The layout is HO in a folded dog bone pattern to allow a double tracked main line on two levels connected by the mother of all helix tracks. Access to Helixville is much easier now that the main is rerouted. You may actually walk into the room. The helix has six virtual station stops between Hagerstown and Conowingo. Strategically located crossovers allow flexibility. E.G. We have the layout configured as a single track line at present but plan to revert to two track main for the November Open Houses. It is DCC (Digitrax) with a voltage setting that allows scale speeds and is segmented into three power districts. 2005 witnessed the introduction of some radio controlled throttles. The main line crossovers are automated under stationary decoders as well as local controls located on the fascia. Operations tend toward the mix of both diesel and steam power with many locomotives equipped with realistic sound decoders. Hagerstown yard is the focus of operations with a large classification yard, local business sidings, passenger station and a complete engine and car service area with a 120' operating turntable. Conowingo has a small classification yard and several industrial sidings. Rising Sun features a line down the center of the main street and an active industrial area with an almost operating coal dump for the power plant. There is a balloon track around the industrial section to facilitate switching operations. The Strasburg branch has an interchange yard with an extension of the yard lead leading to staging tracks, a large coal mine and breaker, engine service tracks, passenger and freight depot and a wye to turn engines and the Doodlebug. The flyover behind the depot is the most severe grade on the entire railroad. Extreme degrees of curvature here result in the flyover restriction to four axle units for switching moves. There are three sidings at the top of the flyover; two that serve a mountain logging industry - both pulpwood and logs, and one siding for dumping mine-run slate and spoils from the coal breaker. The solid fill section of the flyover ends at a rustic wooden trestle. Many other layout areas are sceniced but there is always more to add. The City and Port of Wilmington is an example of a large and active urban area. The city is has a new operating downtown trolley route. Freight is interchanged across the Delaware river on a car ferry from the port. The Port is a very freely adapted model with no attempt at reality for anyone who has actually been in the port. (We have a lot more railroad tracks than the port has.) The layout is partially signaled to give engineers and operating crews an idea of what is occurring at/on out-of-sight sections and turnouts. There is a massive signaling project approved but not yet installed. If this interests you be advised that this could develop into a hobby within a hobby. Signals can/will run on a laptop computer and require a college degree in programming and operation. Never fear as the angel Monica used to say, the signals will not control the railroad but shall indicate the very dickens out of just where the trains are and are heading. It'll provide a good education in transponding, block detection, logic tables and very realistic signal operation.