Sacramento Layout Tour

Sacramento Layout Tour Details and Photos

Table of contents

Table

The following information was provided by the layout owners to give you more details about their railroads and assist you in choosing which layouts to visit. Many have been featured in the commercial model railroad press. Some have websites for even more details. Peruse the page and enjoy the layouts by either scrolling down or by clicking on the layout owner's name or railroad name to go directly there.

#	Name	RR Name Direction from Sacramento & Hours Layout Open	Scale	Size	Scenery	Times of travel from Convention Center/ City/ Zip	Comments and Interesting Design Points worth visiting.
1	Dennis Drury	California, Oregon & Western RR North Morning only 9a-12pm	HO	33 X 10	20%	Travel Time: (33 miles) / 39” minutes/ Plumas Lake (Olivehurst), 95961	Mid 80’s HO California Oregon & Western Shortline on SP Modoc Line. Ops in and around Klamath Falls. Uses JMRI operations with a CTC panel, Novel helix construction, Lower level staging and walk-around design. Track/Bench stag.
2	Walt Schedler	SP Dunsmuir Northwest Morning 10a-3pm	HO	24 X 42 + 1208 Sq Ft	20%	Travel Time: (68 miles) / 76” minutes/ Colusa, 95932	SP Dunsmuir Route mostly built full scale to SP drawings, in an upstairs bonus room, innovative multi-tier, most level 2 to 3 track in place, walk-around design, scenery well along,
3	Kent Williams	Pacific Northwest around Portland Northeast Morning and Afternoon 9:30a-4pm	N	20 X 20	90% +	Travel Time: (65 miles) / 80” minutes/ Nevada City, 95959	A very long distance but worth it. Innovative N-Scale Northwest railroad with signaling, electronics and staging “beyond the basement” concept. JMRI & Panel Pro, signaled, can use internet to dispatch, walk-in multi tier design, fully scenicked.
4	Dave Bayless	Denver Northwestern & Pacific Northeast Morning and Afternoon 10a-3pm	HO	20 X 20	None	Travel Time: (35 miles) / 43” minutes/ Auburn, 95603	Non-Operating, only ½ lower Staging yard built, but benchwork footprint in and extensive multi-level design. Built lean-to at back of train room to hold part of helix. Planned 6 tiers, walk-in design, models Mtn grade in NorWst. Working Signal/CTC display.
5	Phil Gulley	Union Pacific and Summit County RR Northeast Morning 9am-2pm	HO	Over 500 sq ft	70%	Travel Time: (38 miles) / 46” minutes/ Auburn, 95603	Impressive purpose-built building, Large Layout, Good Quality, Step-Down walkway under layout, Multi-Tier walk-around design, Helix room w/dispatcher, central hidden branch. Union Pacific in the Wasatch Range in Utah including coal operations.
6	Frank Robertson	Rio Plumas Northeast Morning 9a-12pm	HO	15 X 20	20%	Travel Time: (17 miles) / 24” minutes/ Citrus Heights, 95610	Again, Dave Clemens recommended this attic layout. Proto-Freelanced 1960’s in Sac Valley, including Sacramento Northern and Western Pacific Stacked Staging, Helix in Dormer, walk-in with center peninsula, built 6’h hallway to access.
7	Dave Clemens	Idaho, Montana Railway and Navgation Co. Northeast Morning 930a-1230pm plus Afternoon 2p-5p	HO	270 Sq Ft bedroom	90% +	Travel Time: (24 miles) / 30” minutes/ Rocklin, 95677	UP RR in and out of Spokane, noteworthy double tier, doormino type construction with hidden loop staging under and stub-end staging behind low backdrop.
8	Sacramento Model Railroad Historical Society	Sierra Central Northeast Morning and Afternoon 10a-4pm	HO (WP,SP), HOn3 (Proto-lanced)	2800 sq ft	75%	Travel Time: (10 miles) / 14” minutes/ Sacramento, 95838	Main Layout is walk-around double tier and narrow gauge is also walk-around. Location is WP Feather River Canyoun with SP Cal-P line and freelanced HOn3 in a separate room. Interesting peninsula treatment at the end, using CMRI for signaling, Club is building their own searchlight signals, have old authentic WP CTC machine, semi-proto model.
9	Dick Pashley	SP Sacramento Mountain Subdivision Northeast Morning and Afternoon 1:00pm-6pm	HO	45 X 35	20%	Travel Time: (25 miles) / 41” minutes/ Granite Bay, 95746	1950 SP Sierra Donner Pass layout utilizes a novel computer controlled signaling system with touch screens to operate turnouts. RR & Co software used for controlling turnouts, routes, signals, & accessories and to detect occupancy. NCE DCC for train control with 70 individual blocks. Dual track 550' mainline with 18 track main yard and 10 track hidden yard. Track elevation ranges between 50" and 77" with a 1.5% max grade and 48" min radius. L girder construction with spline roadbed. Layout in operation for over 1 year using timetable and car card system. Dedicated building houses layout.
10	Dave Houston	SP through So.CA Rocklin Sub Northeast Morning and Evening 12p-8pm	HO	12 X 55	90% +	Travel Time: (26 miles) / 36” minutes/ Rocklin, 95765	Large 2-tier Layout with backdrops, staging and plenty of online switching, innovative walk-under layout entance to step up elevated platform, Loop staging, DCC
11	Ken Draper	South Placer Lines Northeast Afternoon and Evening 11a-6pm	HO	~ 400 sq ft	40%	Travel Time: (22 miles) / 28” minutes/ Rocklin, 95677	Freelance 1940’s shortline to Placerville, Point to point with staging yards each end, 192 foot mainline run, 3 lines of track crosses doorway with creative lift-out access, fascias. Shelf bracket tier construction.
12	Ron Kerekes	Central Valley RR Northeast Evening 4p-10pm	HO	25 X 35	100%	Travel Time: (12 miles) / 21” minutes/ Rancho Cordova, 95670	Large walkaround but somewhat dated, freelanced. Built in an SP looking RR station. Some double decking, makes use of small staging yards. Nice workshop area and lounge also.
13	Tom Weissgerber	Pacific Northwest Union Pacific Northeast Afternoon and Evening 3p-10pm	HO	15 X 37	50%	Travel Time: (23 miles) / 36” minutes/ Folsom, 95630	UP Railroad Portland to Pocatello Walk-In around the room double tier with memorable scenes on a shelf-like layout featuring a helix and staging. Prototype modeling, DCC.
14	George Hardy	SPS Northeast Evening 6pm-9pm	HO	Open basement 15 X 30	None Note: This layout is still in the design stage.	Travel Time: (21 miles) / 28” minutes/ Roseville, 95661	Dave Clemens agreed to be there to help visitors understand the track plan as Dave has designed it for George’s large vacant railroad room.
15	Mitch Valder	NWP 1958 Northeast Evening 6pm-9pm	N	11 X 26	50%	Travel Time: (21 miles) / 29” minutes/ Rocklin, 95677	Flowing Walk-around layout with deep fascia, under layout fascia panels, valence, backdrops, high quality scenery, open staging area, lighting.
16	Robert Hoffman	ATSF Hereford Sub South Evening 6p-10pm	HO	22 X 18	30%	Travel Time: (15 miles) / 21” minutes/ Elk Grove, 95758	Modern ATSF through the Dessert, 1983, Clovis, New Mexico to Amarillo, Texas.
17	Dave Stanley	Morada Belt Rwy South Afternoon and Evening 3p-10pm	HO	20 X 20	50%	Travel Time: (42 miles) / 46” minutes/ Mirada (Stockton), 95212	Freelanced but large mountain RR with his favorite scenes from his long RR career, walk-in & around, multi-level, RR themed building
18	Steve Cavanaugh	WP RR South Morning to Evening 10a-8pm	HO	Over 500 sq ft	70%	Travel Time: (71 miles) / 75” minutes/ Tracy, 95376	Well worth visiting. Innovative Mushroom and multi-tier layout, good model work, fabulous design ideas, railroad engulfs viewer, nice fascia and valance.

Map

To start you out here is a map that shows you the general location of the layouts. The numbers correspond to the numbers on the table above and on the main LDSIG Sacramento Activities page as well as the numbers below. The map shows approximate location. Actual addresses will be distributed to ticket holders at the LDSIG business meeting Wednesday morning at 8AM.

#1 Dennis Drury's California, Oregon & Western RR

Layout RR Name

California Oregon & Western

Owner name

Dennis Drury

Website

N/a

Scale

Multilevel? # of decks

2 Currently 3 planned

Mainline run

About 50’ visible currently

Minimum radius

30”

Typical Aisle Width

27” pinch point

Benchwork

Plywood on open girder

Height

30 – 42 – 64”

Accessible?

Yes, no restriction

Theme, prototype, era, and location of the layout:

Proto-freelance short line connecting with the SP and BN in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Set in 1984

Special Layout Design Features

Single LDE of Klamath Falls is over 50’ long. Designed from prototype track charts.

Documentation, Orientation and Signage:

£ Wall mounted track diagrams

£ Handout describing layout and

op session purpose

Purpose of the railroad and/or operating session

To provide service to customers on the former SP Modoc line after the SP applied to abandon it.

Scenery methods and %

20% Zip texturing on foam landforms

Backdrop Sky blue painted walls

Car Forwarding Scheme

£ Switch list

£ Computer generated

£ Other: Using JMRI Operations

Size

500 sq ft. plus

Large home or club sized

400 sq ft. 20’ by 20’

Garage or basement

200 sq ft. 10’ by 20’

Half a garage

100 sq ft. 10’ by 10’

Small bedroom

50 sq ft. 5’ by 10’

Half a bedroom

Scenery

1 - 2

Full scenery, exceptional detail

Full scenery

2/3^rd

Scenery

1/3^rd scenery

Plywood Central

Prototype

/theme

Full fidelity to prototype

Some compromises with prototype or freelance.

Attempts to evoke specific era/time

Generic era/RR

Mix of eras, railroads and
locations

Rigorousness

Tightly structured per prototype.

Closely adheres to prototype practice

Purposeful operations

Attempts at prototype operations

“Holler and Hope” operations

Operating scheme:

£ £ CTC £ Track Warrant £ £ Other:______________________

Control system:

£ £ DCC / System: Digitrax with JMRI PanelPro £ Other: ________________

Communication system:

£ None

Number of crew positions 1 - 3

Other important features of operations:

#2 Walt Schedler's SP Dunsmuir

Top end of downtown Dunsmuir: Full scale Machine Shop and full scale Round House – under construction;

Temporary mountains on Sky Board Support.

Layout RR Name

Colusa SP Shasta div (Black Butte Sub)

Owner name Walt Schedler

Website

Scale HO

Multilevel? # of decks 4

Mainline run 600+

Minimum radius 39

Typical Aisle Width 30+

Benchwork open and foam board

Height 40 to 86

Accessable? Up Stairs

Theme, prototype, era, and location of the layout:

1955 featuring Dunsmuir, CA plus Gerber, Red Bluff, Redding, Sims, Cantara Loop, Black Butte, weed, and Grass Lake/ K-falls

Special Layout Design Features

Using the 12 foot high ceiling atic room as a helix, I transition from 40” high lower staging, under the center peninsula and go in and out of two dormers for 180 feet, once around the room.

Documentation, Orientation and Signage:

£ Fascia mounted track diagrams - yes

£ Station names / MPs on fascia- yes

£ Handout describing layout and op session purpose- yes

£ Timetable if appropriate- yes

Purpose of the railroad and/or operating session

To move fairly long trains up the Sacramento Canyon, using helpers

Scenery methods and %

10-15 % complete

Cardboard strips, paper and plaster cloth and Styrofoam

Backdrop

Painted on aluminum flashing

Car Forwarding Scheme

£ Car Cards - yes

£ Switch list - yes

£ Computer generated - no

£ Tacks or markers on cars -no

£ Other: __________________

__________________________

Size

1200 sq ft plus

500 sq ft. plus

Large home or club sized

400 sq ft. 20’ by 20’

Garage or basement

200 sq ft. 10’ by 20’

Half a garage

100 sq ft. 10’ by 10’

Small bedroom

50 sq ft. 5’ by 10’

Half a bedroom

Scenery

10%

Full scenery, exceptional detail

Full scenery

2/3^rd

Scenery

1/3^rd scenery

Plywood Central

Prototype

/theme

Full fidelity to prototype

Some compromises with prototype or freelance.

Attempts to evoke specific era/time

Generic era/RR

Mix of eras, railroads and
locations

Rigorousness

Tightly structured per prototype.

Closely adheres to prototype practice

Purposeful operations

Attempts at prototype operations

“Holler and Hope” operations

Operating scheme:

X£ TT&TO £ CTC £ Track Warrant/DTC £ ABS/Rule 251 £ Other: SEQUENCE OF TRAINS__________________

Control system:

£ DC / Block Control X £ DCC / System: NCE_________________________ £ Other: ________________

Communication system:

£ 5 Channel radio X £ FRS Radio £ Telephone £ Other: __________________ £ None

Number of crew positions __10-15_________

Other important features of operations:

A video of the Oregon, Washington, Navigation & Railway can be seen at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEKQOh9jz9Q

Layout RR Name

Oregon, Washington, Navigation & Railway (OWNRy)

Owner name

Kent Williams

Website

http://www.ownry.com

Scale

N scale

Multilevel? # of decks

2 levels

Mainline run

300 ft

Minimum radius

18-22

Typical Aisle Width

36 inches

Benchwork

Framed sections on Wall brackets

Height

30 to 64 inches

Accessible?

Yes one floor. No stairs

Theme, prototype, era, and location of the layout:

Late 60’s Pacific Northwest with Portland, OR division point. Yards and switching with some mainline running and CTC. Era is late 60’s. Location is Pacific Northwest centered around Portland Oregon as a division point. Branchline interchange with mainline.

Special Layout

Design Features

Mainline

City scene with Union Station

Sweeping curve around basalt bluffs

3 yards

Industrial district

Automated yard control

Documentation, Orientation and Signage:

ü Fascia mounted track diagrams

ü Station names /

ü Handout describing layout and op session purpose

Purpose of the railroad and/or operating session

Have fun running Protolance operations of Class 1 railroads in Northwest USA. Yard operations and industrial switching.

Scenery methods and %

90+% complete

bead foam for basalt bluffs, some kit buildings, other custom buildings

Backdrop – impressionistic painting of backdrop scenes using acrylics on masonite

Car Forwarding Scheme

Car Cards and color coded waybills.

Size

500 sq ft. plus

Large home or club sized

400 sq ft. 20’ by 20’

Garage

200 sq ft. 10’ by 20’

Half a garage

100 sq ft. 10’ by 10’

Small bedroom

50 sq ft. 5’ by 10’

Half a bedroom

Scenery

Full scenery, exceptional detail

Full scenery

2/3^rd

Scenery

1/3^rd scenery

Plywood Central

Prototype

/theme

Full fidelity to prototype

Some compromises with prototype or freelance.

Attempts to evoke specific era/time

Generic era/RR

Mix of eras, railroads and
locations

Rigorousness

Tightly structured per prototype.

Closely adheres to prototype practice

Purposeful operations

Attempts at prototype operations

“Holler and Hope” operations

Operating scheme:

£ CTC

Control system:

£ DCC / System: _Digitrax

Communication system:

FRS Radio

Number of crew positions __11

Other important features of operations: 3 yards plus industrial switching

#4 Dave Bayless' Denver, Northwestern & Pacific

Dave has constructed a wall inside his garage that looks from the outside like a depot

Outside Lean-to addition

Layout Evaluation
Layout RR Name Denver, Northwestern & Pacific				Owner name Dave Bayless
Website None			Scale HO			Multilevel? # of decks 6 Tiers Planned, 1 built
Mainline run 480’ planned			Minimum radius 36” Main/Siding 30” Staging			Typical Aisle Width 30 inches narrowest
Benchwork Standard wood frame and shelf			Height 28” to 96” planned			Accessable? Duck-under to “C” shape isles
Theme, prototype, era, and location of the layout: Circa early 1952 freelance Subsidiary of 4 Northwest RR’s, (DRGW, NP, GN, WP), Layout section modeled is east of Mt Rainer in the Cascade Mt’s, northwest flavor.		Special Layout Design Features Planned Staging to Staging, (Fiddle Type), long mainline run featuring helper service. Rear of Garage has Lean-To holding parts of spiral loops, Multi-Tier construction, large staging yards, 36” wide isles, planned backdrop controlled vignettes.			Documentation, Orientation and Signage: £ Fascia mounted track diagrams £ Station names / MPs on fascia £ Handout describing layout and op session purpose £ Timetable if appropriate None at present
Purpose of the railroad and/or operating session To gather a group of modelers together and operate trains in a low pressure but very realistic environment simulating the job of working on the railroad.		Scenery methods and % standard screen and plaster/ foam Backdrop: None as yet			Car Forwarding Scheme x Car Cards £ Switch list £ Computer generated £ Tacks or markers on cars £ Other: __________________ __________________________
Size	5 500 sq ft. plus Large home or club sized		4 400 sq ft. 20’ by 20’ Garage or basement	3 200 sq ft. 10’ by 20’ Half a garage			2 100 sq ft. 10’ by 10’ Small bedroom	1 50 sq ft. 5’ by 10’ Half a bedroom
Scenery	5 Full scenery, exceptional detail		4 Full scenery	3 2/3^rd Scenery			2 1/3^rd scenery	1 Plywood Central
Prototype /theme	5 Full fidelity to prototype		4 Some compromises with prototype or freelance.	3 Attempts to evoke specific era/time			2 Generic era/RR	1 Mix of eras, railroads and locations
Rigorousness	5 Tightly structured per prototype.		4 Closely adheres to prototype practice	3 Purposeful operations			2 Attempts at prototype operations	1 “Holler and Hope” operations
Operating scheme: £ TT&TO £ CTC £ Track Warrant/DTC £ ABS/Rule 251 £ Other: “Mother may I” Control system: £ DC / Block Control £ DCC / System: Digitrax £ Other: ________________ Communication system: £ 5 Channel radio £ FRS Radio £ Telephone £ Other: __________________ £ None Number of crew positions __Three to six Other important features of operations:

#5 Phil Gulley's Union Pacific and Summit County

Phil Gulley's Union Pacific and Summit County is a proto-freelance version of the Union Pacific's Park City Branch set in Utah in 1952. This moderately large HO scale double deck layout is about 2/3 scenicked.

The railroad features branchline operations with 2 passenger trains, 2 through freights and lots of local switching! The operations adhere closely to prototype practices using Timetable and Train Orders, a fast clock, and car cards and waybills. Control is by NCE DCC; communications is via telephone.

Continental Oil

Double Bridge

Grass Creek Corrals

K Johnson Livestock Company

New Church Mine

Summit

Union Fuel

Weber Coal

Layout Evaluation
Layout RR Name Union Pacific and Summit County				Owner name Phillip Gulley
Website			Scale HO			Multilevel? # of decks Yes - 2
Mainline run 210'			Minimum radius 30"- 36"			Typical Aisle Width 4'+
Benchwork Cantilevered plywood			Height 40-64"			Accessible? Short stairs
Theme, prototype, era, and location of the layout: UP RR (not built): 1952 Ogden up Weber and Echo canyons Summit County (operating): Proto freelance version of UP Park City Branch		Special Layout Design Features Purpose-built building with various height platforms			Documentation, Orientation and Signage: £ Station names / MPs on fascia £ Timetable if appropriate
Purpose of the railroad and/or operating session Move coal, ore, livestock and general merchandise to/from the UP and D&RGW		Scenery methods and % Cardboard web + plaster cloth some foam roughly 75% finished Backdrop Painted curved drywall			Car Forwarding Scheme £ Car Cards
Size	5 500 sq ft. plus Large home or club sized		4 400 sq ft. 20’ by 20’ Garage or basement	3 200 sq ft. 10’ by 20’ Half a garage			2 100 sq ft. 10’ by 10’ Small bedroom	1 50 sq ft. 5’ by 10’ Half a bedroom
Scenery	5 Full scenery, exceptional detail		4 Full scenery	3 2/3^rd Scenery			2 1/3^rd scenery	1 Plywood Central
Prototype /theme	5 Full fidelity to prototype		4 Some compromises with prototype or freelance.	3 Attempts to evoke specific era/time			2 Generic era/RR	1 Mix of eras, railroads and locations
Rigorousness	5 Tightly structured per prototype.		4 Closely adheres to prototype practice	3 Purposeful operations			2 Attempts at prototype operations	1 “Holler and Hope” operations
Operating scheme: £ TT&TO Control system: £ NCE DCC Communication system: £ Telephone Number of crew positions 8-10

#6 Frank Robertson's Rio Plumas

As you enter the train room, a partial peninsula will contain a branch to Clarksburg in the Sacramento Delta will be on the lower level with Chico on the to be completed upper level.

On the opposite side of the peninsula is the branch to Woodland northwest of Sacramento (on the right) with staging for points west in the distance. Parts of Chico and staging for points east will be on the upper level.

After entering the center aisle is Sacramento Yard with Chico above.

Another photo of Sacramento Yard on the lower level

The Sacramento business district separates Sacramento Yard from the "R" Street industrial district.

Leaving Sacramento Yard, the line passes through downtown Sacramento and the "R" Street industrial area.

On the lower level east of Sacramento will be rolling grasslands of the Sacramento Valley, then up the helix to Yuba City on the upper level.

The lower level continues up the Valley through Pleasant Grove before climbing the helix to the upper level.

Yuba City sits above Pleasant Grove on the upper deck.

Layout Evaluation
Layout RR Name Rio Plumas – (Feather River) WP on Sac Northern				Owner name Frank Robertson
Website N/A			Scale HO			Multilevel? # of decks Two w/Helix Connection
Mainline run 100-plus feet			Minimum radius 24-inches			Typical Aisle Width 3-feet plus larger areas
Benchwork Frank- Modules (wood/foam)			Height 38 to 53 inches			Accessable? NO – second floor location
Theme, prototype, era, and location of the layout: Western Pacific on Sacramento Northern between Sacramento and Chico, CA circa 1970’s		Special Layout Design Features Frank-n Module shelf construction consisting of wood frame w/polyfoam surface supported by metal shelf brackets – NO LEGS except in Helix and peninsula			Documentation, Orientation and Signage: X Fascia mounted track diagrams £ Station names / MPs on fascia X Handout describing layout and op session purpose £ Timetable if appropriate
Purpose of the railroad and/or operating session The Rio Plumas adapts the parent WP to day-to-day operations on the former Sacramento Northern		Scenery methods and % 25% with some areas of more detail Backdrop Most areas			Car Forwarding Scheme X Car Cards £ Switch list £ Computer generated £ Tacks or markers on cars £ Other: __________________ __________________________
Size	5 500 sq ft. plus Large home or club sized		4 280 sq ft. 14’ by 20’ Garage or basement	3 200 sq ft. 10’ by 20’ Half a garage			2 100 sq ft. 10’ by 10’ Small bedroom	1 50 sq ft. 5’ by 10’ Half a bedroom
Scenery	5 Full scenery, exceptional detail		4 Full scenery	3 2/3^rd Scenery			2 1/3^rd scenery	1 Plywood Central
Prototype /theme	5 Full fidelity to prototype		4 Some compromises with prototype or freelance.	3 Attempts to evoke specific era/time			2 Generic era/RR	1 Mix of eras, railroads and locations
Rigorousness	5 Tightly structured per prototype.		4 Closely adheres to prototype practice	3 Purposeful operations			2 Attempts at prototype operations	1 “Holler and Hope” operations
Operating scheme: £ TT&TO £ CTC X Track Warrant/DTC £ ABS/Rule 251 £ Other:___________________ Control system: £ DC / Block Control X DCC / System: _Digitrax_____________________ £ Other: ________________ Communication system: X 5 Channel radio £ FRS Radio £ Telephone £ Other: __________________ £ None Number of crew positions __five__ Other important features of operations:

#7 Dave Clemens' Idaho, Montana Railway and Navigation Co.

Original sketch of the upper deck through the medium of LDE's.

Mock up used for planning the UP Northwestern

Usual Suspects: Bay Area LD SIG members "mock-up" the IMR&N shortly after the train room addition was completed - Nov 2004.

The lower level of the railroad is "mocked-up" full size with "Doormino" sectional elements.

The first train arrives in W. Spokane Yard. My Ops guys would spend a couple weeks laying track, then the next couple weeks we'd run trains to the "End of Track".

Installation of the upper level commenced in Mar 2006. The MILW passenger train is on the lower deck, while the 2-8-0 is working the staging level, with Chester at the beginning of the transition level is just above, with the upper deck against the wall in the distance.

Through 2007 we ran trains a couple evenings a month with temporary access to the permanent East Staging. Here No 298 struggles up the Chester Creek grade to Mica for a meet with No 251.

After more than a year of operating in an "interim" configuration, I decided get serious about the a final push to install the rest of the mainline. All of the "dirty construction" took place either on the front lawn (summer) or garage once the seasons changed. Anyone interested in "How this story ends" watch the pages of the LDJ this summer.

Kent Williams and Steve Gust operating on Dave Clemen's UP Northwestern

Motive power clusters around the W Spokane shops in the late morning as SW7 1800 works the caboose track

Layout RR Name

Idaho Montana Railway & Navigation Co –

the Union Pacific Montana Division

Owner name

David Clemens

Website

N/A

Scale

Multilevel? # of decks

Roughly 2-1/2 decks

Mainline run

210 feet

Minimum radius

22-inch

Typical Aisle Width

30”-36” w/one 24” btwn lobes

Benchwork

Doormino and Wood/Foam sections

Height

48 to 65 inches

Accessable?

Duck-under access – 6”step

Theme, prototype, era, and location of the layout:

Joint UP/MILW trackage and operations around Spokane, WA 1952. Prototype trains embellished with freelance extension to Montana points

Special Layout Design Features

40-miles of prototype specific LDE elements incorporated into the 200-foot mainline run

Documentation, Orientation and Signage:

X Fascia mounted track diagrams

X Station names / MPs on fascia

X Handout describing layout and

op session purpose

X Timetable if appropriate

Purpose of the railroad and/or operating session

Replicate the experience of working prototype UP/MILW and GN trains thru prototype specific scenes.

Scenery methods and %

Meatball scenery throughout with detail scenes at specific locations

Backdrop

Complete – some location specifi photo murals

Car Forwarding Scheme

X Car Cards

£ Switch list

£ Computer generated

£ Tacks or markers on cars

X Other: Prototype traffic volumes for each Ops “day”

Size

500 sq ft. plus

Large home or club sized

400 sq ft. 20’ by 20’

270 sq ft

bedroom

200 sq ft. 10’ by 20’

Half a garage

100 sq ft. 10’ by 10’

Small bedroom

50 sq ft. 5’ by 10’

Half a bedroom

Scenery

Full scenery, exceptional detail

Full scenery but less than exhaustive

2/3^rd

Scenery

1/3^rd scenery

Plywood Central

Prototype

/theme

Full fidelity to prototype

Freelance extensions of prototype trains to Montana

Attempts to evoke specific era/time

Generic era/RR

Mix of eras, railroads and
locations

Rigorousness

Tightly structured per prototype.

Closely adheres to prototype practice

Purposeful operations

Attempts at prototype operations

“Holler and Hope” operations

Operating scheme:

X TT&TO £ CTC £ Track Warrant/DTC £ ABS/Rule 251 £ Other:______________________

Control system:

£ DC / Block Control X DCC / System: _Digitrax radion throttle £ Other: ________________

Communication system:

X 5 Channel radio £ FRS Radio £ Telephone £ Other: __________________ £ None

Number of crew positions _Five to six_

Other important features of operations:

#8 Sacramento Model Railroad Historical Society's Sierra Central

The SMRHS has been rebuilding both their standard gauge and narrow gauge layouts. They have a website at http://www.SMRHS.com You can also see a video of the club layout at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZSDkhzoMeg

Lower level track plan for SMRHS standard gauge layout

Upper level track plan for SMRHS standard gauge layout

Layout Evaluation
Layout RR Name Sierra Central				Owner name Sacramento Model Railroad Historical Society
Website www.smrhs.com			Scale HO			Multilevel? # of decks 2
Mainline run 1200 feet			Minimum radius 40”			Typical Aisle Width 3’
Benchwork 7 Ply Cabinet Wood			Height 40”-62”			Accessible? Yes
Theme, prototype, era, and location of the layout: SP from Oakland Pier to Sacramento. WP from Sacramento to Keddie. 1940-1960. Late summer scenery.		Special Layout Design Features 1. Includes original WP Western Division CTC panel. 2. Ramp track instead of helix. 3. Mostly handicapped accessible. 4. Main staging is in the middle of the layout.			Documentation, Orientation and Signage: £ Fascia mounted track diagrams £ Station names / MPs on fascia £ Handout describing layout and op session purpose £ Timetable if appropriate
Purpose of the railroad and/or operating session Accurately represent SP/WP operations from 1940-1960 on the Sierra Central RR.		Scenery methods and % Bragdon Resin, Foam base, some plaster used. Static grass and home-built trees. 75% Backdrop: Specific to region			Car Forwarding Scheme £ Car Cards £ Switch list £ Computer generated £ Tacks or markers on cars £ Other: __________________ __________________________
Size	5 500 sq ft. plus Large home or club sized		4 400 sq ft. 20’ by 20’ Garage or basement	3 200 sq ft. 10’ by 20’ Half a garage			2 100 sq ft. 10’ by 10’ Small bedroom	1 50 sq ft. 5’ by 10’ Half a bedroom
Scenery	5 Full scenery, exceptional detail		4 Full scenery	3 2/3^rd Scenery			2 1/3^rd scenery	1 Plywood Central
Prototype /theme	5 Full fidelity to prototype		4 Some compromises with prototype or freelance.	3 Attempts to evoke specific era/time			2 Generic era/RR	1 Mix of eras, railroads and locations
Rigorousness	5 Tightly structured per prototype.		4 Closely adheres to prototype practice	3 Purposeful operations			2 Attempts at prototype operations	1 “Holler and Hope” operations
Operating scheme: £ TT&TO £ CTC £ Track Warrant/DTC £ ABS/Rule 251 £ Other:_Blend CTC/Warrants___ Control system: £ DC / Block Control £ DCC / System: _Digitrax______________ £ Other: ________________ Communication system: £ 5 Channel radio £ FRS Radio £ Telephone £ Other: __________________ £ None Number of crew positions ___16____ Other important features of operations:

Sacramento Model Railroad Historical Society Narrow Gauge Layout

Track plan for SMRHS narrow gauge layout

Layout Evaluation
Layout RR Name Sierra Central Narrow Gauge				Owner name Sacramento Model Railroad Historical Society
Website www.smrhs.com			Scale HOn3			Multilevel? # of decks 1
Mainline run 200 feet			Minimum radius 24”			Typical Aisle Width 3’
Benchwork Spline, plywood			Height 40”-62”			Accessible? Partially
Theme, prototype, era, and location of the layout: Organizes various prototype American narrow gauge roads into one layout. SP, EBT, NCNG, C&S, and Westside Lumber are featured. These scenes make up the Sierra Central Narrow Gauge and the Western Flume and Lumber Co.		Special Layout Design Features Loop to loop with several branches coming off. Several yards support industries. Large mill complex and its railroad (WF&L) operates over Sierra Central to its main logging camp.			Documentation, Orientation and Signage: £ Fascia mounted track diagrams £ Station names / MPs on fascia £ Handout describing layout and op session purpose £ Timetable if appropriate
Purpose of the railroad and/or operating session Forward cars over the Sierra Central Narrow Gauge and transfer points. Large purpose of railroad is to depict narrow gauge operations.		Scenery methods and % Mostly finished plaster castings. Some foam used. Many trees are hand-built. Desert to gorge scenery featured. 90% Backdrops: Specific to Sierra Nevada mountains			Car Forwarding Scheme £ Car Cards £ Switch list £ Computer generated £ Tacks or markers on cars £ Other: __________________ __________________________
Size	5 500 sq ft. plus Large home or club sized		4 400 sq ft. 20’ by 20’ Garage or basement	3 200 sq ft. 10’ by 20’ Half a garage			2 100 sq ft. 10’ by 10’ Small bedroom	1 50 sq ft. 5’ by 10’ Half a bedroom
Scenery	5 Full scenery, exceptional detail		4 Full scenery	3 2/3^rd Scenery			2 1/3^rd scenery	1 Plywood Central
Prototype /theme	5 Full fidelity to prototype		4 Some compromises with prototype or freelance.	3 Attempts to evoke specific era/time			2 Generic era/RR	1 Mix of eras, railroads and locations
Rigorousness	5 Tightly structured per prototype.		4 Closely adheres to prototype practice	3 Purposeful operations			2 Attempts at prototype operations	1 “Holler and Hope” operations
Operating scheme: £ TT&TO £ CTC £ Track Warrant/DTC £ ABS/Rule 251 £ Other:_Blend CTC/Warrants___ Control system: £ DC / Block Control £ DCC / System: _____________________ £ Other: ________________ Communication system: £ 5 Channel radio £ FRS Radio £ Telephone £ Other: __________________ £ None Number of crew positions ___6____ Other important features of operations:

#9 Dick Pashley's SP Sacramento Mountain Subdivision

Layout Evaluation
Layout RR Name Southern Pacific Sacramento Mountain Subdivision				Owner name Dick Pashley
Website None			Scale HO			Multilevel? # of decks Multilevel but not multi-tier
Mainline run Double track 560’			Minimum radius 48”			Typical Aisle Width 3’
Benchwork L girder with spline/homabed roadbed			Height 50” up to 77”			Accessable? Many steps to enter building
Theme, prototype, era, and location of the layout: 1948-1950 Donner Pass run from Roseville to Sparks with hidden yards representing Oakland and Ogden. Turntables used at Colfax and Norden for helper operation.		Special Layout Design Features PC controlled touch screen system for displaying occupancy, signal states, & turnout states with ability to control turnouts and routes			Documentation, Orientation and Signage: X Fascia mounted touch screen track diagrams X Station names on fascia X Handout describing layout and op session purpose X Timetable operations
Purpose of the railroad and/or operating session Ops session with timetable daily trains (passenger, mail, thru freights) and in addition, local freights with car card system		Scenery methods and % 15% scenery completed Backdrop None done yet			Car Forwarding Scheme Car Cards
Size: 5 35’ X 45’ Dedicated building	5 500 sq ft. plus Large home or club sized		4 400 sq ft. 20’ by 20’ Garage or basement	3 200 sq ft. 10’ by 20’ Half a garage			2 100 sq ft. 10’ by 10’ Small bedroom	1 50 sq ft. 5’ by 10’ Half a bedroom
Scenery: 1-2 15% scenery	5 Full scenery, exceptional detail		4 Full scenery	3 2/3^rd Scenery			2 1/3^rd scenery	1 Plywood Central
Prototype /theme: 4 SP Donner Pass 1948-1950	5 Full fidelity to prototype		4 Some compromises with prototype or freelance.	3 Attempts to evoke specific era/time			2 Generic era/RR	1 Mix of eras, railroads and locations
Rigorousness 4	5 Tightly structured per prototype.		4 Closely adheres to prototype practice	3 Purposeful operations			2 Attempts at prototype operations	1 “Holler and Hope” operations
Operating scheme: £ TT&TO X CTC £ Track Warrant/DTC £ ABS/Rule 251 £ Other:______________________ Control system: £ DC / Block Control X DCC / System: __NCE_______________________ £ Other: ________________ Communication system: £ 5 Channel radio £ FRS Radio £ Telephone £ Other: __________________ X None Number of crew positions _4-10__________ Other important features of operations:

#10 Dave Houston's SP Rocklin Sub

Freelanced version of the SP. Donner and Shasta crossings and Coast Line, Burbank Branch in the 60s. A walk-in basement in California is not very common, but this one was available (house included) and a dream has become reality. 11X55 feet in size, a double deck freelance prototype layout is nearly complete. Emphasis is on operations with car cards, track warrants, long trains and two person crews. Digitrax and sound in nearly every locomotive makes the scene complete. Featured in NMRA Magazine December 2010. See two videos of the railroad at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAipYOUB4nY and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp32pbinIPs

Layout RR Name

Rocklin Sub

Owner name Dave Houston

Website

Scale HO

Multilevel? # of decks 2

Mainline run

4.5 scale miles

Minimum radius 36”

Typical Aisle Width 5’

Benchwork

Girder and spline

Height 36” to 58”

Accessable? Stairs. Not HDA

Theme, prototype, era, and location of the layout:

SP Coastline to the Sierras. Freelance prototype

Special Layout Design Features

It works!

Documentation, Orientation and Signage:

x Fascia mounted track diagrams

x£ Station names / MPs on fascia

x£ Handout describing layout and

op session purpose

£ Timetable if appropriate

Purpose of the railroad and/or operating session

Replicating the prototype

Scenery methods and % Hardshell, castings. 80% complete

Backdrop Hand painted

Car Forwarding Scheme

x£ Car Cards

£ Switch list

£ Computer generated

£ Tacks or markers on cars

£ Other: __________________

__________________________

Size 5

500 sq ft. plus

Large home or club sized X

400 sq ft. 20’ by 20’

Garage or basement

200 sq ft. 10’ by 20’

Half a garage

100 sq ft. 10’ by 10’

Small bedroom

50 sq ft. 5’ by 10’

Half a bedroom

Scenery 5

Full scenery, exceptional detail X

Full scenery

2/3^rd

Scenery

1/3^rd scenery

Plywood Central

Prototype

/theme 4

Full fidelity to prototype

Some compromises with prototype or freelance.

Attempts to evoke specific era/time

Generic era/RR

Mix of eras, railroads and
locations

Rigorousness 3

Tightly structured per prototype.

Closely adheres to prototype practice

Purposeful operations

Attempts at prototype operations

“Holler and Hope” operations

Operating scheme:

£ TT&TO £ CTC x£ Track Warrant/DTC £ ABS/Rule 251 £ Other:______________________

Control system:

£ DC / Block Control £ DCC / System: _________________________ £ Other: ________________

Communication system:

£ 5 Channel radio x£ FRS Radio £ Telephone £ Other: __________________ £ None

Number of crew positions __14_________

Other important features of operations:

#11 Ken Draper South Placer Lines

Layout Evaluation
Layout RR Name South Placer Lines				Owner name Ken Draper
Website			Scale HO			Multilevel? # of decks 3 Level
Mainline run			Minimum radius 22 Inch			Typical Aisle Width 30 inches narrowest
Benchwork Standard wood frame and shelf			Height 35” to 63”			Accessable? Duck-under w/lift out bridge
Theme, prototype, era, and location of the layout: Circa early 1940’s freelance California shortline.		Special Layout Design Features Point to point with staging yards each end, 192 foot mainline run			Documentation, Orientation and Signage: £ Fascia mounted track diagrams £ Station names / MPs on fascia £ Handout describing layout and op session purpose £ Timetable if appropriate
Purpose of the railroad and/or operating session To gather a group of modelers together and operate trains in a low pressure environment, To have fun and promote friendships among local modelers.		Scenery methods and % standard screen and plaster Backdrop: None as yet			Car Forwarding Scheme £ Car Cards £ Switch list £ Computer generated £ Tacks or markers on cars £ Other: __________________ __________________________
Size	5 500 sq ft. plus Large home or club sized		4 400 sq ft. 20’ by 20’ Garage or basement	3 200 sq ft. 10’ by 20’ Half a garage			2 100 sq ft. 10’ by 10’ Small bedroom	1 50 sq ft. 5’ by 10’ Half a bedroom
Scenery	5 Full scenery, exceptional detail		4 Full scenery	3 2/3^rd Scenery			2 1/3^rd scenery	1 Plywood Central
Prototype /theme	5 Full fidelity to prototype		4 Some compromises with prototype or freelance.	3 Attempts to evoke specific era/time			2 Generic era/RR	1 Mix of eras, railroads and locations
Rigorousness	5 Tightly structured per prototype.		4 Closely adheres to prototype practice	3 Purposeful operations			2 Attempts at prototype operations	1 “Holler and Hope” operations
Operating scheme: £ TT&TO £ CTC £ Track Warrant/DTC £ ABS/Rule 251 £ Other: “Mother may I” Control system: £ DC / Block Control £ DCC / System: Digitrax £ Other: ________________ Communication system: £ 5 Channel radio £ FRS Radio £ Telephone £ Other: __________________ £ None Number of crew positions __Three to six Other important features of operations:

#12 Ron Kerekes' Central Valley RR

Ron has a unique layout housed in a replica depot in his back yard. Over the past 20 years, Ron has built his Central Valley Railroad with the help of a round robin group. The railroad runs over 400' of mainline from Fresno staging to Redding staging. There is an industrial switching railroad in the town of Delta and a shortline railroad at Westwood that serves a lumber and paper mill. Ron enjoys prototype operations and included a lot of industry on this freelanced layout based in the mid '70s. His railroadiana collection that adorns the walls of the depot also makes this a welcoming home layout. Ron is currently converting to DCC from walk around DC.

#13 Tom Weissgerber's Pacific Northwest Union Pacific

Tom's Layout is featured in the May 2011 Railroad Model Craftsman

Layout RR Name: Pacific Northwest

Owner name: Tom Weissgerber

Website: No

Scale: HO

Multilevel? # of decks: 3 Levels

Mainline run: 420ft

Minimum radius: 30”

Typical Aisle Width: 36”

Benchwork: Grid Style

Height: Eye and waist level.

Accessible? One step down

Theme, prototype, era, and location of the layout:

This point to point railroad featuring the transition years (1950’s) of Union Pacific's line from Portland to Nampa. Staging represents Seattle, Spokane and Kansa City. The layout is operated mostly by steam, but there are few diesels here and there in service.

Prominent features are the Portland Station, Columbia River Gorge, engine servicing facilities, forests, and scratch built structures give this layout top notch quality.

The layout features two classification yards which all traffic is originated from

The layout is located in a large room (15x37) in back of the owner's garage.

Special Layout Design Features:

This layout has 2 main levels and has a hidden third level for staging.

Three large staging areas insure the yards are kept busy classifying outbound trains. There is also a Large Helix monitored via a camera.

Remote dispatchers desk with phone, and panel to control train order boards

Documentation, Orientation and Signage:

[X] Fascia mounted track diagrams

£ Station names / MPs on fascia

£ Handout describing layout and

op session purpose

[X] Timetable if appropriate

Purpose of the railroad and/or operating session

The layout has 80% of the jobs for those operators who like to switch and 20% for those who like to run through trains. A typical operating session runs 3-4 hours.

Scenery methods and %

Almost all of the plywood has been covered with Screen wire, plaster, dirt, etc. but only 40% has been detailed at a high level.

Backdrop: painted

Car Forwarding Scheme

[X] Car Cards

£ Switch list

£ Computer generated

£ Tacks or markers on cars

£ Other: __________________

__________________________

Size

XXX 5 XXX

500 sq ft. plus

Large home or club sized

400 sq ft. 20’ by 20’

Garage or basement

200 sq ft. 10’ by 20’

Half a garage

100 sq ft. 10’ by 10’

Small bedroom

50 sq ft. 5’ by 10’

Half a bedroom

Scenery

Full scenery, exceptional detail

Full scenery

XXX 3 XXX

2/3^rd

Scenery

1/3^rd scenery

Plywood Central

Prototype

/theme

Full fidelity to prototype

Some compromises with prototype or freelance.

XXX 3 XXX

Attempts to evoke specific era/time

Generic era/RR

Mix of eras, railroads and
locations

Rigorousness

Tightly structured per prototype.

Closely adheres to prototype practice

XXX 3 XXX

Purposeful operations

Attempts at prototype operations

“Holler and Hope” operations

Operating scheme:

XX TT&TO £ CTC £ Track Warrant/DTC £ ABS/Rule 251 £ Other:______________________

Control system:

£ DC / Block Control [XX] DCC / System: _Digitrax__________ £ Other: ________________

Communication system:

£ 5 Channel radio £ FRS Radio [XX] Telephone £ Other: __________________ £ None

Number of crew positions ___8___

Other important features of operations:

Crew:

1 Dispatch

2 yards, Albina/Nampa

1 local crew

2 local’s

2 through trains

#14 George Hardy's SPS

George is still planning his model of the Seattle, Portland and Spokane railroad. This is where you as Layout Design SIG members and friends can assist with layout design ideas. Here is a drawing of the space. We hope to have some Givens and Druthers soon. Come visit George's layout space and help make his dreams a reality. He has some tape down on the floor where he thinks he wants his empire, come with your ideas and experience.

Givens:

Who:

I was born and grew up in Eugene, Oregon in the area where SP&S operated. Traveled in Oregon and Washington where SP&S operated. I have worked in the railroad industry since age 18.

SP&S operated on the north bank of the Columbia River from Vancouver, Washington to Spokane, Washington with interchanges with GN and NP at both ends. Also, SP&S operated the Oregon Trunk from Wishram, about 100 miles east of Vancouver, crossing the Columbia River, running across the central Oregon high desert to Bend, Oregon. From there, traffic was handled by the GN, through Klamath Falls, Oregon to a connection at Bieber, California.

My layout will attempt to capture the essence of the SP&S from Vancouver to Wishram and the Oregon Trunk to Bend. The layout will include both passenger, through freight and the locals serving on line shippers.

What:

SP&S was a regional railroad built to Class 1 standards

SP&S operated passenger trains, through freight and locals

SP&S operated a small fleet of locomotives, both steam and in the diesel era ran both first and second generation Alco switcher and road power.

It is possible to model a complete roster of some types of equipment.

SP&S was owned by GN and NP and had a good deal of hand-me-down equipment. GN steam was forced on SP&S, so prototype reason to have a variety of certain GN steam on the layout

Served the wood products industries, grain trains to Vancouver and Portland and handled overhead traffic particularly for GN on the Oregon Trunk.

When:

Steam/diesel transition with late steam and diesels including Alco switchers, RS-3s, FA/FBs and C-424/425 and C-636, streamline and heavyweight passenger trains.

Cut off is March 3, 1970, “M” Day.

Where:

Vancouver Washington east to Wishram (major yard) and the Oregon Trunk across the Columbia River south to Bend Oregon.

Why:

I grew up as a model railroader with a basement layout.

Saw the SP&S (Oregon Electric) operate into Eugene via street running. One or more locomotive was often spotted near the depot grew up in the area where SP&S operated.

I worked for Southern Pacific in Eugene, and saw SP&S as the “other railroad”.

Later when I was contemplating a couple of SP models as mantle pieces I happened to visit a SP&S modeler fan and learned of all the SP&S models available. I began collecting SP&S models.

How:

Layout is in a basement area of nearly 450 square feet with a combination of a shelf layout to minimize depth for family access through space and a central peninsula.

Plan on TT&TO with ABS per prototype.

Operating sessions may include a dispatcher, yard crew/footboard yardmaster, a six or eight road crews and two passenger crews.

Druthers:

Maximize longer runs between “turn back curves” at the end of peninsula “blobs” or upon reaching wall constraints.

Minimize the conflict between the stairway access to the railroad space while maximizing the available railroad space.

Minimize conflicts with the extra Bedroom/Bath access while making the best possible use of the remaining railroad space.

Layout Evaluation

Layout RR Name

Spokane Portland and Seattle Railway

     Layout Design Stage

Owner name

George Hardy

Address:

2380 Luciana Way

City

Roseville

State

CA

Phone:

(916) 770-5158 cell

Email:

stacystreetnpvet@surewest.net

Zip

95661

Website

N/A

Scale

HO

Multilevel? # of decks

Roughly 3 decks

Mainline run

TBD over 300 feet

Minimum radius

40-inch

Typical Aisle Width

30”-36”

Benchwork

TBD

Height

43 to 65 inches

Accessable? Basement stairs;

Future: Duck-under access at 2 locations

Theme, prototype, era, and location of the layout:

SP&S 1^st Sub Vancouver to Wishram and Oregon Trunk Joint with UP set in 1950’s -1969.

Special Layout Design Features

40-miles of prototype specific LDE elements being incorporated into the 200-foot mainline Layout Design scheme

Documentation, Orientation and Signage:

TBD – Design is still at the “sketch and change” level

Purpose of the railroad and/or operating session

Replicate the experience of working prototype SP&S and UP trains thru prototype specific scenes.

Scenery methods and %

Currently ZERO as the Design Process proceeds

Car Forwarding Scheme

X Car Cards

£ Switch list

£ Computer generated

£ Tacks or markers on cars

X Other: Prototype traffic volumes for each Ops “day”

Size

5

500 sq ft. plus

Large home or club sized: 15-ft by 35-ft

4

400 sq ft. 20’ by 20’



3

200 sq ft. 10’ by 20’

Half a garage

2

100 sq ft. 10’ by 10’

Small bedroom

1

50 sq ft. 5’ by 10’

Half a bedroom

Scenery

5

Full scenery, exceptional detail

4

Full scenery

3

2/3^rd

Scenery

2

1/3^rd scenery

1

Layout Design pre-Plywood Central

Prototype

/theme

5

Full fidelity to prototype

4.5

Near Prototype accurate Design w/some compromises

3

Attempts to evoke specific era/time

2

Generic era/RR

1

Mix of eras, railroads and
locations

Rigorousness

5

Tightly structured per prototype.

4

Closely adheres to prototype practice

3

Purposeful operations

2

Attempts at prototype operations

1

“Holler and Hope” operations

Operating scheme:

X TT&TO     £ CTC     £ Track Warrant/DTC   X ABS/Rule 251    £ Other:______________________

Control system:

£ DC / Block Control    X DCC / System: _Digitrax                  £ Other: ________________

Communication system:

X 5 Channel radio   £ FRS Radio £ Telephone £ Other: __________________ £ None

Number of crew positions _TBD; min five to six_

Other important features of operations: TBD

#15 Mitch Valder's NWP 1958

Layout Evaluation
Layout RR Name NWP 1958				Owner name Mitch Valder
Website n/a			Scale N			Multilevel? No, Single
Mainline run 115 ft			Minimum radius 22”			Typical Aisle Width 34”
Benchwork 78” Floating Wall w/Cantilevered Shelf			Height 56”			Accessible? Via Stairs
Theme: Trains running through the Redwood Country. Logging Prototype: NorthWestern Pacific RR Era: Fall of 1958 Location: Humboldt County, CA; North End of the NWP		Special Layout Design Features - Staging connects both ends of the railroad - 6.5’ floating wall holds up a cantilevered shelf for scenery and track - 5 LDE’s - Open, uncluttered track plan - Plenty of aisle space to view the layout - No duckunders			Documentation, Orientation and Signage: £ Fascia mounted track diagrams £ Station names / MPs on fascia £ Handout describing layout and op session purpose £ Timetable if appropriate £ Haven’t got that far
Purpose of the railroad and/or operating session Low-key train ops		Scenery methods and % - Plywood base - Blue foam scenery - Appx 50% complete Backdrop - Masonite			Car Forwarding Scheme £ Car Cards £ Switch list £ Computer generated £ Tacks or markers on cars £ TBD __________________________
Size	5 500 sf+ Large home or club		4 400 sf 26’ x 11’ Basement	3 200 sq ft. 10’ by 20’ Half a garage			2 100 sq ft. 10’ by 10’ Small bedroom	1 50 sq ft. 5’ by 10’ Half a bedroom
Scenery	5 Full scenery, exceptional detail		4 Full scenery	3 2/3^rd Scenery			2 1/3 scenery	1 Plywood Central
Prototype /theme	5 Full fidelity to prototype		4 Some compromises w/prototype	3 Attempts to evoke specific era/time			2 Generic era/RR	1 Mix of eras, railroads and locations
Rigorousness	5 Tightly structured per prototype.		4 Closely adheres to prototype practice	3 Purposeful operations			2 Attempts at prototype operations	1 “Holler and Hope” operations
Operating scheme: £ TT&TO £ CTC £ Track Warrant/DTC £ ABS/Rule 251 £ Other: Still planning Control system: £ DCC / System: Easy DCC Communication system: £ 5 Channel radio £ FRS Radio £ Telephone £ None Number of crew positions: 4-6 Other important features of operations:

#16 Robert Hoffman's ATSF Hereford Sub

The Hereford Sub is a medium sized (approximately 400 square foot) double deck layout devoted to replicating the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe between Clovis, NM and Amarillo, TX in 1983. The railroad faithfully simulates the Santa Fe operations of the time with a high concentration of TOFC, autoracks, unit grain trains and manifest freights running on two main tracks controlled by CTC.

The layout is currently about one third scenicked. Car forwarding is handled with switchlists; locomotives are controlled with Digitrax DCC.

Layout Evaluation
Layout RR Name Santa Fe’s Hereford Subdivision				Owner name Robert Hoffman
Website None			Scale HO			Multilevel? # of decks 2 decks
Mainline run Unsure			Minimum radius 38”			Typical Aisle Width 3’
Benchwork Various			Height Lower level = 32” Upper level unsure.			Accessable? Not for ADA
Theme, prototype, era, and location of the layout: Santa Fe’s Hereford Subdivision between Clovis, NM and Amarillo, TX in 1983. Operationally oriented toward TOFC, automobiles and agricultural traffic. Interchanges with BN.		Special Layout Design Features; Layout features one visible and two hidden staging yards with one large mid layout yard including one active junction. Layout is designed for full nighttime operations.			Documentation, Orientation and Signage: £ Fascia mounted track diagrams £ Station names / MPs on fascia £ Handout describing layout and op session purpose £ Timetable if appropriate 1, 2 and 3 with emphasis on 3
Purpose of the railroad and/or operating session To move traffic destined to or from the Panhandle of Texas as well as through transcontinental traffic.		Scenery methods and % Various methods about 25% finished Backdrop Painted masonite or drywall			Car Forwarding Scheme £ Car Cards £ Switch list £ Computer generated £ Tacks or markers on cars £ Other: __________________ __________________________
Size	5 500 sq ft. plus Large home or club sized		4 400 sq ft. 20’ by 20’ Garage or basement	3 200 sq ft. 10’ by 20’ Half a garage			2 100 sq ft. 10’ by 10’ Small bedroom	1 50 sq ft. 5’ by 10’ Half a bedroom
Scenery	5 Full scenery, exceptional detail		4 Full scenery	3 2/3^rd Scenery			2 1/3^rd scenery	1 Plywood Central
Prototype /theme	5 Full fidelity to prototype		4 Some compromises with prototype or freelance.	3 Attempts to evoke specific era/time			2 Generic era/RR	1 Mix of eras, railroads and locations
Rigorousness	5 Tightly structured per prototype.		4 Closely adheres to prototype practice	3 Purposeful operations			2 Attempts at prototype operations	1 “Holler and Hope” operations
Operating scheme: £ TT&TO £ CTC £ Track Warrant/DTC £ ABS/Rule 251 £ Other:______________________ Control system: £ DC / Block Control £ DCC / System: _________________________ £ Other: ________________ Communication system: £ 5 Channel radio £ FRS Radio £ Telephone £ Other: __________________ £ None Number of crew positions ___8________ Other important features of operations:

#17 Dave Stanley's Morada Belt RR

The Morada Belt RR is a freelanced railroad set in the transition era with hints of Southern Pacific, Western Pacific, Santa Fe and Union Pacific. The scenery is definitely western US. The layout is two and, in some places, three levels. The lowest level is staging and the climb out of
such, and most of this level is hidden.

Dave's Layout is inside a purpose built building with appropriate landscaping

Older photo showing construction of one of the loops.

Another construction photo showing another loop.

John Signor painting some of Dave's backdrop.

Construction photo of bridge and dam.

Finished photo of bridge and dam.

Photo showing foam tunnel construction. Note depth of scene from backdrop.

Layout Evaluation
Layout RR Name Morada Belt Railway				Owner name Dave Stanley
Website			Scale HO			Multilevel? # of decks 2 and 3 (in places)
Mainline run approx 350'			Minimum radius 30"			Typical Aisle Width 26"
Benchwork L-girder			Height 3 to 5 feet			Accessable? All walk in/no duck-unders; not ADA accessable
Theme, prototype, era, and location of the layout: Western US, trackage-right line used by SP/WP/ATSF/UP Transition era Freelanced western scenery		Special Layout Design Features Elevation is gained using three single loop helix and a modest to steep grade 2-4%			Documentation, Orientation and Signage: £ Fascia mounted track diagrams £ Station names / MPs on fascia x Handout describing layout and op session purpose £ Timetable if appropriate
Purpose of the railroad and/or operating session Alternate route for Class 1's when their own lines are congested. Will have theme op sessions (ie SP theme: yards and branch will be switched/operated by SP power. Other RR's may detour a train or two, but most traffic will be SP)		Scenery methods and % Combination of Foam board, Sculptamold, and plaster on wire. About 50% of the scenery is complete. Backdrop Painted by artist John Signor			Car Forwarding Scheme x Car Cards x Switch list £ Computer generated £ Tacks or markers on cars £ Other: __________________ __________________________
Size 4	5 500 sq ft. plus Large home or club sized		4 400 sq ft. 20’ by 20’ Garage or basement	3 200 sq ft. 10’ by 20’ Half a garage			2 100 sq ft. 10’ by 10’ Small bedroom	1 50 sq ft. 5’ by 10’ Half a bedroom
Scenery 3	5 Full scenery, exceptional detail		4 Full scenery	3 2/3^rd Scenery			2 1/3^rd scenery	1 Plywood Central
Prototype /theme 3	5 Full fidelity to prototype		4 Some compromises with prototype or freelance.	3 Attempts to evoke specific era/time			2 Generic era/RR	1 Mix of eras, railroads and locations
Rigorousness 4	5 Tightly structured per prototype.		4 Closely adheres to prototype practice	3 Purposeful operations			2 Attempts at prototype operations	1 “Holler and Hope” operations
Operating scheme: £ TT&TO £ CTC x Track Warrant/DTC £ ABS/Rule 251 £ Other:______________________ Control system: £ DC / Block Control x DCC / System: __CVP/Easy DCC_______________________ £ Other: ________________ Communication system: £ 5 Channel radio £ FRS Radio £ Telephone £ Other: __________________ x None at this time Number of crew positions ___6________ Other important features of operations:

#18 Steve Cavenaugh's WP RR

Steve's mushroom layout was featured in the January 2011 issue of Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine and can be seen on page 50 of that issue. Here is the online link to the January issue http://issuu.com/mr-hobbyist/docs/mrh11-01-jan2011-ol?viewMode=presentation&mode=embed

You can see a video of Steve's layout at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv8eomJK4yo