The layout was started in 2000. Thumbnails on this page and the next show what was done by about 2005. Highlights include:

• Completed benchwork with all track installed. Mostly Micro Engineering code 70 flex track with 1/3 of the track hand laid. All switches scratch built in place.

• A lighting system with fluorescent and incandescent system embedded in a dropped ceiling.

• Wired for DCC (North Coast Engineering) and installed operating switch machines on both main lines.

• Started the hills, mountain scenery and backdrops. Finished the Wrisley Papers scene, the river valley/water scene at Millville and the Thorndike Mills/ Conway Mills complex.

Photos up to 2005 can be accessed by clicking on thumbnails on this page and Page Two.

The next stage, done in 2009-10 and saw:

• Added passing sidings to both mainlines.

• Completion of the backdrops.  These use our own autumn in New England photos set against hand painted cloud backdrops.

• The lenticular truss bridge scene above the stairwell. A very challenging project. Peter Abuzo of Maine Modelworks built the bridge for us. We made the abutments and supports.

• Expansion of the Lamson & Goodnow scene.

• Extending the scenery beyond L&G to the corner of the layout - lots of trees!

•From the corner, developing the river scene.

Photos up to 2010 -2016 can be accessed by clicking on thumbnails on Page Three

The theme of the SR&M RR is the steam to steam transition period in New England. The roads are the B&M, Rutland, NY,NH&H, CV, B&A and D&H. The plan is to have scenery ranging from cities to countryside. Buildings are based on New England prototypes or are freelance. All structure are made from my kits, kit parts or scratch-built. There will be two single mainlines with several peddler freights moving about. The trackwork is within a 25' x 30' space and the benchwork occupies a space of about 24' x 26'.

The track plan above was developed around a single mainline and was modified as needed. The second line, which leaves the "y" at the yard area and goes into a loop in the furnace room (in red) was added recently. The addition of a track crossover just above the lower dam was added at the same time. These two changes radically changed the operating characteristics.

The "landscape" for us is very important. Views that stretch as far as one can be managed can be said to create a very large diorama. The building space as opposed to the circulation space has been arranged to maximize landscape and to hide non- scenery spaces. This means narrow isles. This results in longer, more realistic views. It does mean more cramped quarters and no pure walk-around operation, but that was never our intent. Many purists say a layout is flawed if it doesn't have true walk-around capability, but seriously - what does it matter if you have your own vision and system that works for you and your friends.

This presentation would not be complete without giving credit to some significant help I have received along the way. Dick Elwell helped with planning, benchwork, wiring, DCC and keeping me from making bad decisions. Karl Laskey talked me into doing a new lighting system. He also did the lion's share of planning and construction of the lighting system and dropped ceiling. Kudos to Peter Abuzo for a fabulous job building the Lenticular Truss bridge.

Retirement: From now on, layout work will occur during the "indoor season". In 2016 I got back into it and on page 3 there is a link to a series of photos of my work on a large segment I call "The island". Click the "Page Three" link, go to the bottom of the page and click on the photo. Also, I do plan to eventually rework the whole Layout section of my website.