Framework for the layout was started Decemeber 26, 1994. I hired MMR Loren Neufeld to design the layout. Because I was a self employed consultant, I had a lot of time to work on the layout. But I also had the good luck to find a crew of volunteers to help with construction. We worked every Friday night from 7:00 until ???. Over the years, helpers have come and gone. I could never have completed the layout (timeline). in the short time that we did.

Photos are of the same area (Kansas City/Argentine Yard) and were taken nine months apart.

By this time we were operating (on the lower level) one Friday a month and working the other Fridays. We only had three throttles, no scenery and VERY FEW industries, most were only spurs with no buildings. Didn't even have names for industries, they were just numbered. The first November San Jacinto open house, I "rented" industries from some of my friends, so it didn't look so desolate.