I just found out the Harry Clark, creater of the Indian Creek Valley model railroad, has passed away at the age of 91.This layout is about the most beautiful layout I have ever seen. It is also my favorite layout of all time.Allen Keller produced a video of his layout, which is volume 7. Model Railroad did a spectacular article including animpressive centerfold. Most of the buildings were scratch-built; the tracks were handlaid and the scenery comes from natural materials in the Connelsville Pa area. The layout is loosely based on the B&O in the Alleghenies region of Pennsylvania. The era is 40s to 50s. I would say that this layout is in the same league as John Allen's Gorre and Daphetid, except that this layout has been forgotten by the model railroad community.
Does anyone know whether this layout still exsist. If so I hope it will come available to the public soon. I would beinterested in what others familiar with his layout would have to say. I also hope the Model Railroader does a tributeto him as a great model railroader, and his layout as a legiondary layout.
It's my understanding that Harry's layout was preserved and moved to the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort not too far from Connellsville.
www.nemacolin.com
I don't know if it's available to just guests there, which seems likely, but it's still wonderful that it was saved.
The history of Nemacolin is interesting in it's own right.
Jim
I recall the layout and have the video. Beautiful vistas in the scenary. Doesn't follow the current design trend of narrow shelves, but the depth of scene adds something to the feeling.
Harry's layout is on display at Nemacolin Wildside (sorta like a Dave & Busters), it's on US 40 in Farmington, PA. Free admission, just walk right in. The railroad may or may not be running. They really don't have anyone on staff who knows much about it, and Harry's control system and wiring was unique. Think the same color wire for everything unique. They've had a couple different groups work on it, including our local club. Someone even tried to convert it to DCC. I think they thought they could make it work like a lionel layout with animation and trains starting and stopping.
Otherwise it's pretty much 100% preserved. Beautiful structures, brass all around the turntable. Lighting isn't the greatest, but it's very impressive. They sell a video on how they moved the layout from Harry's garage to Nemacolin, which was an impressive feat in its own right.
Nemacolin has recently been granted a casino license, so Wildside will be turned into the casino. Everything was on hold during the license application process. Supposedly the railroad will be preserved in a new location (Hardy is quite fond of it), but info has been spotty at best on that front.
RIP Harry
Darren (BLHS & CRRM Lifetime Member)
Delaware and Hudson Virtual Museum (DHVM), Railroad Adventures (RRAdventures)
My Blog
FYI, Harry passed on at the age of 91 on November 9, 2011.
Here's his obituary
An couple shots of Harry's layout taken at Nemacolin.
Nice pictures. Glad to see the layout fully intact. I would have prefer that this layout would end up at a museum instead of an arcade. Of course it's better that this layout is in an arcade instead of being dismantled. I consider this layout as an example of fine craftsman ship and a excellent portrayel of the Laurel Highlands area. I am concerned that the people who go to the arcade would not appreciate this layout as much as people who would go to a museum.
russ_q4b I am concerned that the people who go to the arcade would not appreciate this layout as much as people who would go to a museum.
I am concerned that the people who go to the arcade would not appreciate this layout as much as people who would go to a museum.
They don't. We found rubber-bands, quarters, and other crap lying around on it. I kinda doubt Harry was shooting rubber-bands at his freight cars. No serious vandalism, nothing broken or purposefully destroyed, but it's pretty much just sitting there.
When the Casino is put in, the layout is supposed to be moved to it's own building, like the gun museum next door. Supposedly the resort has other railroad/local industry ephemera to display with it. Hopefully that will help with crowd control.
Sad to hear about Harry.
As a young kid in the 1980's, I had the "HO Railroad that Grows" book. This was my entire model railroad "library". Then I made a trip to the hobby shop with a neighbor. He picked up a free copy of MR (the cover was ripped off - I overlooked that copy because the cover was ripped off).
What was inside? Harry Clark's Indian Creek Valley layout. I can not begin to estimate how many times I read that article. He was "living the dream". I would have loved to have seen that layout in person.I agree with what was said above - it seems the hobby forgot this man's layout. Magazine coverage must not have been Harry's goal - there could easily have been dozens of articles on that fine layout.
Rest In Peace Harry. Thanks for the beautiful work!
Harry Clark's layout so reminds me of the classic type of layout MR used to feature -- Especially when you look at the blue-shading of the B&O steam -- Its hard to see steam power like this anymore. Perhaps Model Railroader could investigate doing a pictorial by incorporating Nemacolin into an itinerary if they are in the neighborhood of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956
Harrys layout is moving again. This time to Connellsville, supposedly to a new building where it hopefully will be maintained and kept in tip top shape. It is truly a masterpiece that when you see it you will be amazed. Keep checking for futher updates that anyone would love to view and enjoy.
csxjjh - Welcome to trains.com!
csxjjh Harrys layout is moving again. This time to Connellsville, supposedly to a new building where it hopefully will be maintained and kept in tip top shape. It is truly a masterpiece that when you see it you will be amazed. Keep checking for futher updates that anyone would love to view and enjoy.
Thats good to here. This layout is an inspiration to new and old modelers a like. I'm sure Harry will live on forever in the masterpiece.
Cheers...
Chris from down under...
We're all here because we're not all there...
It's official. Harry Clark's Indian Creek Valley is moving to a permanent home in Connellsville.
Back in 1985, I was waiting for a train (in Phila.) walking around the station killing time, and the cover of a MR magazine caught my eye. There were trains in the house growing up, but I'd not thought about them in years. That MR was the December issue, and it included a foldout of the most awesome model RR I'd ever seen......the Indian Creek Valley. It ignited a love of all things train. I started collecting brass....buying structure kits, and gathering things for about 6 years. Then came divorce, multiple moves, and jobs.....the trains were all but forgotten....almost sold them a few times. I never forgot that MR issue or that RR. I recently went thru some back issues and found it. It came in the mail yesterday, and I can feel the itch starting again. I am sorry to hear of Harrys passing, but I'm elated that the fantastic RR he created, is still alive. Time for MR to do another article on this great man and his art