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Needham
Needham

The Leavenworth Terminal

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Jeff Needham's Leavenworth Terminal Railway

Welcome to Leavenworth, a failed railroad town. In 1950 Leavenworth had long ago lost out to Kansas City as the dominant regional railroad town. But vestiges of the past remained in 1950 with 7 railroads serving Leavenworth and interchanging low levels of traffic.

The layout features the Santa Fe as the dominant theme, but six other roads are represented. So, you will find something to like even if you follow the CB&Q, CGW, CRI&P, MP, UP, and L&T, a lowly ATSF controlled short line using a leased Wabash 2-6-0.

Finally, no visit to Leavenworth would be complete without a visit to the Big House, the Federal Prison. As they say in Leavenworth, it is always good to leave!

Trains Serving Leavenworth 1880s-1900s

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click to embiggen

Area Modeled

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click to embiggen

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Jeff published a great article on the Santa Fe Leavenworth District in the 1Q2018 issue of the The Warbonnet.

Click here to download the article.
Layout at a Glance 
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Layout at a glance
• O scale 2 Rail
• Set in June 1950
• Terminal (Yard Limits) Interchange and Branch Line Operations using simple, relaxed TT&TO
• Digitrax wireless control
• Telephones at the Interlockings/Towers
• Sound in all Locomotives, braking on some engines
• 4 Operators
• Switchlists
• Tower Job/Operator controls two Interlockings
• 1 to 1 clock with stop watches provided
About the Layout Owner 
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About the Layout Owner
Jeff has been involved in model railroading since his teen years and has always been a fan of the Santa Fe. Since he is a native of Leavenworth, Kansas, the home of Fred Harvey, his interest in the Santa Fe came naturally. But it was the Zebra Strip H12-44’s hauling the daily local through Lansing, Kansas behind his grandmother’s home that cemented his love of the railroad.

Jeff is semi-retired from his structural engineering and construction business. He continues to be active in engineering research for new building products.
Jobs on the Layout 
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Jobs on the Layout
Tower Job/Operator - controls South Leavenworth Interlocking and BB Junction and Bridge Interlocking, writes clearances, writes train sheets, conveys transfer switchlists, and controls sound effects

Santa Fe Jobs - 1 or 2 man crew mixed train and Leavenworth switcher

Leavenworth and Topeka (L&T) Switcher – yard switcher for L&T industries

Passenger Crew– crew runs L&T Topeka Train and CGW Mill City Limited

Terminal Switcher (CB&Q) – switch job on Choctaw Street for Leavenworth Terminal and Bridge Company members CB&Q, CRI&P, and CGW

Transfer Jobs – UP and MP transfer jobs to Choctaw Street yard

Note: not all trains run every session.

Layout Photos

(Click to embiggen)
  • 86 crossing Cherokee Street headed to So. Leavenworth Jct.

    86 crossing Cherokee Street headed to So. Leavenworth Jct.

  • 86 waiting at So. Leavenworth Jct. for CGW Mill City Limited to pass

    86 waiting at So. Leavenworth Jct. for CGW Mill City Limited to pass

  • L&T Mixed Train to Topeka passing Missouri Valley Steel

    L&T Mixed Train to Topeka passing Missouri Valley Steel

  • CB&Q Switcher returning from Stillings, Missouri and crossing MP and UP at west end of Missouri River Swing Bridge

    CB&Q Switcher returning from Stillings, Missouri and crossing MP and UP at west end of Missouri River Swing Bridge

  • Switcher passing Great Western Stove at the end of L&T trackage

    Switcher passing Great Western Stove at the end of L&T trackage

  • Tower Operator Desk (So. Leavenworth Jct. & BB Jct.)

    Tower Operator Desk (So. Leavenworth Jct. & BB Jct.)

  • Train 86 from Atchison passing the Federal Prison

    Train 86 from Atchison passing the Federal Prison

  • 86 Passing the Crispy Bacon Café (aka Tavern, remember Kansas is dry in 1950)

    86 Passing the Crispy Bacon Café (aka Tavern, remember Kansas is dry in 1950)

  • H12-44 504 spotting lumber at Helmer Furniture

    H12-44 504 spotting lumber at Helmer Furniture

  • Leased Rock Island 0-6-0 number 280 serving as L&T switcher

    Leased Rock Island 0-6-0 number 280 serving as L&T switcher

  • Train 86 over 3 mile creek leaving yard on the way to Holliday

    Train 86 over 3 mile creek leaving yard on the way to Holliday