A reader from Canada asks:

“As I live in Vancouver, BC, Canada and I only found one store who is selling Fleischmann n scale – Euro Rail shop in Abortsford, BC, Canada. My question is – Is there any other store who selling this brand in or around Vancouver?”

Harold has kindly sent in this information and photo to publish. It looks like his layout will keep him busy. Here is what Harold has to say:

I’d like to introduce you to my layout. I don’t have any special name for it. I’ll just call it Harold’s Layout because it’s not modeled after anything in particular. Just some images in my mind I’ve developed over the years of trains passing through mountains, over rivers, lakes, valleys, and passing though towns.

I’ve always had an interest in trains ever since I can remember.

A little about myself. I was diagnosed a couple of years ago at the young age of 57 with early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. So this layout is a means for me to keep my mind going. Keep me thinking. Keep me trying to be creative. I hope someday one of my children or grandchildren will take it and keep it up and add to it.

I started Harold’s Layout about 2 years ago from scratch. I’ve been working on it ever since. It’s a 9′ x 6′ foot table made from 1″ x 4″ lumber, quarter inch Plywood top with half inch foam glued onto the plywood top. The legs are made of 1″ x 4″ lumber that are bolted to the table top so I can take it apart and two men can easily move the table if needed.

I also built a removable storage self underneath the table out of 1″ x 3″ lumber and quarter inch plywood to store my MR Magazines and my power packs for my trains. I put the terrain in using foam risers, foam sheets, some plaster cloth, lightweight hydrocal, and sculp-a-mold.

Tracks are layed down over foam roadbed. I have 3 trains sets. I am currently making rocks and boulders in molds with lightweight hydrocal and glueing them into the mountainous areas. Soon will start painting and putting in the color.

To comment on Harold’s layout simply click on the green comments link below.

November 2008.

April 2009 will see the start of luxurious passenger rail vacation journeys on scenic routes throughout the United States. The American Traveler train will be joined by the American Explorer which will be followed by the American Adventurer.

Passengers will be able to purchase a week on a private car or just reserve a single room on a vintage rail car on either a one-time basis or a time-share basis for the years of traveling ahead.

The new rail vacation journeys will include frequent layovers at metropolitan and isolated destinations allowing passengers to sleep and dine on board while enjoying a wide variety of attractions ranging from the museums of Washington DC to the Grand Canyon.

The American Traveler and other train cars feature elegant lounges, fine dining and spacious sleeping accommodations with full bathrooms having showers. By day, bedrooms provide a relaxing personal sitting area. Passengers on private cars travel in exclusive vintage luxury once enjoyed by a privileged few, with private dining, lounges and personal crew.

In years past, passenger trains were the primary method of nationwide travel. Many rich and famous business moguls and celebrities had their own private cars. As modern automobile transportation and airline service became available, the reduced need for rail transportation caused many beautiful classic rail cars to be taken out of service. The best of these cars will be used after refurbishment reclaims their original splendor and they are rebuilt to comply with Amtrak mechanical requirements.

As an example; a passenger could reserve the entire Abraham Lincoln car for a completely private experience with friends or family. The Abraham Lincoln was originally constructed in 1910 by the Pullman Co. The red gum wood interior has been meticulously restored.

Rail vacations are for 8 days and 7 nights. Some return to the place of departure and others are one way. Train bedrooms sleep up to 4 and private cars accommodate up to 7 passengers.

Train’Share cars travel as part of Amtrak and regional railroad trains. They “switch” between railroads as required to visit and park on rail track “sidings” at different destinations. Private Train’Share locomotives, starting with the engine named Choo-Choo, will pull future trains.

James has sent in this photo and information on his 00 / 4mm Great Scimitar Railway for publication:

Photo shows 4468 mallard crossing Abergynolwyn suspension bridge.

The Great Scimitar Railway is a garden railway that runs around the perimeter of my garden. It runs for just under one scale mile.

The line starts off level and slowly gets steeper as you go along the main straight, it then curves right to enter a passing loop and climb the steep gradient. The line then curves left to go over the viaduct above a waterfall and then goes through a tunnel where it turns back to single track. The line then sweeps left, right and then right again to follow the fence line up to the top station, to the carriage sheds and turntable.