Hi there, my name is Duane Topel from Toledo, Ohio and this is my 027 model train layout. It’s an 8 foot by 7 foot painted surface with a wide variety of buildings, vehicles, figures and accessories. Some of these are mine and some I share with my brother Darrell who lives in Dearborn, Mich. Some of the pieces are original post-war while others are reproductions.

As kids at home, Darrell being the oldest had a train layout our Dad made for him. When I asked for some trains of my own my parents said, “Play with your brothers” which I eagerly did and he shared willingly. But the trains were his which he ended up with in the long run and rightfully so. He still has that layout to this day in his basement and it’s fully operational. But alas no trains for me!

About 3 years ago by brother suggested that I should get my grand daughter Miranda, who was five at the time, a train set. He insisted that a re-make of the girl’s pastel and pink set by K-Line was a must for her to have. To make a long story short I got it for her and she loves playing with it, but in the process I got hooked once again.

Enough of that, so here I am a member of this great model train club Tri-State Station.

I have based my 8x7 layout from how things were back as kids in the fifty’s and sixty’s. Plain-an-simple with a board painted green, the neat buildings and operating accessories, some cool cars and trucks. A bridge, a mountain, people milling about and imagination sets in. Most of the people are “Homies” which adds a lot of character to the whole layout. I also have some TV and movie screen characters added in.

I run trains from old to new. Mostly 027, my favorite, but a few “O” gauge also. Future plans may include an inter-connecting line from my layout to Nick Nordmann’s “O” gauge layout.

I invite you to come see my layout and all the other great layouts of various gauges at the Tri-State Station. Admission is FREE and there lots of good shopping at the Outlet Mall where we are located.

Like I tell my wife Linda, railroading is hard work but you know trains don’t stop running!