Introduction
The MA&G (better known as "The Magnolia Route") is a fictional Class 1 railroad which runs from Chattanooga, TN to Houston, TX with branches to Mobile, AL and New Orleans, LA. The modeled section represents the mainline run south of Hattiesburg, MS to New Orleans. The MA&G meets the Southern Railway and the GM&O at Slidell, LA and uses their shared trackage across Lake Pontchartrain into New Orleans. In exchange, these two railroads have running rights on MA&G track between Slidell and Mobile, AL.
Introduction
An earlier 12 by 13 foot version of the MA&G was featured in the April 2005 Model Railroader. The current layout was featured in Great Model Railroads 2007. Seven photos I took of the MA&G appeared in the Walthers 75th Anniversary catalog, one of which won second place in the "Magic of Model Railroading" contest. Three other photos were pubished in the 2010 catalog. The MA&G is also the subject of Volume 56 in Allen Keller's "Great Model Railroads" DVD series! You can click on the image to the right for the link. As a member of the South Eastern Region (SER) of the NMRA, I presented clinics on the design and construction of the MA&G at both the 2006 SER Convention in Memphis and the 2010 Convention in Birmingham. I have won numerous awards for model photography and structures at these conventions as well. At the local level, the MA&G has been featured in both newspaper and television media. The MA&G is also referenced and shown in Tony Koester's Scenery Design book.
I have been a model railroader for nearly 40 years. I received my first HO train set from Santa at the age of 10. I have built 5 serious adult layouts, 2 of which were in N-scale. My wife, Jennifer, and I have been married for 20 years and have three children. My other interests include teaching, playing the piano and anything related to Walt Disney World which we visit annually (May 2012 will mark my 17th visit).
News Flash! The layout will be featured in Great Model Railroads 2013 which will be available in October 2012. I also hope to begin marketing my own self-produced DVD of the MA&G around that time. It will be available for purchase through my website and possibly Amazon.com. Stay tuned for details and developments!
