Model Train Layouts

Sunday, January 6, 2013

If you look hard enough you might be surprised to find that Atlanta is a haven for railroad and train enthusiasts. Not only is there a large organization dedicated to the building and maintaining of model train layouts in the metro area and a museum that allows visitors to climb aboard over 90 cars, engines and cabooses but there are also actual working railroad yards that move freight and passengers in and around the city as well as teach locomotive engineers how to operate the powerful engines. As part of a Three of a Kind photo feature for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution I photographed George Bloodworth at his home in Alpharetta.  Bloodworth has spent 10 years building his 38×22 foot layout which features scenes from West Virginia, Baltimore and Pennsylvania.

George Bloodworth paints a section of his model train layout at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

George Bloodworth paints a section of his model train layout at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

Train cars sit in Baltimore Yard at George Bloodworth's home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

Train cars sit in Baltimore Yard at George Bloodworth’s home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

George Bloodworth paints a section of his model train layout at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

George Bloodworth paints a section of his model train layout at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

A train sits in Baltimore Yard at George Bloodworth's home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

A train sits in Baltimore Yard at George Bloodworth’s home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

George Bloodworth sands down and grooves out a patch of track at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

George Bloodworth sands down and grooves out a patch of track at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

A Union Station scene as passengers load onto trains at George Bloodworth's home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

A Union Station scene as passengers load onto trains at George Bloodworth’s home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

George Bloodworth sands down and grooves out a patch of track at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

George Bloodworth sands down and grooves out a patch of track at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

Trains sit in Pittsburg Yard at George Bloodworth's home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

Trains sit in Pittsburg Yard at George Bloodworth’s home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

George Bloodworth runs his trial train car over a patch of track at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

George Bloodworth runs his trial train car over a patch of track at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

Train cars sit in Baltimore Yard at George Bloodworth's home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

Train cars sit in Baltimore Yard at George Bloodworth’s home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

A train sits in Baltimore Yard at George Bloodworth's home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

A train sits in Baltimore Yard at George Bloodworth’s home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

The town of Columbia, Maryland sits next to the train tracks at George Bloodworth's home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

The town of Columbia, Maryland sits next to the train tracks at George Bloodworth’s home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

George Bloodworth operates his model trains at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

George Bloodworth operates his model trains at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

The town of Columbia, Maryland sits next to the train tracks at George Bloodworth's home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

The town of Columbia, Maryland sits next to the train tracks at George Bloodworth’s home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

A model engine runs through the mine in West Virginia on George Bloodworth's layout at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

A model engine runs through the mine in West Virginia on George Bloodworth’s layout at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

George Bloodworth selects which engine to run using a digital command control as he operates his model trains at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

George Bloodworth selects which engine to run using a digital command control as he operates his model trains at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

A model engine runs through the mine in West Virginia on George Bloodworth's layout at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

A model engine runs through the mine in West Virginia on George Bloodworth’s layout at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

Model trains leave the city of Baltimore in George Bloodworth's layout at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

Model trains leave the city of Baltimore in George Bloodworth’s layout at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

Model trains sit in Union Station at George Bloodworth's home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

Model trains sit in Union Station at George Bloodworth’s home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

Model trains sit in Baltimore Yard at George Bloodworth's home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

Model trains sit in Baltimore Yard at George Bloodworth’s home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

George Bloodworth operates his model trains at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

George Bloodworth operates his model trains at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

Passenger trains sit ready to leave George Bloodworth's Union Station at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

Passenger trains sit ready to leave George Bloodworth’s Union Station at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

A scene from downtown Baltimore at George Bloodworth's home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

A scene from downtown Baltimore at George Bloodworth’s home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

A model train connects cars before it runs around the 360 foot main track at George Bloodworth's home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

A model train connects cars before it runs around the 360 foot main track at George Bloodworth’s home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

A model train connects cars before it runs around the 360 foot main track at George Bloodworth's home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

A model train connects cars before it runs around the 360 foot main track at George Bloodworth’s home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

A model train connects cars as it runs around the 360 foot main track at George Bloodworth's home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

A model train connects cars as it runs around the 360 foot main track at George Bloodworth’s home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

George Bloodworth operates his model trains at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

George Bloodworth operates his model trains at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

 

George Bloodworth operates his model trains at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

George Bloodworth operates his model trains at his home in Alpharetta on Sunday, January 6, 2013.