By Bob Guy

Author  Bio Bob's railroading interests date back to 1947 when he and his younger brother received Lionel trains for Christmas. His father built an HO layout in the basement shortly afterward.

In 2000, Bob retired at age 59 after 25 years as a union carpenter and has let his imagination run rampant over his outdoor railroad, begun in 1994. His grandfather, who retired in 1948, laid a great foundation with 48 years as a railroader which ended after 10 years in charge of maintenance of way and structures on The Southern Pacific Lines in 6 western states.

Bob's railroading interests date back to 1947 when he and his younger brother received Lionel trains for Christmas. His father built an HO layout in the basement shortly afterward. Later his father built a 7 " inch gauge live steamer and laid 500 feet of track at a different home on country acreage.


After a long hiatus from model railroading to allow for high school, college, and raising two daughters with his wife Teri, Bob's modeling interest took him through slot cars and radio control airplanes, where the fear of wrecking all that hard work led to a Lionel layout appearing in a spare bedroom and an HO layout in the garage.

The inevitable changes in vision and less nimble fingers made the decision to switch to the more visible yet exciting prospect of outdoor railroading a foregone conclusion.

Scratchbuilding, kitbashing, constant layout modification and train operation are almost non-stop; but the most enjoyment is derived from detailing out a small scene that suggests an activity, rather than a totally complete, perfect, botanically gorgeous layout. The 10 ft. rule governs most decisions with fun being the operative word. The four grandchildren don't count rivets and Thomas runs a regular schedule.

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