About an hour and a half drive North from Phoenix, nestled in a wine growing country of northern Arizona, is the small town of Cornville. Just off the main drag of Highway 30, just behind the Family dollar Store, are three buildings owned by Verryl Fosnight. Verryl is a retired physicist, restaurant owner and operator, real estate investor and most importantly, a model railroader. As you might guess, Verryl is not your average model railroader. He had a Lionel train set as a youngster in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He had a HO layout with his two boys when they were in grade school in California. Once a model railroader, always a model railroader. After 30 years, Verryl retired to Sedona and took up the hobby. For the past three, almost four years, Verryl and his team have been building a model railroad. Building one is a 1100 sq. ft. shop. Recently a 600 sq. ft. structure has been added for a conference room. The railroad is housed in a 4000 sq. ft building. and what a railroad it is. The Wyoming division models the Union Pacific from Cheyenne, Wyoming to Ogden, Utah, 475 miles with a two level true mushroom steel framework that will have about 750 feet of double main line track in HO, era 1957. This is the beginning of Verryl's dream.
Last month, I took John Siekirk and Wayne Olson up to see "The Layout" The attachments give you an idea of the size and scope of the railroad. John and I both took photos of the layout and will be posting photos of Verryl's accomplishment of date. I hope you enjoy the tour and experience.
Frank / Erieman
Frank,
Wow, I can't even imagine a layout this size without the help of many skilled modelers. I'm looking forward to seeing how this pans out.
Tom ;D
I'll be following along to see the photo's. I'm expecting a lot of detail photo's due to it being such a small layout ;)
WOW , this is a dream come true for any Model Railroader , even most clubs will be jealous of this space.
Quote from: Janbouli on March 15, 2015, 04:55:03 PM
I'll be following along to see the photo's. I'm expecting a lot of detail photo's due to it being such a small layout ;)
WOW , this is a dream come true for any Model Railroader , even most clubs will be jealous of this space.
Detailed photographs on the way ;)
Looks great Frank.....I'll be watching this one for sure. 8)
It is going to take a few days for me to sort through the pictures and identify the locations on diagrams that Frank posted. This is one big layout. The owner Verryl Fosnight told me that they have between 40 and 50 operators for their OPS sessions. Stay tuned!
Quote from: ACL1504 on March 15, 2015, 03:28:24 PM
Frank,
Wow, I can't even imagine a layout this size without the help of many skilled modelers. I'm looking forward to seeing how this pans out.
Tom ;D
Good Evening Tom,
Verryl employees a staff of four and has several other folks that come in from time to time to help on the build. Once you see the photo's, you will really appreciate the size and scope of this project. He has gotten into operations of the railroad, which requires 45 to 55 people to run. Imagine the possibilities. I have several photos from prior articles in the Spur Line that I will post showing the progress of the build. I know that John has a lot of photos to go thru. Stay tuned.
gotta go. I'm putting shrimp on the barbeque.
Frank / Erieman
Quote from: Janbouli on March 15, 2015, 04:55:03 PM
I'll be following along to see the photo's. I'm expecting a lot of detail photo's due to it being such a small layout ;)
WOW , this is a dream come true for any Model Railroader , even most clubs will be jealous of this space.
Jan,
Yes, this is one impressive layout. Verryl and his team have a long way to go, but it appears that progress is on going. it will be a featured visit this September for folks coming to our regional convention in September. Many will come back over the weekend to participate running a small portion of the railroad. it most be exciting to something this massive function. Just think about 50 to 60 trains moving around the room, dropping their freight at respective towns along the way. I want to see this running!!!
Frank / Erieman
Quote from: GPdemayo on March 17, 2015, 08:46:33 AM
Looks great Frank.....I'll be watching this one for sure. 8)
Greg,
I've been kind of busy. Sorry it has taken a bit to get back to this post. I hope to post some of the early pictures over the weekend. Stay tuned.
Frank / Erieman
Did Verryl clear this layout name with Massive Ralph?
I wouldn't want those buildings to disappear under the feet of an enraged lizard! ;D
Wow. 45 to 55 people to operate? That boggles the mind. :o I'm looking forward to reading more about this one.
Quote from: ReadingBob on March 20, 2015, 09:16:56 AM
Wow. 45 to 55 people to operate? That boggles the mind. :o I'm looking forward to reading more about this one.
Good Morning Bob,
Thanks for stopping by. He keeps looking for more operators. I wouldn't be surprised that when complete, he will need close to 60 people or more to run the railroad. This is one huge layout. The biggest problem i see is: where do all these people park their cars. The parking lot is very, very small. Once pictures a re posted, you will get a feel for size. It is rather breath taking when you first walk in. Like; oh my god!!! Stay tuned.
Frank / Erieman
Here are a couple pictures to get us started on this thread. I will get serious about this project when I get back from the EXPO.
As you walk in the front door and take a few steps in you are standing in isle 5 of the lower level (see the layout diagrams that Frank posted).
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-200315180538.jpeg)
Looking to the right you see a very impressive helix (at the end of aisle 9).
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-200315180112.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-200315180112.jpeg)
It was at this point that I turned to Frank and said this is the largest HO layout I've ever seen - I was looking at less than a third of it. I will share the rest of the pictures when I get back from the EXPO and have time to do justice to this project - sorry for the wait. This will be the thread we all show anyone that thinks we are out of control with our trains.
Quote from: S&S RR on March 20, 2015, 06:18:44 PM
It was at this point that I turned to Frank and said this is the largest HO layout I've ever seen - I was looking at less than a third of it. I will share the rest of the pictures when I get back from the EXPO and have time to do justice to this project - sorry for the wait. This will be the thread we all show anyone that thinks we are out of control with our trains.
Good afternoon John,
Verryl has the right idea on this build. This will be a fabulous layout to see and run. It has been a couple of years since I was last up there and the changes are significant. I will be back up there in June and will take some pictures, time permitting. In the meantime, I look forward to your posts on all the pictures that you took. Verryl will probably have another article for the Spur Line and I will publish it here as well. Thanks John for all your help with this thread.
Frank / Erieman
I'm finally getting the pictures ready to post for this thread - I'm going to take the approach of walking through the layout the way I did for the first time and will be referring to the layout diagrams Frank posted on the first page. As we walked into the building we turned right to go up the stairs beside the giant helix. So we will start with the helix and then the upper level.
This is a picture of the stairs and aisle 9 from the diagram.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-070415215116.jpeg)
The upper level between aisle 8 and 9.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-070415224942.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-070415224857.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-070415224726.jpeg)
Great pictures John, the size of the layout is unbelievable. No wonder it takes 50+ people to operate.
Tom ;D
I'm impressed. Both by the layout and the amount of air handling equipment visible in your pictures.
Think about that air conditioning bill.....that place must take 12 to 14 tons to keep it cool.
I'd hate to be paying the electric bill for that much a/c, it sure wouldn't be cheap. :'(
Quote from: GPdemayo on April 08, 2015, 08:13:18 AM
Think about that air conditioning bill.....that place must take 12 to 14 tons to keep it cool.
I'd hate to be paying the electric bill for that much a/c, it sure wouldn't be cheap. :'(
Greg,
You have to remember that Verryl is paying for everything, the building, the property, the railroad and the people that work on it. He has done well in business and wants to pay it back to the hobby. He is very active in this project and enjoys telling everyone about it.
Frank/Erieman
Quote from: jbvb on April 08, 2015, 07:20:37 AM
I'm impressed. Both by the layout and the amount of air handling equipment visible in your pictures.
James,
The building is located near Sedona and as such, is not as hot as down here in the desert floor. They get a more seasonal year with some cold weather and some snow. That being said, based on 50 to 60 people in the room, he probably has a sizable AC system.glad you are enjoying the pictures. John has just started posting. If you look at the layout diagrams, you can see how much there is in this building. John has a lot of pictures to post.
Frank / Erieman
Quote from: ACL1504 on April 08, 2015, 06:12:53 AM
Great pictures John, the size of the layout is unbelievable. No wonder it takes 50+ people to operate.
Tom ;D
Good morning tom,
The pictures really do not give you the total feeling of size. Imagine walking in a cocoon. the railroad is all around you. I have not been there when he has a full operations crew, but it must be very interesting to watch it run. I'll try to get up there soon and take some video during operations.
Frank / Erieman
I'm back on this project tonight - I just loaded 59 pictures. As I post the pictures I will keep referring to the two layout diagrams that Frank posted on page 1. We will do our best not to get lost - this is a big layout.
This is the area on the lower level as we turn the corner at the end of aisle 8.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415220454.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415220522.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415220557.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415220406.jpeg)
This is the upper level at the end of aisle 8.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415220940.jpeg)
One word applies here, WOWSER!!
T ;D
Quote from: ACL1504 on April 14, 2015, 12:40:47 PM
One word applies here, WOWSER!!
T ;D
I think you have the right word Tom. I was there and took the pictures and I'm still getting lost describing the location of each shot.
More pictures on the way.
Back to the pictures!
At this point in my journey through this maze of a layout I found the stairs to the mezzanine and took a few overview shots. The aisle way on the left side of this picture is aisle 4. We are look back towards the main door entrance.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415212341.jpeg)
This is the view to the far right - the aisle way in this photograph is aisle 2.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415212437.jpeg)
In this picture we have aisle 2 on the right - aisle 3 in the middle and aisle 4 on the left.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415212556.jpeg)
Just a reminder that all of the aisle way numbers are referencing the layout diagrams on page 1 of this thread.
The mezzanine overlooks the entire layout and serves as a work area for model building and design work.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415213802.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-080415202057.jpeg)
It's difficult just to get a sense of the size from the pictures. The layout is unbelievable.
Tom ;D
Quote from: ACL1504 on April 15, 2015, 07:05:07 AM
It's difficult just to get a sense of the size from the pictures. The layout is unbelievable.
Tom ;D
Glad you are enjoying the photos that John took. It is hard to imagine the real size and scope from the pictures. It is BIG. I want to see it with 50 operators running it. I will be up there in June and will take some pictures. In the meantime enjoy all the pictures that John took. I have thought about running my camera car on the layout, but it only records 80 minutes and it would probably take longer that than to run from Cheyenne to Logan. I'll let you know. In the meantime, John will be posting more pictures.
Frank / Erieman
We have lots of pictures to go - I'm limiting myself to 1 hour a day on posting pictures - so I keep making progress on the layout ;D .
John,
Thanks for all the wonderful pictures. As we both know, you have to see it in person to really get a feel for the scale of this layout. IT'S BIG, REALLY BIG!!!
Looking forward to your next post.
Frank / Erieman
Quote from: Erieman on April 17, 2015, 11:39:04 AM
John,
Thanks for all the wonderful pictures. As we both know, you have to see it in person to really get a feel for the scale of this layout. IT'S BIG, REALLY BIG!!!
Looking forward to your next post.
Frank / Erieman
This is a very big layout - the pictures do not give you a sense of the size of this building. Now that you have an overall view of the layout from the top here are some more pictures - again I will try to give you a sense of the area from the layout diagrams on page 1.
The aisle way 2 upper level.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415221006.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415221006.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415220749.jpeg)
The aisle way 4 Upper level.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415220909.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415220909.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415220829.jpeg)
The Roundhouse at corner between aisle 2 and 4 upper level.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415220634.jpeg)
Coal tower upper level between aisle 1 and 2.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415220329.jpeg)
Lower level aisle 5.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415220208.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415220208.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415215751.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415215718.jpeg)
Asile 1 lower level.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415215146.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415215146.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415215350.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415215221.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415215034.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415214951.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415214916.jpeg)
Asile 0 Lower Level.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415214839.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415214839.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415214754.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415214754.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415214719.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415214719.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415214323.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415214323.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415214154.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415214103.jpeg)
Aisle 9 lower level.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415214438.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415214401.jpeg)
aisle 1 lower level.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415214002.jpeg)
A few of the structures and mockups on the layout.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-070415220505.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-070415220432.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415212522.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-130415212303.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-070415224942.jpeg)
That's enough photographs to digest tonight. I hope I didn't miss label anything. This layout is so big I keep getting lost. I want to see an operations session - it has to be amazing. I hope to visit again in a year or two to see the progress.
John,
Thanks for all the pictures.
Tom ;D
Thank you John, always great to see layouts like this, wish I lived near to one so I could help build.
John thank you for your photos. I am still amazed at the size of the layout. John, just how much time has been invested in the layout to date?
That's a hell of a layout. I'd cheerfully give the airfare etc. to operate it some day. But a few of those turnouts on Lower Aisle 0 are going to be tough to maintain without two sets of hands & some climbing on top of the benchwork.
Quote from: Donato on April 21, 2015, 02:26:26 PM
John thank you for your photos. I am still amazed at the size of the layout. John, just how much time has been invested in the layout to date?
I believe they have been at it for four years. Frank is that correct? There are four full time people working on the layout. I bet one keeps busy just cleaning the track.
Thanks to everyone for stopping by the thread - and thanks to Frank for arranging the visit. It was great to get a chance to see and photograph the layout.
Quote from: S&S RR on April 21, 2015, 06:17:46 PM
Quote from: Donato on April 21, 2015, 02:26:26 PM
John thank you for your photos. I am still amazed at the size of the layout. John, just how much time has been invested in the layout to date?
I believe they have been at it for four years. Frank is that correct? There are four full time people working on the layout. I bet one keeps busy just cleaning the track.
Thanks to everyone for stopping by the thread - and thanks to Frank for arranging the visit. It was great to get a chance to see and photograph the layout.
John,
Thanks for all the time you have been spending on posting the pictures. I want to guess that it has been for or five years. Verryl has a picture gallery of the build and our newsletter has photos of an empty building. I will have to back and find some of those early pictures and show you the empty building. it has been a ver ambitious journey, to say the least. I'll try to find some early pictures tomorrow and post them along with the date taken.. They are somewhere here in this box!!!
Frank / Erieman
wow, thats a lot of railroad
Amazing....
That´s an awesome layout.....wow...
Cheers,Chris
GOOD EVENING ALL,
I just got an email from Verryl that his website is up an running. www.wyomingdivision.org (http://www.wyomingdivision.org) This site is brand new and will give a better insight what Verryl and his team have accomplished to date. This is an awesome place to visit. Check this sight out!!! Verryl also sent me some pictures of a recent operating session held at the railroad. I'll post them in the next day or two. So much to do, so little time.
Frank / Erieman
Quote from: Erieman on May 05, 2015, 10:27:28 PM
GOOD EVENING ALL,
I just got an email from Verryl that his website is up an running. www.wyomingdivision.org (http://www.wyomingdivision.org) This site is brsand new and will give a better insight what Verryl and his team have accomplished to date. This is an awesome place to visit. Check this sight out!!! Verryl also sent me some pictures of a recent operating session held at the railroad. I'll post them in the next day or two. So much to do, so little time.
Frank / Erieman
Frank
Just looked through the new web site - great stuff. Thanks for sharing it - this is a must stop for model railroaders on their AZ trips.
Thank you Frank for posting all the pictures of this mind blowing layout.
Quote from: S&S RR on May 05, 2015, 11:10:19 PM
Quote from: Erieman on May 05, 2015, 10:27:28 PM
GOOD EVENING ALL,
I just got an email from Verryl that his website is up an running. www.wyomingdivision.org (http://www.wyomingdivision.org) This site is brsand new and will give a better insight what Verryl and his team have accomplished to date. This is an awesome place to visit. Check this sight out!!! Verryl also sent me some pictures of a recent operating session held at the railroad. I'll post them in the next day or two. So much to do, so little time.
Frank / Erieman
Frank
Just looked through the new web site - great stuff. Thanks for sharing it - this is a must stop for model railroaders on their AZ trips.
Good Morning John,
I just received the website yesterday from Verryl. While the pictures are good, you know that walking thru the layout is an awesome event. As more scenery is added, it will get even better. Hard to believe that it has been only four years in construction.
Frank / Erieman
Quote from: UP Fan on May 06, 2015, 02:45:40 AM
Thank you Frank for posting all the pictures of this mind blowing layout.
Good Morning Bob,
As a UP fan, this is worth the trip to come to Arizona and see this wonderful layout sometime. Seeing it in person give you the real fee of the enormity of the layout. This puppy is really big. Thanks for stopping by.
Frank / Erieman
Thank you for the invite. Might just have to do that.
Thanks for the link, Frank. I was in AZ last June going to/from the R&LHS convention, maybe I need to go visit my ex-father-in-law in Mesa this year.
Quote from: jbvb on May 06, 2015, 04:53:28 PM
Thanks for the link, Frank. I was in AZ last June going to/from the R&LHS convention, maybe I need to go visit my ex-father-in-law in Mesa this year.
James,
Thanks for stopping by. You don't need an excuse to visit Arizona. I can give you one though. This September, we are having the 2015 Pacific Southwest Region convention here in Scottsdale. If you like conventions, this is the one to go to this year. Here is the link:http://
www.psrconvention.org/PHX2015 (http://www.psrconvention.org/PHX2015) /index.html .We will be having 25 layouts on tour, 52 clinics, a train ride on the Verde Canyon railroad, a visit to Verryl's Wyoming division, A trip to the Phoenix Light Metro and a whole bunch more. Send me a PM with your email address and I'll send you the Spur Line , division newsletter coming out this week. 98 pages of fun filled information on the convention, layout tours and other things happening here in Arizona. Enjoy your day.
Frank / Erieman
I did, in fact, attend the Scottsdale convention earlier this month. And thanks to Verryl's courteously re-scheduling the September Wyoming Division op session to the Saturday of the convention, I got to run there Here are a few'grab shots', taken with a pocket camera during and between jobs:
I had asked to run passenger, so I was given the eastbound City of San Francisco as my first job. There are two shots of a turbine-powered freight I met at ?Rawlins?, then another meeting a westbound Big Boy at Dale Jct., then arrival in Cheyenne.
The next set includes a couple I took between jobs, then some time spent switching in Ogden (lower level).
All in all, it was a great day and the layout ran well. Thanks to all who made it possible.