Welcome

It is hard to believe but it is time for the Piedmont Pilgrimage. This will be our seventh year hosting this event, which is the premier model railroad open house program in the Southeast. The first year there were 12 layouts. This year there will be well over 70 layouts for your enjoyment. Most of the scales you are familiar with will be represented. The owners have worked hard all year to provide you with layouts that are exceptional from a scenery and engineering standpoint. Understand that not all model railroads are finished. Many of them will be in various stages of construction. If you are thinking about starting a layout or want to learn new techniques for doing things in model railroading this is a great opportunity. Bear in mind that many "mature" layouts will have a high level of scenery for your viewing and photographic fun.

As I said earlier many scales of model trains are represented. These include the popular HO and N scales along with O and G. Narrow Gauge is becoming more and more popular and you will see On3 and HOn3 layouts. On3 means O scale size trains running on HO track. HOn3 is HO scale trains running on N scale tracks. If you have not seen a narrow gauge layout you really need to make a visit to one. They are highly detailed and usually are located in the western US but not always. Many were used in logging operations and to supply small towns with passenger and freight service where larger Railroads would not go.

The layouts are available on our website, www.piedmont-div.org. Click on the Piedmont Pilgrimage link on the left. Once there you will have the tour schedule of the individual layouts. Each layout has a link where you can get specific directions to the layout location via Yahoo Maps. On most layout pages you will see up to three photos. At the top of the website page there is a link named photo gallery where you can view three more photos of the layout you are interested in seeing. This tool should help you decide which layout to go and visit.

Sadly, my SV&S layout will not be on tour this year due to a major house fire. The layout itself was a total loss with the exception of individual pieces of rolling stock, locomotives, and structures that were salvaged. We plan to rebuild the layout in the future but it will be a few years away. Ironic that the Chairperson of the Pilgrimage loses his layout in a fire! I want to thank everyone who has come to visit my layout over the years. I enjoyed everyone and hope that it provided inspiration to you to be a layout builder. There are photographs in the photo gallery that you can view to remember the old Railroad. We will keep them there until the new layout is started.

For anyone who is going on the Pilgrimage trail for first time here are some hints for viewing. When you get near the owner's home look for the yellow Pilgrimage signs. They will get you to the open house. They may also direct you to the entrance, if it somewhere else than the front door. Be patient when you get there. Last year there were crowds. On the popular layouts you may need wait in line if the layout room is full. Remember that the owner is entertaining many guests. If you have technical questions you might try asking an assistant or possibly arranging coming back at a later date. Most owners are happy to help. We ask that you do not touch. Many of models are fragile and we do not want damage during an open house. Please do not forget to sign the guest book.

If you are very interested in model trains and are not a member of the National Model Railroad Association. I highly recommend joining. It is a great organization and very strong in the metro Atlanta Area. We meet the second Tuesday of every month at the Elks Lodge in Tucker at 7 PM. It is a great way to fellowship with other model railroad enthusiasts. There are handouts at the open houses.

We look forward to seeing you!

Bob McIntyre
Piedmont Pilgrimage Chairperson