Our Modules (2 of 3)

The original concept of the Gilbert Siding was that it could be used in either of two ways:

1. As a static display with a freight car parked in front of each operating accessory (the crane, stockyard, log loader, etc.).

2. As a dynamic display with trains running through the siding to demonstrate accessories that involve moving trains (the mail car and cow-on-the-track).

It turns out, however, that the static display has generated so much interest that we have rarely used it as a dynamic display. We are, therefore, currently developing a new set of modules named Gilbert Town that will give us the desired dynamic display and a couple of other improvements:

1. It will provide passing tracks on both the inner main and the outer main.

2. It will have a spur siding further from the inner main for static displays. This will enable us to turn the stockyard around so visitors can watch the cows go into and come out of the stock car.

3. By also turning the automobile unloading car around, we will have the pickup fingers of all operating cars on the left side of the car, which will enable us to include a Guilford Station in Gilbert Town.

4. The Talking Station will be eliminated because it wasn't loud enough to be heard in the noisy environment of our clubhouse.

The two western Gilbert Siding modules, GS3 and GS4, will be rebuilt as part of Gilbert Town, and their accessories integrated into Gilbert Town. That will leave GS1 and GS2 as a spur siding with their popular static accessory displays.

The Spur Track Module (S24 GT1) is the first Gilbert Town module. In addition to the two mainline tracks, it has the end of the spur track that branches off the Gilbert Town Passing Track on the GT2 module. The spur track features the Stockyard and Operating Car off the old GS3 Station Module, and the Electromagnetic Crane off the Gilbert Siding West Entrance module (S3/GS4). The mainlines feature Z-Stuff sensors like the old Gilbert Siding Station Module (S6/GS3), but has a Gilbert Crossing Signal Flasher instead of the Gilbert Crossing Signal with bell; Z-Stuff has advised us that the problems we've been having with their sensors may be that the Gilbert Crossing Signal draws too much current.

The Mail Pickup Module (S22 GT3) was the first Gilbert Town module completed and installed on the layout. Near the top of this picture is the Gilbert Town Passing Track; it features the stanchion for the Gilbert Mail Pick-Up car. Between that Passing Track and the street at the top of the picture is a pad where we have a rotating display of the various Minicraft stations and vendor stands in Bob's collection.

At the bottom of the picture is the passing track for the outer mainline.

Installing this module enabled us to remove the Gilbert Siding Station Module (S6 GS3) which will be rebuilt to become the Guilford Station Module (S25 GT4). Its Talking Station will be replaced by a Guilford Operating Station. The Stockyard will be replaced by a Minicraft Barn. The Cow on the Track, street crossings, crossing signal, and sensors will remain in place.

Click here to see the rest of the modules.