MikeCT, thank you for the photographs and some description of the layout. Yes, it is a superbly crafted layout. Dave lets you put an engine you are considering buying on the tracks to see how it performs. My first time using command control and I was blown away!
I failed to mention that trying out trains on Dave's layout was what convinced me to give up my dabble in On30 and accept O 3-rail with open arms. I had modeled in HO for decades, but the trains were getting too small as I passed through my mid 50s. Not having space for anything but a small switching layout in O scale 2-rail, I tried On30 on my HO track. I decided I wanted more of a mainline layout, not a backwoods logging one. I happened to see the June/July 2012 issue of OGR in the Giant Eagle grocery store of all places. I had never seen OGR before. I saw the article about Dave's store layout and that he is located only 45 minute drive away. I went up to Mercer the next Saturday, and you know the rest. 
