Al Carter

Tom Hawkins, 4D  member from Anacortes, recently won third place in Model Railroader’s 2012 track plan contest and will have an article called, “Room-sized Plan With A Car Float” in the October issue.

Tom’s plan depicts the fictional Port Thomas and Southern, inspired by the original Port Townsend and Southern. The plan is closely based  on Tom’s own layout.

The article includes a great photo of the prototype Seattle & North Coast (ex-Milwaukee Road) rail barge facility in Port Townsend, a photo I have never seen before. Most rail barge facilities seem to have straight tracks leading out to the ramp and float, but not this one. It snakes out into the bay on an S-curve approaching the float. A cool photo in a neat article!

Tom carries the title “Layout Planning Guru” for the Skagit/Whidbey NMRA clinic and, as the title suggests, he really enjoys working up different track plans. He has helped several fellow model railroaders with their layout plans. This comes naturally to Tom, a retired architect.

So, Tom: now that your’re famous, when will you be open for layout tours?