2011 Evanston Roundhouse Festival

Held the first weekend of August 2011, the Evanston Roundhouse Festival is an annual event to raise funds for the continued restoration efforts of the roundhouse. This year marked the shows fourteenth year. The restoration efforts are impressive. The fully restored machine shop and the restored portions of the roundhouse provided a clean and attractive space for layouts and vendors. The close proximity of the busy UP mainline provided plenty of prototype activity to observe.

Mike Nelson of Utah Free-mo acted as Run Chief for the event and coordinated a space for a multi-group layout with the shows sponsors. The group was presented with a challenge Friday morning as they started setting up. The dimensions and drawing that had been provided were not accurate. As a result, almost all of the modules in the entire layout needed to be placed on their legs and carefully positioned to insure that the layout would fit. There were two structural columns on the edge of the allotted space, and it was not clear if the layout would fit between the columns. After some careful positioning and a little handwringing, it became apparent the layout would fit and clear by about a quarter of an inch.

Modules were contibuted by Mike Nelson of Utah Free-mo, Dave Dave most recently of North Texas Free-mo, who now resides in Colorado, and Sterling Moore and Jim Moore who are unaffiliated with any organized Free-mo group, The layout featured two large return loops with Smokey Point Yard positioned in the middle of the layout. Dave Dane brought his Caballo Creek module set. Dave’s modules along with Faust, owned by Mike Nelson, provided two long sidings. These long sidings along with the yard and loop allowed for running longer trains and passenger trains. But, the layout also included ample opportunities for local switching. Sterling Moore’s namesake module set added another short siding and also provided some opportunities for local switching. This complimented the other switching on the layout at the cement plant at Mounds, the tank farm at Smokey Point, the team track at Caballo Creek, and the rip tracks at Faust and Summit. Run through modules contributed by Jim and Sterling helped space out the other modules.

The show was a big success. The layout went together quickly and smoothly. Once again the wisdom and practicality of the Free-mo standard was vindicated. The other module owners involved with the setup did not know Dave or his module. But, because Dave had followed the standards, his module could travel hundreds of miles and fit right into the layout. The group also had a positive reaction from the public and the shows organizers. This is a great event at a fantastic venue which supports a worthy cause. Plans are already being made to include a Free-mo layout at next year’s event.

The Layout

The Pictures

Pictures and Video of the setup are available below.

Free-mo at Evanston Roundhouse Festival