Gateway Central Project Model
Railroads
Successful Train Show Small Model Railroad
Layouts for public display
 For over a
decade, the Gateway Division has constructed small model
train layouts for display and demonstrations at local
train shows. One of our recent and exciting
projects was the construction of a custom 4'x8' model
railroad for the Missouri History Museum. This
layout was displayed in their exhibit, "Our World
in Miniature" during the Winter of 2003. You can click this photo to go to the start
of the over 100 photos of this layout, and each of its
structures. A number of
the buildings have articles or tips on how to assemble
that specific model kit.
The current project railroad was displayed at a
number of St. Louis Area Train Shows during 2005 and
will be raffled off at our Annual Fall
Meet and Train Show in November.
About our project model railroad layouts
 One
of our favorite project railroads was the Gateway
Central VI layout. It was designed around two logging
industry scenes (one on each side of the layout). This
side shows the paper and kraft mills with a wood chip
unloading area. As with the rest of our website, click
on any photo to view a larger, high-resolution version.
 The
overhead view shows the track plan for GC VI. The paper
mill has been removed to show the track which ran inside
the mill building (so paper could be protected from the
weather when loaded in boxcars). The "white
line" down the middle of the overhead view is the
position of the removable scenic divider/background.
Life-Like Power-Loc nickel-silver track was used for
this specific layout.
Our project railroads have used a variety of
different materials and techniques. Different past
layouts have used Atlas Code 100 and Code 83, Peco,
Micro Engineering, Life-Like Power Loc and Bachman track
and turnouts. We use an assortment of structures from a
variety of manufacturers on each layout.
 Most
of our project railroads have been designed to be
transported in normal-size mini-vans and SUVs. Some of
the layouts divided into two or three sections, some
designed to stack one on top of the other.
However, the easiest project railroads to transport
are single units 4 feet by 5 feet 10 inches. This is the
largest size that fits flat in standard mini-vans and
SUVs. The Gateway Central VIII (2001), IX (2002) and X
(2003) layouts were designed this size, and had
all structures permanently epoxyed to the layout (making
the layout quicker to move, and with less damage to the
structures).
Photos of the Gateway Central
X 4'x6' train layout.
Photos of the Gateway Central
IX 4'x6' train layout.
Photos of the Gateway Central
XII 4'x7' train layout.
Photos of the History Museum Layout.
Photos of the structures on the History Museum Layout.
Click a photo below to see the enlarged, more
detailed photo or more information on previous Gateway
Division project layouts. Chairmen for each project
layout are listed. Photos by Richard Schumacher.
Our latest project
railroad is under construction and running,
click for an enlarged view. |
Gateway Central XIII
2006Construction Chairmen:
Bob Boedges & Mike Satke |
Riverport
switching and continuous
run in only 4'x7' |
Gateway
Central XII
2005Construction Chairmen:
Bob Boedges & Mike Satke
Display Chairman: Brian Post |
Photo of layout under construction
at the November 2003 Fall Meet |
Gateway
Central XI
2004
N Scale, built on a door!
Brad Joseph
|
Continuous run and switching
operations in only 4'x6' |
Gateway
Central X
2003
Layout Design by Richard
Schumacher
Display Chairman: Bob Amsler
Construction Chairman: Richard
Schumacher
|
Track plan overhead view of the Museum
Model Train Layout |
Missouri
History Museum Model Railroad Layout
"St. Louis Central"
2002
Layout Design by Richard
Schumacher
Dave Bartz
Rich Laux
Venita Lake
Richard Schumacher |
Continuous run
and switching operations
in only 4'x6' |
Gateway
Central IX
2002
Layout Design by Richard
Schumacher
Display Chairman: Mike Thomas
Construction Chairman: Richard
Schumacher |
Constructed
during
the 2001 National Train
Show (July 13-15)
Click
for layout construction photos |
St.
Louis Central 2001
2001 National Train Show
Layout Design by Richard
Schumacher
Sponsored by Model
Railroader magazine
Venita Lake
Richard Schumacher
Rick Lake
Layout plan artwork by Model
Railroader magazine. Used
with permission. |
 |
Gateway Central VIII
2001
Layout Design by Richard
Schumacher
Display Chairman: Paul Metzler
Construction Chairman: Richard
Schumacher |
| Photo soon! |
Gateway
Central VII
2000
On30 narrow gauge
Randy Meyer |
 |
Read great article
on this layout!
Gateway Central VI
1999
Layout Design by Richard
Schumacher
Richard Lake
Richard Schumacher
Randy Meyer |
|
Photo soon! |
Gateway
Central V
1998
John Winter
John Schindler |
 |
Read article on
this layout!
Gateway Central IV
1997
"Ozark River
Valley"
Richard Schumacher
Richard Lake
Randy Meyer |
 |
Gateway
Central III
1996
Based on "Berkshire
Division"
Dan Osborn |
 |
Gateway
Central II
1995
Based on "Red
Wing"
Brad Joseph |
 |
Gateway
Central I
1994
Based on "Alkali
Central"
Plans available in the December
1995 Model Railroader Magazine
John Winter |
|
