RCGRS 2017 Tour: The Underground Railroad

Next stop on the train tour was The Underground Railroad, so named as half of the layout is underneath the house. The covered "indoor" area was connected to an outdoor layout through a portal. There is an amazing amount of detail put into the modeling and it was easy to get lost in the many scenes, interrupted occasionally by a passing train. Many of the model buildings were phenomenal. The outdoor layout included a large water featured and the "indoor" layout also had a small stream running through the middle.

A stream meandered through the center of the layout underneath the tracks and among the farms.

The use of all the rock is a reminder this railroad is on the ground, just like the outdoor layout. There may be a roof over our heads but this is still a garden train.

A two-truck Climax comes round the corner hauling a load of large logs on skeleton cars.

I really like this feature, a rock retaining wall holding up a gravel road. I didn't even notice the amazing farm produce stand until I was looking at this picture later.

Outside, the small village of Canyon City is surrounded by a lush variety of beautiful, very well maintained trees.

Just east of Canyon City, a number of bridges cross a small creek.

A 38-ton two-truck Shay pulls a train similar to the one we saw inside.

Another scene I really liked -- a very weathered UP NW-2 idled under an open-air shed.

A garage had been converted to a workshop and train storage room that would make anyone jealous.