Construction of the HO gauge Connecticut Western Railroad started about 1992 replacing an On3 layout which replaced several older layouts dating back to the 1940s. The prototype for the layout is based loosely on the Connecticut Western RR which ran from Hartford thru Winsted, Norfolk, Salisbury and Canaan to western connections at Millerton NY. The line was absorbed into the Central New England RR and eventually the New Haven RR Branches to East Granby, Middletown and Canaan were added to the model layout Canaan was added to the end of a branch when I needed room to accommodate the new Branchline Canaan station. The time period of the layout is in the 1930s, although much of the rolling stock dates from 1940-1950. The main line on the layout is out and back from Hartford to a return loop at Salisbury a cutoff was added from Hartford to East Collinsville to permit continuous running Hartford to Salisbury and return is about 250 feet and takes about 15 minutes for a local passenger train. Freight operations are based on switch lists prepared using the Ship It program by Albion Software. As a retired steam engineer my preference leans toward steam locomotives although operating sessions lean toward better running diesels. (I will admit that for prototype freight switching my preference was diesel) Table work is L girder with Homabed over ¾ inch plywood roadbed Track is flexable code 55, 70, and 83 with code 100 in hidden areas. Scenery base is primarily cardboard strips covered with plaster cloth. Power and control is provided by a Digitrax Super Chief radio control DCC system The East Granby branch also has provision for DC operation. Turnout operation is a combination of Tortoise and manual. Most buildings are craftsman type, made from hydrocal ,resin, and wood kits modified to fit the location.