Overview of and Railfanning Howard Zane's Amazing HO Scale Model Railroad

I took my round robin group over to Howard's today as several of them had never had the opportunity or pleasure of seeing it. I realized that over the 28 years I have been working on and visiting his layout that I had never done a full overview of the layout. I usually just video like I am railfanning. So I did the overview but could not refrain from railfanning anyway. With my new IPhone15 I now have the opportunity to zoom and not loose any quality and can now shoot videos with different angles I never had been able to.

[@docwithnodegree3416]

Wonderful as always from you as well as Howard!

[@MrOmega52]

Howard is the Michael Angelo of model railroading.

[@sirtrailproductions8198]

Literally this whole layout has no price tag. It’s absolutely a fever dream for any model railroader!!

[@fredeisen7401]

You really need to see it in person to get the full appreciation of the magnitude and artistry of his layout.

[@sirtrailproductions8198]

@@fredeisen7401 Man hopefully one day. It’s my absolute dream is to see this layout honestly!!

[@fredeisen7401]

Me and numerous others helped Howard build the first expansion I believe in 1994. In fact he let us all pick an area and then named it after us. Which was quite an honor.

[@ryanexpresstrains8074]

Great video as always Fred!

[@susannestoffel2534]

Very good!

[@mr.e1944]

Nice job Fred!

[@theresalwaystrainsintetonv69]

Tell Howard and the group I said hi! Miss you all!!

[@fredeisen7401]

Will do! We miss you also.

[@user-xh8rg7nv9u]

I never can get over the many things Howard has on his rail road. Maybe you can do a video on the electronics system he uses to function and support his rail systems.

[@fredeisen7401]

It is a real spider web of wiring under the layout. In fact it is difficult at times to rerail trains in tunnels due to reaching though the wiring. I will look into doing a video of the wiring. Not sure what I can show or explain as I was not part of doing the wiring for the layout.

[@scottbeares6826]

I would love to see this masterpiece. Are there and open house dates to view the layout .

[@fredeisen7401]

Howard no longer holds open houses due to health issues and some theft. I don't know were you live but I routinely take people over to visit.

[@scottbeares6826]

@@fredeisen7401 I live in Westminster md and I’m battling esophagus cancer so I’m not working right now I’m 53 and work for John s Wilson lumber company in Howard county. My treatments are every other Monday we’re I usually have a good week and a bad week . My father is 82 and we are currently biulding a new railroad at his new condo . If there’s ever a time we love to see it my what is best way to get in touch

[@marcoperez6952]

Is Howard still running trains by himself or does he have budfies helping now. I know he's up there in age and has bad back.

[@fredeisen7401]

Howard has not really ever run his railroad. Mostly other trusted friends do that. Howard is 85 years old and has some health issues and does not go downstairs to the layout very often. Al Puglesie, Andre and Alex have been routinely visiting the layout and providing maintenance. That are also updating the rolling stock to NMRA standards and adjusting coupler heights to make the layout perform better.