All photos taken July and August, 2003

Club moderator Bob Sterner helps install the very first benchwork of the "permanent" part of the layout.

The Railroad Club at the University of Minnesota is housed in what was once the kitchen of Neuman Center on the University's East Bank campus.

Proposed boundaries for the permanent section and Free-mo modules are marked in tape on the floor.

The Club used 3rd Plan It software to design the permanent portion of the layout, seen here in the program's 3D rendering.  This area of the layout will have two levels, with a helix (rear left).

TCD Superintendent Lynn McCall and Chief Clerk Al Dowd built the prototype Free-mo module.  The module is based on current U.S. Free-mo standards, with wiring designed by Lynn and Al.

Al Dowd and Bob Sterner wonder what to do with all that open space.

The color scheme for the Upper Midwest Transportation Corporation (UMTC... as in "University of Minnesota Twin Cities") had been determined decades ago... what else but maroon and gold?

Bob Sterner standing next to the prototype module built by Lynn and Al.

By August a good portion of the permanent benchwork had been installed in the club room.