The Stone Canyon Railroad is a fully operational freelanced single deck layout based in the western U.S. that was featured in the June 2021 issue of Model Railroader magazine. Timeframe is 1950's steam/diesel transition era. UP and ATSF are the predominant roads.
Overall layout size is 26' x 39' including staging. The mainline is 200' double track closed loop plus 150' of hidden staging that can accommodate up to 10 pre-staged trains. Scenery is 100% complete and ranges from rugged mountains to a complete lighted city scene.
DCC is Digitrax Super Chief Duplex Radio. Throttles will be provided or operators can use smartphone WiFi throttles.
Motive power includes a variety of steam engines as large as 4-8-8-4 Big Boys. Diesels include switcher and road units along with E and F units for passenger operation.
Operations include passenger, local freight, coal, through freight, and branchline service. Switching opportunities include a coal mine, over 35 industries, six towns, a large freight yard, lumber branchline, and a full service steam/diesel engine facility that includes a 130 ft. turntable, 12 stall roundhouse, and diesel shop.
A typical three hour operating session involves the movement of approx. 200+ cars, 18 locomotives and up to 12 trains.
Operator positions include:
- Dispatcher (typically layout owner)
- Yardmaster
- Motive Power Hostler
- Branchline Operator
- Road Engineers and Conductors
Communications between dispatcher and operators are via radio/headsets (provided). Car forwarding is done with car cards and waybills. In addition to the dispatcher, a minimum of 5 and maximum of 9 operators are required.
The layout has hosted over 100 operating sessions since 2013 and has participated in every IslandOps weekend.
Handicap Accessibility: Not Handicapped Accessible
The host's COVID policy is for all guests to be fully vaccinated per CDC guidelines and to wear masks if exhibiting any upper respiratory symptoms.
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