Two other smaller yards, one for each mainline, accommodate locals.