Below you can view more photos of Roberto’s Great Wooden Railway. Click on images to enlarge.
Commuter Trains
The prototypes for these commuter trains were powered by overhead electrical wires. A catenary system on top of the cars extends upward to rub on the powered wires, although these are just for looks.
Commuter Trains
Electric Motor
Each unit is powered by an electric motor through a homemade belt-driven wheel set.
Electric Motor
An emergency equipment battery powers the motor.
Steam Engine and Tender
A large steam engine and tender are posed outdoors.
Steam Engine Cab
Note the details inside the cab, too.
Crane Car
What railroad could get by without a crane car? It can be used for loading flatcars, or for righting derailed engines and cars.
Crane Car
In this photo, the crane car is secured in traveling position, with the boom down over a flatcar.
Crane Car
Tank Car
Railway Yard
Multiple tracks and switches make up a “yard” on this temporary show layout.
Railway Station
A wooden station is just one structure on Roberto’s railway.
Wooden Bridge
This large bridge is another unique structure on the GWR.
Switchman’s Tower
Various Engines
An impressive array of motive power lines up on the main tracks.
Engines on the Track
Mountain Scene
A snowy night scene under the mountains features dramatic lighting.
Show Layout
This show layout spans over large areas of fabricated water.
Wooden Bridge
A closer shot shows the detail in the bridge structure.
Railway Cars
Passenger and mail cars make up part of the rolling stock, too.
Train Consist
A train consist of two Alco Pa’s and a PB pulls a string of freight cars around the layout
Alco Engines
This photo gives a more detailed look at the Alco engines.
Beyer-Garratt Locomotive
This loco type is known as a Beyer-Garratt. They were specially built for mountain travel where the track has many curves.
Beyer-Garratt Locomotive
These were among the strongest European locomotives ever built. This is because they consisted of two complete driven units connected to each other.
Beyer-Garratt Locomotive
The tanks on these units contained water, and the side tanks of the loco contained oil. This type of locomotive was used all over the world.
Various Trains
From railbuses to big steam, five tracks showcase the variety of engines that Roberto has added to the Great Wooden Railway over the years.
Roberto With a Locomotive
Roberto inspects one of his large Diesel locomotives, representing some of the more modern engines on his railway.
Diesel Locomotive
Conductor Car
This is a specific car in which the trainmaster (conductor) has their office. This car would usually be placed at the rear of the train, much like a caboose. The section of taller roof allows the conductor to see over the cars ahead.
Building a Passenger Car
The parts that make up a passenger car sit in the foreground, with a finished car behind them.
Passenger Car
The front third of this passenger car is open, with just a rail around it, for passengers on a low-speed excursion.
Diesel Switchers
Six identical small Diesel switchers line up for yard duty.
Wooden Parts
Several parts sit on standby, ready to be assembled into two Alco PA engines.
Wooden Figures
Several small wooden people, made on the bandsaw, add an element of life to the layout.
Passenger Unit
This is a model of a German passenger unit, consisting of one loco and two passenger cars. The loco is in the middle. This train was originally used from the 1920’s-1940’s by the Deutsche Reichsbahn. Initially, they got their power via an overhead electric catenary system. However, Roberto changed them into a Diesel-electric set. The original train was called an ET 87 (Electro Triebwagen Series 87).
Yard Switcher
A small yard switcher pulls hoppers full of coal.
Roberto Sanding a Passenger Car
Track Details
A detailed look at how the track attaches at the joints.
Stopping Places
These are the stopping places that are positioned on the layout. When connected with a signal, they force the train to a halt, or let it depart. The plastic strip comes up and touches the microswitch under the locomotive. This switches the power off, and the train comes to a halt. When the plastic strip moves down, the microswitch connects the circuit again, and the train departs.
Various Track Pieces
Some of the switches and track that Roberto has built over the years.
Track Switches
Both left and right-hand switches needed to be made by hand, and all are functional.
Locomotives in Action
A well-lit photo, and a little photoshop magic, renders what appears to be an old black and white image from the late 1940’s. These are, of course, scale models; but the depth of realism is astonishing!