A study project of the late John Allen's work based on his original Gorre & Daphetid Railroad. by Phil Anderson and photos by Micheal Quinn Michael was doing the black and white with his big view camera while I had a 35 mm with color. My shutter was hanging open without my knowledge and all the film was dreadfully over exposed. There was no time for a second session as we were set up at the Grand Canyon Public School Library for a kids event. This 7 1/2 X 3 1/2 foot layout was started while living in Scottsdale AZ and came along with me when moving to the Grand Canyon. It was completed there with several freelance modular additions. It was displayed at the Phoenix Great American Train Show and won several red ribbons until awarded the Blue. John immediately added a section in front for his engine house, turntable and small yard as I did also in view below. The main feature here is the scratch built engine house. I copied mine from a color picture kit ad that Fine Scale Miniatures had in a model magazine. This add on section had a track plan different from the original as I was building a show layout for Arizona Rock & Mineral Company by then. I thought that it would be a fun lesson to jamb as many things possible in a small space. Notice that there in nothing ordinary about Johns' work. His bridges, viaducts and tall curved trestle are vary unique designs.  You can see a detailed color shot of an up-dated scene near this engine house by clicking here  Most of what you see below is still my add on section but to the left of the scene above. This features several Campbell kits for engine service and the Skull Valley Station. This layout was always known as the Kaibab RR as it's a common name from Northern Arizona where we lived.  Shown below is the best view I have of my interpetation of the Allen layout. I found enough room in the center to have a complete farm scene. I used the Campbell Stock pens at lower left and Woodland Scenics Oatis Coal Yard in lower center. A scratch built lumber yard to resemble John's was placed at lower right. Barely visible is the Grist Mill that was scratch built from pre-aged veneer. The train has just passed over the off-set span Howe Truss bridge and is on the curved stone viaduct. These are some of the twist John did that made his work outstanding.  The engine is pulling a string of cars on a 14 inch radius inner loop without any problem. I did my tall curved trestle a little different than John's. There is an inch and a half difference in grade elevation from one end to the other. The bridge deck was built to take up this difference through its length in a very graceful rise and fall to accommodate this.