The following pictures are of the last layout I built. It was begun in 1983 and stood in place until 1997 when I took it down to make room for my growing children.
It was originally set up for Lionel O-27 but the switches were replaced with Marx turnouts about 1990 when I got serious about collecting Marx. It never really operated that well for Marx. Marx turnouts do not have the same configuration as Lionel. While the difference is not great, when you multiply it by ten switches it can create problems. Another problem was long straight track sections with O-27 curves at the end. Marx trains tend to "race" on long straight sections causing derailments in the curves. Finally, Lionel trains tend to be heavier and not as prone to derailment. If you are building a layout, decide what kind of trains you intend to run first. If your layout is going to be large try to use O-42 or larger radius track.
The buildings in this layout are ceramic or tin. The tunnel portals are made of styrofoam insulation board, roads are spackling mixed with Kitty Litter and black paint and grass is a combination of sawdust, flock and dyes.
There were over 500 trees on this layout, they were made from Cattails (blooming), pine cones, ragweed and dead twigs. Dead trees lend a touch of realism to any layout.
I didn't buy anything I could make.
This is an overview of the main section of the layout.
See another picture with some Joy Line here.


This was the downtown area.                                   This was the steeltown section.


This is a broad view of the central section.
See another angle here.


This was the view from the mountain.
Here's another view.


This was the view of the valley.
Here's a close-up of the viaduct.