HOrailroading

My Faribault and Central Minnesota (no longer in operation) was a point-to-point primarily switching layout set in Minnesota in 1974, Faribault being the center hub city with branches extending North to the Twin Cities, East to Winona, and West to Mankato. It was fun while it lasted, but family concerns and lack of available $$$ led to its downfall about three years ago.

(Photo 2) Faribault and Central Minnesota's #210 lays heavy on the air horn as it crosses (slowly) in front of an impatient driver at the crossing leading into Tri-County Wood Products.

(Photo 3) Primary interchange railroad with the Faribault and Central Minnesota was the Chicago Northwestern. Here CNW #402 patiently awaits F&CM's #314 and its load so that it can continue its work in and around the city of Faribault and then head home.

I am in the process now of planning a new and (hopefully) improved layout set in West Virginia in 1974....... more to follow on that.

I am making a 4' by 8' layout which as you can tell is not very big but I am managing. I have two main line tracks and a ramp in the back for the trains to access the upper level. The upper level is made up of wood, Styrofoam and plaster cloth which will some day carry my village. On the end where my Santa Fe engine is will be just an extra stop and I'm trying to get that loop at the top to reverse it but its proving difficult.