NASG Dispatch Articles: Layouts - S

1998 #3 June

16

Sylas Kayle

This is a preview article of Dave Jasper's S-scale layout that will be part of the 1999 NASG Convention's layout tour. Dave models 1927. Includes several photos, and Dave shares his philosophy of how he modeled that era. A sidebar is included about the 1999 NASG Convention.

2017 #3 May

14

Vic Cherven, Jr.

Jesse Bennett took photos in the early 1960s of Doc Johnson's S-scale layout, and of the one owned by Will Estes, which are shown on this page.

2019 #3 May

24

Ken Kemzura

The author finally gets to build the full A.C. Gilbert American Flyer layout he wanted to build when he was young, but couldn't because A.F. went out of business shortly after he got started. Includes several photos of his layout.

2014 #6 November

20

Alan Bennett

The 12' square layout at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Oregon features A.C. Gilbert equipment, because that was where A.C. was born. This article describes how the layout came to be, how the author provides the equipment to run, and how the layout has traveled over the years. Includes several photos of the layout.

2025 #1 January

22

Jack Bartman

The author is building a 22' x 22' double-deck basement layout, but he is doing it one scene at a time, completing each before starting the next one. The challenge is that he lives in a late-1800s house, where the basement is only 6 feet tall. He is big fan of Frank Titman's structures, kits, and engines, and so is focusing on acquiring and integrating those into his late-1970s layout. The article includes photos and a track plan for what he is working on now.

1994 #1 February

20

Robert Nicholson

Photos, and a brief description with each, of the models found on the author's layout.

1994 #5 October

18

Bob Werre

The author shares his experience of visiting Len Giovannoli's layout, and several photos of the layout.

2012 #4 August

2

Bill Fraley

Frank Titman is a prolific modeler, builder, author, editor, and kit manufacturer (Lehigh Valley Models). This is a photo essay of his Spiral Hill layout, which was featured in the Great Model Railroads 2000 annual magazine. This article includes a track plan of the 19'x20' layout.

2007 #6 December

10

Glenn A. Ritter

The author describes his new layout after down-sizing. The layout features the Stony Creek branch of the Reading. It is a walk-in style that fits in a 12'x12' space. The article describes how he built the layout, and it includes several photos.

2018 #1 January

15

Edwin C. Kirstatter

This article covers Ed Sauers' B&O Mountaintop branch line layout that fits in his 17'x31' basement. The article covers the track's design (a plan is included), layout construction methods, and motive power. Includes photos of the layout and its owner.

2006 #2 April

16

Roy E. Jones III

Prompted by Jeff's commentary in the previous issue about whether or not there are any permanent S-scale layouts set up in the country, the author responds with two photos and some details about the Nauset Model Railroad Club's hi-rail layout.

1988 #2 June

14

Bob Werre

Several pages of photos of models and layouts by Steve Hanson, John Kromhout, Dave Jasper, and Tom Lennon.

1987 #4 Fall

6

Don Thompson & Dick Karnes

Four pages of photos of John's Pennepack Valley & Western Railroad.

2018 #2 March

24

Dan Malkiewicz

The author describes his 50'x18' U-shaped layout. The floor-to-ceiling scenery is reminiscent of John Allen's HO-scale layout from the 1950s. Includes several photos of the author's layout (more can be seen in the PDF online version starting on page 33).

1988 #5 December

12

Dick Karnes

After a brief introduction on how Dave got into S-scale, there are several pages of photos of his NYC/UP layout, including a full-page photo of his scratchbuilt trestle bridge.

1991 #2 April

6

Dick Karnes

The author describes Ron and his layout, and shares many photos of the work Ron has done. Ron specializes in scratchbuilding rolling stock.

1993 #2 April

28

James Sleeth

The A.F. layout of the All Gauge Toy Train Association of San Diego is featured in text and photos.

2024 #5 September

22

Mike Marmer

The author's goal was to buy at least one of each item in the A.C. Gilbert catalog from 1958, the year he was introduced to the hobby. Includes photos of his modernday hi-rail layout.

1998 #3 June

11

Bob Jackson & Lee Johnson

Lee Johnson and Arden Goehring visited and operated Jess Bennett's layout in 1990. It is a photo essay of the layout. Also included is a track plan of Jess' 20'x44' layout. Includes a side-bar by Ed Loizeaux about Jess' move from California to Idaho.

1994 #2 April

18

Bill Moore

Four photos of this AF/hi-rail layout.

1994 #3 June

20

Denis Fortier

A few photos of Simon's 28'x15' layout under construction (this issue's cover was also taken on his layout). There are more overall layout photos later in the issue, and a track plan is found on page 25.

2006 #2 April

17

Brooks Stover

The author has been working on his layout for 10 years. It measures 44'x25' and based on the BC&G in West Virginia. Includes several photos of the layout, as well as a track plan.

2014 #4 August

11

Nicholas Deely & Jim Martin

This is likely the only S-scale layout in Alaska. The author describes his layout, which mixes Alaska and Canada prototype ideas. Includes many close-up photos and a track plan.

2020 #6 November

13

Richard Caugherty

The author recalls his first train set for Christmas and describes his continued involvement in the hobby.

2012 #3 June

16

Bob Hogan

Photo essay of Bob's S/Sn3 layout. Includes a track plan.

2014 #4 August

17

Bob Johnson

The author describes his history in the scale, and some construction details about his layout. The layout is 4'x16', and it was set up at the 2014 Spring S Spree. In addition to a photo on page 16, this article has additional photos and a track plan of the layout.

2017 #2 March

7

Jim Martin

The author describes Brian Nicholson's (Montreal) layout, shares photos, and a track plan.

2022 #2 March

16

Jim Martin

The author introduces Ron, who then writes about the how and the why behind his currently layout.

2023 #6 November

28

Ray Farrell

The author shares his life story about how American Flyer trains were always present, especially at Christmas time.

2000 #1 February

7

Art Knowles

The author takes his 10-foot diameter modular layout, built to NASG standards, to local train shows. It combines scale and A.F. Includes two photos of portions of the layout.

1992 #4 August

12

Bob Jackson

Many photographs of 9 different S-scale layouts.

1994 #1 February

12

Denis Fortier

A brief introduction to Denis and his layouts. Photos include those of the layouts he has built, as well as track plans for each. Also includes photos of models he has custom painted for his fictitious layout.

1990 #1 January

15

Moe Berk & Gerry Evans

The American Flyer S-Gaugers of the St. Louis Area-built layout at the St. Louis Famous-Barr department store was drenched in water due to a frozen pipe breakage.

2014 #4 August

8

Ed Cooper

The author shares his history in the hobby, and describes his reasoning behind building the A.F.-based layout he has. The layout has lots of items on it. Includes several layout photos, as well as a track plan.

2024 #6 November

21

Sam Martin

The author shares photos and a brief description of his 10' x 11' hi-rail layout.

2022 #2 March

12

Jeff Madden

The author reports on the scenery progress he has made on his layout. Includes the latest photos and a track plan.

1993 #2 April

6

Ed Davis, Sr.

The author shares his history in the hobby. He is a real-world train engineer. In addition to A.F. collecting, he also scratchbuilt NYC transit equipment. A track plan of his 11'x17' layout is included, as well as several photos, including ones of his scratchbuilt cars.

2020 #5 September

16

Ed Loizeaux

The author describes his journey into S-scale, and his layout. Includes photos and a track plan. (related web page)

2020 #6 November

23

Lee Olson

The author tells the story of how he got his first AF train set.

1992 #1 February

10

Bob Jackson

A visit and several photos describing Glen's layout. The layout was open as part of the 1991 NASG Convention.

2016 #6 November

17

Jim Martin

Gregg describes how their Christmas layout grew over the years. Includes photos of the layout, as well as a track plan of this L-shaped 11'x17' layout.

2011 #6 December

12

Tom Robinson

The author describes his renamed layout (was "Volunteer Central II") layout based on the what-if scenario of the Tennessee Central still existing. This AF-based layout has lots of track, engines, structures, and over 700 figures. Includes several photos.

2018 #5 September

12

Steven Allen

The history behind getting an S-scale layout to be set up for the Christmas season at Look Park.

2016 #6 November

34

Paul Krause

The author shares photos he took of Herb Cotter's layout.

2003 #2 April

14

Jeff Madden

Photos of Steve's 12'x23' layout which is open during the 2003 NASG Convention. Includes a track plan.

2006 #3 June

16

Brooks Stover & Dave Campbell

Dave's "Fourville Branch Line" measures 16'x16' and consists of four loops. Includes several photos and a track plan.

2021 #5 September

16

Stephen Terni

The author describes how he envisioned and eventually built his dream "hi-rail" layout, building it scene by scene. The article contains a number of close-up photos. It even includes a photo of his grandmother's store which he had a modeler build for him based on a photo of the real thing.

2016 #6 November

12

Ray Nase

Having moved to senior housing, the author and his wife now set up his Christmas display in the building's lobby for all to enjoy. Includes photos.

1982 #2 March

9

Bob Werre

Along with two photos on the cover of this issue, the Houston S Gaugers are also featured on this page with a group photo and a photo of Jack Troxell's engine facility on his Houston and Gulf Coast layout.

1988 #3 August

13

Tom Hopman

The author describes the American Flyer-based layout, how it has its roots in the artist's drawing of the A.C. Gilbert AF catalog from 1950. Having built the layout in a modular fashion, the author was able to move it to a new city. Includes several photos of the layout after the move.

2020 #6 November

14

Larry Yurcho

The author details how he started and then re-started in the train hobby. His current layout grew out of a desire to have a Christmas set-up. Due to space constraints, the layout is two levels, set up in a series of unconnected loops.

2014 #6 November

8

Jim Bezek

The author's Christmas-only layout measures about 13' square, and features S- and O-scale track. The layout grew each year to where there is no more space for a Christmas tree. Includes photos and a track plan.

2018 #3 May

24

Jim Martin

The author shares the formal track plan drawing of his home layout, and how he builds his scenery.

2016 #4 July

16

Joe Kimber

A description of the author's 17'x4'6" A.F.-based layout. Includes a track plan and several photos. The layout was dismantled in 2004.

1991 #1 February

13

Dick Karnes

This American Flyer-based layout measures 15'x25' and is 5 feet tall, covering several levels. The article includes several photos of the layout as the Greater Seattle S Gaugers club met at John's house.

2015 #2 March

15

Mike Fyten

The author describes how he switched from HO- to S-scale, a brief history of the prototype Kansas City, Kaw Valley & Western Railroad upon which his layout is based, and how he operates his layout. Includes several photos and a track plan.

1999 #3 June

17

Glenn A. Ritter

The author visits Tom Keegan and his layout. The layout measures 30'x60' and features over 1000 feet of A.F. track.

2021 #3 May

11

John Beck

Detailed information, track plans, and photos of the author's now 18-year-old layout.

2004 #2 April

16

David Lull

Photos, a description, and a track plan of the author's layout, which will be open during the 2004 NASG Convention.

1998 #1 February

14

John Beck

The author introduces himself, but most of the article is about his design and construction of his S-scale layout, The Kentucky Road. Includes a track plan and several photos.

2003 #1 February

14

Dick Kloes

This is a follow-up with Dick Kloes as he updates the reader on the state of his freelanced "Root River & Southern" railroad. Includes layout photos and a track plan. Dick's layout will be open during the 2003 NASG Convention.

2003 #2 April

18

Craig Wright

Introducing Craig Wright and his Sn3 layout, the "Cumbres, Toltec and Western RR". Includes photos and a track plan scan.

2004 #2 April

19

Bill Fraley

Introducing Wally Collins (81 at the time). Includes several photos of Wally and his layout.

2009 #1 February

16

George Reneris

The author describes his Snoqualmie, Mohonk & Panguitch RR, which is an M-shaped 11' by 21', three-level layout.

2018 #2 March

35

unaccredited

Two photos of members' layouts.

1994 #1 February

17

Bob Werre

A couple of photos of Bob's layout.

2015 #5 September

8

Roy Inman

The Model Railroad Experience is 8,000 square feet of toy trains in Kansas City's historic Union Station, part of which is S-scale. This is a one-page photo essay.

2013 #4 August

18

Roger Nulton

A photo essay about the author's layout, with a track plan.

2025 #1 January

16

Steve Monson

Each scene on the author's layout has a story associated with it, whether prototype or fictional.

2020 #6 November

29

Rob Ortner

A brief story and two photos of the author's first layout.

2020 #2 March

16

Jim Martin

The author visits and photographs Neil's layout that models a single scene (using sections/modules). Includes photos and a track plan.

2013 #4 August

12

Bill Winans

Nelson's 22'x22' AT&SF layout is featured in this article, which includes many photos and a track plan. The finished layout is always open for visitors.

2001 #2 April

14

Sam Powell

The author tells a "prototype story" of how his personal layout was sold to the W&OD club, and how he is taking a break from model railroading.

2014 #2 April

23

Jim Martin

After a few notes, the author describes John Johnston's Shelter Valley and Trent River Railway S-scale layout. The article includes many photos of the layout, as well as a track plan.

2020 #5 September

14

Jim Martin

The author introduces Brian Walsh, a Canadian who has built a CB&Q-based S-scale switching layout, which is operated using S-CAB battery-powered engines. Includes photos and a track plan.

2024 #1 January

8

Jim Martin

The author attended Canadian Paul Raham's open house and shares many photos of Paul's layout.

1996 #2 April

16

Gaylord Gill

A profile of the various layouts that will be open for the local tour during the 1996 NASG Convention. These include Dave Belanger's Detroit & Chicago Central, Don Gates' New York Central, Jim De Witt's Denver & Rio Grande Western, and the author's Grand Valley Northeastern. All with a photo.

2018 #2 March

36

James Ingram

Photos taken at the Cooke's residence of their layout during a club visit.

2012 #4 August

18

David Held

The author describes the construction and operation of the layout. Includes photos and a track plan.

2006 #3 June

20

Dave Held

The author shares his progress report on the construction of his layout, including several color photographs.

1990 #6 December

14

Don Thompson

A description, with track plan and several photos, of Dave Held's 34'x17' layout.

2003 #5 October

22

Sam Powell

The author describes why he decided to demolish the 25 year old layout. He then continues by sharing his thoughts on what the new layout will be like. Includes a track plan.

2020 #5 September

18

Roger Schneider

The late Sam Powell's layout is now at the Tri Town Historical Society in Dawson, Pennsylvania. The Pittsburg S Gaugers club were instrumental in making this possible. This article covers the journey to discover a new home, the packing up of the 20-section layout, and the installation at the new location. Includes photos and a track plan.

2020 #6 November

3

Roger Schneider

The story of moving this layout continues, with covering the electrical system's connection, attaching the Lenz DCC system that Sam Powell used on his layout, debugging electrical gremlins that had crept in, and scenery updates that were made.

2021 #5 September

12

Joe Coen

The author tells the story of a typical day at the yard on his layout. Includes many photos of his "scale" layout.

2023 #1 January

24

Terry O'Kelly

The author described how he got to building his current layout. The article contains the layout's track plan and many photos.

2012 #4 August

11

Bob Stelmach

The freelance layout measures 18'x22', and features a Sn42 branch line. Photos and a track plan are included.

2020 #5 September

13

Bill Rodgers

The author introduces himself and his L-shaped American Flyer-based layout.

1994 #3 June

12

Ed Schumacher

This is a reprint from a 1975 S Gaugian magazine article in which the author describes Len Giovannoli's layout. Includes a track plan and several photos of the visit.

2021 #3 May

9

Jim Martin

The Canadian S Scale Workshop's previous layout is described. The article includes photos and the track plan for this Free-mo-style layout.

2020 #4 July

18

Marvin Harger

The author describes his A.F.-based new layout that is still a work-in-progress. Includes photos of his layout, as well as a track plan.

2016 #5 September

19

Ron Schlicht

This article covers how Ron got started in the hobby, and describes his current layout, which features over 3,600 figures. Includes photos and a track plan. Page 43 of the PDF version of the magazine contains more photos of his layout.

2000 #6 December

21

Jeff Madden

A brief introduction to Dick Kloes' layout, with two photos. The layout was open as part of the 2000 Fall S Fest.

2022 #5 September

23

Fred Schlegel

The author was good friends with Rusty Westermeier, and describes the operating sessions that they had on Rusty's home layout. The rest of the article has photos and information about how Rusty's layout was cut into sections and repurposed by other modelers.

2017 #5 September

43

various authors

A series of photo essays are featured in the PDF version of this issue, including Washington & Old Dominion S Gauge Club, Golden Gate American Flyer Club, Rocky Mountain Hi-Railers, a visit to the Steam into History (a non-profit Civil War-themed heritage railroad), a visit to the B&O Railroad Museum, a visit to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Ed Sauers layout, some of the Greeley's Contest entries, the South Jersey S Gaugers layout, and the North Penn S-Gauge club.

2013 #3 June

17

Bill Lane

Two photos of the author's layout, which will be open after the 2013 NASG Convention.

2014 #2 April

28

Single photos of Joe Kimber's, Bill Winans', and Nelson Steinmetz' layouts.

2009 #5 October

18

Bob Werre

Two pages of photos of S layouts in the St. Louis region that were open of the convention tours.

2016 #5 September

32

Roger Schneider

This story is about Sam Powell's "Penn Creek Valley Railroad" being moved to a museum. Sam passed away in January 2016, but his layout will be preserved. The Pittsburgh S Gaugers club is helping with the move. The article includes photos of the layout being disassembled, and its new home. More photos can be found on page 41 (PDF version).

2019 #2 March

24

Steve Monson

The author describes a small (24"x54") layout he built using A.C. Gilbert AF parts. Includes photos and a track plan.

1989 #1 February

24

Gerry Evans

This article is about how the American Flyer S Gaugers of the St. Louis Area (AFSGSLA) built an S-scale layout for Famous-Barr Department Stores in their Famous-Barr's downtown St. Louis location. It consisted of 4 loops of 300 feet total on three levels. Includes two photos.

1999 #5 October

18

unaccredited

The Pines and Prairies S Scale Workshop presented a 15'x7' L-shaped switching layout, at which attendees could test their switching skills, given a set of rules. Photos and a track plan are included in the article.

2016 #5 September

8

Steve Monson

The author describes a historical event that caused an NP steam locomotive to fall into the pit of a turntable. The author built a scene on his home layout to replicate the event.

2015 #1 January

15

Tom Robinson

The author's Volunteer Central has migrated from a pure AF-based layout, to a hi-rail one, modeling the eastern part of the TCR. He describes the changes he has made to make this change. Includes several photos of his layout, as well as a track plan of the two-level layout.

2017 #6 November

11

Tom Robinson

The author describes the things he has added, changed, or replaced on his layout since his last report in the Dispatch. Includes a couple of photos of his layout. The PDF version of this issue has extra photos on pages 33 through 35, and a track plan on page 36.

1991 #4 August

9

Bob Jackson

This 10'x24' layout is set up several times per year by Terry Henderson and his friend Keith Erickson and their supportive families. Includes many photos, and a track plan.

2001 #1 February

14

David Heine

The author shares the track plan and a full description of his multi-gauge, 25'x33' layout (S, Sn3, Sn2).

2023 #2 March

18

Nicholas Deely

The author describes his layout, which models an Alaskan railroad in S-scale while living in Alaska. Includes photos of the layout, as well as a track plan. The author describes how he first learned of S-scale. Due to high postage costs, the author has learned to be very creative in building his layout, with most of it scratchbuilt.

1995 #6 December

10

Brooks Stover

The article started in the June issue continues by covering operations on the BC&G, it provides a description of the author's S-scale layout, and includes both prototype and layout photos. A track plan of the author's layout is also included.

2013 #1 February

12

Bert Mahr

The 24'x32' layout will be open as part of the 2013 NASG Convention. Included with the article are photos and a track plan of this two-level layout, featuring Conrail.

1985 #4 Fall

8

Bob Jackson

A visit of Don Harper's Sn3 freelanced-style layout based on Colorado prototypes. The two-level layout measures 13'x20', which was an HO-scale layout prior to 1981. The article includes many photos of the layout.

1998 #6 December

16

Ken Zieska

A description and photos of the author's layout, which is open as part of the 1999 NASG Convention's layout tours. The layout is set in the 1960s, and fills the basement. Includes several photos of the layout.

2019 #1 January

15

Paul Raham

The author provides a brief description of his home layout, and includes several photos and the layout's track plan of both levels.

1991 #6 December

13

Dan Waskes

Chuck Thurman's 14'x28' layout is described in detail in this article. This Sn3 layout is shaped like a "G" and uses mostly hand-laid code 70 rail. The article includes a track plan and several photos.

2019 #2 March

8

Joe Kimber

Photos and a description of the author's layout continuing to be built, this time covering scenery and structures. Also includes the latest version of the track plan.

2013 #4 August

4

Roy Hoffman

The author's Penn Western is a standard-gauge and Sn3 layout of freelanced design, based around Philadelphia, PA. This is a photo essay of his layout, and includes a track plan.

2013 #4 August

10

Roy Hoffman

Another photo essay about the EBT section of his layout.

2016 #2 March

15

Jim Martin

A visit with Clayt Peter's Plum Creek Railroad, which measures 14'x28'. It is still under construction, but the parts that are finished look very nice. Includes photos and a track plan.

2012 #4 August

15

Norm Delucchi

The author describes his switch from O-scale to Sn3 in the same 14-foot square space as before. A basic track plan and photos are included with the article.

2001 #2 April

15

Roger Nulton

The author describes the extensive remodeling work he did to create a 600 sqft space for his second S-scale layout (several photos included). He recounts how re-using old layout sections appeared to be false-economy. The article goes on to describe how he built this second layout, and preparing for a move in a couple of years again.

1993 #3 June

18

Vic Cherven, Jr. & Vic Cherven, Sr.

The father and son team share how their layout has come about, and what they wanted to have. Includes several photos of the layout still under construction, an large track plan, and diagrams of the layout's benchwork.

1991 #4 August

15

Don Thompson

The author describes a visit to Barry Mertz' S-scale layout. The brief article is accompanied by a good number of color photos.

1987 #3 Summer

10

Don Seeburger

The layout is a collection of modules that form a double-oval loop with a very large yard in the center of the loops, for the purpose of being able to make-up and break-down trains to run on the loops. Stairs to the attic enter into the center of the layout. Includes photos and a track plan.

1996 #1 February

12

Tom Robinson

The author tells his story of how he evolved from O-scale to S-scale modeling, and how he set about building the U-shaped 12'x8' layout. Includes a track plan and a few photos.

1989 #3 June

16

Dick Karnes

A visit and tour of Ernie Horr's layout. Includes several photos, some of which are full-page.

1991 #3 May

6

Bill Mark, Jr.

This article covers the Mark family's involvement in S-scale layouts, including the current one. A track plan is included, as well as many photos. The layout was still under construction.

1988 #1 March

12

Ed Loizeaux

Rich Lenart builds a completely new A.F.-based layout each year for the Christmas season, and has been doing so since age 2. He currently uses an 18'x22' room. Includes several layout photos.

2019 #6 November

16

unaccredited

Photos of various Christmas layouts.

2020 #3 May

16

Jim Malone

The author describes how to got into building his current S-scale layout. It measures 18' x 22' and is shaped like a stretched "C", with a storage track in the closet.

1992 #6 December

12

Mike Palmiter

The author describes his model railroading history, and how American Flyer and American Models brought him back into S-scale. Includes several photos of equipment found on his layout.

1992 #2 April

7

Bob Jackson

The author visited this hi-rail layout, and also shares several photos taken there. Track is hand-laid, but the equipment is all American Flyer. The layout was started in 1956.

2005 #6 December

15

Tom Robinson

The author describes that a move destroyed the original Volunteer Central layout. This new one, an AF/hi-rail layout in a 25'x18' space, is a display-style layout with three loops of track, and lots of switching opportunities on the interior. Includes photos and a track plan of the layout.

1992 #6 December

19

Jerry Schnur

A short photo essay of Jerry Schnur's layout.