Why the reference to the Dark Side you ask - Follow along, and allow me to explain.

I've been involved in Model Railroading on and off since 1971. Like many boys at the time, I was involved in the Scouting program. The Scouts had a great magazine called Boy's Life. This magazine was a favorite of mine. I looked forward to each issue. The trap was sprung when an issue of the magazine introduced it's readers to Model Railroading. Inside the pages of that wonderful issue, I found an article that explained how one could build, and enjoy, their own HO model train layout. I was hooked! I just couldn't stop imagining myself as the proud owner of a layout like the one in the pages of Boy's Life magazine.

I never actually built that layout in the magazine. I found another plan in a book from Kalmbach Publishing called An HO Railroad That Grows. This small 4 x8 foot layout was built and it did ever grow! The layout was 23 feet in length before long. As happens to most model railroaders, I was distracted for several years by cars, girls, and college. My first layout gathered dust for many years before being dismantled.

I spent most of the 80's and 90's modeling in Hon3. I never found time to build a layout. I enjoyed my time with Hon3 but was frustrated with the operating characteristics of Hon3 locomotives. This frustration led me to purchase one of the locomotives Division Point was importing. I was impressed! When I learned that Division Point had used the same plans, and builder as PBL, I decided to look closer at Sn3. The final tipping point was what I like to call "the free sample of cocaine".

I had the opportunity to meet, and work with Doug Jolley while we were putting together the 2001 National Narrow Gauge Convention in SLC. Doug gave me one of PBL's short caboose kits, and suggested that I give Sn3 a go. I did as Doug suggested and was very impressed with the quality of PBL's product. The "free sample" did the trick. I'm sure glad Doug was kind enough to offer it to me.

The final "nail in the coffin" was driven at the 2003 NNGC in Denver. I was minding my own business and still hadn’t jumped into Sn3 with both feet. That was until I met a Jack Walton. Jack was selling those amazing PBL locomotives on his amazing table of S scale goodies. Jack had just what I wanted. There on the table was a model of RGS #455, before the wreck. The rest as they say is history. I plunked my money down and never looked back. I came straight home and auctioned off all of the Hon3 stock on Ebay. I was lucky enough to turn a nice profit while I was at it. Don't let changing scales scare you away.

I decided to document the building of my layout for several reasons. The most important reason was to show others what can be accomplished in Sn3. I also wanted to share the many photos and historical items I've accumulated over the years. I hope you'll find this website of value. Please be patient as I complete the website. I will try to update the site as often as possible

Why the reference to the "Dark Side" you ask? Well, that was the first comment from my friend Jerry Clark when I proudly displayed my PBL locomotive - "You've gone over to the Dark Side now!" If you've been on the sideline like I was then enjoy the website. Who knows – the Dark Side may be in your future too!