Black Rock Railroad

Engineer: James Dunk

The BLACK ROCK RAILROAD started in July 2015 and took 8 months to construct the basic trackwork along with the 72′ trestle. It is a fictional narrow gauge line in 1:20.3 scale that was started to haul black rock from the mines. Because of the volume of rock a small town developed. A small passing siding with two spurs to handle the traffic was added. The railroad represents early 1900 to 1930. A scratch built McKeen car handles local passenger service, as the steam engines handle hauling the freight. All motive power is battery operated with remote control by Loco-Linc. I scratch build most of my cars using poplar wood. The track is 160′ long in a L shape with 8′ curves.

Open for tour on Tuesday, 27 August, 2019.
Not wheelchair accessible. Front stairs with railing. Bathroom available

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The Crain Logging Company

Owner: Michael Crain

The camp was inspired by a book about Westside Lumber Company in California. It includes a mill, a wigwam, a cut lumber storage shed; outhouse, two buildings for crew and kitchen, and one loop of track with 3 switched sidings. Also incorporated into the design is a concrete ravine with a small waterfall, a bridge, and a trestle. The layout is elevated two feet above ground level for easier viewing.
There are approximately 30 Dwarf Alberta Spruce trees planted in double-pots, which can be removed for yearly pruning. The dimensions of the layout are 11′x15′, which is the perfect size for my design.
A battery powered Heisler geared locomotive is controlled by a rail-link remote control system, which runs approximately 3 hours, with a vertical tank containing more batteries for another 3 hours of run time.

Open for tour on Tuesday, 27 August, 2019.
Handicapped accessible.

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D and J Garden Railroad

Hosts: Douglas & Janet Wilken

The layout is in a U style, I built the tracks in a raised bed made from concrete blocks, top soil, and covered with gravel and used 1/4 minus gravel for the track. A bark chip path rests between the two tracks so visitors can walk between the trains to see all the action. I have added people, cars,truck and solar lights in my houses. It took two (2004 to 2006) years to built my dream and the train shed modeled after a real train shed where trains go into one window on a bend five foot trestle and comes out the other window on a four foot bridge. I have 500 feet of track and it is track powered.

Open for tour on Tuesday, 27 August, 2019.
You have steps on the side of the house to walk up, so it is not handicap accessible.

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G&G Railroad

Hosts: Gary Garnas

The G&G Railroad has one of the Club’s smaller track layouts. It is a dual track over and under of approximately 260 feet with a 60 foot trestle and 20 foot turnout. The main railroad was built 14 years ago and the trestle added last year. The railroad sits on fairly steep slopes. The severity was lessened somewhat with cuts into the hillsides and retaining walls built with over 1100 bricks. Both narrow gauge and diesel locomotives in all G-scale sizes are run using either track or battery power. Rolling stock consists of both passenger and freight cars. There are a minimal number of buildings and other accessories so as not to detract from what is a true garden railroad with emphasis on the surrounding plants and shrubbery.

Open for tour on Tuesday, 27 August, 2019.
Not handicap accessible.

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Molalla Train Park (aka Shady Dell)

Hosts: Pacific Northwest Live Steamers

Founded in 1954 as a place for train enthusiasts of all ages to operate and ride model trains, Molalla Train Park has primarily operated with a 7.5-inch gauge layout on 4 acres of land with 4200 feet of track. The park is open to the public with a picnic area and free rides every Sunday from May through October. A large 24-stall roundhouse with railroad turntable accommodates many privately held and club locomotives, both live steam, and diesel/electric. Special events and private parties can also be accommodated.

A small G gauge layout was added, and in 2017, a major expansion to the G gauge operation was begun. The layout now incorporates two loops on concrete roadbed that completely encircle the public picnic area. One loop is approximately 600′, and the other has over 700′ of track, which includes a fabulous 60′ long high trestle that spans a large pond in the center of the park. The Garden layout also incorporates a switching yard and a multiple track 7′ X 20′ storage structure. Trains use primarily battery power or live steam, but one of the mainline loops also has track power available. Children love seeing all of the trains run, and often are invited to operate the garden railroad.

Open for tour on Tuesday, 27 August, 2019.
Handicap accessible.

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Old Homestead Garden Railway

Visit the Miniforest Nursery in Mulino, OR. Their web site is at Miniforest Nursery.

Owner: Sharon (Sky) Yankee

Miniforest Nursery (by Sky) was started in 1994 as an offshoot of the original Old Homestead Garden Railway. Sharon’s attention was centered on naturally small plants that would fit in our little world and stay that way over the years with a minimum amount of attention. The nursery has outlived the railroad, though you can see remains that include what was an actual half-inch replica of well known Hull Oaks Lumber, the last commercial steam powered sawmill in America. The bulk of her business is mail order, so you can get her plants all over the country.

Open for tour on Tuesday, 27 August, 2019.
Handicapped accessible. Ground is level gravel.

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Story Lines Railway

Engineer: Gary Everitt
Power: Track and Battery

Construction of the Story Lines railway began in the spring of 2005. The original sub-roadbed is redwood recycled from a deck behind a house in Ashland, Oregon. As the track configuration has changed over the years, and an additional loop added, the new track simply “floats” on the ballast. The train storage shed contains a switchyard; the grade leading to it was completed this year.
The track and switches are LGB. Switches on the main line are wired and controlled from the master panel. At this time, the original loop and sidings are track powered, but Story Lines now has three battery-battery-powered locomotives as well. The layout is designed to give a “peek-a-boo” effect; the train disappearing behind the landscape and then popping up for a glimpse here and there gives the illusion that the distance is longer than it really is.
The buildings have been picked up at club auctions, donated by friends, or built by the owner. Future structures in the works include scratch-built models based on Sears Kit Homes from the early 1900s and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
The resort town of Erratic Rock began as a simple logging camp. Its name was inspired by the phenomenal variety of geologic wonders throughout the area, which have puzzled geologists and been studied by them for over a century.
Not long after the camp was established, a logger discovered gold in “them thar hills”, and the rush was on. A town sprang up and was quickly serviced by a railroad. When the gold played out, and the forests thinned, Erratic Rock became a near ghost town. But thanks to the beauty of the area, and the opportunities for recreation, a wise town father named Ellingham Bodmin turned the town into a mecca for the arts.
Erratic Rock is now famous for its Shakespeare Festival, its many outdoor concerts, its opportunities for outdoor recreation, and its scenic railway. It is a “green” community, with power supplied by the wind turbines along the Crater Creek gorge.
Because of Erratic Rock’s relative isolation, Story Lines not only serves as a tourist attraction, but also brings supplies and people to town. Though a visitor may be lucky enough to see classic cars at the annual cruise-in, it is far easier to reach Erratic Rock by rail than by car.

Open for tour on Tuesday, 27 August, 2019.
Handicapped accessible

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