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Gateway Central VI (1999)
Gateway Central VI
Another Successful Project Layout
text by Richard Lake
photos by Richard Schumacher
On Sunday, October 17, 1999, the winner of the
Gateway Central VI (GCVI) was selected at the Division's
Fall TrainExpo. The lucky winner was Father Edward Doyle
from Montgomery City, Mo. He was out of town when we
called to notify him, but returned our call a few days
later to arrange to pick up GCVI. Father Doyle is a
model railroader with a moderate HO layout, and some N
scale and some G scale as well. He is delighted with the
layout and is already looking at it with an eye to
incorporating it into his existing layout. However,
before that will happen, GCVI will be displayed at one
more train show. Father Doyle is a member of the Train
Collectors Association and is planning to have the
layout on display at their show in Columbia, Mo on
November 6! It's nice to know that GCVI has found a good
home and that it continues to travel the country for
others to see.
 GCVI - A History
The design of GCVI really began at the NMRA National
Convention in Kansas City in July 1998. I found myself
as chair of the project after pointing out a Model
Railroader project railroad in the
December 1997 issue. After some discussion with Richard
Schumacher and Randy Meyer who volunteered to co-chair
with me, we decided it would be interesting to build the
layout using one of the new sectional track systems,
especially if one of the manufacturers would be willing
to donate the track needed. John Lee told us that he
believed Life-Like would be glad to contribute their
Power-Loc track. With that information we approached
Life-Like in Kansas City and they volunteered the track,
a locomotive and quite a bit more.
We also approached Walthers for their sawmill, paper
mill and kraft mill, and they too were generous. By the
time we finished our rounds with the manufacturers in
Kansas City, we had donations that covered power pack
and sound system, locomotive rolling stock, structures,
and scenery materials. As a result, GCVI cost the
Division less to build than any preceding project layout
and it has contributed significantly to the Division's
treasury.
This was partially because of the many donations we
received but it still would not have been possible had
it not been for the many, many Gateway Division members
who worked to construct the layout, built the
structures, and especially put in hours selling tickets
whenever GCVI was on display. My thanks go to everyone
who contributed to this layout. Without your help and
work it would not have been the success it was.
 Gateway Central VI was
designed around two logging industry scenes (one on each
side of the layout). This side shows the paper and kraft
mills with a chip unloading area. These photos are by
Richard Schumacher, click to view a larger,
high-resolution version.
 This overhead view shows the
track plan. The paper mill has been removed to show the
track which ran inside the mill building. The
"white line" down the middle is the position
of the removable scenic divider/background. Life-Like
Power-Loc track was used.
 A unique feature of this
layout is that it is designed to be transported in
normal-size mini-vans and SUVs. The layout divides into
two unequal sized sections, designed to stack one on top
of the other.
The following manufacturers, hobby shops and
individuals donated materials for this project layout:
| Life-Like
Power-Loc Track |
Chicago
Model International,
Sounder Throttle & Sounder Station |
Walther's
Cornerstone Structures,
sawmill, paper & kraft Mills |
Life-Like
Proto 2000, GP20 Engine |
Woodland
Scenics,
ballast, ground covers, bushes &
trees |
Atlas,
lumber yard, tank cars, caboose |
Life-Like
Scene Master
autos, trucks, & trees |
American
Model Builders,
LaserKit lumber company skid shacks |
| Manchester
Hobby Products, retaining walls |
Red
Board Hobbies,
GWM & Walther's structures |
| Athearn,
tractor trucks & trailer vans |
Walther's,
log cars w/logs |
| Accurail,
boxcars |
Forcade
Insurance Agency, tickets |
| Badger
- Modelflex Paints, Modelflex paint |
Ken
Thompson, boxcar |
| Richard
Schumacher, Pola industry structure,
boxcar, vehicles, scenery materials |
Randy
Meyer, scenery materials |
| Brian
Post, electrical components |
Dave
Roeder, boxcars |
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Gateway Central VI
1999
Layout Design by Richard Schumacher
Chairmen:
Richard Lake
Richard Schumacher
Randy Meyer |
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