This prototype-based switching layout operates point to point over the Ste. Genevieve subdivision of the Missouri-Illinois Railroad.

Southbound traffic is generated at Thomure, where up to 12 cars are received from Kellogg, Illinois, on a steam-powered ferry crossing the Mississippi River. These cars are sorted at Middle Yard in Ste Genevieve, and daily extras are built to send traffic southbound (predominantly westward).

Considerable bridge traffic moves along the line to staging at Derby Junction. This point was near the end of the Ste Genevieve sub and was an important interchange point connecting to the M-I’s Bonne Terre subdivision. The layout also uses this for interchange to the Missouri Pacific in Bismarck.

One scheduled local runs daily northbound from Derby Jct, with extras created as needed to switch the main shipper (Peerless White Lime Company) and other regional industries. The prototype lime industries in Ste Genevieve loaded hundreds of cars weekly, oftentimes requiring plant switching twice daily. An occasional passenger may be carried on the locals in a caboose depending upon the season and circumstances.

The Middle Yard crew makes and breaks trains, weighs outbound traffic and may switch the local Ste Genevieve industries and SLSF (Frisco) interchange traffic.

The Frisco and the M-I have been intertwined most of their lives. Frisco paralleled the M-I right of way in Ste Genevieve and the two roads shared the same depot in the early part of the 20th century. Frisco finally built their own depot in 1929 (just across the tracks from the M-I station).

The layout is flexible enough to operate solo or with several crews. Operations are generally slow-paced and mimic prototype practices.  Car management is via car cards and waybills; switchlists are occasionally used depending upon operator’s preference. The operating timeframe is a broad interpretation of the transition period (mid-1940’s thru the early 1960’s). This allows an enjoyable mix of motive power, rolling stock and paint schemes.