The Train Room

Train Room Logistics

The Train Room is located in the lower level of the house (walk-out basement). The room is accessed via stairs from the main level of the house, or via the ground-level basement entrance. The back yard access to the basement entrance has a concrete walkway with 4 steps; however, the steps may be avoided by walking around them on the backyard lawn. The basement has several comfortable sitting areas available for use when not operating trains. A bathroom is located near the Train Room. Refreshments will be available to operators; however, refreshments are not allowed in the Train Room.

The Train Room is 450 square feet in size, with the layout occupying 400 square feet (approximately 20 feet by 20 feet). The room is carpeted and serviced by heating and air conditioning. Room lighting is provided by recessed ceiling lights and four sets of track lights, all using LED floodlights. Since the conversion to LED floodlights, room temperature during operating sessions is very comfortable. Small step stools are located around the layout to help reach cars for switching, if needed, without disturbing layout scenery. In addition, wooden bar stools are available for sitting if needed during the operating session.

The layout is a walk-in style design, and the track varies in height from 41 inches to 53 inches above the floor. To operate on the layout, the typical reach to track and train cars is no more than 24 inches, except for the industrial area adjacent to Waverly Yard. The aforementioned step stools may be used, if needed, to assist in reaching cars during switching operations.

The Spokane Staging Yard is located in an adjacent work room and occupies a space approximately 11 square feet in size. Since this is a hidden staging yard and fully automated with respect to train route control and train detection, operators do not need to access this area of the layout.

The train room is generally handicap accessible. The train room is located in a walk-out basement; the basement area may be accessed via the backyard lawn (lawn has a slight slope) and a wooden ramp to transition from the lawn to a concrete patio walkway. Doorways to the house and train room are 35-inches wide; doorway to the basement bathroom is 27-inches wide. The minimum aisle width in the train room is 27-inches. If you have scheduled a visit to the Willow Creek and wish to use the backyard access, please notify me of your access requirements so that every means possible can be taken to make your visit comfortable (see the Contact Information web page). The elevation of track on the layout varies from 42 inches to approximately 56 inches, which may impact visibility and operational accessibility.

Train Room Guidelines

There are only a few guidelines governing the Train Room and the layout:

  1. If you have any questions, please ask the Superintendent (aka, the layout owner).
  2. If anything breaks on the layout or doesn’t operate as expected, please notify the Superintendent immediately.
  3. Please do not bring food or drink into the Train Room without permission from the Superintendent.
  4. Please do not put wireless throttles, paperwork (e.g., car cards), or any other objects on the layout. Please use the throttle holsters, paperwork trays, and shelves located on the layout’s fascia. Customized OPSIG operations aprons with pockets for throttles and car cards are also available for operators to wear.
  5. Please use the uncoupling picks to uncouple cars; they are located next to the car-card boxes on the layout’s fascia. Alternatively, if needed, cars may be uncoupled by carefully lifting one end of a car to separate its coupler from the adjacent car. In the latter instance, please be careful of surrounding scenery.
  6. Most importantly – have fun!