My Clinchfield layout was built during the mid-1970s when N scale was still new and some considered the scale too small for serious modelers. The layout was built as a traveling 6' x 13' sectional model railroad, designed and built by veteran modeler and innovator Gordon Odegard and the Model Railroader magazine staff. It was one of their most successful ways to promote N scale and the hobby to the public. It traveled extensively and was one of the most well known layouts of the time. The construction series was very influential to many of us who are faithfully modeling in N scale. Model Railroader had built a number of layouts in different scales but N scalers considered this one revolutionary. During planning discussions the idea emerged of doing something that would turn the best of their modeling experience into something special. The layout was designed to be portable so it could be taken to shows for exhibition. The decision was made to use welded aircraft aluminum for the frame to significantly reduce the weight (although increasing initial construction costs). The first of an eight article series on the layout appeared in the November 1978 issue of Model Railroader. The series was popular enough that Kalmbach published a book consisting of those articles in 1979. There was a second printing in 1990, and both printings are hard to find. For the next several years it served as ambassador for Model Railroader as it was often requested, for display at train shows around the country.
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