I want every square inch of the Maple Valley Short Line Model Railroad to be a story in a scene. I am way beyond watching two trains travel on a continuous loop through trees, mountains, and buildings. I want to know what people are talking about as they stand outside the Ya’ll Sit Cafe. Maybe they just finished eating lunch and they’re amazed at the friendliness of Hannah and Shorty Cloverton, owners of the Ya’ll Sit.

Hidden spaces behind buildings reveal secrets. A caboose is rolling behind the feed supply store in Maple Valley. I just noticed I missed an opportunity to put faded posters on the rail side of the picket fence. No one will ever see it from the viewing space in front of the layout, but I know the blank canvas is there.

The turnout behind the brick buildings is the entrance to a siding at Maple Valley Manufacturing. Trains slowly travel through a short tunnel, roll across a steel girder bridge over the Maple Valley River, then stop at the loading docks behind the plant.

It is fascinating to look through the windows at Maple Valley Manufacturing and actually see the work going on inside. Bringing the interior of the factory to life required a lot of time and effort, but the task was well worth the result. Every inch of the layout, including the interiors of many structures, tells a story.

Work along the railroad never ends as people go about their tasks, helping to keep trains running safely and on time.

This is a scene outside the upper curve at Maple Valley. The cabin was closed up for the winter. When owners Frank and Mina Crimster returned, they discovered a family of racoons living comfortably inside, having safely endured blasts of icy wind and snow. Frank asked his friend, Bert Schlep, to come and help him restore order in the cabin.

I try to see through the eyes of folks walking the streets of Maple Valley. Even though there are two Christmas trees in view, the lady walking along First Street seems not to be bothered by the cold, while the woman standing on her porch is wearing a coat and has her hands in her pockets.

Vehicles are an important part of the Maple Valley Short Line Model Railroad. I prefer models from the 1940s and ’50s. I have been successful at finding terrific additions to the layout at model railroad swap meets and train shows. Discovering treasure takes time and patience. Carefully looking through boxes of tiny packages has resulted in some great finds.

The Maple Valley Short Line Model Railroad will never be finished. The trains run smoothly. There is a lot to look at, but I still have a lot of work to do, and that’s the way it will always be. Just as I reach the point of putting tools and supplies away, I’ll start a brand new project to add another square inch to this great story.