LDJ-66 FOURTH QUARTER 2019 (FULL-COLOR, 40 PAGES)
Issue #66 includes in-depth examples ranging from spare-room switching layouts to mountain railroading challenges, with a recurring theme of adapting layouts to the real-world constraints of home spaces, operator ergonomics, and scenic balance.
Bill Goodenough opens the issue with a spare-room-Sized switching layout designed to showcase his scratchbuilt structures. Set in California’s Central Coast region, the layout blends scenic authenticity with practical operating patterns, emphasizing visual storytelling through architectural modeling. Mike McGinley’s article offers a cautionary tale about applying real-world bridge engineering logic to model design without full consideration of scenic context—his 42-inch duckunder bridge may be structurally sound, but visually it clashes with the modeled landscape.
Rick Mugele presents a design challenge tribute to John Allen’s Gorre & Daphetid, reimagining it as the Cripple Creek Short Line with contemporary layout planning sensibilities. Mugele’s piece is notable for its deep contextual analysis, contour-aware planning, and intentional compromises that balance visual spectacle and operations. Olaf Melhouse closes with four compact switching designs in N and HO scale that show how high operational interest can be maintained in tight spaces, with thoughtful staging, industrial themes, and prototypical cues.
Throughout the issue, key modeling strategies include the use of fascia-mounted turnout controls, multi-function spaces (like layouts above desks), rail-marine operations, realistic staging with drawers or shelves, and historic railroad inspiration. The articles reinforce the idea that good design evolves iteratively—through feedback, real-world constraints, and creative reinterpretation.
Table of Content
ARTICLES:
Scratchbuilt Structures and Switching – Bill Goodenough – Page 4
Bridge “Type Selection” Gone Bad – Mike McGinley – Page 10
Gorre & Daphetid Mountain Challenge – Rick Mugele – Page 15
Four Spare-Room-Sized Switchers – Olaf P. Melhouse – Page 24
More Design Ideas from SLC NMRA 2019 Tours – Page 34
Railfan, Display, Scenery & Fantasy Challenge – Page 36
COLUMNS AND DEPARTMENTS:
What the Heck? – Ron Burkhardt, LDSIG President – Page 3
Sharing the SIG – Byron Henderson, LDJ Editor – Page 3
New LDSIG Groups.io Discussion Forum – Chris Mesa, LDSIG Social Media Coordinator – Page 37
LDSIG Webmaster Needed – Bob Hanmer, LDSIG Vice President – Page 37
2019 LDSIG Annual General Meeting Report – Cal Sexsmith, LDSIG Secretary – Page 38
Future Meets: Sacramento; Tulsa; St. Louis – Page 39
Detailed Article Summaries
LDJ-66
Title: Scratchbuilt Structures and Switching; Spareroom sized shelf layout for display and operations; Page 4
Author: Bill Goodenough
Railroad Modeled: Freelance, based on San Ardo, CA
Location(S): San Ardo, CA
ERA: Present
Scale: HO
Size: Spare Room; 9′ x 11′ bedroom (shelf layout around 4 walls)
Techniques:
Scratchbuilt structures, fascia-mounted switch controls, car storage staging drawers, “sure spots,” shelf-style benchwork, shelf bracket benchwork support; around-the-room point-to-point with continuous run, structure-based layout design; fitting the layout to suit existing structures; diamond crossing switch leads to industries; layout height to accommodate home office under; full Size mock-up for clearance; run through staging; movable gate section; double ended staging; wiring management; iterating a plan as goals change
Article Summary:
Bill Goodenough’s layout began as a way to display his large scratchbuilt structures, evolving through several iterations from a single shelf along one wall to using all four walls of the room into a fully operational HO scale shelf layout based in the San Ardo area of California’s Central Coast. Designed with the help of David Griffy, the plan developed into an around-the-room configuration with a run through staging yard doubling as the layout’s terminals—King City and Templeton. While primarily freelanced, it includes realistic prototypes like Miller’s Market and a modified Purina Chows building. The layout features fascia-mounted turnout controls using PVC pipe mechanisms and hidden car storage in drawers. It offers realistic switching with seventeen spotting locations, a continuous run mainline, and visual depth through scenic flats. A practical and visually engaging model railroad, it showcases the synergy between structure modeling and layout design without overwhelming the space.
Revised: 2026-03-01
LDJ-66
Title: Bridge “Type Selection” Gone Bad; …and the “No Good Duckunder” plan; Page 10
Series: Related article “Plates” Enable Changeable Eras LDJ-65; by Mike McGinley; page 4
Author: Mike McGinley
Railroad Modeled: Southwestern Pacific (fictional)
LOCATION(S): Southwestern U.S. desert
ERA: 1946 to 2006
Scale: HO
Size: Garage 18′ x 22′
Techniques:
Engineering-based bridge modeling, prototype bridge selection; bridge walkways; scenic integration, out-and-back; continuous-run with duckunder, modular benchwork, civil engineering principles, photography as a key goal; duckunder clearance; handholds for duckunders; weathering for visual continuity; removable bridge superstructure
Article Summary:
Mike McGinley, a professional railroad civil engineer, reflects on a misstep in layout design: incorporating a 42″ through-truss duckunder bridge that was technically sound but visually inappropriate. While his goal was to model bridge selection per real-world structural engineering logic, the resulting structure clashed with the layout’s Southwestern U.S. desert setting. Though the bridge was effective functionally, and even disguised with weathered paint and camouflage, it ultimately disrupted scenic cohesion and proved ergonomically problematic. McGinley discusses lessons learned, including the importance of fitting scenic elements into layout context and designing access with user comfort in mind. The bridge is removable for operations and photography but remained a cautionary design tale.
Revised: 2026-03-01
LDJ-66
Title: Gorre & Daphetid Mountain Challenge; Elements and themes in a smaller space; Page 15
Series: Mountain Challenge announced in LDJ-55
Author: Rick Mugele
Railroad Modeled: Freelanced “Cripple Creek Short Line” inspired by John Allen’s Gorre & Daphetid (G&D)
Location(s): Colorado Mountains
ERA: 1940’s
Scale: HO
Size: Garage 16′ x 22′; out and back, with a branch line
Techniques:
Scenic-first design, single-level with multi-pass track, gold mining district theme, hidden staging, removable scenery, narrow aisles, mirror effects, vertical scenery contours, homage to John Allen’s layout philosophy; doubling a pick-up; early operation; ore traffic; coal traffic; provision for continuous run; multiple crossovers in arrival / departure track; open top loads; floor to ceiling scenery; hatches; access considerations; stucco based scenery; aisle edge industries / scenery; tab-on-car routing system; crew Size; crew job assignments; helper service; mirror visually extends track length; benchwork height; floor to ceiling scenery
Article Summary:
Rick Mugele undertakes a thoughtful tribute to John Allen’s legendary Gorre & Daphetid layout with a design challenge of his own: create a G&D-inspired layout with similar scenic and operational flavor in a more manageable footprint. He reviews G&D operating practices. The resulting Cripple Creek Short Line incorporates multiple laps of single-level track, dramatic scenic contours, staging, and compact industrial operations in a mining region setting. Mugele balances visual artistry with operational logic, incorporating ore and coal traffic, helper grades, and turnback loops while avoiding the multi-deck complexity of modern design. His article dives into layout history, practical scenery building, operator flow, and even humorous details like “adjustable chimneys” on buildings. It’s a rich, story-filled article that celebrates creative layout adaptation and scenic immersion.
Revised: 2026-03-01
LDJ-66
Title: Four Spare-Room-Sized Switchers; Industrial switching and interchange in N and HO; Page 24
Series: Switching Operation introduced in LDJ-59
Author: Olaf P. Melhouse
Railroad Modeled: Kansas City Southern,
Location: Heavener, OK,
ERA: 2000s
Scale: N
Size: Garage, 14 x 15, center peninsula
Techniques:
Industrial switching, helper operations, single-track mainline with passing sidings, compact terminal planning, Class I and shortline modeling, CTC ops, around the room continuous running, active visual staging; interchange; crew change; main line fueling; staging behind low backdrops; run through staging; drop down bridge room entry; dodgers;
Title: HO 1960’s South Dakota—CNW and MILW; Page 28
Railroad Modeled: Milwaukee Road (MILW), and Chicago and Northwestern (CNW)
Location: Redfield, SD,
Era: 1960’S
Scale: HO
Size: Spare room, 12 x 13, Around the walls
Techniques: Branch line operations; farm country railroading; industrial switching; drop down bridge room entry; no grades; continuous run; run through staging; single ended staging; live interchange
Title: HO 1960’s South Dakota—CNW and MILW; Page 30
Railroads Modeled: Dakota Central; Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF); Canadian Pacific (CP)
Location: North Dakota
Era: Present
Scale: N
Size: Spare Room; 12’ x 12’; around the walls with center peninsula
Techniques: Branch line operations; farm country railroading; industrial switching; drop down bridge room entry; no grades; continuous run; interchange; shortline operations; no grades; grain elevators
Title: ‘50s Midland Continental and Soo Line in N; Page 32
Railroad Modeled: Midland Continental;(MCC); Soo Line
Location: Wimbledon, SD
Era: late 1950’s
Scale: N
Size: Spare Room; 12’ x 11’; around the walls
Techniques: Branch line operations; farm country railroading; industrial switching; narrow duckunder room entry; no grades; continuous run; interchange; shortline operations; grain elevators; classification yard; active staging
Article Summary:
Olaf Melhouse presents four detailed layout designs for garage and spare-room spaces, each emphasizing prototypical switching operations in either N or HO scale. The standout is a Kansas City Southern line over Rich Mountain, complete with helper grades, passing sidings, and realistic freight flows. Other plans include interchange-heavy switching districts and yard-centric shortlines, all using 1950s to modern-era settings. Melhouse offers not only diagrams but detailed traffic flow commentary and prototype backstories. These layouts deliver high operational interest and prototypical flavor in manageable footprints, making them ideal inspiration for space-conscious modelers.
Revised: 2026-03-01
LDJ-66
Title: More Design Ideas from Salt Lake City NMRA 2019 Tours; Benchwork and Human Factors ideas from layout tours; Page 34
Series: Continued from LDJ-65
Authors: Don Winn (photos and text), Bruce Morden, Peter Kerr, and others
Railroad Modeled: Various tour layouts (no specific layout focus)
Techniques:
Human factors, benchwork design, fascia detailing, car-card storage solutions, roadbed construction methods, guard rails
Article Summary:
This photo-essay article shares benchwork, access, and visual ergonomics innovations observed during layout tours at the 2019 NMRA Convention in Salt Lake City. Jon Robinson demonstrates an alternative spline roadbed method using PVC trim molding and Homasote. The splines are attached to benchwork with angle brackets. Gary Peterson repurposes wire coat hangers as effective but nearly invisible train guardrails along narrow benchwork. He also installs nails to prevent overthrow of ground throws, painting them black to decrease visibility. Other innovations include slanted pigeonhole-style car-card holders by Bob Gerald to save aisle space and prevent damage from operators. Rob Spangler’s fascia-colored card boxes that blend seamlessly with the surrounding scenery. Rob mounts wood blocks adjacent to toggle switches to prevent snagging and bumping. Additional details showcase painted discrete car-card sorting racks. The article emphaSizes small adjustments that enhance operational ease and visual harmony, providing modelers with accessible and practical layout enhancements.
Revised: 2026-03-01
LDJ-66
Title: Railfan, Display, Scenery & Fantasy Challenge; Page 36
Series: Start
Author: LDSIG Editors
Railroad Modeled: N/A (design challenge announcement)
Location: Any
ERA: Any
Scale: Any
Size: Unlimited (User defined)
Techniques:
public display planning, fantasy settings, scenic presentation, animation elements, cross-sectional and view-focused layout planning; layout parameters; submission guidelines
Article Summary:
This design challenge invites layout designers to think beyond traditional railroad modeling and into creative realms of railfan display, public exhibition, scenic storytelling, or outright fantasy. Unlike past challenges with specific spatial constraints, this call for entries allows modelers to define their own space and theme, from a compact diorama to a sprawling sci-fi setting. Designs might reflect a single-scene photo spot, a railfan’s dream staging hub, or whimsical concepts such as cartoon or literary worlds. The article encourages the use of imaginative elements like animation, cross-sectional views, and viewer sightline planning, with a practical approach to staging and portability for display purposes. All scales, time periods, and fictional settings are welcome. Contributions can be supported by LDJ volunteers and may be published in future issues of the Journal.
Revised: 2026-03-01
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