Layout
Introduction
The Shannondell Model Railroad (SMR) is an HO scale (1:87) layout. The SMR layout occupies a 25 by 30-foot (7.6 x 9.1 meter) room on the Lower Level of the Ashcroft Clubhouse at 10000 Shannondell Drive, Audubon, PA. The layout includes over 1,100 linear feet (30.5 meters) or 18.4 scale-miles (29.6 scale-km) of track, as illustrated below.
The layout models the 1950s-60s era in eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey with a freelanced configuration focused on the Pennsylvania, Reading and Lehigh Valley Railroads. Track is configured into a High Line and a Low Grade with connections between them. An independent shuttle track is also present that is used to run remote diesel cars (RDC) between the amusement park in Northville and Harbortown at the shore. The layout features a large passenger station at Shannondell City, an engine facility and several industrial areas. There is extensive lighting throughout the layout.
Work Rooms
There are two rooms adjacent to the main room, a 10 x 16-foot (3 x 4.9 meters) room that houses a staging yard, as well as office and computer space (see photos below).
There are two rooms adjacent to the main room, a 10 x 16-foot (3 x 4.9 meters) room that houses a staging yard, as well as office and computer space (see photos below).
Layout office looking south at Staging Yard.
Layout office looking north toward JMRI system and office computer.
A 6 x 16-foot (1.83 x 4.9 meters) room provides workshop space, as seen in the photo below.
Members Bruce Wintersteen and Bob Watson in the Work Room
