Rick Bigliardi's North Pole, Tinseltown South, and Bigville (NTS&B) (O)
|
Scale |
O-Gauge, 3 rail |
|
Size |
4 Layers, 15’x35.5’ Top Layer 12’x31.5’ remaining layers |
|
Prototype |
Free Lance |
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Locale |
North Pole and Points South |
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Era |
1950’s to present |
|
Style |
Folded Dog Bone |
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Len. of Mainline |
2 x 110’ (about 75% complete). Longest loop 202’. |
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Layout Height |
34” to 82” |
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Benchwork |
Modules |
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Roadbed |
1/2 “ Plywood |
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Trackwork |
Lionel 0-27 profile 3 rail, Gargraves mainline. |
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Turnouts |
Ross #4, Gargraves 0-42, Lionel 0-27 |
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Min. Radius |
0-27 to 0-72, depending on loop, with most 0-34 and 0-42, and 1 0-63 and 1 0-72 mainline. |
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Maximum Grade |
Most loops flat, Helix 3.5% up, and 4.5% down |
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Scenery |
Traditional Toy Train with accessories and ceramic buildings 50% done |
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Backdrop |
None |
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Controls |
Local Transformers with conventional control, some TMCC |
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Wheelchair Accessible |
No |
My wife has been the main influence on the design (and boy is she sorry). It features a 6’ diameter 2 track Helix (her requirement), 2 12’ suspension bridges and a 4’ arch bridge. It has ceramic and plastic buildings, lots of lights, and multi-levels. Most lights and accessories can be operated by visitors. The layout currently contains about 1000’ of track and can run 14 trains and a trolley on dedicated loops. This year some scenery and accessories were added to last years' expansion and the 2 main line loops completed.
Directions
From I-75 exit 269 (Ernest Barrett Pkwy) go west to Route 41 (Cobb Pkwy NW). Turn North (right) on Rt 41. Go 3.6 Miles and turn left onto Mack Dobbs Road. Turn left into Summerbrooke Subdivision (Second subdivision on the left). Stay on Summerbrooke Drive until after it takes a sharp right. Turn left on Butler Bridge Way, then take next left on Brookeview Lane. At the top of the hill, the road takes a sharp left. The house will then be forth house on right after the turn. The house number is on the mailbox post.
