Recently, Hub Hobby was given an invitation to visit Jeff Otto’s Missabe Northern Railway train layout. Located just outside the twin cities, the HO scale layout spans approximately 3,700 sq. ft. With nearly a mile of hand laid track and thousands of cars enveloping the basement of his house, Mr. Otto’s re-creation of the Missabe Northern Railway, is nothing short of impressive. Over 8 years in the making, the layout is finally reaching completion. The next big step will be crafting authentic and realistic scenery. Considered by many to be a prime example of trackwork and flawless operation, Mr. Otto’s Missabe Northern Railway layout is complex beyond belief. In order to run the railway appropriately, a crew of 30 individuals is required. In order to fill these positions, one Saturday a month, train enthusiasts both young and old gather at Mr. Otto’s house for a fast-paced, realistic operating session. These working sessions, simulations of a real railway operation, last around 4 hours. Everything is calculated, tracked and planned out in advance, exactly like a functioning railroad. Additionally, each person has a specific role, which is integral to the process. Communication is key! To help the crew communicate, radios have been installed at all the train yards and a dispatcher coordinates the entire operation. Mr. Otto’s layout is truly a realistic and marvelous creation.
Check out the video for a glimpse at some of the footage we gathered!
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