The Hard Lake & Faylure (Reporting mark: HLF) was originally conceived by Russel J. Begg as a logging railroad somewhere in the Pacific Northwest. The HO scale layout was started in the early 1970’s and is a linear switching layout with steep grades.

Russel was an avid Railfan and model railroader. For several years he worked as a track crew foreman on the Morristown and Erie railroad. He also spent many years as a volunteer on the Morris County Central Railroad (View picture of him working circa 1975). He passed away in 1996.