Has anyone been to see the N scale layout at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry? It’s like 3,500 square feet or something, with a huge representation of Chicago and Seattle and a lot of stuff in between.
It would be really cool to see! [:)]
Here is a good link for anyone interested.
It’s HO, not N, and one of the operators posts frequently over on the Atlas Forum.
They had one set of Kato locomotives that covered the entire distance from Chicago to Seattle.
I saw the old O-gauge layout sometime in the 90’s when I was somewhere around 7 years old. I hardly remember that layout, but I have seen pictures of the new one in Model Railroader. I’d like to see it sometime. Looks really neat.
If I remember correctly, wasn’t Santa Fe responsible for the old layout?
I believe that’s correct, and I think the F unit origanally on the layout had actual red paint from Santa Fe.
Wow, talk about nostalgia!! My parents took me to that museum when I was seven or eight. I remember some neat electronic stuff but that railroad really blew my mind. It got me started and that was 61 years ago! No diesels then.
BB
Do they have any steamers running on the new CM of S&I layout? The short clip that I saw on Antiques Roadshow showed all diesel. And, does somebody actually run the layout, or has it been completely computerized.
Tom
No, it is supposed to represent modern times. I took my boys up to Chicago last year and we really enjoyed the visit to the layout. Very impressive with a lot going on. It is also great to be able to look down on it from the balconies above.
The CMS&I has a very impressive layout. I would love to see it in person. That, and NORTHLANDZ.
~[8]~ TrainFreak409 ~[8]~
I got to visit it right after it opened and it is really great to see. I might look like N scale in the pictures, but they use Athearn and Kato HO engines on it for sure.
Actually - I believe most of it is WALTHERS. It’s a great layout - I’ve been down to see it twice. They did a brilliant job of modeling the loop and really giving people at an educational look at a variety of different transportation systems!
They do have a short line that has a steam engine on a museum type train, but I am not sure it runs. I looked to be a IHC engine or something of that nature and has a short train, but it is not on the main line so who knows if it runs.
One fun shot is to take a photo of the layout from inside the jet airplane hanging above the layout–it looks kind of like you’re taking a photo of the ground from a flying jet!
Alas, no steamers at the MSI layout–diesel and electrics only (the subway and El.) I think some elements of the layout are automated but there are human technicians who occasionally have to do things like rerail derailed cars and such.
Some photos from my visit to Chicago’s Museum of Science & Technology, Fri 4/22/05, HO scale:
large bridges
model of Chicago, lift bridge
layout is very large, width of one section
3 bridges
fuzzy, but interesting mine directly into white silo car loader
cutaway view of tunnel making
cargo containers and ship
residential (looks really good when lights dim)
bridges into the city
downtown (tall dark building in middle is the Sears Tower)