Milford Township couple create model railroad masterpiece

[@ocalicreek]

Thank you, CBS Detroit, for covering this beautiful model railroad with real consideration for what it is - a fabulous work of art and labor of love depicting our world in miniature. By covering this professionally you help people realize this isn't just a hobby of old men in funny hats playing with toy choo-choos. Great job!

[@jayqualman9164]

We couldn't agree more. Alysia Burgio at CBS TV is a true professional.

[@rogerarchibald2627]

Model railroading is not just a hobby about playing with trains. There is an incredible amount of passion, skilled craftsmanship and imagination to create something like this.

[@josephschuster1494]

Beautiful model railroad display from a beautiful happily married couple! ❤ Congratulations on your wonderful hobby! 🚂

[@jayqualman9164]

Thank you, Joseph, for your thoughtful comment.

[@richardbedard1245]

Now that's a model railroad with a purpose. Definitely a labor of love!

[@jayqualman9164]

Thank you! ...and yes, it is that!

[@aj3751]

Wow! Such talent these two have and I can only imagine the hours and hours of entertainment!

[@jayqualman9164]

Thank you! Yes, things can get quite entertaining!

[@claiborneeastjr4129]

This is an awesome layout - perfect in every detail. Their skills are beyond comprehension. Everything is so realistic.

[@jayqualman9164]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@adriaanboogaard8571]

What a Treasure. That's Amazing.great work😁👍

[@jayqualman9164]

Thanky you!

[@johnpandolfino8663]

Congratulations to you both👏🎉...... that's one the the finest layouts I've ever seen..... I'm a retired Architect and during the COVID-19 lockdown I started building model railroad structures to keep busy.....had to stop as I ran out of room in my apartment.....

[@jayqualman9164]

Thank you! Perhaps a bigger apartment? Don't stop now.

[@scottfw7169]

They have got some talent, that looks wonderful.

[@jayqualman9164]

Thank you, Scott!

[@kevinmacomber1336]

This is top notch railroad and her kit bashing skills are over the top.

[@jayqualman9164]

Brook is exceptionally talented and has been awarded the distinction of "Master Model Railroader" by the National Model Railroad Association - only the 9th woman to be so honored in 60 years.

[@diffened]

Those two did an amazing job. Glad they are enjoying themselves creating such a beautiful layout.

[@jayqualman9164]

Thank you! We enjoy a challenge!

[@afjeff56]

Wow! What a Beautiful, Awesome model railroad!!! What a work

[@jayqualman9164]

Thank you!

[@andrewmorrison85]

Wow! Incredible. They are true artists

[@jayqualman9164]

Thank you, Andrew, for the kind words!

[@jims6323]

Excellent job!

[@jayqualman9164]

Thank you!

[@gmaneis]

I couldn't hear the reporter's name clearly, but she deserves a lot of credit for an excellent story. The history of the town really makes that model railroad spectacular. So do all the beautifully crafted details, of course. Thanks for sharing.

[@jayqualman9164]

Alysia Burgio at CBS TV Detroit is a true professional - an fun to work with.

[@davekreidenweis3126]

Absolutely gorgeous, amazing details. Congratulations

[@jayqualman9164]

Thank you, David!

[@williamschlenger1518]

It is amazing. Wonderful that they worked together on this.❤

[@jayqualman9164]

Thank you, William. It wouldn't have been possible without the incredible talents of my wife, Brook.

[@TubaSoundsandTrains]

It’s a beautiful master piece and wonderful that husband and wife have created this together. Thank you for sharing this. Beautiful!

[@jayqualman9164]

Thank you for your kind words, Big Joe. It's challenging, fun, and fulfilling.

[@LarryHopper]

Wow! I hope the layout will always be well cared for.

[@jayqualman9164]

That is our hope, Larry!

[@karinalagarche6480]

Amazing ................

[@jayqualman9164]

Thank you!

[@lightowl4345]

That is amazing work.

[@jayqualman9164]

Thank you!

[@butchshaffer]

Very nice railroad, beautiful work. It is nice to see a TV station broadcast some good news.

[@daveagreg]

Brilliant! I love the beautiful historic detail!

[@jayqualman9164]

Thank you, Dave!

[@tedisakoolkat]

Amazing layout, and all the eccentrics are set correctly on the steamers. Rarity these days. Love it

[@jayqualman9164]

Thanks for noticing, Ted; most wouldn't!

[@tedisakoolkat]

@@jayqualman9164 I always notice haha, as someone that works on the real ones, correct eccentric take it from looking like a toy, to looking like real life (which is the goal). Excellent job! Hope to see it in person one day!

[@jayqualman9164]

@@tedisakoolkat We'll be open for the NMRA (National Model Road Association) North Central Regional Convention in Detroit, October 10-13, 2024, and the NMRA National Convention in Novi, MI, July 14-19, 2025.

[@DrKO2453]

What a beautiful model railroad!

[@eukaryon]

Beautiful! Thank you for reporting this. Think of model train layouts as kinetic art.

[@jayqualman9164]

Thank you. We agree - with their movement component, model railroads are even go beyond 3D art!

[@markelman198]

Awesome layout, looks fantastic!

[@donaldstypula9206]

Absolutely stunning layout! This looks like either HO or two-rail O scale with incredible attention to detail. Thanks for the report and for posting it here for this native Detroiter, now living in Grand Rapids, to enjoy 😃

[@andrewmorrison85]

Appears to be HO. I can’t believe they built a 3000 sq ft layout. Outstanding!

[@brookqualman1784]

Thank you. It is HO. We have not completed all 3,000 square feet. We're working on Detroit right now. Michigan Central Station will be a challenge.

[@dwightbernheimer331]

And then one day you realize you have to keep everything meticulously clean and maintain everything... And every so often you get to run Trains... LOL Great stuff, Thanks for posting...

[@jayqualman9164]

Absolutely correct, Dwight! We go to great lengths to keep the layout clean, which involves covering it with Visqueen while working - a multi-hour job to apply and remove.

[@dwightbernheimer331]

​@@jayqualman9164You're a better man than I am...Sir... OMG a lot of work to enjoy something you've already done a lot of work to make...🤔🤔

[@williamschlenger1518]

I love the track work not over done.

[@jayqualman9164]

Good eye, William. Many of the areas we model do have complex trackage, but structures and scenery help avoid track dominance.

[@treesixtyeight]

I've eaten at Jack's Hamburgers... And they got The Arch and the viaduct.

[@TheJamesmario]

Wow! That's amazing and impressive

[@Blupearl2003]

Superb history

[@harrietweber2520]

How in the world do they do those houses and buildings?!?!?!😮

[@jayqualman9164]

Good question, Harriet! Brook (my wife) is exceptionally talented and has been awarded the distinction of "Master Model Railroader" by the National Model Railroad Association - only the 9th woman to be so honored in 60 years.

[@bobr511]

Behind the reporter, there are rail tracks. Do they also have a connection to those as well?

[@treesixtyeight]

That's the former Pere Marquette / C&O / Chessie / CSX line from Plymouth to Saginaw. Now operated by Lake States.

[@brianwelch-qq3ti]

Now this is real news

[@jayqualman9164]

Thank you, Brian 1

[@brianwelch-qq3ti]

@@jayqualman9164 you're welcome

[@jefwisse1957]

They spent a small fortune. Not many people are able to built something like this although a smaller layout could be just as interesting. In most cases it's al about the pleasure you get from building a miniature world.

[@Shawn666Hellion]

What scale is this,its awesome

[@Eyrrll]

It looked like HO (1:87) to me. The level of detail on the smaller items appeared to be too good for N gauge and O gauge is almost always (but not always) run on 3 rail track, which this was not.

[@Shawn666Hellion]

@Eyrrll it's really hard to tell, still an amazing layout

[@Shawn666Hellion]

There is 2 rail O guage unfortunately its not as common

[@Eyrrll]

@@Shawn666Hellion Very impressive, without a doubt.

[@anotherfreediver3639]

@@Eyrrll I'm pretty sure you're correct, though the level of detail, especially in the signs and writing, is astonishing. The figures at the main station towards the end look like HO. O Gauge in UK is more often on 2 rail track, but I can't speak for US practice. Plus the rolling-stock didn't look as detailed as I'd expect for O.

[@brianog5267]

Absolutely unreal…so sad what it was like in the day… who would have ever thought that Michigan would be so abandoned in 2023…. Imagine working at at GM. research facility in Flint?? Kids today have no idea….

[@diffened]

And plenty of adults also, unless by kids you mean anybody under 60. haha

[@jayqualman9164]

Couldn't agree more, Brian. That's a big reason why we model the early 1950s and why what happened in Flint, Saginaw, Lansing, Pontiac, and, of course, Detroit is so sad. The Buick complex in Flint, once employed almost 20,000 - was demolished in 1999.

[@kegayitzy]

They should cover the Chi-Town Union station in Commerce- Its the biggest model railroad in Michigan and ite currently for sale, as the owners decided to sell it. I would be so sad if someone who doesnt appreciate the hobby buys the building and decides to destroy it.

[@jayqualman9164]

We agree! An impressive O gauge scale layout only 5 miles from us, which is open to the public.

[@hoscalemodeltrains1221]

Imprssive!

[@hx823]

Gorgeous. I'm guessing American Flyer S gauge?

[@jerryfrederick6610]

WOW!

[@jimrockford3662]

Incredible 👍🏽