Last Run of the ET&WNC in HOn3

After 15 years on the campus of the East Tennessee State University, the George L Carter Railroad Museum closed to the public on June 3, 2023 to allow for the demolition of the Campus Center building. A new home is being sought in Johnson City, but it is not known when exactly the museum will be able to reopen. So, the day after the closure, some friends and I went in to say farewell (for now) to the impressive HOn3 layout of the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad. We first ran an excursion train with most of the passenger cars from Johnson City to Cranberry, then combined all the freight equipment at that end of the layout into a single long consist to stage everything in Johnson City yard for removal. I then parked all four engines in the engine shed and cut the layout power for the last time at ETSU. It was bittersweet to run these last trains over a layout that I've been involved with for 8 years now, but with any luck it will be back and better than ever in a few months time.

[@SteamInTheBlueRidge]

Well congratulations on 8 thousand subscribers man you’ve earned it.

[@page0809]

simply Beautiful!

[@OtterCreek]

Thanks for sharing this!! The scenery is amazing!

[@BlueRidgeDave]

awesome video.. thanks for sharing.. let's hope the move will be safe and in a timely manner so we can come back and see it run through the mountains..

[@vettebecker1]

I've commented on this layout a few times in the past and as always great job with the video, but still doesn't compare to seeing the layout in person! The detail in this layout has captured the essence of the E.T &W.N.C in miniature. I truly hope that with the move to a new home that a lot remains undamaged.

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

I think some damage to the base scenery is unavoidable, particularly where the layout will have to be cut into sections, but I can assure you that the move will be done meticulously and carefully. Fortunately the club has some dedicated and talented modelers, by the time the new location opens to the public I'm sure it'll look better than ever.

[@williambryant5946]

Such an awesome layout. Hope y'all find it a new home and can save it.

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

Good news, a new home has been secured. The layout has been moved into storage in the meantime but the museum hopes to reopen next spring.

[@williambryant5946]

@@SmokyMtnSteam Awesome!

[@officialpennsyjoe]

I cannot wait to join this club once they setup in the new building!

[@valeriebassett3107]

I sure hope so. That train layout is awesome. You should be very proud of being involved for 8 years on such an amazing setup. I think that is something that adults and kids would really like and could learn some interesting facts about the railroads!! ❤️ Thanks for sharing this great video.

[@jordonfreeman166]

🎵 Turn out the lights, the party’s over. 🎶

[@TNRailProductions_01]

Hate that I never got to see it. But these video memories will hang around until the new building is found. Here’s to a bright future for the Club!

[@lashendawest7509]

Great video

[@tomgrabenstein2741]

Sad to see it go. Good luck with the move to a new location. Doc Tom

[@gearhead996]

This is awesome! It takes me back to the late '70s when I had a HO gauge train set. I could only dream of something like this.

[@fazthatcoyote]

It hurt that day when i walked around it the last time. The uncertainty of when I'd get to watch my little train climb through the Doe River Gorge. So happy i had the opportunity to operate this layout and be a member of that museum.

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

The campus centre should have remained standing till a new home for the model railway has been found. Then again, I guess it's the way it goes. If no new home can be found, the old campus centre will have to be rebuilt, I reckon. In any case, I hope Lady Luck will be smiling on you. With the cost of living rising everywhere, finding a new model railway home might prove to be more difficult than first thought. Let's pray that all will be well.

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

Luckily the city wants to keep the museum as a tourist attraction and has been helping to find a new location and will partially cover the costs of moving. I think moving off the university campus will be a good thing in the long run, there will hopefully be more space and the museum can be open all week.

[@robertsullivan3877]

Old building on campus of ETSU is currently being demolished.

[@Willysmb44]

I never got to see that layout as I'm on the west coast but it pains me to know this isn't still running

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

The good news is that the museum has secured a lease on a storefront near downtown and will begin moving in soon, planning to reopen in 2024. Being off-campus will allow the layout to be open to visitors 5 days a week and free them from parking constraints on game days, so I think getting kicked out will actually be a good thing for them in the long run.

[@williamfischer5336]

So what about the locomotives, rolling stock, buildings, etc? Will they be going into the hands of select individuals or will they be going into storage?

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

The museum has two months to clear out the current building, it is hoped that a new venue can be made ready by then and everything will just be moved directly there. If not, everything will be moved to a storage facility. There is no intention to split up the collection.

[@williamfischer5336]

@@SmokyMtnSteam That's awesome to hear!

[@TheRandomRedRailfan]

Any new info on the new building?

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

Yes! The museum will reopen in downtown JC as the Johnson City Railroad Experience in early October. The layouts are currently being reconstructed, and the Tweetsie will be about 100 feet longer!

[@TheRandomRedRailfan]

@@SmokyMtnSteam Thank god! I really wanted to see the ol' tweetsie, so I might go sometime!

[@RailscapeStudios]

Is this ET&WNC 8

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

The club has never had a model of either 8. The operating fleet consists of 4, 5, and 6 in both ETWNC and Linville River lettering, plus 10, 11 in green and black, 12 and 14. The ten-wheelers never ran right and have been out for repair for some time now.

[@RailscapeStudios]

What wheel consolidation is 6, 4, 5

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

@@RailscapeStudios ET&WNC 1&2 were 2-6-0s, 3-6 were 2-8-0s, 7 was an 0-8-0, and 8-14 were 4-6-0s.

[@BMMEC6000]

What’s happening to it

[@TheUnflushedToilet]

In the description it says the building is being demolished, and the museum is trying to find a new home.

[@BMMEC6000]

@@TheUnflushedToilet ah I see. Thanks for letting me know.