An educational layout at Fort Hope The SLOMRA has built a N scale  layout for Fort Hope in Arroyo  Grande, California. Fort Hope is a  western style town that host groups  of children to learn about the ways  of early pioneer living. Most of the  children come from disadvantaged  families or situation. The layout is about 4’x20’ and  features points of local railroad  interest such as Stenner Creek  bridge and the horseshoe curve  leading up Cuesta Grade. Alex and Pat Benson donated space  in a vacant office complex that  allowed us the six months it took to  build the layout. Lots of members contributed their  time, talents and treasures to bring  the layout to life. Fort Hope will use  the layout as a teaching tool for the  children. The layout is operational, however,  there are a couple of buildings that  need to be completed. There will be  additional signs with information to  inform viewers of what they are  looking at and how it applies to the  history of the railroad through San  Luis Obispo county.

To the left:  Michael and Stuart work  the profile of the land  where Stenner Creek  bridge will rise from the  canyon floor. All the  track of the layout is  level, but through the  use of some scenery  techniques, trains seem  to travel at different  elevations.

To the right:  Phil and Bob work on the area that will feature the  horseshoe curve. The real curve near the prison in  San Luis Obispo is reportedly the tightest horseshoe  curve used on a Class I railroad.

To the left:  Chuck and Donald apply  scenery material to a  nearly completed layout.  Stenner Creek bridge is  to the left and the  horseshoe curve is next  to the far wall. There is  an N scale train on the  rails just exiting the  curve. The layout also  features a couple of  tunnels to represent the  ones that can be seen  from Hwy 101 on  Cuesta.