Details for 2026 will be confirmed in the new year
About
Each year the RMMBC committee selects a set of local layouts that are willing to host visitors. Layout selection is determined by attempting to keep them in reasonable proximity to each other and by finding new layouts as much as we can (or ones that we have not seen for some years).
When
The layout tour typically takes place the Friday evening of the in-person meet.
(Refer to the meet schedule for details).
How to Participate
Registration for the layout tour is part of the meet registration process. There is no extra charge for the layout tour but you must be registered.
The tour is self-driving. Detailed google map instructions will be provided. Car pooling is encouraged.
Willing to be a Layout Host
We are always interested in expanding our list of potential layout hosts. Your layout need not be “the world’s best layout”. Visitors tell us that they learn as much (sometimes even more) from seeing a layout in midst of completion as they do from visiting a “finished” layout.
Your layout can be any scale, can be large (fills a room) or small (fits on a shelf). Perhaps the only constraint is that your room or display area must be able to accommodate a reasonable number of visitors.
Most of our layouts are N or HO, so we are very interested in layouts in other scales.
If you are willing to consider hosting your layout, please contact our Layout Coordinator for information.
Layout Tours 2026
Details for 2026 will be confirmed in the new year
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Past Layout Tours for RMMBC 2025
Quincy and Torch Lake — Jamie Neilson
Jamie’s On3 narrow gauge layout is very much under construction and consists of a series of scenes or vignettes, a few prototypical, but most generic. The prototype scenes are based on the Copper Country of northern Michigan where Jamie was luck enough to encounter many small railroads, some abandoned, but most just hanging on for dear life. This short line paradise left Jamie with many memories, and generic locales fill in the blanks and offer operational possibilities. The engine facility is nearing completion and operational. The layout is DCC/Sound with both hand-laid and flex track
The eventual idea is to have point to point operation, staging and the ability to run continuously for the many small rail fans growing up in the extended family. Themes to be included are mining, logging, western small town and lake front.
Donald Switching Layout – Brian Rudko
Donald is an HO-scale switching layout for one or two operators using pre-scripted switch lists or using randomized dice-generated switch lists. It is a six-foot long “cameo” with a four-foot removable extension on each end. The extensions act as staging and also as functioning parts of the layout.
The location modelled is the edge of town (generic town of Donald, Ontario) in the early 1950’s. The layout was inspired by Ian Wilson’s wonderful series of books on the Canadian National in Southern Ontario in the steam and early diesel era.
The layout is constructed with the ability to swap era and location. Using lift-out plates the layout can be switched to a late 1950’s New England edge of town, “Oakland.”
Canadian Pacific Mountain Subdivision — Geoff Gooderham
The Canadian Pacific Mountain Subdivision is a representation of Canadian Pacific’s mainline from Field BC to a few miles west of Golden BC as it would have appeared in 1958, modelled in N scale. The layout is an ‘around the walls’ 2 1/2 lap ‘nolix’ point to point arrangement with stub end staging at both ends. Trackwork, featuring code 55 track and handbuilt turnouts, is complete and scenery is nearing completion. The layout features scratch built structures and a substantial proportion of proto correct rolling stock or close to proto stand ins, as well as detailed and painted locomotives. Control is DCC. The current running scheme is ‘railfan,’ but a more operation-focused scheme is likely to be the next step for this layout.
Western Midland — Mike Chandler
The Western Midland is a single level Ho scale mountain railroad with a three scale mile mainline and a very diversified traffic base of both way freights and through trains, most of which originate and terminate online. It is a freelanced railroad nominally set in Montana, and is based on a design by the legendary track planner, John Armstrong. The layout is 100% operational with scenery covering approximately 95%, and is controlled by Lenz DCC. Set in September, 1938, the Midland is an all-steam road, and is typically operated by a 12-person crew using timetable and train order for dispatching with car cards and way bills for freight car forwarding.
Kettle Valley Division — Anthony Craig
The Kettle Valley Division of the Canadian Pacific Railway is a mountain model railroad in HO scale set in southern British Columbia. It is very faithful to the prototype in its topography, infrastructure, trains and operational features as they were wen steam was king in September 1949. The 465-foot mainline (7.7 scale miles) is stretched out over two decks with a helix in the middle and staging tracks at each end. Most of the scenery and trackage closely resemble specific locales of two subdivisions on the west side of the Kettle Valley Division, between the towns of Hope and Princeton. The small division point yard of Brookmere is the centre of layout activity. Four passenger trains, many through freights, way freights and pusher service are featured on the Coquihalla Sub. The layout is 100% operational, and is controlled by Lenz DCC with CVP radio throttles. Scenery is approximately 75% complete.