Chuck Oraftik
Boston & Albany Division, New York Central System
Description
Welcome to the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts! It’s summer circa 1951 and traffic is heavy on the New York Central’s B&A division.Early diesel power has not yet fully replaced late steam power. Interchanges occur with the New Haven and Rutland railroads as well as the New York Central’s Harlem Division. The area currently modeled is from Pittsfield, Massachusetts to Chatham, New York.
This HO layout 16 x 25 feet and is a single level, double track, around the walls configuration. Scenery is almost 100% complete and includes close to 4000 trees. Scenery is plaster cloth over wood and cardboard framing. It is built in large modular sections. Some structures are built from scratch but most are the result of heavy kitbashing and many are lighted. Track is prefab code 83 with code 70 in the yard and sidings.
Steam power is mostly painted brass along with MTH and Broadway Limited models. Diesel power includes Genesis, Walthers, Proto 2000 and others. All are sound equiped and most are weathered.
Phase two will soon expand into an adjacent area and nearly double the layout size. This will take the mainline and area modeled from Chatham, New York on to Albany. Albany Union Station has already been modeled from scratch and adjacent structures are works in progress. So far this layout has been mostly a one man effort but volunteers are always welcome.
Chuck is a retired architect, recent grandfather, former member of the Rensselaer Model Railroad club and he still treasures his circa 1951 Lionel trains.
Scale: HO
Era: 1953
Approximate Size: 16 x 25 feet – 400 square feet
Percent Complete Benchwork-100% Trackwork-100% Scenery-80% Signaling-100%
Location: Piedmont
Access: Duck-under, No roller access (wheelchairs, walkers, etc.)
Parking: Close Street Parking is available (< 200 feet)
