Dr. John

Thanks, Shortliner! I checked out the site - those are some really nice backdrops.

Max, just two more questions . . . Are the turnouts/points no. 5 or no. 6? Who makes the excellent backdrop building prints? Thanks much.

Thanks! Would love to see more photos.

Fantastic layout! I like how you managed two destinations in such a small space. Is your rail size code 75 or code 83?

I'm not sure which I like the most - the excellent trackwork, the scratch-built buildings, the nicely weathered locomotives and rolling stock, or the myriad small details. I love your Helm layout but this one is giving it a strong run for the money in my book.

Living in the lower Appalachian foothills as I do, I'm struck by how well you have captured the 'feel' of the region with your scenery and structures. Your layout looks 'familiar' in the sense that it looks like places I've passed through. I wish I had the confidence, skill (and eyesight) to work in N scale as it provides opportunity for scenic vistas difficult to attain in the larger scales.

Great roundhouse shot! It's difficult to believe that it's N scale.

Wow! The hotdog vendor's cart is phenomenal! Like the birds, too.

In the US they were marketed by AHM back in the early 70's as part of their Mini-Trains line (HOn2 1/2 or HOe). I believe Roco was the manufacturer. They were only offered with code 100 brass rail in the states.

8395 appears to be a former Wiregrass Central locomotive that served in neighboring Alabama. Both 8395 and 4537 are rebuilds from EMD GP-7 or GP-9 models (lowered short hoods, new electricals and air filters), making them 50+ years old. These rebuilds (most work done in Paducah, Kentucky) were once commonplace on railroad in the southern USA. Now they are a vanishing breed, even on shortline railroads. 8795 is an unusual find for Georgia. It is an EMD SD-40T2, a "tunnel motor" unit once owned either by either the Denver & Rio Grande or the Southern Pacific before both lines were absorbed by the Union Pacific. This unit still retains most of the UP livery. They were called "tunnel motors" due to the low intakes along the rear of the long hood. Ostensibly, these units were better suited for the long tunnels in the mountainous west and able to draw cooler air with the low intakes. I'm not sure how well this worked in practice. Very interesting finds!