Ray & Martie Smith’s

Ray & Martie Garden Railroad

Gary Woolard

Ray & Martie Smith’s Ray & Martie Garden Railroad is located in the town of Smitty Flats, Martie will tell you with a smile - Elevation = 3 ft. ( = The height of the island); Population = 67, although Martie thinks they may have added a few more figures before the open house.

I think that this is the newest layout in the club; and all the prouder for how much work they’ve done! Here’s the layout as we first saw it just over a year ago -



And here it is now, from the same (almost) perspective.


To illustrate how nicely the layout is ‘dressed’ with just enough detail, let’s look at that hobo camp sitting right in front, in that foreground corner.


One of those boomers is clearly staring at the passing box car and thinking “Dang! I could’ve been in Las Vegas!

Looking a little further down the pike, you immediately notice these realistic ‘small -town’ looking roads that Ray’s put in, divided by the trolley ROW. They’re exactly the right flat color and texture, although I don’t think Ray used real asphalt. I’ll have to ask him!


Going in closer on Isaac’s Hardware. You’ll notice pumpkins in the yard, and a gondola filled with autumn-fired leaves. I think the R&M is getting ready for Fall. In fact, a Halloween ‘spook’ might pop up a little later.



BTW, Isaac’s looks like one of some pre-built structures that a vendor had for sale at the Las Vegas convention earlier this year. They were at a terrific price, and while I walked away thinking maybe I’d pick one up later, they sold out! The moral of the story is, when you find a good deal at a train show, buy it now!

Having confessed my sin of covetousness, I suppose I should attend this church, complete with flowers blooming in the cemetery. (Also a good pic of the prototypical road signage )


There’s a wedding going on.


Another wide shot, as the Mogul passes below Martha’s Vineyard and behind a barn.


It’s a horse barn!


Another wider shot, at the inner corner of the “L”-shaped island.


And the train comes out from behind the barn and traverses the bottom of the “L”.




Which way? The “Gardeners Shed” behind the Mogul is an example of several very nicely dressed and accessorized birdhouses that the Smiths pressed into duty.


This coffee shop, with the distinctive cup on the roof, is another.


There are well-detailed plastic buildings as well. This house got the ‘autumn’ treatment, but people and pets are all out enjoying the air. And note the planter boxes on the porch!


And Bill’s Body Shop is doing a thriving business!


Yet in spite of competition from the automobile, the railroad continues to roll -- at Smitty Flats, at least.





The day & night before the open houses, Santa Clarita got some unseasonably early, and heavy rain. Like several of their colleagues, Ray & Martie were out at the crack of dawn checking connections and ballast, and generally cleaning up. This would be, after all, the R&MGR’s first open house! I was thinking about all this when I asked Ray “Well, was it worth it?”

He thought about it a second, perhaps surprised by my question. Then a grin grew wide across his face and he said “Yes. Yes, I think so!”

I think so too, Ray.