This page will eventually contain a large number of photos and information from past projects. At this time, the photos are somewhat limited, but bookmark this page and check back regularly to see the additions as we get more pictures scanned in. Click any of the images for a more detailed rendering.
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY, CHICAGO, IL - 1990 - 'O' SCALE PMD was commissioned by Santa Fe Industries to completely renovate the 3,000 square foot O Scale layout at Chicago's Museum of Science & Industry. This project included all new rolling stock, locomotives and completely refurbished scenery including many thousand trees that had to be hand planted. In addition, we re-painted the grand canyon, re-ballasted all the trackwork, added all new signals as well as many miles of new wiring and completely computerized the operations so that up to six trains could run automatically on the two loops. All the electronics are housed in a simulation of a modern CTC control center where the viewer can watch both the trains and the computer in operation. This project required 6-8 months of planning and better than 12 months of actual construction working 4-6 days and evenings a week. At peak times, we had a crew of 16 talented modelers working for us.
ALLIED MODEL TRAINS, LOS ANGELES - 1995 - 'HO SCALE' Without a doubt, one of the most highly detailed 4' x 8' layouts in existence. With a strong urban theme, the streets and abundant structures on this HO scale layout climb the slope of a hill, providing easy viewing of all the structures. Built as a show-piece and sales tool for DPM and other models, this layout has been featured in a number of photo features in various modeling magazines. It has also been used for numerous photo shots in manufacturer's literature and the Walther's catalog.
DISPLAY LAYOUTS - 1994 - PRESENT Trade show and showroom display layouts have been designed and constructed for a number of prominent model railroad manufacturers including Wm. K. Walthers, Marklin, Heki and Key Imports.
CIRCUITRON DISPLAY LAYOUTS, ROMEOVILLE, IL - 1995 - HO SCALE
Two layouts were constructed during this time period. One is a 4' x 8' HO scale layout which is hinged and suspended by gas shocks within a hardwood furniture cabinet. Similar to a Murphy-bed, the layout is fully detailed and ready to run and folds away when not in use. Built as a design exercise in conjunction with our cabinet-maker, this layout is now on display in our showroom.
The second layout is Circuitron's show layout. 20 feet long by 2' to 4' deep, this layout breaks into 7 modules for easy transport. Incorporating much of Circuitron's special lighting and control circuits, 2 trains can run continuously on the looping mainline while switching activity goes on in the foreground. The layout features beautiful rockwork and a highly detailed stream. The full length hand-painted backdrop adds great depth to this relatively shallow layout. This layout has been photographed as a backdrop for numerous product photographs and was featured on the cover of the NMRA journal.
THE PALMER HOUSE HILTON, CHICAGO, IL - 1997 - 'G' SCALE PMD was commissioned to design, construct and install an overhead model of Chicago's elevated railway system, circa 1950, in the Big Downtown Restaurant inside the Palmer House. The powered coaches and unpowered trailers were fabricated from Bachmann passenger car kits with custom resin cast ends and door details. Painted in the Green and Cream livery, these trains are a lively addition to the restaurant theme. The simulated steel structure was fabricated from custom plastic I-beam extrusions, assembled and painted in our shop and then transported in sections for final assembly and suspension in the restaurant. Custom circuitry controls the operation of 2 back and forth trains and 2 trains that run around the entire perimeter of the large restaurant.
BACHMANN DISPLAY LAYOUT - 1997 - 'G' SCALE This 8' x 20' logging layout was constructed for Bachmann Industries to showcase their new G Scale Shay locomotives. Designed to be both lightweight and portable, this layout needed to retain the high level of detail necessary for up-close inspection. Scratch-built bridges, wooden trestles and a detailed mine scene are focal points while the trains pass close to abundant rock faces and hundreds of hand-built pine trees. This exhibit won the Best Booth Award at the 1997 RCHTA trade show in Chicago.
APPALACHIAN & PACIFIC RAILWAY CO., NAPERVILLE, IL - 1998 - 'HO' SCALE This highly detailed, around the wall layout filled a 15' by 30' room. With 5 mainlines, large yard areas combined with rolling hills, lush vegetation and remarkable scratch-built trestles and truss bridges, this layout was a photographer's dream. Designed as a commercial photography setting for use in advertising, operations have been filmed by the Public Broadcasting System in high-definition format and it will be featured in an up-coming PBS segment of Tracks Ahead. The layout featured complete prototypical signaling (the client was a Santa Fe V.P.) and radio controlled throttles. Recently dismantled because of a move, the client is already working on plans for a 2,500 square foot replacement which we will start construction on soon.
ALPINE SPLENDOR, OAK BROOK, IL - 2000 - 'G' SCALE This large indoor G Scale layout fills a 1,500 square foot area in the lower level of a lavish Oak Brook home. Situated behind curved glass and fine mahogany woodwork, the Digitrax DCC controlled trains traverse the mountainous terrain of the Swiss Alps. Custom built structures including an engine house, depot, church and numerous dwellings surround a magnificent scratch-built castle measuring 3' x 3' x over 3' high. Custom lighting effects, an operational Swiss signal system, hand-laid track and scratch-built catenary are features of this museum quality model. A custom installed theatrical lighting system plays an entire day's lighting from dawn to sunset across the custom built trees, hand-painted sky and backdrops. The entire layout is controlled from a central kiosk with radio controlled DCC throttles and computer controlled lighting effects.
