Layout Tours allow for the viewing of layouts as well as additional social interaction.  Even if you’ve seen the layout before, a Layout Tour provides a setting to meet and talk with new and existing friends.

2025 March “O” Scale Meet – Layout Tour Schedule
Tentative Schedule Published March 18, 2024

Ted Schnepf – Elgin, IL
126 Will Scarlett Ln; Elgin, IL 60120 Phone: 847-452-5031
Entering Protocol: Walk in when you arrive.
Thursday March 20, 2025 Noon – 5:00 PM OPERATING SESSION *****
Saturday March 21, 2025 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM OPEN HOUSE
*****Reservations Required for operating session, but not for the Open House Saturday.
For Thursday Reservations: EMAIL: railsunlimited2@gmail.com
2-RAIL 4,100 Sq Ft Milwaukee Road Dubuque / Iowa and Dakota Divisions 60% scenicked mult-ideck layout designed for operation. Northeast Iowa along the Mississippi River, in 1954 with a 900 foot mainline. Five yard jobs and various local switching jobs. Passenger trains and through-freights hauling a variety of products, such as meat and perishable goods, grain, coal, and oil. 1:2 SLOW clock. NCE DCC Control system. Operations via Train Dispatcher Authority using telephone line and train order signals. Car movements handled by car cards. Ideal operations require 20 operators. More information: http://railsunlimited.ribbonrail.com/FoxValley/layout.html

Dan Dawdy – Dwight, IL
Entering Protocol: Parking on our side of the street is prohibited so park across from our house
and avoid a ticket.
Thursday March 20, 2025 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday March 21, 2025 10:00 AM- 3:00 PM
Richmond, Danielle & Southern.
The history of the RD&S Railroad. Well, there is none. Oh, I could make something up starting back in the 1800’s when the railroad was chartered, but what’s the point? It was, is and always will be the summer of 1947 on the RD&S. Hell, in the time it would take me to make up a fake history, I could build another InterMountain car. So let’s just stipulate that the Richmond, Danville & Southern exists, running from Richmond, VA to Memphis, TN, and move on from there. All DCC with sound running JMRI turnouts and wi-fi and the one and only “widowmaker” or as we call it, “The Tennessee Saluda”. Bring a DCC locomotive with you? Try it out against the grade.

George Kanary – Hinsdale, IL
Thursday March 20, 2024 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Friday March 21, 2024 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
2-RAIL Steam powered freight and passenger trains. Chicago themed streetcar line with scratch-built Chicago Surface Lines cars.

Carey Williams – Glenview, IL
Entering Protocol: Knock on door
Saturday March 22, 2024 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
2-Rail and OUTSIDE Third Rail. Vintage O Scale collection and layouts pre 1955. Many examples of early manufactured and scratch-built O Scale trains from the 1920’s to mid 1950’s.

Steve Karlson – Dekalb, IL
Entering Protocol: Follow Signs – Walk In.
Sunday March 23, 2024 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
2-Rail. The Gloucester Branch is a layout under construction of the Gloucester Branch of the Boston and Maine, but under different ownership, and with some modeler’s license in the lineside industries. There is also an upper level for British and Soviet prototype trains or just for running trains.

Frank McCabe / Rockford “O” Scalers – Rockford, IL
Entering Protocol: Instructions on Front Door
Thurday March 20. 2024 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Sunday March 23, 2024 Noon -6:00 PM
PLEASE NOTE: THURSDAY AND SUNDAY ONLY
2-Rail Many different passenger and freight trains. Mostly steam to diesel “transition era” with occasional “modern era” trains with various railroads represented. Both standard DC and DCC operation in two separate sections with many highly detailed scenes.