Roomfuls Of Rail Revisited - The Layouts Of The YMRA, Part 1: O Scale

Our visit to Ohio in July would not have been complete without paying a return visit to the clubhouse of the Youngstown Model Railroad Association. In addition to blowing FFV Junior's mind at the sight of two different room-sized model train layouts, the visit was an opportunity to expand upon the footage I shot during our last visit two years ago and see how the layouts were evolving.

Part 1 covers the O scale layout in the upper level of the clubhouse. No major scenery or trackage changes had taken place since our last visit, but the switch to all-LED lighting and the use of a portable lamp brightened things up a bit. With more club members helping out, we took the time to stage a few scenes and run some of the locomotives and rolling stock we missed the last time. Norfolk & Western steam was particularly well-represented, as we had one each of the road's 'Big Three' in operation. Class J 4-8-4 611 and Class A 2-6-6-4 1218 handled trains on the mainline, while Class Y6b 2197 puttered about in the roundhouse area. Pennsy power also got plenty of attention, represented by a spartan trio of GP30s and a pair of Duplex steam locomotives; a T-1 4-4-4-4 and the one-of-a-kind Q1 4-6-4-4. Perennial favorite UP 'Big Boy' 4012 made a return appearance, trading freight duties with UP Challenger 3985. A couple of more modern consists joined the fray as well - a Conrail train of loaded ore jennies led by a trio of Geeps and topped off with a Northeastern-style caboose, and a freight led by an NS SD70 working with a pair of Conrail-liveried SD80MACs. A bewildering variety of other locomotives and cars played cameo roles as they idled in the yard, roundhouse, and passenger terminal. We'll have to see about taking the 20th Century Limited and the UP gas turbine out for a spin during a future visit...

ABOUT THE CLUB:

Founded in March 1957 with just 8 members, the YMRA now boasts over 30 members and established its current home at the former Four Mile Run Christian Church in Austintown, OH in 1978. The original layouts were modeled in HO scale, but the club expanded in 1980 to include an O scale group. At present, the O scale layout occupies what used to be the church's sanctuary, while the HO scale layout occupies the basement. For membership information and a calendar of open house events, visit the club website at http://www.ymra.org.