Model Railroad Club Has Helix and Waterfront Scene

November 20, 2005

The Black Diamond Lines Model Railroad Club began back in July 1981 as a group of model railroaders who gathered in the back of a local Antioch, California hobby shop. Later that year, the group decided to make things official and were incorporated as a non-profit organization.

The Black Diamond Lines models in HO scale, which is a ratio of 1:87. This means that if a model is 1 foot long, it represents a real-life object that is 87 feet long. (One foot, in HO scale is actually 0.137 of an inch.)

The layout occupies approximately 1500 square feet of space, with a track elevation range from 46 inches to 82 inches above the floor.

All track is hand-laid on real wooden ties. All turnouts (switches) and crossings are hand made in place, which represents a lot of time and skill. Club members prefer hand laying over flex track and pre-built turnouts as they feel it has a more craftsman like quality.

Though the double stack train is not visible, this photo shows the clubs Helix. It has 5 1/2 revolutions of 36″ radius. In a small amount of space the train will gain or lose 22″ of elevation. Grade is held at 2%.

The Black Diamond Lines Model Railroad Club layout also includes a new waterfront area.

The Black Diamond Lines is an active, operating HO scale model railroad club located at 425 Fulton Shipyard Rd, Antioch, CA. The club website can be viewed at http://www.blackdiamondlines.org