Our layout depicts railroading in Durand and surrounding areas in Michigan between 1945 and 1963 on the Grand Trunk Western and Ann Arbor Railroads. It features scratch built structures like the Durand Union Station and Durand Roundhouse. It is housed in the Baggage Room of the historic Durand Union Station.

The layout began construction in 1990 when we were approached the Durand Union Station’s board of directors to construct and operate a replica railroad depicting Durand and surrounding areas.

Our layout is controlled by Digitrax DCC (Digital Command Control) and Arduino Microcontrollers.  Each locomotive that operates on the layout contains a small computer chip that can be controlled by the operator. These chips, referred to as “decoders” control the movement of the locomotives, lights and even realistic sounds. Multiple locomotives can be controlled on the same track independently.

Trackage runs upwards of 2000+ linear feet. All of the turnouts are operated by Tortoise Switch Machines.  Some are locally controlled, but all mainline turnouts can be controlled by operators via their throttles.

Two multi-track helixes move trains from the upper level to the lower level, then back up.  Our main helix is near the entrance and is open for viewing by the public. It is at the perfect height for kids to see multiple trains spiraling up or down the back-lit helix!

The trackage that is seen on the upper level is equivalent to the tracked hidden on the lower level. All track is a mixture of Atlas Flex-Track and Micro Engineering, both Code 83.  Turnouts and crossovers are also a mixture of Atlas and Micro Engineering. We are currently in the process of replacing all of the Micro Engineering track with Atlas Code 83 track.

We have 5 mainlines that traverse the layout.  All 5 lines intersect each other near the replica of Durand Union Station.  Since all trains operating are independently controlled, we have an electro-mechanical signal system controlled by Arduino Microcontrollers in place that allow operators to see which mainline is currently occupying the “Diamond.” Multiple LED displays located around the layout room signal whether a train is active over the Diamond or not. This helps other operators know to slow or stop their train as they approach the Diamond to avoid collisions.