Regarding prototypes: We have a few operating waterwheel mills in Delaware. One, Greenbank Mill up near Wilmington, was burned down to the stone walls by arsonists nearly 50 years ago, but a society was formed to rebuild the interior to original specifications and functions - best of all, it is across the street from the Wilmington & Western Railroad parking lot. I try to plan a visit for when the mill is running and coincides with Pufferbelly Day on the W&W. There is also Abbott's Mill at the south end of the state, which is open for tours and operates one or two Saturdays of the month in the warmer parts of the year. Very neat to be inside a water mill when the gears are engaged - the whole building seems to come alive.
Regarding your model: Very neat project for a train layout - between the operating wheel and the detailed interior, quite a showpiece!
David
