The garden railroad layout is contained in an area of 175 feet by 165 feet.  There is an elevated observation platform in the center of the area for viewing of the entire area with a unique perspective.   During special night time events, the area is illuminated by floodlights strategically placed for viewing enjoyment.

 

All trains start in the southwest corner of the layout on the 20 food long double rack staging trestle.  It is 32 inches above ground for ease of placing equipment on the tracks.  Leaving the trestle, the train enters the 40 foot diameter helix heading down around the town of Dusty Flats, entering the staging yard at the West end of the layout.  Passing through the yard, a choice of two main lines are available.  At the time of this writing, each mainline is about 600 feet with expansion in the works.  The outside mainline covers the perimeter of the current layout area and is the leveler of the two lines.  The inside main travels around a scenic rock 'pond' several times using bridges and cross overs as it travels around and through the town of Dusty Flats.  Along the entire southern border, four parallel tracks provide a viewing spot, as trains pass one another going in both directions.  Located midway on the southern side of the layout is a pedestrian bridge which provides visitors access to walkways and viewing areas within the layout.

 

East of Dusty Flats is the sparsely populated town of Adobe City with the recent addition of a brewery on the edge of town.  Russelville is a
thriving town located in the southeast corner.  Sidings were added to give businesses access to the rail lines.

 

There is over a couple thousand feet of track within the layout.  Curves on the mainline are on a 10 foot minimum radius.  Track is code 332 on plastic ties, mostly from Aristo with some LGB.  All turnouts are hand made.  The track plan started out with code 250 rail, hand spiked on redwood ties for the helix as well as the staging trestle.  All turnouts are manual throw, except for two on the passing siding in Dusty Flats.

 

All equipment is battery powered (eliminates having to clean the rails before operation) and controlled with radio equipped hand-held throttles.  Metal wheels are required on all equipment due to the high Phoenix temperatures encountered during the summer months.