Rossville Depot Museum Model Railroad Layout

Featured in the former baggage room of the depot is an operating “HO” scale model railroad constructed by the members of the Chapter. Started in 1979, the layout now contains over 290 feet of handlaid mainline track, 1000 feet of total track and 130 switches. It is capable of operating five trains at one time. Occupying over half of the area of the 22 by 36 foot room, it is a free lanced line loosely based on the former Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad, a steam and diesel line, and the Fort Wayne and Lima, a traction and interurban line. The walk-in aisles allow operators and visitors to “ride” along with the trains as they pass by towns and industries similar to the real ones found in the Midwest. Coal mines, refineries, depots, factories, and city streets are faithfully reproduced in miniature and offer visitors a unique perspective into the wonderful world of railroading, both prototypical and scale.

Visitors are invited to bring their own equipment and operate along with us. If you are a model railroader and are traveling in the area, our layout is a “must see!”

VIRTUAL TOUR

Click on the thumbnail photos below to see a full-size view:

All photos courtesy Bob Gallippi

Upon entering the baggage room, visitors are greeted with this view of the layout. Walking to the left, we will begin our virtual tour at the "south" end of the line.

Just north of South Staging Yard, the mainline passes over this curved, ballasted deck bridge at Block Quarry. In the distance, we see the unit coal train sitting on the trestle that takes the "Branch" over the same river.

Just past the curved bridge, we have the town of Stewart. Here we see the two-stall engine house, water tank and manual turntable.

Down from the engine facilities at Stewart are the Depot and Hotel.

Still at Stewart, here we see one of this town's major shippers, Die Craft Industries.

	Upon entering the baggage room, visitors are greeted with this view of the layout. Walking to the left, we will begin our virtual tour at the "south" end of the line.
	Just north of South Staging Yard, the mainline passes over this curved, ballasted deck bridge at Block Quarry. In the distance, we see the unit coal train sitting on the trestle that takes the "Branch" over the same river.
	Just past the curved bridge, we have the town of Stewart. Here we see the two-stall engine house, water tank and manual turntable.
	Down from the engine facilities at Stewart are the Depot and Hotel.
	Still at Stewart, here we see one of this town's major shippers, Die Craft Industries.