Layout Construction

The Willow Creek model railroad is a 411 square foot, HO scale layout with a walk-in style design. Layout planning began in late 2007, full-sized track plans were developed in 2008, and actual construction began in February 2009.

The following provides a brief pictorial chronology of the layout's construction. Additional details about the Willow Creek layout appear after the photos.

Benchwork Construction

The framework for the layout uses L-girder construction. The sub-roadbed (¾” plywood) is supported using joists, risers, and cleats.

Roadbed, Track, and Scenery

All track, except for that on the trestles, is Atlas nickel-silver, code-83 flex-track, and is glued on a cork roadbed using adhesive caulk. (Track used on the steel trestle and all wooden trestles is nickel-silver, code-83, Micro Engineering Bridge Flex-Trak.) The sub-roadbed is ¾” plywood that was cut based on a full-sized template of the track plan. Atlas code-83 turnouts are used throughout the layout (except for 2 curved #7 turnouts from Peco), including #8, #6, and #4 turnouts. The scenery base is plaster cloth over a cardboard-strip web, covered with plaster of Paris and painted a neutral ground color. Ground cover consists of a variety of materials including commercial ground foam; real dirt, gravel, and wood twigs; and various rope fibers and other materials. Rock scenery was made using Woodland Scenics plaster molds, aluminum-foil plaster molds, and custom hand-carved plaster rocks. Plaster rocks were primarily stained using Woodland Scenics Liquid Pigments; some rocks have been further colored using acrylic paints. Water is simulated using a variety of products including EnviroTex Lite, Magic Water, Woodland Scenics Water Effects, and acrylic gloss medium.

Layout Control

The layout is controlled by an MRC Prodigy Wireless DCC System (MRC-1410; installed in 2009) using wireless handheld MRC throttles (MRC-1411). The DCC system includes a main command station (base unit) and an 8-amp MRC Booster (MRC-1521). The layout is divided into 6 power districts, each protected by a DCC Specialties PSX or PSX-AR circuit breaker. The layout has 2 reversing loops controlled by the PSX-AR units. The DCC system is composed of 12-gauge bus wire and 18-gauge feeder wire. Each DCC bus is no more than 33 feet in length and feeders are typically no more than 10-inches long. Feeder wires are provided to all sections of track (maximum section length of 3 feet) and to all turnouts.

MRC wireless throttles use rechargeable batteries (4 AAA batteries), which can be recharged while still in the throttles. A custom-designed "recharging station" has been built on the layout (using MRC Extension Plates, MRC-1501 and MRC 1502) to recharge all throttle batteries when the layout is not in operation.

[One upgrade of note: In December 2019, several of the wireless throttles were upgraded with new encoders to alleviate the "sticky"/non-responsive performance of the encoders in the original (vintage 2009) throttles. This upgrade was done following the throttle repair approach provided by "Paul O." on the former MRC Yahoo group forum. The upgrade was relatively easy and highly successful. A PDF file with the email instructions and discussion from the MRC group forum, and the associated instructional images provided by Paul O. is provided at the bottom of this web page.]

Turnout Control

All turnouts on the layout are controlled by Tortoise by Circuitron slow-motion switch machines. Power for the switch machines is provided by 4 MRC SLO Motion Switch Machine Power Supply units.

Scenic Lighting

Layout lighting (e.g., building lights, street lamps, etc.) is provided through a dedicated 12 volt power supply, wiring bus, and feeder wires.

Automatic Block Signal System

In 2013, an automatic (absolute) block signaling system was added that identifies occupied blocks of single mainline track. The signal system is controlled by 4 Circuitron BD-1 Block Occupancy Detectors and 1 Circuitron DT-4 Rolling Stock Detector, all using optical sensors, and Tomar Industries #857, 2-LED (red, green), vertical-head block signals (9 signals total for 4 blocks). Power for the signal system is provided by a dedicated 12-volt power supply.

In May 2020, an Arduino micro-controller was added to the layout to provide more intelligent control of the signal system protecting the Highland Loop block -- a block having 3 entry/exit points including Sarlat Viaduct, Highland, and Waverly Yard via Waverly Junction.

Backdrops

Hand-painted backdrops for the layout are courtesy of my artistic wife, and are oil paintings on Masonite boards. The backdrop for Waverly Yard also includes building images (from Kings Mill Enterprises) mounted on black foam-core boards and attached to the backdrop painting.

Operations

The operating scenario for the Willow Creek model railroad provides a total track run of approximately 210 feet with about 182 feet of mainline track (single track and double track/passing sidings). The size of the layout is approximately 411 square feet including about 39 square feet for the main yard at Waverly (13′ x 3′), about 26 square feet for the yard at Bucky's Crossing (11' x 2.4'), and 11 square feet for the staging yard at Spokane. Aisles within the layout are a minimum of 28″ wide with more space provided in higher traffic areas. Additional details regarding operations on the layout are provided on the Operations web page.

Staging Yard

In January 2017, a new 4-track staging yard (Spokane Staging Yard) was added to the Willow Creek. The 11-square-foot staging yard provides additional operational capabilities to support traffic onto and off of the Willow Creek layout. The staging yard is "hidden" from operators in the train room but is fully automated (route control, track-power selection, and train detection sensors) via an operator control panel on the main layout.

Reference Documentation:

• Repairing the Encoder on MRC Throttles.pdf