By David Koch, North Georgia Modurail
Southeastern Railway Museum volunteers and members of the North Georgia Modurail model railroad club are back at work on the HO model train layout. The Georgia & Tennessee Railroad was donated to SRM and the decision was made to replace to original museum layout that was showing some age and in constant need of repair. The initial teams tore down the old layout, reassembled and redesigned the new layout, and worked tirelessly for months building a layout that represents railroading in Southeast during the steam-to-diesel era of the 1950s.
After a pause in construction, a new team, consisting of original and new members, is now focused on completing a model railroad available for public display and operation.
The past few weeks have been dedicated to making the layout operational. A state-of-the-art control system was installed to allow safe operation by the public with a simple press of a button. Track work is being tested and repaired with a focus on maintenance-free operation. Engines and rolling stock have been inventoried, tested, and are being repaired to make them ready for operation on the new layout.
Over the next several weeks the team will work to complete the beautifully detailed artistic scenery started by the original team. The team is looking for donations to build a viewing area where the public can operate trains and experience railroading as it was in its heyday. The goal is to open the layout to the public as soon as possible.
Keep up with North Georgia Modurail online at www.northgeorgiamodurail.org.