Rich Blake
This weekend Nov 28th and 29th marks the 15th public open house of Jack Tingstad’s “Cloud City and Western” HO scale layout in Coupeville on beautiful Whidbey Island. This event has been a local favorite every weekend after Thanksgiving and can also be a great opportunity for local 4D modelers to stop by and have a visit.
Class C Shay crossing the high trestle at Cloud City.
Miners awaiting the work train at Tennessee Pass Station. Small scenes like this are all over the highly detailed Cloud City and Western.
Over the years Jack’s HO scale layout has received regional and national recognition. It has appeared twice in Railroad Model Craftsman and the May 2011 issue of Model Railroad Hobbyist. Jack has also been recognized for his excellence in scenery, structures, rolling stock and electrical wiring through several NMRA AP Certificates. The layout has been featured on National Convention tours and is frequently operated among local operators. During national OPSIG events such as Sound Rail the CC&W is part of some of the best operating layouts in the Northwest hosting operators from all over the country.
The CC&W features scenes from central Colorado’s mining district around Leadville. Jack has put his emphasis on the rugged mountain scenery of Tennessee Pass and the sheer cliffs of Glenwood Canyon. A major feature is the scratch built, award winning, New Crystal River Mine along with the old dilapidated one which hug the side of Mount Massive.
Cloud City yard is always a busy place. The highly detailed rolling stock adds to the experience.
The layout is built so it’s handicapped accessible and affords close up views of many steam era locomotives and cars as well as mini-scenes depicting horse and buggy life in the old west.
If you’ve never attended or, as several local families do, return each year, Jack hopes you will stop by and enjoy what some have called “an animated work of art.”
Again this year if you would like to donate one item of food to the Gifts From The Heart food bank as you enter, it will be much appreciated.
CC&W crew shining up the new #7 Climax locomotive.
The layout will be open from 10am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday, November 28th and 29th. The layout is located at 508 NW Broadway Ave in Coupeville. The weather should be nice and would be a great weekend drive from either direction north or south to Whidbey Island.
North route via I-5 to HWY 20 (to visit Deception Pass along the way)
For detailed driving directions if needed, call 360-678-5120.
No Comments Yet