Go to the Observation Car

Go to the Roundhouse

Go to the Central Station

Pictures from the 2005 Display
 

Woodley Hills Railroad - The not so hirail layout

Since forming in 1996, the Crescent Model Railroaders have supported an annual train display at Woodley Hills Elementary School in Mount Vernon, Virginia.  This is the story of that display.

Origins of the Layout

The layout really got its start when my oldest son was in preschool.  I used to take a portable 4' x 8' layout with a couple of loops of track to the center's holiday party.  The display was only about 18" high which put the action right at the kids' level.  The children were all given a chance at the controls. 

When my son entered first grade I offered to do the same for his class, about 16 kids.  His teacher readily accepted the offer and asked if all of the first graders at the elementary school could participate.  "Sure" I said, not realizing that the school had about 100 first graders.  No way was my little foot and half high display going to work for an audience that large.

Luckily I was already active in modular railroading and had enough modules of my own to make a modest layout.  The National Capital Trackers helped support the layout by supplying transformers and buildings.  A neighbor and fellow Tracker member, Keith W. also helped support the display.

The layout was a hit.  We had a steady stream of kids that day.  Not just first graders, but kids from many of the other grades as well.  So began the Woodley Hills Railroad.

1996 layout

2004 layout

 My youngest son has grown up with this layout.  Here are two photos of him helping with the display taken nine years apart.  The photo on the left is from the very first layout.  In the photo on the right, he is showing some of the children how to operate the remote train command and control system.

Evolution of the Display

Over the years the layout has grown in size and every year something new is added.  The majority of the student body, roughly 500 kids, as well as many family members and other members of the community stop by to see the annual display.  The layout now features three trains, a handcar, a trolley, operating cars and a host of animated accessories.  There is even a custom boxcar decorated with the school's mascot.  Doorbell  buttons mounted on brackets around the the layout allow the children to control the display.  A train mounted camera  broadcasts the action across school's TV system.

In addition to the main layout, my older son coordinates a Lego display as part of the event.  This too features a train mounted wireless camera that gives the visitors an engineer's view.

Woodley Hills rolling stock

Lego train displays are now also part of the event
 

Animated city buildings are popular with the students

Looking Ahead

The annual layout is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.  It has probably grown as large as it can.  However, there is always room for more accessories. 

Though I organize this display, I couldn't do it without a lot of help.  Support from members of the Crescent and the Trackers, other train enthusiasts, and my family make it possible to set up such a big display for a one day event.  Some of these volunteers can be counted on year after year include Lee F., Tony H., Paul J., and my family.  Together we are trying to do our part to introduce this family friendly hobby to an audience that might not otherwise be exposed to model trains.    --Ted R.