Hibernation of the Woodland Railway

[FJ and G]

Jim Strong's Woodland Railway was featured in the Dec. 05 Garden Railway magazine. Here's a photo essay of his railway, taken last Saturday, during the dormant time of year when leaves, twigs and gumballs clutter the tracks and many of the structures are protected with heavy-duty garbage bags, while other structures suffer thru the harsh weather months.

With no trains in sight, trespassers are allowed to hike along the tracks, which extend for quite a lot of distance, taking up approximately the space of a miniature golf course. And the rough terrain resembles a miniature golf course, with mountains and greens, represented by a profusion of mosses, which are thriving in the cool, rainy months. Actually, the area deer, rabbits and foxes enjoy munching on the moss and scattering it around.

The trackwork, handlayed, is holding up well after 20 years, as are the trestles, all made using redwood. Jim has an innovative way of keeping the track in place, running a steel strip beneath the center of the track (steel strip like that used to separate grass from sidewalks). The underside of the ties are notched to fit on the steel strip. I might be explaining it wrong but that's my understanding.

One question I failed to ask, is how often Jim treats his ties and trestles and what type of treatment is used. The wood shows no sign of decay and is rather stunning for being outside so long.

On the topic of trackwork, Jim has some very intricate crossings and turnouts, which look like they were built by a rocket scientist. Actually, they were, as Jim is a retired NASA scientist. One advantage of Jim's R/C-layout is that since electrical power is not used, the railheads can be rust-colored in places, adding greater realism.

The layout is ergonomically planned very well to accommodate heavy pedestrian traffic. Jim has skillfully layed out flat natural rock pathways throughout the layout that blend in very well with the scenery and look to be a part of the prototypical-modeled scene.

The yews and boxwood trees grow well in the shade and provide a scale-like forest appearance. The structures are also scale-like, and one can only imagine the amount of work that must have gone into their production.

The area Jim lives in is very close to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., the neighborhood is charming but unfortunately the developers have discovered his little neck of the woods and are busy behind his backyard bulldozing the entire forest except for Jim's enclave. What a shame!

Jim and his wife live in an older-style dwelling that actually resembles a railway station on the inside, with rail memorabilia placed here and there. His layout is quite popular with area garden train lovers, who love to visit Jim to operate their trains over his very spacious layout, that perhaps ranks up there with some of the largest.

My 19-year-old daughter accompanied me for the visit, as we were heading up to Pennsylvania to visit with my sisters. Unfortunately, she slept thru the visit, as trains don't really interest her that much. As a matter of fact, I'm the only one in the family who likes trains, real or modern. Jim is lucky to have a train family and his work speaks volumes of his aesthetic and detailed creation.

[Anonymous]

Positivly outstanding! Thank you for sharing!

[kstrong]

Dave,

Thanks for posting the photos. They look great!

To clarify the track construction, here's a drawing originally published in the July-August 1984 issue of GR, which shows how the track was built.

If the image won't enlarge for you by clicking on it--as is the case on my machine--click on this link:
http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/EastBroadTop/WoodlandRY/WoolandTrackDrawing.jpg

This was more out of necessity than anything else, as the plastic tie strips we now know and love weren't available. By 1985, when we began the expansion, we had two sources for plastic tie strips--LGB and Kalamazoo, now made by Hartland Loco Works. Thus, the original method was cast aside for the speed and convenience of the plastic tie strips. (That, and by that point, creosote had been outlawed, and we couldn't bathe the ties in it anymore.) Still, there's nothing like the look of real wood ties.

BTW, the wood ties are treated every 5 or so years with used motor oil. I think it's just brushed or dripped on and allowed to soak in.

Later,

K

[grandpopswalt]

David,

Thanks for posting the photos of Jim's railroad, they're great. Thanks also for the well written description of the layout and the update on what is happening in Mr. Strong's neighbprhood. Your write-up of your visit to Ben's railroad was equally well done and appreciated.

Walt

[Train 284]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing your pictures with everyone!