Photos – HO Main Layout – Progress Photos from the Layout Expansion

The following is a series of photos tracking the progress on the expansion of the NWV’s permanent HO layout. See the HO Scale Main Layout page for more details about the expansion.

Thank you to Michael Saunders and Alan Belcher for the photos!

June 20, 2023

The room modifications are complete and benchwork construction can begin! Mechanicville Yard is still in its original location.

November 1, 2023

Attaching the plywood top to the benchwork for the new Mechanicville Yard

Cork panels used under the tracks in Mechanicville Yard

Gluing down the cork panels roadbed

March 19, 2024

The new Mechanicville Yard is in place and the mainline is being laid to soon replace the old Mechanicville Yard on its way to Plainfield! Three photos of the new yard from different points.

May 7, 2024

Regular operations have ceased as the original Mechanicville Yard has been removed to make way for the new mainline. The new yard is covered with plastic to protect it from the flying sawdust!

June 5, 2024

The “Golden Spike” has been driven, and the new Mechanicville Yard is now connected to the main layout! Operating sessions may resume!

August 13, 2024

With the temporary mainline to the new Mechanicville Yard operational, benchwork begins for Manchester, to be the first town after Plainfield in the final layout.

October 16, 2024

The completed and operational Mechanicville Yard

October 23, 2024

The benchwork is in place for Manchester and coming around the corner to connect to Plainfield

November 6, 2024

Paul and Erich planning the track layout for Manchester

The benchwork connecting Manchester to Plainfield is in place, and temporary track has been added for a Maintenance of Way yard into the corner at the mouth of Mechanicville Yard.

November 12, 2024

Art and Perry preparing the Maintenance of Way yard.

November 27, 2024

The trackwork in the MOW yard has been permanently attached and we see an overview of the entire expansion.

The roadbed for the trackwork in Manchester begins to form…

…and sidings are added for new businesses in the Plainfield Extension inside the big curve to Manchester…

…as Arlo contemplates plans for the new Town of Bridgeport.

February 19, 2025

The benchwork is in place and starting to add track bed for the Wilmington Yard peninsula!

February 26, 2025

Adding the base for the Wilmington Yard tracks.

Preparing the base for the Mechanicville Yard roundhouse.

March 18, 2025

An overview showing the Wilmington peninsula benchwork nearly complete, the turntable installed for Mechanicville Yard and the track now laid for the sidings in the town of Bridgeport in the top right of the photo.

May 21, 2025

An updated overview two months later showing the Wilmington peninsula benchwork complete with the main line track roadbed in place around its perimeter and road bed being added for the Wilmington Yard. The crew can start laying track soon! The hole has been cut for the partial roundhouse for the Mechanicville Yard in the foreground.

September 16, 2025

More progress seven months later with the track now in place in Wilmington Yard and the main line tracks now fully operational throughout the expansion. The roundhouse for Mechanicville Yard is now in place.