Current Layout by Mike Berus

Layout Status:

active

Track Type:

Layout Space:

22' x 65'

Layout Style:

Basement-filling, two-level

Control System:

DCC (Digitrax)

Notes:

Mike's layout takes up about half of his basement. It is still under construction, but it is operations-ready. The basic design is a long layout with a return loop at each end (allowing for walk-in access). On one end, the layout has a second level. On the other end, there is a large staging yard on a dedicated peninsula. A slightly smaller staging yard can be found on the end with the second level. There are lots of industries to be switched, and plenty of long-distance running. The first set of photos were taken in May 2021, which give you a clear view of how the layout was constructed. The second set of photos were taken in April 2024. All photos and videos by Bill Lane, with his full permission to use here.

Videos:

Hugh Sinn's Video of a Second Level Run (October 2021)

This starts the first set of photos taken in May 2021. It is difficult to capture an overall view of a very large layout, such as this one. This photo covers, maybe, 75% of the layout. We will use the photos to take a tour of most of the layout. To orient yourself, the staging yard on the right is the peninsula found on one end of the layout. The track on the left is the 40' main line connecting the two ends of the layout.

We have now moved to the other side of the peninsula.

The staging peninsula is to the left, and the large return loop on this end of the layout is shown on the right.

Walking to the end of the peninsula and then turning around shows the other view of the layout. As you can see, the return loop area of this end of the layout is where the second level of the layout starts. It runs the full length of the rest of the layout.

But, before we leave this side of the layout, let's take a closer look at the return loop area.

There is a lot of industry and plenty of opportunities for switching work at this location. The big loop is the start of the second level track.

Another view of the return loop.

We now move on to the other end of the layout. As you probably noticed in the earlier photos, there are two bridges on the main line. These are lift up gates for access to the exterior of the house.

Here is a closer view of the other end of the layout. The bridges are visible on the left side of the photo, with their barge operation.

The upper level is a full return loop.

Here are a couple of photos of this end of the layout.

The lower level of this end of the layout also has a return loop (see behind the basement pole), however, in the foreground is the other staging yard of the layout.

The next several photos are close-ups of some of the industries found along the railroad.

This mine scene is found on the upper level, shortly after the start of the second level track.

Along the main line, this B.T.S. mine can be found.

The Wheatland, PA ice house can be found on the peninsula.

This large B.T.S. saw mill complex is always stunning to behold. It is found on the second level return loop.

The engine that took the photographer on a tour of the entire railroad.

With this photo we start the set of photos Bill Lane took during his April 2024 visit. It shows the progress Mike has been able to make on the layout, including a lot more scenery base in place.

This overall photo shows one end of the layout, which includes the return loop and the staging yard peninsula.

A closer view of the staging yard peninsula.

This photo shows the return loop, from two photos above, from a different angle.

And another view taken from outside the layout.

A close up of the loop's industries. If you are familiar with the Lehigh Valley Models range of kits, you'll recognize some of these structures.

At the base of the loop is Hill Switch and one side of Wheatland, PA.

Hill Switch is the track that leads to the second level of the layout, which runs the entire length of the layout with a return loop on the other side. The rest of Wheatland, PA is visible in the background, as part of the peninsula.

Some industrial switching opportunities a the lower level of the Hill Switch area, with a few tunnels.

Again, a Lehigh Valley Models kit found on the layout.

The other end of the layout has two levels and another return loop. Mike has added quite a bit of scenery base to this area as well.

The upper level loop is a perfect scene for this beautiful collection of B.T.S. sawmill structure kits.

River Raisin Models Sharks Running on Second Level Loop

Two S-Helper Service 2-8-0 Engines Pulling a Coal Drag