After following the forum topic about Mercer Junction and Dave Minarik's home layout visit (https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/d...ent/8469619976138681), I knew that I had to check out this talked-about O gauge train store. The drive from Niles, Ohio took less than 35 minutes. Dave's store is what a train store should be (IMHO); abundant boxes of Lionel, MTH, Atlas, and Weaver; a huge working display on which I could finally run my MTH 4-6-6-4 M-2 Challenger Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 2.0 (Hi-Rail Wheels) - Western Maryland Cab No. 1208 (my practice layout is limited to 0-60 curves). Dave was glad to set up and operate the engine under DCS on his layout. Any questions I had he took considerable time to explain the How-to part in detail. Structures, weathering, running TMCC and DCS, Legacy features, making trees, comparing different manufacturer's rolling stock and engines, etc. Dave is well informed and easy to talk to and to get an unbiased answer.
I had planned to stay around an hour but two and a half hours later I had signed up for his newsletter, planned to attend his informal work sessions, and of course purchased a few items. Drop your wife off at the Outlet Shops, visit Dave, then eat at the Iron Bridge restaurant for a perfect fall day trip.
Below are sample photos from Dave's store layout.
Coal Tipple and water towers, curved Ross switches. You can check out ballasted Gargraves track and weathered structures.
You can inspect the different ballasted side track, figures and building details such as the gravel on the overhang roof on the loading dock.
See what trees made from sedum look like in a forest clump. Check out the ground clutter below the trees. Dave explains the techniques and materials needed to create the realistic inexpensive trees.
