The Layout

 The layout at the OMRS is a three level layout with a helix at either end. This pdf file is a schematic view of the layout. The individual levels are described below.

  The lower level, shown above, is the staging area. The long yards are at the height of 33" and are about  15 feet long on either side.  Trains enter the 'hidden yard' on the outer track at the bottom right corner of the diagram and proceed to the 'A' staging area, tracks A1 to A5 on the top of the yard.  The A6 line is a pass through track.  Trains are usually staged on the bottom set of tracks, B1 to B6 and will exit the staging area on the inner track going up to Franklin Junction where the trains enter the main layout.

   The main level at 43" is shown  here, with the helixes at the two ends of the layout. Chinook Yard with Seaport Terminal is the main draw on this level. At this time we are adding a steam locomotive servicing area just to the right of the left-most helix. This area will include a 11 stall roundhouse with 130' turntable and other steam servicing buildings. Around the right-most helix  ( where the turntable is shown in this drawing) is currently bare, but plans are to develop five or six industries in this area.  Half Moon Yard on the extreme right finishes off this level.  Distance in the room from the left helix to Half Moon Yard is approximately 50 feet.

    Lastly, the upper level

is almost fully done with scenery, clouds and ballasted track.  At the top of the left most helix is Mountain Home, a mining site complete with two trestles and a unique scratch built wooden bridge that is part switch, part bridge.  Very unique!  Along the upper level are the two main lines that pass Marvin's Bluff, complete with station and ferry dock, goes over the Nisqually River at High Bridge, then passes through the town of Anderson, which is modeled after Winlock, Wa. After leaving Anderson, trains swing around the lower right corner of the train room and go down the right helix to get back to the lower level.  On the top of the right helix is a farming and lumber mill area called Hill City, which is accessed from a siding out of Anderson.  We still have some work to do on the upper level, but it is almost complete.