neo train model

"Friendly Fridays... The B&M Cheshire Branch."

Jim Dufour's careful re-creation of the Boston & Maine's Cheshire Division circa late 1940's is a real labor of love. His research on the New Hampshire portion of this line focused on five consecutive stations just over the Massachusetts line.
It consumes most of his 17' x 28' townhome basement and was begun in 2005.

Jim runs a combination of steam and first generation diesel. His track plan is single track around the basement walls with a peninsula and run-through staging that is segregated, but visible and readily accessible as it runs against the back of the stairway landing. Because of that configuration, there are no duck-unders or gates required for visitors or operators to negotiate. Utilities have been effectively screened from view and fascia and skirting complete the layout's presentation.
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Jim's use of photographic backdrops expand scenes very effectively. He shot this photo himself on location. The double-arched bridge still stands today near the state line. Jim scratch built it using resin casting techniques.

The J. M. Parker grain elevator at Fitzwilliam was scratchbuilt based on an old postcard that Jim acquired. To his credit, he has the good sense to employ a B&O hopper here.

The pastoral nature of this line is evident, as is the time period and season being modeled through details along the right-of-way and gravel road.

The Mudsucker Run makes its way east bound around the peninsula end on this mostly wall-hugging layout. Jim has taken advantage of the peninsula's depth to depict the most rugged scenery on the layout.

The depot at Webb is dwarfed by the hilly backdrop... another example that dramatically expands the scene. Overall, the backdrops are a combination of both personal and commercial photographs that have been enlarged and printed for mounting.

The area around the Golding Keene loadout is still getting some final scenery touches. The industry was a local company that mined feldspar, an abrasive-type ore that is the main ingredient in Bon Ami household cleanser.