It is almost that time.
This year, we are presenting the best layout tour yet in the Metroplex. What’s different this year, you may ask? You expect the Metroplex to be loaded with quality layouts. What’s exciting about this year is we have an exciting balance of regulars with a lot of new faces. We even have layouts from familiar names that have been rebuilt after a move. And we have a tremendous balance in scales as well.
Want to see what a Master Model Railroaders layout is like? We have four of them. Want to see what large, well organized clubs do with their space? We have four of those, too. We have three garden railroads this year. O scalers have four layouts to visit. There are three new or rebuilt N scale layouts this year. Two new Sn3 layouts are on tour. There is also a large S/Sn3 railroad that has moved and been rebuilt since the 2005 LSR and HO. There are eight never before seen HO layouts on the tour.
We have fully scenicked, large layouts to inspire you. We have all levels of completion, from large, inspiring, fully scenicked layouts to those just getting started. There are also smaller layouts that make excellent use of limited space. Want to see the latest in layout design? We’ve got it. We have layouts that are double deck, multiple level, single level, upstairs, downstairs, even outdoor. How about innovative ways to get optimal layout in less than optimal space? Got that, too. Looking for ideas on operation, staging yards, DCC, benchwork design, scenery, lighting, or room preparation? It’s all here
And you have so many options to see these layouts. We have layouts for you to see on Wednesday before the convention and Sunday afterwards. You can drive yourself or take the Super Tour. You’ve got to see the amazing layouts on tour. But, this is a limited time offer. Miss it and it will literally be years until you get another chance. Just take a look at the main layout page to see who we have.
Speaking of the Super Tour, we have one that is, well, super. Matter of fact we have two. Fort Worth and MidCities layouts will be on tour on Friday and Dallas layouts will be on tour Saturday. We’ll take you in air conditioned comfort to several of the finest, most innovative railroads in the Metroplex.
Fort Worth
On Friday we’ll be visiting Stan Pirzchalski’s massive, detailed, and animated MDAK, a mountain railroad set in the steam era. Then we visit Master Model Railroader Jim Packers awesome Nevadun with big steam running in spectacular scenery. Then it’s off to the fabulous Texas Western club, a layout with everything from sprawling cities to towering mountains. After a chance to catch your breath, we’ll take you to the Gulf and Denver of the LMRA club, another LSR favorite, another large and fully scenicked railroad. Then it’s off to Jack Kibbees Jasper and Keystone, the detail rich mountain empire that has awed LSR visitors over the past 15 years. Oh, did we mention we’ll drive past the huge Union Pacific Davidson Yard, pass over Tower 55, and get a glimpse of the Fort Worth and Western Hodge yard on the way?
Dallas
On Saturday, we’ll take you to see more fabulous railroads. There’s Jerry Hoverson’s Rocky Mountain Central/Colorado Pacific, a steam powered mountain railroad built for operation. Spectacular scenery and innovative use of space makes this double deck railroad a must see. Kurt Umlauf's contemporary freelanced railroad shows how a detailed railroad can be built in a modest space, with an emphasis on visitor comfort. Then we’ll take you back to the Rockies on Chip Romig's Colorado and Silver River, an S and Sn3 empire with beautiful scenery, sound, and a video equipped cab simulator. After that we’re headed east to Allan Gartners High &Xiety, an HO railroad based on the Clinchfield. This railroad makes extensive use of vertical space for a long main line run and shows off many of the newest features of DCC. While you are at Allan’s, you’ll get to see hi whimsical garden railroad, the Finchfield and Wrensylvania, where most of the structures are bird houses. Then it’s Marc LaChey's Cripple Creek and Tin Cup, an Sn3 railroad based on The D&RGW narrow gauge. Marc’s layout features innovative use of space, careful attention to lighting and a spectacular r backdrop to add distance to a modest size railroad. Finally, we’ll head to visit Lloyd Keyser's Chicago and Northwestern. This layout was designed by John Armstrong, and includes branches of the Milwaukee Road and Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. While still under construction, Lloyds craftsmanship, use of space, and attention to detail make this a can’t miss layout.
