Railroad Empire Re-Creation
Clay Buckage is currently engaged in creating a reproduction of this layout that was featured in the American Flyer catalogs of the early post war era, 1946-1949.

In both 3 rail and 2 rail configurations, this layout was the major public display at the Gilbert Hall of Science in New York from the early 1940's to the early 1950's. The rolling stock items you see in these photos are what you would have seen in 1946.
Courtesy of Clay Buckage - Photos by Marvin Thiel
The layout is modeled after a 2 page spread in the 1946-1949 Catalogs.
The layout is modeled after a 2 page spread in the 1946-1949 Catalogs.
The layout is modeled after a 2 page spread in the 1946-1949 Catalogs.
Left side of upper level trestle and tunnel work.
Left side of upper level trestle and tunnel work.
Left side of upper level trestle and tunnel work.
Right side of upper level trestle with Wye in background.
Right side of upper level trestle with Wye in background.
Right side of upper level trestle with Wye in background.
Full shot of the trestle.
Full shot of the trestle.
Full shot of the trestle.
Rolling stock just as drawn in the catalogs.
Rolling stock just as drawn in the catalogs.
Rolling stock just as drawn in the catalogs.
596 Water Tank ready to service the whole steam loco roster.
596 Water Tank ready to service the whole steam loco roster.
596 Water Tank ready to service the whole steam loco roster.
A peek inside the tunnel that hides the second wye.
A peek inside the tunnel that hides the second wye.
A peek inside the tunnel that hides the second wye.
A Northern with smoke in tender passes over a classic track gang accessory.
A Northern with smoke in tender passes over a classic track gang accessory.
A Northern with smoke in tender passes over a classic track gang accessory.
Close up of the early Northern.
Close up of the early Northern.
Close up of the early Northern.
The 332 pulling a string of heavyweights on the upper level gets the green light from the semaphore. Highballing, clear track ahead!
The 332 pulling a string of heavyweights on the upper level gets the green light from the semaphore. Highballing, clear track ahead!
The 332 pulling a string of heavyweights on the upper level gets the green light from the semaphore. Highballing, clear track ahead!
The Northern's fire gets stoked while waiting for passengers to board.
The Northern's fire gets stoked while waiting for passengers to board.
The Northern's fire gets stoked while waiting for passengers to board.
Heavyweight passenger train heading across the trestle.
Heavyweight passenger train heading across the trestle.
Heavyweight passenger train heading across the trestle.
Overall view of the layout from the right side showing the use of the styrofoam scenery base.
Overall view of the layout from the right side showing the use of the styrofoam scenery base.
Overall view of the layout from the right side showing the use of the styrofoam scenery base.
No end of train device back in 1946.
No end of train device back in 1946.
No end of train device back in 1946.
Closeup view of switch and end of train.
Closeup view of switch and end of train.
Closeup view of switch and end of train.
Overall center shot.
Overall center shot.
Overall center shot.
The layout measures 8' x 16'. It is made up of 4 - 4' x '8 tables. Three trains run concurrently on separate loops. All scenery contours are made with foam. The foam is then roughed with a Shur-form tool. This allows application of plaster cloth which accepts paint better and produces a good base for the balance of the scenery.
The layout measures 8' x 16'. It is made up of 4 - 4' x '8 tables. Three trains run concurrently on separate loops. All scenery contours are made with foam. The foam is then roughed with a Shur-form tool. This allows application of plaster cloth which accepts paint better and produces a good base for the balance of the scenery.
The layout measures 8' x 16'. It is made up of 4 - 4' x '8 tables. Three trains run concurrently on separate loops. All scenery contours are made with foam. The foam is then roughed with a Shur-form tool. This allows application of plaster cloth which accepts paint better and produces a good base for the balance of the scenery.
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