Former Layout by Jim Martin

Layout Name:

"Port Dover Branch"

Layout Status:

dismantled

Track Type:

Layout Space:

15' x 22'

Layout Style:

Sectional, U-shaped

Track Manufacturer:

Tomalco, handlaid (Fast Tracks)

Rail Size:

code 83, 70

Min. Turnout Frog:

Min. Radius:

36"

Ruling Grade:

Track Height(s):

49"

Mainline Track Length:

50'

Completed:

benchwork: 100%, track: 95%, scenery: 80%

Era:

1950s

Setting:

Port Dover, Ontario, Canada

Railroad(s) Modeled:

CNR, LE&N (CP)

Control System:

Battery-powered (BlueRail Trains)

Featured In:

NASG Dispatch, May 2025, pg 20

The S Scale Resource, Oct 2024, pg 10

The S Scale Resource, Jun 2022, pg 10

NASG Dispatch, May 2018, pg 24

Notes:

Point-to-point layout operations with battery-powered engines and battery-powered turnout control. In late 2025 Jim dismantled his layout and it was taken over by Darby Marriott, to integrate it into his home layout.

Videos:

A Tour of the Layout

Canadian National train number M236 passes the Clubine Mill on its way to the Lake Erie community of Port Dover. The ten wheeler #1533 was built from a limited production brass kit designed and assembled by fellow S-scale modeler Simon Parent. The van (caboose) is a resin Ridgehill Hobbies kit, and the rest of the train is ready-to-run plastic. The mill structure was scratchbuilt, primarily from foam core and computer-printed building papers. The photo has enhancements by Brooks Stover.

CN local 236 bends the iron heading past the Clubine Mill on its way to Port Dover.

The Canadian National 4-6-0 was built up from an S Scale Locomotive & Supply kit's parts by Simon Parent.

Here it is again on a return trip.

The Canadian National Railway local M236 is southbound out of Simcoe, Ontario on its way to the Lake Erie community of Port Dover. The S Scale Locomotive & Supply E-10 Mogul runs on battery power. The rolling stock is a combination of S-Helper Service, S Scale America, and American Models products. Tomalco Track code 70 and code 83 rail is used throughout. The stake bed truck in the foreground-right is a Railmaster kit, and the large industrial block in the background was built from HO-scale kit components. The Harley-Davidson motorcycle (background-left) is a Hallmark (of Christmas cards fame) model. Pete Moffet's photo of Jim's layout appeared on the inside cover of the June 2023 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman in the NASG promotional ad campaign.