This layout represents the NEW YORK CENTRAL Valley Division located in the Catskill Mountain region of upstate New York with branch lines connecting to Albany and Utica. Steam and diesel battle for supremacy with no clear winner in sight. Major features include a computer-controlled CTC-like signaling system controlling bi-directional traffic on a doubletrack mainline, two modular (portable) staging yards, wireless control panels for main yard turnouts, an inter-room telephone system authentic for the late 1940s, museum quality scenic artwork on the walls and numerous unique sound effects.
The following are videos and articles which feature the layout. Click the image to watch the video or read the article.
Building a finished model railroad layout requires many different skills including carpentry, precision model building, artistic talent, electrical/electronics/computers, mechanical mechanisms, audio sound effects and a detailed knowledge of real railroad operating procedures. It is rare for any one individual to have all of the varied abilities necessary for a project of this nature. Over 50 skilled friends have participated in the construction of this layout. Here is a public "thank you" for their efforts. It could never have happened without their assistance.
| Name | Location | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Dave Adams | California | Kingston Station Builder |
| Paul Berntsen | New Zealand | Electric Loco Builder |
| Jim Betz | California | Decoder Installations & Decoder Pro Educator |
| Jamie Bothwell | Pennsylvania | Passenger Car Consultant & Painter |
| Robert Carter | California | Audio Effects Specialist |
| Chuck Catania | California | JMRI Software Engineer & Code Wrangler |
| Richard Churchill | Maine | Smaller Structures Galore |
| Brent Delano | California | Web Site Creator and Ballast Meister |
| Michael Eldridge | California | Freight Car Builder |
| Dave Fontana | California | Steam Loco Machinist & Fixer |
| Rick Fortin | California | Fancy Trackwork & Staging Yards Benchwork Infrastructure |
| Stan Furmanak | Pennsylvania | Gondola Fleet Specialist |
| John Gibson | California | Control Panel Wiring & PRS Specialist |
| Earl Girbovan | California | Staging Yard Specialist & Operations Advisor |
| Arden Goehring | California | Benchwork Builder #1 |
| Dave Haehn | California | Signals, Roundhouse & Circus Train Construction |
| Chuck Hakkarinen | California | Training Class, Operations Advisor & Signaling Software |
| Gale Hall | Arkansas | MOW Train Builder |
| Larry Hanlon | Oregon | Weathering Guy #1 |
| Byron Henderson | California | Operating Procedures Advisor |
| Graham Henry | California | Benchwork Builder #2 |
| Roger Huber | Texas | Freight Car Painter |
| Roy Inman | Kansas | Gas Station Builder |
| Dan Jackson | California | Benchwork Builder #3 |
| Bob Jacobsen | California | Wireless Yard Panel Concepts |
| Lee Johnson | California | Benchwork Builder #4 |
| Joe Kaminski | Massachusetts | Decoder Installations |
| Mike Kotowski | California | Wall Murals, Scenery and Dam Builder |
| Don Ledger | Arizona | Steel Bridges, Pine Trees, Roundhouse |
| Judi Loizeaux | California | Layout Skirts Design & Construction |
| Ed Loizeaux | California | Idea Man (one of many) & Stone Arch Viaduct Builder |
| Andy Malette | Canada | Olde Tyme Train Builder #1 |
| Lance McCold | Tennessee | Loading Docks & Flat Car Specialist |
| Mike Mercer | California | Carpentry & Benchwork Builder #5 |
| Roy Meissner | Wisconsin | Dairy Consultant & Creamery Builder |
| Rod Miller | Oregon | Brass Engine Fixer |
| Seth Neumann | California | Telephone System Specialist and Technical Advisor |
| Roger Nulton | Washington | Weathering Guy #2 |
| Dave Parks | California | JMRI & Panel Pro Educator |
| Leo Pesce | California | JMRI Specialist |
| Greg Reiter | California | Semi-Unofficial Photographer |
| Jane Reiter | California | Benchwork Paintress |
| Ken Reiter | California | Electrical Connections and Signal Wiring/Installation |
| Bill Roberts | California | Benchwork Builder #6 |
| Chris Rohde | California | Signaling Consultant and Wire Stringer |
| Sarah Rohde | California | Blue Sky Painter Extraordinaire |
| Rusty Rustermier | California | Steam Loco Painter & Fixer |
| Ray Sadler | California | Major Kit-Bashed Structures |
| Jim Schall | Tennessee | Wreck Train Builder |
| Gary Schrader | California | Brass Engine Fixer |
| Gerry Siegel | Pennsylvania | Olde Tyme Train Builder #2 |
| Jeff Springer | Maryland | Diesel Shops & Passenger Terminal Builder |
| Michael Starkey | Arizona | Everything Logging & Olde Tyme Passenger Builder |
| Bill Stone | California | Control Panel Artwork |
| Don Thompson | New Jersey | Loco Loaner |
| Keith Thompson | New Hampshire | Doodlebug Builder |
| Sascha Tietz | California | Locomotive Tuner |
| Peter Vanvliet (Fourth Ray Software) | Texas | Web Site Maintenance (contact) |
| Keith White | California | Terrain, Mountains, Rocks and Everything Messy |