RPI Pictures

One of the highlights at the convention was a visit to the layout at the Rennsalaer Polytechnic Institute near Albany, NY/ I'd seen this layout in Model Railroader many times over the years... and was now going to see it in person! It's a free-lanced railroad called the New England, Berkshire, & Western, set in the early 1950s.

The scenery of the layout was excellent.. but I was disappointed with the lack of operating trains! I was hoping to see the kind of action that was in the magazines, but felt they just fell short. I got *lots* of new ideas for my own railroad though.

I really liked this beach scene, from RPI's layout.I saw this in MR back in 1992... and pics just didn't do it justice. It's really cool! Those aren't ghosts...but reflections on the plexiglass surrounding the table.

Further down the line, is this quaint little cottage scene.

State Line Tunnels! MR did an article on the construction of these tunnels a few years ago. I'd like to install these on my own layout!

Since I like the "Green Team," this pic is appropriate! It's a GP7 in the New York Central's 'Lightning Stripe' scheme. I have a pair of F7's painted up like this!

This is part of a locomotive servicing area. The tall black structure is a coaling tower.

I took this to give to my grandmother. She likes covered bridges. This one, based on a New England prototype, carries a two-lane road over the tracks.

This is part of the huge yard on the RPI layout.

Not too far from the yard, is this shop complex. The green building is actually an old heavyweight passenger car without its trucks.

Alco hood units lead a freight train across a bridge on another part of the layout. Not sure if these are RS2s or RS3s. Both are similar-looking engines.

A *very* sturdy-looking truss bridge. This bridge crosses one of the major rivers on the layout. This bridge appears to be made of metal... but is in fact made from styrene!

Not sure what area this is. It's a small station out in a rural area. Check out the cows in the back! Bet the station agent got tired of listening to them mooing all day!

MR also did an article on this area. The church in the background is a full building, right? Nope! It's built from photographs glued to cardboard!

Why is it that all the more interesting buildings are down by the tracks? Notice the elevated watchman's shanty to the right of the white house! Most crossings now have lights or gates... so these shanties are all gone now.

This is a small station located in one of the many small towns on the layout. Just love the architecture on it!

Back to Central Penn Station

Photo Galleries

	I really liked this beach scene, from RPI's layout.I saw this in MR back in 1992... and pics just didn't do it justice. It's really cool! Those aren't ghosts...but reflections on the plexiglass surrounding the table.
	Further down the line, is this quaint little cottage scene.
	State Line Tunnels! MR did an article on the construction of these tunnels a few years ago. I'd like to install these on my own layout!
	Since I like the "Green Team," this pic is appropriate! It's a GP7 in the New York Central's 'Lightning Stripe' scheme. I have a pair of F7's painted up like this!
	This is part of a locomotive servicing area. The tall black structure is a coaling tower.
	I took this to give to my grandmother. She likes covered bridges. This one, based on a New England prototype, carries a two-lane road over the tracks.
	This is part of the huge yard on the RPI layout.
	Not too far from the yard, is this shop complex. The green building is actually an old heavyweight passenger car without its trucks.
	Alco hood units lead a freight train across a bridge on another part of the layout. Not sure if these are RS2s or RS3s. Both are similar-looking engines.
	A very sturdy-looking truss bridge. This bridge crosses one of the major rivers on the layout. This bridge appears to be made of metal... but is in fact made from styrene!
	Not sure what area this is. It's a small station out in a rural area. Check out the cows in the back! Bet the station agent got tired of listening to them mooing all day!
	MR also did an article on this area. The church in the background is a full building, right? Nope! It's built from photographs glued to cardboard!
	Why is it that all the more interesting buildings are down by the tracks? Notice the elevated watchman's shanty to the right of the white house! Most crossings now have lights or gates... so these shanties are all gone now.
	This is a small station located in one of the many small towns on the layout. Just love the architecture on it!