Mike White’s Layout Open House

By Bill Day

Following the Civil War, American railroads bound the country together in a magnificent network of freight and passenger service. From its first beginnings, represented by TV’s Hell on Wheels, to the computer-driven sophistication of today’s operations, the story of railroads has been movement and operation.

Mike White’s layout represents that prototype movement, joining Tony Koester, Bill Darnaby and Allan McClellan in modeling historic rights-of-way with authentic buildings and industries. Mike has carefully reconstructed Calvert County towns and rail lines in his Solomons & Patuxent Railroad, a line that runs through the Maryland towns of Solomons, Dowell, Lusby, Bertha, St Leonard, Prince Frederick, Sunderland and Owings. The era is 1936 when steam was king and Eastern railroads ran on Consolidations, Pacifics and Hudsons. Stressing authenticity on operations nights, Mike’s crew runs a fast clock that is exactly calibrated to a timetable from the thirties.

                Some two dozen modelers and wives saw Mike’s layout in early December, seeing how meticulous modeling and trackwork can add a touch of history to operations night.  Although the railroad is a fictional short line, it follows the right of way of the unfinished Baltimore & Drum Point Railroad. When finished, the S&P will service the Owings passenger station, glide by County landmarks--some abandoned, some still standing-- that dotted Maryland’s countryside. Mike’s signature tobacco barn holds tobacco leaves hanging on tobacco sticks, and his J.C. Lore oyster house will be detailed inside and out.  He has perfected what the French call realisme.

What’s more, few layout rooms boast the care and craftsmanship seen on the S&P. The benchwork and scenery are the product of eight years’ effort, and they show it. The room is finished, the lighting is bright, the wallboard backdrop is beautifully crafted, the horizon lined with trees and distant hills.

                Even the working part of the fascia shows attention to detail. The yard switches are miniature “armstrong” levers, not just positioned on a fascia shelf, but set in bases carefully cut with a scroll saw, the bases boasting coved corners and finished surfaces, cabinet work at its best.

                Is Mike pleased with his progress? He should be. One veteran modeler who only operates on exceptional layouts throughout the country, braced Mike and said, “When can I come and operate?”

Click here to see the Solomons & Patuxent Railroad web site.


Aug2011-2
Aug2011-4
Aug2011-8
Aug2011-9
DSC_0003
DSC_0006
DSC_0008
DSC_0011
DSC_0016
DSC_0017
DSCN2009
DSCN2010
DSCN2011
DSCN2012
DSCN2013
DSCN2014
DSCN2015
DSCN2016
DSCN2017
DSCN2018
DSCN2019
DSCN2020

jAlbum 10