David Renard
Sylvania Central Railroad
Dave Renard (NMRA MMR #35) built the fully scenicked Sylvania
Central Railroad (HO scale) to depict the Central Division of an
eastern bridge road hauling mixed freight and passenger trains in the
mid 1960’s. The line’s other divisions to the north and south are
represented by hidden return storage loops stacked at one end of the
system.
Sylvania is the main city and division point for
the line, and through trains set out and pick up blocks of cars at the
Division Yard. Local trains originate here to serve industries
along this portion of the mainline and on a branchline to Monequine
where there is a port area and an interchange with another major
carrier. The double track mainline climbs from Sylvania, around a
horseshoe curve to reach Alta Station and beyond to the northern
division. A narrow gauge, steam-powered museum train carries rail
fans over a parallel portion of this route.
First and
second generation diesels handle locomotive assignments with steam
relegated to fan trips, the museum, and static display. Rolling
stock consists of many scratch built cars and others modified from
kits. Structures are mostly scratch built and some
kit-bashed. The addition of DCC several years ago has simplified
the train order operation.