UPDATED LAYOUT TOUR INFORMATION...

5/7/2008: Layout Tour #5 Added
        As a result of the popularity of Layout Tour #4 (which includes the acclaimed George Sellios' Franklin & South Manchester) and Tour #4's early sold out status, we have added Layout Tour #5. Tour #5 will visit the same layouts as Tour #4, but will run a little later on Saturday (10-3). Tour #5 tickets are now available. If you have already registered for the convention and wanted to be on Tour #4, but were unable to do so as it was already sold out, and you would like to sign up for Tour $5, please send us an email ASAP with you name, address, convention registration # (on your confirmation letter if you already have it), and number of tickets. Our email address is located at the bottom of each our our web site pages. Once you've sent your email, please be sure to IMMEDIATELY mail your payment for the # of requested tour tickets (@ $15 each) to the convention registrar at the same addressed you sent the original registration.

SOLD OUT - Layout Tour #4 (Saturday morning)

The 2008 Convention timetable offers four layout tours during the convention:

• Layout Tour #1 – Tuesday evening, 7pm until approximately 11:30pm
• Layout Tour #2 – Thursday afternoon, 1pm until approximately 5pm
• Layout Tour #3 – Thursday evening, 7pm until approximately 11pm
• Layout Tour #4 – Saturday morning, 9am until approximately 1:30pm
• Layout Tour #5 – Saturday morning, 10am until approximately 3pm

Each of these layout tours will feature tours of three different layouts – no layouts tours are repeated throughout the layout tour schedule, so please be sure to sign-up for the appropriate layout tour number(s)!

Layout Tour #1 – Tuesday evening

For those arriving early in the convention week, this Tuesday evening tour will feature visits to the layouts of Dick Iannacone, Skip Readio and Tom Robichaud.  

Dick Iannacone’s Rails Across New England layout is a freelance adaptation of scenes across New England set in the fall. Approximately 17'x16', the layout’s trackwork is complete with 90% of the scenery in place. The layout is powered by a DCC system. It's a combination of hi-rail, scale & tinplate with many operating American Flyer accessories, surrounded by highly detailed scenery, scale buildings, waterways and bridges, all set in the late 30's to early 50's. It includes a Sn2 logging scene and a large engine facility complex to include turntable & roundhouse.  

Click any photo to see Dick Innacone's layout

Skip Readio’s layout is a mountain terrain S scale layout modeling Norfolk & Western in 1959 (at the end of the steam era).  Approximately 9’ X 22’, it is multi-level with 8 foot diameter helix at each end and adjacent 4’ X 12’ freight yard connected at both ends to the main layout.  The trackwork is essentially complete except for some final detailing.  Among the layout features are:  a 23” steel turntable, a 6 stall roundhouse under construction (modeled after Williamson WV roundhouse), hand-laid, super-elevated, code 100 weathered rail on all visible trackage, and hand-laid, super-elevated, plain code 100 rail under mountains, 14 hand-laid turnouts on main layout, with another 14 in the yard, Del-air switch machines, tethered DCC but can be switched to block-controlled straight DC with flip of single switch. Owner-painted brass motive power includes:  three N&W Class A 2-6-6-4 locomotives, two EMD E8 (leased RF&P re-lettered for N&W), two EMD E-7 (leased ACL, re-lettered for N&W), two RS-11s.  Scenery is roughly 25% complete with the base erected, while staining rock outcroppings and planting trees takes a while.  Skip also has an “L” shaped, circa 1948, American Flyer layout that was upgraded approximately 15 years ago with Gargraves stainless flex track.  He has had this layout since his father purchased it from the original owner/builder in 1956 or ’57 and has a modest collection of early and Lionel American Flyer.  

Tom Robichaud raised the roof over a large two car garage to add a second story in which to build his 22’x22’ S gauge empire. Built with L-girder construction, the main line is 288’ long (approximately 3 scale miles).  The layout consists of 14 towns, stretching from Searsport, ME to Van Buren ME.  In Presque Isle there is a large yard which has a scratched built turntable and roundhouse.  The layout features 55 scratch-built closed frog switches, powered by Tortoise switch motors.  Track is code 148 with a mix of flex and handlaid track. The layout is DCC controlled - initially a Digitrax system was installed, and more recently a Lenz system was added.  By a flip of a couple of switches you can go from a Digitrax system to a Lenz system.  Most operating sessions these days use the Lenz system with a selection of CVP EasyDCC wireless throttles.   Tom runs mostly hi-rail stock and uses KD couplers.  The scenery is 95% complete and operating sessions are held just about every other week except for the summer.

	Click any photo to see more of Tom Robichaud's layout.

Layout Tour #2 – Thursday afternoon

Thursday afternoon’s layout tour includes visits to the layouts of Don Hasenzahl, Bob Cunningham, and Rob & Phyllis Sieger.  

Don Hasenzahl’s layout is an S gauge 1940-1950's era hi rail layout. The 27'x13' open grid benchwork layout has a three level track plan with one continuous main line of about 400ft of Gargraves flex track, and  a mixture of Gargraves turnouts controlled with Del Aire air motors & Gilbert electric turnouts. There is a downtown area consisting of Minicraft and Plasticville structures, an area of industry with many Gilbert operating accessories, a freight car storage yard and a farm scene.  The railroad runs a mixture of power – it has both steam locos as well as diesel motive power that is decorated in early and later NEW HAVEN Railroad color schemes. This layout is operated on converted DC with Gilbert transformers (two 19B’s & one 30B).

Bob Cunningham’s layout uses hi-rail (Gargraves) & American flyer track, with American Flyer turnouts and encompasses approx 100 feet of track. The layout includes some operating accessories and is controlled via DCC including optional running from a PC using the WinLok 2.1 software. Bob’s layout is 20’x20’ and the scenery is partially completed.

Rob and Phyllis Seiger’s layout, the PM&S (Putter, Mutter and Stutter), is currently under construction. It is a U shaped dog bone design, 14' X 19' built on an open grid design.  The layout uses Homabed roadbed, S Helper Service flex track with Toms Turnouts, and features a minimum radius of 27". This freelanced railroad leans toward the Maine Central and New England in general.  It is double tracked with a passenger yard and a freight yard as well as a small switching yard.  Structures include craftsman kits and Dept. 56 items and the control system is Digitrax DCC.  Rob & Phyllis’s favorite trains are the River Raisin Models Flying Yankee and double-headed S Helper Service 2-8-0s pulling a New England freight.  Don't miss New England’s only Santa Fe Goose!

Layout Tour #3 – Thursday evening

Thursday evening the Convention timetable features Layout Tour #3 that will visit the layouts of Bill Tarbox, Gene Kelly, and Ed & Bobby Stead.  

On the stop at Bill Tarbox’s, you’ll see 30 years of train collecting in one room! Bill’s layout is an L shaped American Flyer double loop layout (6’ x 14’x13’ ) with an added turntable and shelves to display American Flyer trains. The American Flyer layout brings back the 1950's, and it includes 9 switches with yards for American Flyer accessories such as Talking Stations, Coal Loader, Log Loader, Stock Yard, Sawmill, Baggage Loader and more. The layout is surrounded by Northeast train memorabilia including lanterns, signs, and whistles from the B&M, BAR, MCRR, CNR, CPR, B&A, NYNH&H & more.  You will enjoy reflecting at this stop.  

Gene Kelly’s layout is a highly detailed 100% complete S gauge high rail layout measuring approximately 16 x 32 feet. There are two levels of main line track and two yard areas. The setting is Northern New England in the late summer and fall season during the l950's. There is a mixture of animated accessories incorporated in with scratch built and scale kits. Featured in the July 2006 issue of Classic Toy Trains, Gene’s layout scenery is complete with rural and industrial landscapes.  If you’re on this layout tour, make sure you look very closely at the details on Gene’s layout – you’ll be amazed a what you you might see!

		Click any photo to see more of Gene Kelly's layout

Ed and Bobbie Stead’s 13’ x24’ S gauge layout is modeled after the 1940’s through the 1960’s period.  All of the trackwork is installed and operational.  On the layout are 3 diesels, 4 steam engines, and 60 pieces of rolling stock. The line is the Boston & Maine Railroad – the specific run is from Boston, MA to Portland, ME.  The track layout is an expanded dog bone with approximately two hundred feet of track which incorporates two main lines and a yard with turntable and train shed. The track is S-Helper flex track, the turnouts are custom turnouts by Tom’s Turnouts, and they run hi-rail.  The layout will encompass a waterfall and lake, a small town including a carnival, a city and drive-in theater.  Ed is a pilot, and, of course, has installed an airfield with a 7½ foot runway, complete with hangars and a terminal.  The Stead’s layout is operated using a NCE DCC system.

SOLD OUT - Layout Tour #4 – Saturday morning

Saturday morning’s tour schedule will include visits to the layout of George Sellios, Chet Brown and John Korajczyk.

George Sellios’s nationally acclaimed Franklin & South Manchester Railroad has been featured in many model railroad publications, including the book The Fabulous Franklin & South Manchester. The F&SM is 23’x42’ HO scale layout and is without a doubt one of the world’s finest and most well known model railroads. You’ll be so amazed by the structures, scenery and details on this layout that the railroad will almost blend into it. If you have not seen this layout we highly recommend you book this tour! (Note – because of limited tour space, only those folks on the tour bus with tour tickets will be able to visit this layout.)  

Chet Brown’s S gauge layout started out as a simple 4x8’ layout for his American Flyer trains built just to have fun with his grandchildren. Framework is nothing special, and early framework highly leveraged the local lumber yeard’s discard bin. The layout just kept growing and now measures 12’x34’ with a new addition for a turntable and yard area that has just been started and hopefully will be nearly completed in time for the convention.  All of the trackwork added after the original AF track is laid using American Models code 148 flex track. Most of track has been ballasted. A freelanced layout with no particular theme, Chet tried to stick to the 40’s and 50’s timeframe where possible, and he runs mostly New England  railroads - B&M, MEC, VT, New Haven etc. The layout includes a variety of Lehigh Valley, BTS, Banta and other kits he has constructed along with some HO kits that more or less fit and blend in. Approximately 65-70% of layout is complete with scenery. The season is mostly summer with a small area of fall. While at Chet’s home, you might also want to take a peek at his wife’s flower garden in the back yard - just don’t get caught picking any!

 John Korajczyk’s S gauge layout is a 12’ x 6’ two level American Flyer layout using American Flyer track and roadbed. The track plan is adapted from a Boys Railroad Club layout photo in a TTOS bulletin. Trackwork is complete and allows multiple trains to run using #761 semaphores. Scenery is mostly complete (still adding details) and includes a mountain scene and a western town. The layout includes many original American Flyer accessories as well as some Lionel/AF reissues. The layout is controlled with Gilbert transformers (19B and 30B).   

JUST ADDED! Layout Tour #5 – Saturday morning

Saturday morning’s tour #5 schedule will include visits to the layout of George Sellios, Chet Brown and John Korajczyk.

George Sellios’s nationally acclaimed Franklin & South Manchester Railroad has been featured in many model railroad publications, including the book The Fabulous Franklin & South Manchester. The F&SM is 23’x42’ HO scale layout and is without a doubt one of the world’s finest and most well known model railroads. You’ll be so amazed by the structures, scenery and details on this layout that the railroad will almost blend into it. If you have not seen this layout we highly recommend you book this tour! (Note – because of limited tour space, only those folks on the tour bus with tour tickets will be able to visit this layout.)  

Chet Brown’s S gauge layout started out as a simple 4x8’ layout for his American Flyer trains built just to have fun with his grandchildren. Framework is nothing special, and early framework highly leveraged the local lumber yeard’s discard bin. The layout just kept growing and now measures 12’x34’ with a new addition for a turntable and yard area that has just been started and hopefully will be nearly completed in time for the convention.  All of the trackwork added after the original AF track is laid using American Models code 148 flex track. Most of track has been ballasted. A freelanced layout with no particular theme, Chet tried to stick to the 40’s and 50’s timeframe where possible, and he runs mostly New England  railroads - B&M, MEC, VT, New Haven etc. The layout includes a variety of Lehigh Valley, BTS, Banta and other kits he has constructed along with some HO kits that more or less fit and blend in. Approximately 65-70% of layout is complete with scenery. The season is mostly summer with a small area of fall. While at Chet’s home, you might also want to take a peek at his wife’s flower garden in the back yard - just don’t get caught picking any!

 John Korajczyk’s S gauge layout is a 12’ x 6’ two level American Flyer layout using American Flyer track and roadbed. The track plan is adapted from a Boys Railroad Club layout photo in a TTOS bulletin. Trackwork is complete and allows multiple trains to run using #761 semaphores. Scenery is mostly complete (still adding details) and includes a mountain scene and a western town. The layout includes many original American Flyer accessories as well as some Lionel/AF reissues. The layout is controlled with Gilbert transformers (19B and 30B).