City Museum Train Layout
We helped build and maintain two fixed layouts at St. Louis' wonderful City Museum located in the heart of the city's Loft District. The train room occupies an area in the middle of the third floor. There is a no. 1 scale ride'em train that encircles the train room. Inside, there is a rectangular N Scale double track layout and a salvaged HO layout that was featured in Model Railroader magazine.
You can find more information about the City Museum, including hours and directions, on their website: https://www.citymuseum.org/.
N Scale Layout
Photos by Wayne Burling.
A view from one end of the layout showing the dual main lines and the industrial section of the city. This layout is surrounded by a plexiglass shield. The panels are easily removeable for maintenance access by loosening two screws.
A BN passenger train snakes its way past the passenger station. All rolling stock and motive power runs all day every day during museum hours and thus presents a substantial maintenance chore every week.
A view from the other end showing a mansion on top of the hill overlooking the residential portion of the city. The windmill operates and all buildings are lit.
Paul Conrad explains operations to Kevin Fisher. Passenger and freight run in opposite directions for visual appeal.
HO Scale Layout
Photos by Wayne Burling.
A view of the loop at the far end of the HO layout. The single main line enters a tunnel at the top level and emerges in the foreground.
The big city is the heart of the Peter Fordyce layout. The main station building was built locally in the late 1950's.
Scratchbuilt river tug. The water was made in the early 1980's before the modern materials we are used to now became popular.
The large scale passenger train is pulled by a battery powered diesel and gives rides every half hour to all the kids at the museum.
City Museum Special Event
Photos by Bob Miano.
Visitors clear the gates!
The view from outside
It's safe to cross
WOW, what a layout!
They really like it!
We had lots of visitors