Wonderful Visit to Corner Field Model Railroad Museum & Trading Post Train Shop

Looks like a good time Mark. I wish I had more days off to make it out there, but I'm only about at 4. Someday maybe.

Looks like an absolutely amazing layout, Mark. Thanks for sharing - I wish I lived closer (I’m on the opposite end of PA ). Now, I admit to being a bit weird, but I find this to be most incredible photo in the group. A beautiful scene, and just imagine having that much real estate where you can have a scene without any trains!!!

@Apples55 posted:

Looks like an absolutely amazing layout, Mark. Thanks for sharing - I wish I lived closer (I’m on the opposite end of PA ). Now, I admit to being a bit weird, but I find this to be most incredible photo in the group. A beautiful scene, and just imagine having that much real estate where you can have a scene without any trains!!!

I was thinking the same thing.  Sometimes the best parts of train layouts are where the trains don't run.

@Apples55 posted:

Looks like an absolutely amazing layout, Mark. Thanks for sharing - I wish I lived closer (I’m on the opposite end of PA ). Now, I admit to being a bit weird, but I find this to be most incredible photo in the group. A beautiful scene, and just imagine having that much real estate where you can have a scene without any trains!!!

Paul, I think it is the most incredible photograph of the 44 I took.  Tom Jr built this accurate model of the Walter C Best Wildlife Preserve in Chardon, Ohio.  Mr. Best was Tom Jr’s great grandfather.  I’ve seen photographs of the real scenes, and Tom did an excellent job with the bridges, other structures, and the waterways.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Paul, I think it is the most incredible photograph of the 44 I took.  Tom Jr built this accurate model of the Walter C Best Wildlife Preserve in Chardon, Ohio.  Mr. Best was Tom Jr’s great grandfather.  I’ve seen photographs of the real scenes, and Tom did an excellent job with the bridges, other structures, and the waterways.

@GG1 4877 posted:

I was thinking the same thing.  Sometimes the best parts of train layouts are where the trains don't run.

Jonathan, I agree about the places trains don’t run

Mark,  That is an incredible layout, to have that much room and no life tugging issues to be able to build one of my own is on my bucket list, but I would be happy with a 20x30 room for sure.

Ron, it is a treat to spend time there.  I identify with you.  I wouldn’t know what to do with even a 30x20 room. 😄

Mark,

I have 13x20 now, but we will be moving closer to the grandkids after the first of the year. Negotiations with the wife include combining my shop and the house on one lot, so I am not traipsing 10 miles each way to work on the toyhauler, RV or one of my cars, and combine my train room in the shop.

Of course she has to get the house she wants, so unless the miracle appears ready to move in, it likely will be a renovation of the place we buy and build my shop once move in. Life could be worse.

That's not too far north of me. I'll have to make it a trip one of these days!

Bill, it is very near you.  I thought of you as we were going around the Warren bypass Route 82.  You need to visit.  Tom Jr is around your age, but regardless, it is too good to miss when you live so close.  Check the website for days and hours they are open.

@Ron_S posted:

Mark,

I have 13x20 now, but we will be moving closer to the grandkids after the first of the year. Negotiations with the wife include combining my shop and the house on one lot, so I am not traipsing 10 miles each way to work on the toyhauler, RV or one of my cars, and combine my train room in the shop.

Of course she has to get the house she wants, so unless the miracle appears ready to move in, it likely will be a renovation of the place we buy and build my shop once move in. Life could be worse.

Ron, I wish you well finding the right place for both of you.  We will be looking for another house someday

Wonderful, what a layout!

@Mark Boyce posted:

Yesterday, my wife Kim and I visited Corner Field Model Railroad Museum & Trading Post Train Shop in Middlefield (Huntsburg), Ohio.  I had been there twice before pre-covid, but Kim had not been along.  The Elesh family have built and operate a really marvelous layout and are very gracious hosts.  It was nice to talk with Tom Sr, Vicki, Tom Jr, and Ashley face to face once more.  Of course Kim was very impressed seeing it in person having only seen photographs.  She kept asking me to take more photographs, and I ended up with 44 of them.  Here is a sampling.

I encourage all of you to take the time to visit if you are in Northeast Ohio or Northwestern Pennsylvania.  They are about 40-50 miles east of Cleveland.

Stunning, Enormous, Spectacular, I could go on and on with superlatives.

To have access to so much space for a model railroad; how luxurious that must be when designing and constructing a layout.

Love that layout

Anyone know the approximate size of this beautiful layout?

It reminds me of the layout I saw approximately 25 years ago at the Choo Choo Barn. What struck me about that one was there was so many beautiful models, structures, and other things (including a baseball park)  that was so uncluttered and spread out (like in real life) set in beautiful scenery. As in this Corner Field layout, the trains (as impressive as they are) on the Choo Choo Barn layout were secondary to the structures and scenery that were primary (also like in real life).

Thanks for posting Mark

Tom Jr. has been asking when I'll be up but it looks like it won't be until the fall, which I prefer anyways being closer to "train season".  I am eagerly anticipating my visit to see the expansion that has been taking place.  I want to check out the park built in honor of Tom's grandparents if I recall correctly (seen in your photo below).  One thing though, I hope a Star Trek movie is playing at the drive in!

@Mark Boyce, do you have any photos of the control room/panels? 

Is there a track plan? 

The scope and detail for such an immense layout is astonishing.  Thanks for the photos.

Mark,

Were you able to determine what they are using for track, switches and control system(s)?

I wish I knew about this place last week as I ran right past that area traveling from Boston to Detroit.

Would have been a great stop along the way.

Ben, I know you love that layout.  If you get a group together to make a visit, let me know, as I would love to meet up with you there.

Arnold, Tom Jr. gave me the dimensions; 32' x 145'  the largest family owned model railroad in the United States.

Marty, I was going to wait until fall myself, but we decided my recovery from surgery has progressed well enough and we were free.  We hadn't had a day outing in a very long time.  The wildlife preserve is in honor of Tom Jr.'s great-grandfather, Walter C. Best.  I don't recall if he was Tom Sr. or Vicki's grandfather.  I'm not sure what was playing at the drive-in theater, but it is the best model drive-in that I have ever seen.

Carl, Good questions!  I have not seen a track plan.  There are two control areas.  Tom Jr. operates trains from a walk-in aisle via a duck-under that goes to the center of the original half of the layout.  You can see several transformers on a bench in the center control area, but guests are normally requested to not go in the aisle.  I didn't want to ask to go back because if he let me in, some other guest would want to also.  Ashley operates from a raised booth at the very end of the newer section, so she is about 150' from where you first walk in from the train shop.  Someone would have to climb up there to see anything.

Kazar, The track looks like all GarGraves with Ross switches with Z-stuff switch motors.  Most engines are Lionel Legacy but they also have MTH DCS.  Tom told me he prefers the hand-held controller over using the wifi app.  You are so right, it is right along the way from Boston to Detroit.