Our layout was built originally to be broken down and moved about to shows and events in a tractor-trailer rig.  The last show the layout participated in was at TerryTown Mall in Rocky Mount in 1993.  The layout was set back up on the second floor of The Antique Barn and Hobby Shop.  Since then, the layout has not moved but rather evolved.  In 1995 it was decided to make the layout a semi-permanent one.  It would remain in modular form to allow members to install new scenery without having to destroy benchwork.  This gave the club a terrific advantage in the many facets the layout has by giving new members a chance to participate in scenery as old modules are removed or the membership cycles around.  With the decision to convert it to DCC, the layout also was at a point to evolve yet again from a show layout to one with operational goals.

Part of what made this possible was a decision to make all new modules property of the club.  All pre-existing privately owned modules are Grandfathered until the owner decides to remove the original module.  A member would build a scene on top using their own funds and if that member leaves, the module stays.  They can remove the scenery and rebuild it or help auction off the old module and the club inserts a new platform ready to be built on at the member's cost.

Below is a statistical summary of the Wilson & East Carolina.

The W&EC

Name: Scale: Length of main line: Space Occupied Prototype: Locale: Period: Layout Style: Track Height: Benchwork: Roadbed: Track: Turnout Minimum Size: Minimum Curve Radius: Maximum Grade: Scenery Construction: Backdrop: Control: Operations: Notes

Wilson & East Carolina HO (1:87) One main line at 465 feet (7.66 scale miles). Dual main lines compose approximately 25% of the layout 120 feet by 20 feet backward "y" shape - Approx. 1400 square feet of floor space Freelance North and South Carolina and Virginia. All periods of motive power and rolling stock Single level walk-around loop 42" to 46" mainlines Modular - 4, 8, 10 and 12' long plarforms Cork on 1/2" Homasote® on top of 1/2" plywood or OSB sub-platform Code 100 commercial track and switches #4 28" on mainlines and 9" on branch line 2% on mainlines and 4% on branch line Museum style Particle board, OSB or none NMRA DCC:  Digitrax Chief II Radio with 6 boosters and                         15 PM4x power managers 5 to 16 persons using train orders and mainline dispatching New signal system project is under way.  This is expected to be a three to five year project.  New main line track plans are being considered as the signal system progresses.  The signal system is based on the Digitrax SE8C controller.  The software used is TrainController 5.8 E1 by Friewald Software (www.freiwald.com).  Dispatch/Train Orders are generated with RailOp currently made available by E.M. Doolittle (www.railop.com ).