The "Tracks to Tidewater" offers several opportunities to operate on some of the truly spectacular home and club model railroads in the Tidewater Division. Below are the confirmed layouts. Layout addresses will be emailed to paid registrants several weeks in advance. For more information, please contact committee chair Mark Nieting (contact information located under "contacts").
#3 Mat Thompson, MMR - Oregon Coast Railroad - Freelance prototype set in Portland
The Oregon Coast Railroad is a switching layout working the industrial area of North Portland, Oregon. Operations are yard transfer and industry switching. Modeled activities include an ocean terminal, a small harbor/cannery area, a large meatpacking plant, a large paper mill and a modest yard. Layout height is 30” designed so operators can work while seated in rolling chairs, All turnouts are hand thrown. Layout control is duplex Digitrax.
The layout is featured in Model Railroading Planning 2026.
Location: Colonial Heritage is a gated community – access is only through the main gate (GPS , 6500 Arthur Hills Drive, Williamsburg ) on US RT 60 (Richmond Road) across from GoKarts Plus). Park along the street put don’t block mailboxes.
Layout Scale: HO
Layout Theme: Industrial switching
Accessibility: downstairs in lower level, operators work seated in rolling chairs.
Train Dispatching System: Informal dispatching
Car Forwarding method: Car Cards and Waybills
Layout Control System: Digitrax Duplex - host provides throttles
Ops scheduled for:
Thursday, 2pm to 5pm
Fee: $10 per session
Max Operators: 8 per session
#10 Bob Cook - Virginian Railway
The layout depicts the Virginian Railway in the late 1950s from Roanoke, VA to Clarks Gap, West Virginia. The Virginian Railway was primarily a coal carrier, transporting coal from the West Virginia coal fields to Norfolk, VA, as well as other coal destinations. While the Virginian was electrified in this area, the layout doesn’t have catenary. A standard gauge logging railroad, W.M. Ritter is also modeled. The layout includes a large yard in Roanoke and a smaller yard in Princeton, WV, as well as a staging yard that represents Norfolk on the east and Elmore on the West. The mainline is 174’ with four passing sidings. The mainline increases in elevation at a 2% grade to Princeton, then levels out and enters a helix that depicts Clarks Gap and descends to either Roanoke or staging (Norfolk/Elmore). Traffic is controlled by Timetable and Train order, using switch lists and car cards. There are four, dispatcher controlled, train order signals on the layout. A dispatcher’s table is located behind a barrier. JRMI Panel Pro provides train location. Engineers and the dispatcher communicate using a phone system. Digtrax is used to operate (duplex throttles) and detect trains. Most engines are sound equipped.
In an operating session, two locals (one east, one west), two timed freights (one east, one west) operate on a schedule, plus four coal extras (two east, two west). A mine run, interchange train with te N&W and/or passenger train can be added as time allows.
Location: Southside-West Chesapeake
Layout Scale: HO
Layout Theme: Virginian Railroad
Accessibility: Eight steps to enter the house and 15 steps to the train room. Aisles in the layout have a minimum width of 22”.
Website:
Virtual Layout Tour:
Traffic Dispatching System:
Car Forwarding Method:
Layout Control system:
Ops scheduled for:
Thursday, 7p-10pm
Fee: $10
Max Operators: 6
#9 Chuck Davis, MMR
The PNE is set in the early 1950s and is a proto-freelance-type layout. The operations are based on a previous layout and still incorporate many of the aspects of that old layout. The original version of this layout stretches from a connection to the PRR at just north of Harrisburg along the south shoulder of Blue Mountain, up through New Jersey, New York up over the Poughkeepsie Bridge, and into New England. The central portion of the layout modeled consists of a passenger terminal, freight yard, and an engine terminal. Trains enter and exit through an active staging area or fiddle yard. There are through freights, through and local passengers, and local freight, running with steam and first generation diesel.
Location: Southside-West Norfolk
Layout Scale: HO
Layout Theme:
Accessibility: The layout is in an unattached garage.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/119032054779790/
Train Dispatching System:
Method of Communication:
Car Forwarding Method:
Layout Control system:
Specific jobs requiring regular operators other than guests:
Specific Jobs for guest operators?
Ops scheduled for:
Friday, 9:30am - 12:30pm
Fee: $10
Max Operators: 6
#11 Mark Nieting - JONES ISLAND, THE PORT OF MILWAUKEE
Growing up in Milwaukee, I was fascinated by the port area, back then served by the Milwaukee Road and the Chicago and North Western. Both the C&O and Grand Trunk operated railroad ferries to the Cream City from Michigan. While many model the Beer Line, I know only a few doing Jones Island. I have tried to stay as close to the actual track plan and industries as I can, given the limitations of my space. Crews running the trains should be aware they are standing in 25 feet of water!
My layout is a U-shaped switching layout. Transfers to Jones Island come from 4 staging tracks to serve the port area, including significant petroleum products, salt, cement and the port facilities themselves. Digitrax wireless throttles allow 3 crews to work around each other as well as avoiding CNW passenger service through the area. My era is winter 1969-1970, so prepared for a cool room and plenty of beer! All locos are sound equipped. Lucky visitors may catch the occasional transfer from the Milwaukee, Racine and Troy to the C&O ferry. There are 4 steps into the house, and another 9 to reach my “frog,” which also displays much of my Lionel pre and postwar collection and numerous railroad artifacts. Op sessions tend to run about 2 hours.
Location: Southside-West Chesapeake
Layout Scale: HO
Layout Theme:
Accessibility: Four steps to enter the house and 9 steps to the train room.
Website:
Train Dispatching System:
Car Forwarding Method:
Layout Control system:
Ops scheduled for:
Thursday, 7pm - 10pm
Friday, 7pm - 10pm
Fee: $10 per session
Max Operators: Both sessions 6
#6 William Wapples III
Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O)
Location: Peninsula - Newport News
Layout Scale: HO
Layout Theme: The Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) main and branch lines represent West Virginia Operations include the main line, branch line, and yard operation. Four cycles way bills direct car movements with some added extra features.
Accessibility: The layout is on the 2nd floor and is not handy cap accessible. I have a ramp on the first floor and 14 steps to the layout room. Have bar stools to help the operators.
Website:
Train Dispatching System:
Car Forwarding Method:
Layout Control system:
Positions Available Include:
Ops scheduled for:
Saturday, 9am-12:30pm
Fee: $10
Max Operators: Layout viewing: 10 - Operating Session: 9
#12 John Cryderman - Detroit Terminal Railroad West End
Based on
Location: Southside-East Chesapeake
Layout Scale: HO
Layout Theme: 1965 industrial switching in Detroit...about 50% complete.
Accessibility: Family room, you have to climb three stairs to enter the house
Website:
Train Dispatching System: Switch list
Car Forwarding Method: Switch list
Layout Control system: MRC
Ops scheduled for:
Saturday, 6pm- 9pm
Fee: none
Max Operators: 9
#5 Gary Friedhaber - Phoebus Railroad
Phoebus Railroad is a short line connecting the Richmond area to Hampton Roads and serving numerous industries.
Location: Address: North Virginia - Toano
Layout Scale: HO
Layout Theme:
Accessibility: Layout is in the basement. Rest room is adjacent to the layout.
Website:
Train Dispatching System:
Method of Communication:
Car Forwarding Method:
Layout Control system:
Ops scheduled for:
Friday, 7pm-10:30pm
Fee: $10
Max Operators: 6
#7 Fred Humphrey
This is a freelance layout set during the merger of the Wabash and Illinois Terminal Railroads into the Norfolk & Western in 1964. The merger was completed in 1982, incorporating both railroads. The layout also has interchange with Baltimore & Ohio, Illinois Central and Pennsylvania Railroads depicting the five original railroads coming in and out of Decatur, Il in 1964. The merger gave me the opportunity to utilize locomotive power and caboose from all three railroads to mix, and match locomotive power and caboose.
Location: Southside-West Chesapeake
Layout Scale: HO
Layout Theme: Acquisition of the Wabash and Illinois Terminal Railroads by Norfolk & Western Railroad.
Accessibility: The layout is in a standalone structure in the back yard. Walk alone side of the garage, through the gate to layout. One Step onto the porch enter structure.
Website:
Train Dispatching System: I have available the Digitrax devices (PM42 power management to DBL168 for train detection to SE8C to provide signal control). Also available is Arduino Mega system with various mini boards and current detection devices using C++ Sketches to program the Train detection and signaling.
Method of Communication:
Car Forwarding Method:
Layout Control system: Digitrax
Ops scheduled for:
Friday, 1pm-4pm
Fee: $10
Max Operators: 6
#1 Rick Lull - Richmond Terminal Railroad
The second incarnation of the Richmond Terminal Railroad promises to be larger, more detailed, and even more prototype-oriented than its predecessor. While the original layout represented the broader Richmond rail network, Version 2 narrows its focus to the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad and its operations through central Virginia. Visitors can expect to see the railroad's iconic blue-and-gray diesel locomotives hustling freight and passenger trains across a carefully researched and faithfully modeled railroad. With expanded scenes, enhanced operations, and a renewed emphasis on prototype fidelity, Richmond Terminal Railroad Version 2 seeks to capture the character, atmosphere, and operational challenges of one of the South's most fascinating railroads.
Location: New Kent County
Layout Scale: HO
Layout Theme: representation of railroads serving Richmond Virginia
Accessibility: basement
Website: www.richmond-terminal.org.
Train Dispatching System:
Method of Communication: verbal
Car Forwarding Method:
Layout Control system:
Ops scheduled for:
Thursday, 4pm-7pm
Fee: $10
Max Operators: 6
# Place Holder Name/Railroad
Fred models the Illinois Terminal Railroad
Location:
Layout Scale: HO
Layout Theme:
Accessibility:
Website:
Train Dispatching System:
Method of Communication:
Car Forwarding Method:
Layout Control system:
Ops scheduled for:
Thursday, 1pm-4pm
Fee: $10
Max Operators: 6
# Place Holder Name/Railroad
Fred models the Illinois Terminal Railroad
Location:
Layout Scale: HO
Layout Theme:
Accessibility:
Website:
Train Dispatching System:
Method of Communication:
Car Forwarding Method:
Layout Control system:
Ops scheduled for:
Thursday, 1pm-4pm
Fee: $10
Max Operators: 6
# Place Holder Name/Railroad
Fred models the Illinois Terminal Railroad
Location:
Layout Scale: HO
Layout Theme:
Accessibility:
Website:
Train Dispatching System:
Method of Communication:
Car Forwarding Method:
Layout Control system:
Ops scheduled for:
Thursday, 1pm-4pm
Fee: $10
Max Operators: 6