Ed Halstead's Chicago & Utopia

Ed Halstead's O scale traction layout, the Chicago & Utopia, is located in his suburban Chicago home. Several scenes that were once familiar sights on Chicago-area interurban and rapid transit lines are depicted on this 17 x 20 ft. layout housed in a loft above his garage. The occasion was an open-house on October 3, 2009. Several visitors brought models to operate on Ed's layout. In this video, you'll see some familiar, unfamiliar, and downright unlikely sights ... but like Ed says, anything is possible in Utopia!

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• O scale layout
• O scale traction
• O scale models
• traction models
• trolley models
• Ed Halstead
• Chicago & Utopia

[CSS803]

I believe I saw some CSS equipment in the video. I am doing a South Shore layout. Can anyone e-mail me Ed's information? I would like to see his layout. Thanks

[parrot0051]

Enough of steam and diesel layouts this is a refreshing change from the samo samo, thanks Ed for a great video of an exciting layout.

[Amtrak1194]

Very Nice Ed.

That's exactly what people interested in the Chicago Electric lines needed to see!

[Trolleymoose]

Ed,

Another thought...you need cup holders to rest your glass of beer. The layout is high enough so there will be no spills on the track.

Just kidding........Great Layout, Great equipment.

[Trolleymoose]

This guy is an inspiration for traction buffs. By throwing away all the rules he affords the use of every kind of electric equipment possible. Els, Subway, Interurbans, street cars, whatever. Way to go Ed!

[divinedevine2009]

Fantastic Ed.

It's better than the pictures in the Magazines. Rolling stock is outstanding.

I'm doing something like this in HO Scale.

[nyshortline]

That's an unbeleivable fleet of rolling stock you have there!! Who makes the IT Streamliner? I've NEVER seen a model of it before.

[chicagoboy2356]

I have to ask, who made the E&B car?

[OSCALETRAINGUY]

Great Stuff..A+ video