
This picture shows my early proof of concept for felt scenery, and the track I laid for that used the S scale ties and code 70 rail. The loco here is a Bachmann On30 0-4-0 Porter. The Forney looks fantastic on this track, except for the ultra-sharp curve (about a 12" radius!).
While doing nothing else (I have a helluva cold going on), I’ve been contemplating whether or not to hand-lay track for the new layout. Maine 2-footers typically used 35lb rail, which works out to code 70 in O scale, and I think I’d really like the prototypical look of the light rail. Additionally, the ties used on the prototype are somewhat smaller than those typically used – typically about 5″ x 5″ and 5′ long – spaced around 20″ apart. So, there’s really nothing commercially available that will “look” right. My compromise will be to use 6″ wide ties, probably 6′-7′ long (since my track gauge is really somewhat over 30″). S scale standard gauge “profile” ties work out to just about the right size, and, I happen to have a few hundred on hand!
This decision means that I’ll not be using my existing MADModules as part of the layout. The yard on the layout will likely use pretty much the same design, though, with changes made to the approach and engine terminal tracks. The alignments that make things work well for modules just don’t cut it for the home layout.
I’ve also pretty much locked in my loco selection. The C&S will have a whopping four locomotives in operation on the main layout: two 2-4-4 Forney’s, a 4-4-0 and a 2-4-0 (to be made from an inside-frame Forney). In the long term, there will also be a small-driver 0-6-0 for yard operations. For the infernal combustion fans, I will also have a 4-wheeled boxcab, a couple of “B-B” switchers, two Bachmann rail busses, a Doodlebug and at least one rail truck.
At some point, I’ll also transition away from the Bachmann boxcars, reefers, flats and gons. Instead, I’ll be using cars made from my up-coming kit line, which will be laser-cut with appropriate details, trucks and couplers included. I hope to have some drawings of these cars ready to show at Kimberton.

Keg Harbour terminus
I also happened across this track plan somewhere on the web, and decided that it would be great to adapt for my uses. Notice that some of the switches are pretty tightly nested — something that wouldn’t work out at all with the Peco track. The only part of that arrangement I “dread” making is the crossing that goes to the small dock labeled “ore dock” on the drawing.
There’s a lot going on in this little area, and some neat boats and buildings will be required. It’s an excuse to buy and build the wonderful Bugeye kit I found (even though it has no business being in Maine), and there’s a really nice O scale lake steamer kit on the market that will be absolutely perfect at the steamer dock.
BTW, the club which will feature this as a module set, the Upper Canada & Algonquin Ry., is a FreeMOn30 group. That means that, in theory at least, their modules are compatible with MADModules…