Layouts

HO SCALE

​HO is the Club’s largest layout and occupies approximately 425 square feet.   It is constructed on a series of 20 modular tables.  Track work consists of four continuous main lines and a mountain branch line extension.  The longest main lines are a scale mile in length.  The layout is powered by a Digitrax DCC System that can be operated with phones via Wi-Fi or with conventional DCC throttles.  The current system will accommodate up to 8 trains in simultaneous operation.

The layout is loosely based on North Carolina’s Piedmont and Blue Ridge areas circa the 1950s.  However, it is not uncommon to see modern passenger trains, container unit trains, and even European equipment operating on any given weekend.  A coal mine, farms, a rock quarry, and lumber camp are the major industries that support the towns, businesses, power plant, and cities modeled on the layout.  Construction of scenery and new sidings, engine houses, and yards is a work in progress, but, as in real life, the trains have right-of-way.  Stop by to see all of the various stages of construction of a large model railroad.

Club members run their own equipment or use the hundreds of Club-owned engines, passenger cars, and freight cars.  Guests are welcome to operate during public viewing hours. 

N SCALE

Our permanent N scale layout is more than 25 feet long by about 3 ½ feet wide.  It includes urban, industrial, suburban, and rural scenic areas.  It has a double track main line.  There are two reversing loops.  It has a large, elevated trolley loop connecting urban and industrial areas.  We are in the process of adding new engine facilities, industries, and an intermodal operation.

The Club also has a T-TRAK layout which we display at various events.  This layout is set in North Carolina and is based on the fictitious Neuse River Valley RR.

O GAUGE

The Neuse River Model Railroad Club’s three rail O gauge layout is 18 feet by 7 feet with 4 separate loops which can be operated independently or together with several interconnecting switches.  There are two sidings and a transition line between the raised level and the lower level as well as a reversing loop.  Landscaping is constantly evolving as member ideas and time are available.  In addition to the town there is a Carnival complete with rides and food vendors.  The layout can run transformer (conventional), Lionel Legacy,  LionChief,  and DCS (MTH)  engines.  Our club has a variety of engines and rolling stock to run on the layout and members frequently run their own equipment.  We also welcome visitors to bring in their equipment to run on our tracks.  Guests are welcome.

S SCALE

Our S scale layout is a vintage American Flyer, 3 track 5’ X 9’ display. Two-rail American Flyer track with A.C. Gilbert rubber track bed adds realism and quieter operation. All houses are mid-century Plasticville O/S scale.
S scale is in the opinion of some the most logical scale. It is smaller than O scale, therefore taking less space, and larger than HO, making it easier to work with (especially for senior modelers). S scale is 3/16 of an inch to 1 foot.
The name usually associated with S scale is American Flyer, a brand owned by the A.C. Gilbert Company (1909-1967), which also made Erector Sets, chemistry sets and microscopes. The headquarters in New Haven, Conn., was called “The Hall of Science”.

G SCALE

One normally sees Garden or “G” Scale models outside running through “gardens”  or landscaping.  However,  we have created a layout for you to enjoy  within  our Clubhouse.

Our Garden scale layout encircles the Club’s lobby/sitting/meeting room. The layout is suspended from the room’s drop ceiling. There are two complete loops joined by a single storage track. The Club has multiple trains to run and members bring in their own trains to run, from modern diesels to nineteenth century steamers. On any day you may see a  4-6-4 steam engine or a European steamer .