Bayrails 2025 Layout List

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(first name) (last name)

layout name: (name)
short desc: Don't delete; this is an empty layout placeholder
long desc: (long desc)

status code: (0) Unknown

scale: (scale)
prototype: (proto)
era: (era)
scenery: (scenery)
size: (size)
mainline length: (main len)
plan type: (plan type)
ops scheme: (ops scheme)
control: (control)
num ops: (numops)
accessibility: (1) Handicapped hostile
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: N
owner url:
first name: (first name)
last name: (last name)
phone: (phone)
call time:
email:

street address: (address)
city: (city)
state: (state)
post code: (zip)
distance: (distance)

Fidelity to prototype:
Rigor:
Documentation:
Session pace:
Car forwarding:
Tone:
Dispatched by (primary):
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications:

Dave Adams

layout name: D&RGW Durlin Branch
short desc: (short desc)
long desc: The Durlin Branch is a free-lance mountain branch line of the narrow gauge D&RGW fourth division hauling general freight, coal, ore concentrates, livestock and passengers. The branch ties into the San Juan Extension at Chama NM, with Durango CO to the west and Alamosa CO to the east represented by staging. The Durlin branch climbs a steady 3.8% grade through Cresco and Toltec Tunnel up to Carrumba where the line splits. One line continues on to Fritz Park, then descends a 4% grade through Resin Creek to Durlin. The other branch serves a large coal mine (stolen from the D&RGW third division) at Flint. Steam locomotives rule with operations augmented by water tank, coal tower, ashpit, stock chute sounds and/or animation. Featured in Model Railroader May 2000, The Finescale Railroader 2003 Narrow Gauge Annual, and Model Railroad Hobbyist April 2011.

status code: (60) Offering Session(s)

scale: On3
prototype: D&RGW narrow gauge
era: pre-1936;Southwest Colorado, Northern New Mexico
scenery: 90%+
size: 17ft X 27ft
mainline length: 120 ft
plan type: Point to Point, Double Deck, Walk-Around, Hidden Staging
ops scheme: TT&TO, 4:1 fast clocks, CC&WB with car weights and load tonnages
control: Easy DCC
num ops: 8
accessibility: (3) Average house (1-2 steps)
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: N
owner url:
first name: Dave
last name: Adams
phone: 408-244-1850
call time: Evening (6:01pm -- 9:01pm)
email: dadamsc16@sbcglobal.net

street address: 1464 Lamore Drive
city: San Jose
state: CA
post code: 95130
distance: 21

Fidelity to prototype: Full
Rigor: Purposeful
Documentation: High
Session pace: Fast Clock
Car forwarding: CC & WB
Tone: Casual
Dispatched by (primary): TT&TO
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications: Telephone

Robert Bowdidge

layout name: SP Vasona Branch
short desc: (short desc)
long desc: SP's Vasona Branch models the Santa Clara Valley in the early 1930's. The layout tries to reproduce actual scenes along the San Jose - Los Gatos - Santa Cruz branch based on photos and Sanborn fire insurance maps.

The layout is a two deck 10' by 14' HO layout in half of a two car garage. Track is complete. Most rough scenery and some finished scenery is in.

Operation focuses on switching the canneries, packing houses, and other industries in the valley; commute trains and freights heading to Santa Cruz also run to add additional traffic. A pair of two-man crews do heavy switching during the session.

Layout control is via EasyDCC wired throttles. Most locomotives are sound-equipped; all locomotives are the small steam engines seen on the actual branch. Much of the layout runs in "yard limits", but signals and informal dispatching control the track over the hill (as on the prototype); a 2:1 fast clock sets the pace of the session. Switching is done from switch lists.

status code: (60) Offering Session(s)

scale: HO
prototype: Actual Southern Pacific Vasona Branch
era: 1930's
scenery: 65%
size: 140 sq ft
mainline length: 110 feet
plan type: staging-to-staging
ops scheme: switching, informal TT&TO
control: Easy DCC
num ops: 4
accessibility: (6) Unknown/not entered
wheelchair access: Y
duckunder entry: N
owner url: http://vasonabranch.blogspot.com/
first name: Robert
last name: Bowdidge
phone: 408-723-1925
call time:
email: rbowdidge@mac.com

street address: 1623 Fairorchard Ave.
city: San Jose
state: CA
post code: 95124
distance: 21

Fidelity to prototype: Full
Rigor: Purposeful
Documentation: High
Session pace: Fast Clock
Car forwarding: Switchlist
Tone: Casual
Dispatched by (primary): TT&TO
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications: Voice

Jack Burgess

layout name: Yosemite Valley RR
short desc: (short desc)
long desc: Jack's layout replicates the prototype Yosemite Valley Railroad circa August 1939 via a multi-deck design. The scenery, scenes, vegetation, and details on the layout all match the prototype. All seven of the YV's prototype locomotive roster circa 1939 are modeled. The rolling stock is a combination of scratchbuilt, resin and styrene kit models and the models reflect the types and ownership of freight cars which might have been on the railroad in the time period being modeled. All 100+ buildings on the layout are scratchbuilt from plans based on photos and available information.

Jack's Yosemite Valley Railroad has been featured in numerous articles in Model Railroader, Railroad Model Craftsman, Model Railroad Hobbiset and Great Model Railroads, most recently in the January 2010 edition of Railroad Model Craftsman.

status code: (40) Not available

scale: HO
prototype: Yosemite Valley RR
era: August 1939
scenery: 100%
size: 20 x 20
mainline length: (main len)
plan type: Point-to-point, multi-deck
ops scheme: TT/TO
control: NCE DCC
num ops: 4
accessibility: (2) Several steps and/or duck-under(s)
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: Y
owner url: http://www.yosemitevalleyrr.com
first name: Jack
last name: Burgess
phone: (510) 928-4117
call time:
email: jack@yosemitevalleyrr.com

street address: 36129 Sandlewood St.
city: Newark
state: CA
post code: 94560
distance: 21

Fidelity to prototype: Full
Rigor: Purposeful
Documentation: High
Session pace: Fast Clock
Car forwarding: Switchlist
Tone: Casual
Dispatched by (primary): TT&TO
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications: Telephone

(first name) Cal Central Club

layout name: California Central Lines
short desc: (short desc)
long desc: An HO and HOn3 club layout located in the old Agnew depot, which was built for the South Pacific Coast Railroad. The club runs steam through diesel, and dispatching is done differently according to era. The 1,000 feet of track represents California connections to the Pacific Northwest, Southeast, and East. There is a small narrow gauge section. The layout has been featured in Model Railroader and Railroad Model Craftsman.

status code: (40) Not available

scale: HO HOn3
prototype: (proto)
era: (era)
scenery: 100%
size: 500 sq ft
mainline length: (main len)
plan type: (plan type)
ops scheme: (ops scheme)
control: Digitrax DCC
num ops: 8
accessibility: (2) Several steps and/or duck-under(s)
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: N
owner url:
first name: (first name)
last name: Cal Central Club
phone: 408 314 0588
call time:
email: sarbered@gmail.com

street address: 4185 Bassett Street
city: Santa Clara
state: CA
post code: 95054
distance: 14

Fidelity to prototype: Evoke Era
Rigor: Purposeful
Documentation: High
Session pace: Fast Clock
Car forwarding: CC & WB
Tone: Casual
Dispatched by (primary): TWC
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications: Telephone

Gus Campagna

layout name: California Western Railroad
short desc: (short desc)
long desc: Gus – 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM in Penngrove (New Layout):The California Western Railroad in HO scale. The layout is in a 42'X25' purpose built detached three car garage. The CWR history is important, but not a focus of my research. I am modeling a fictional CWR based on the location and features of the real thing. Come and visit on Saturday night or operate on Sunday afternoon. Operations are in an early state, in this brand new layout. Lenz DCC. www.pbase.com/campgus

status code: (60) Offering Session(s)

scale: HO
prototype: (proto)
era: (era)
scenery: (scenery)
size: (size)
mainline length: (main len)
plan type: (plan type)
ops scheme: (ops scheme)
control: Lenz DCC
num ops: 8
accessibility: (4) No hazards
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: N
owner url:
first name: Gus
last name: Campagna
phone: 415 990 3777
call time:
email: campgus@earthlink.net

street address: 1915 William Dr.
city: Penngrove
state: CA
post code: 94951
distance: 77

Fidelity to prototype: approximate
Rigor:
Documentation:
Session pace: casual
Car forwarding:
Tone:
Dispatched by (primary): Train Orders
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications:

Guy Cantwell

layout name: Willoughby Line
short desc: Freelanced California Mountains and Central valley
long desc: (long desc)

status code: (60) Offering Session(s)

scale: HO
prototype: (proto)
era: (era)
scenery: (scenery)
size: (size)
mainline length: (main len)
plan type: (plan type)
ops scheme: (ops scheme)
control: CVP wireless
num ops: 5
accessibility: (1) Handicapped hostile
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: N
owner url:
first name: Guy
last name: Cantwell
phone: 831 818 7726
call time:
email: gtrguyone@comcast.net

street address: 3525 Sevilla Dr.
city: Soquel
state: CA
post code: 95073
distance: 47

Fidelity to prototype:
Rigor:
Documentation:
Session pace:
Car forwarding:
Tone:
Dispatched by (primary): TT&TO
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications:

(first name) Carquinez Model Railroad Society

layout name: Carquinez Model Railroad Society
short desc: (short desc)
long desc: CMRS is a 2300 sq. ft. layout located in Crockett, CA. It depicts the route from Oakland, CA to Sparks, NV with many prototypical scenes and recognizable scratch built buildings along the route. The layout is a mushroom design using a double track main with an eight foot helix at each end. Control is NCE DCC with extensive use of wifi throttles. Operations consists of eight locals with intensive work at the local industries. Mainline trains feed three yards at Oakland, Sacramento, and Sparks which build the locals. Era is 1970’s to modern. Scenery is 85% complete with extensive mountains constructed in cooperation with Bragdon and Associates. Cars are routed using a car card / waybill system. Operating sessions are usually 4-6 hours with a lunch break. During that time each local operates once before and once after lunch with different crews each run. Mike Stewart 925 768 7818 Liam

status code: (40) Not available

scale: HO
prototype: Bay Area
era: 70s - Present
scenery: 85%
size: (size)
mainline length: (main len)
plan type: (plan type)
ops scheme: (ops scheme)
control: NCE-DCC
num ops: 12
accessibility: (6) Unknown/not entered
wheelchair access: Y
duckunder entry: N
owner url: www.cmrstrainclub.org
first name: (first name)
last name: Carquinez Model Railroad Society
phone: 925 768 7818
call time:
email: gnrrguy@gmail.com

street address: 645 Loring Ave
city: Crockett
state: CA
post code: 94525
distance: 49

Fidelity to prototype:
Rigor:
Documentation:
Session pace:
Car forwarding: CC&WB
Tone:
Dispatched by (primary): Verbal Authority
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications:

Jim Dias

layout name: Western Pacific
short desc: (short desc)
long desc: A beautiful re-creation in HO scale of the Western Pacific RR in the Spring of 1938. The area of the WP modeled is along the Feather River including the Keddie Wye and a small logging area. The fidelity to prototype of the scenery has been praised by old WP employees, who readily recognize the scenes. An interesting touch is the many sound modules included in the many detailed scenes. The layout has been featured in Railroad Model Craftsman June 1996, July 2000, March 2011, Railmodel Journal May 2000, Model Railroader Sept. 2001 and Model Railroad Hobbyist May-June 2010

status code: (60) Offering Session(s)

scale: HO
prototype: WP
era: 1938
scenery: 100%
size: 16 x 20
mainline length: (main len)
plan type: (plan type)
ops scheme: (ops scheme)
control: NCE DCC
num ops: 4
accessibility: (2) Several steps and/or duck-under(s)
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: Y
owner url:
first name: Jim
last name: Dias
phone: (510) 793-0968
call time:
email: keddiekid333@gmail.com

street address: 5311 Surry Court
city: Newark
state: CA
post code: 94560
distance: 5

Fidelity to prototype: Full
Rigor: Purposeful
Documentation: High
Session pace: Sequence
Car forwarding: Switchlist
Tone: Disciplined
Dispatched by (primary): Verbal Authority
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications: Voice

Rick Fortin

layout name: ATSF 4th District
short desc: (short desc)
long desc: HO Scale proto-freelanced extension of the Santa Fe in the early 1970's from the San Francisco Bay Area to Portland; modeled portion runs from the Central Valley town of Chico to McCloud just south of Mt. Shasta in a purpose-built 30' x 49'room. Double deck point to point, mainline 85% complete with approx. 550 feet of track in place, permanent track is all hand laid. 30% sceniced. Dispatcher; interlocking tower; large yard with two switch crews and yardmaster/hostler; small yard with a full time switcher; heavy duty freight with some passenger; local switching; branchline. Wireless NCE DCC; FRS radios; Track Warrants; car cards and waybills. 46"duck under to enter layout during session.

status code: (60) Offering Session(s)

scale: HO
prototype: Santa Fe
era: Early 1970s, between SF Bay Area and Pacific Northwest
scenery: 30%
size: 1240 sq ft, 30ft x 49ft
mainline length: Approx 550ft
plan type: Double deck point-to-point walkaround w/penninsula
ops scheme: Track Warrants, Car Cards/Waybills
control: NCE DCC
num ops: 15
accessibility: (3) Average house (1-2 steps)
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: Y
owner url:
first name: Rick
last name: Fortin
phone: 408-266-7245
call time: 9:00am -- 9:00pm
email: rick@fortinweb.com

street address: 5305 Alan Ave
city: San Jose
state: CA
post code: 95124
distance: 25

Fidelity to prototype: Unknown
Rigor: Unknown
Documentation: Unknown
Session pace: Unknown
Car forwarding: Unknown
Tone: Unknown
Dispatched by (primary): TWC
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications: Unknown

Phil Gulley

layout name: Union Pacific and Summit County Railroads HO
short desc: (short desc)
long desc: (long desc)

status code: (40) Not available

scale: HO
prototype: Union Pacific
era: 1950s
scenery: (scenery)
size: (size)
mainline length: (main len)
plan type: Mushroom
ops scheme: TT&TO
control: NCE DCC
num ops: 8
accessibility: (1) Handicapped hostile
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: N
owner url:
first name: Phil
last name: Gulley
phone: 530 305 6112
call time:
email: phillipgulley60@gmail.com

street address: (address)
city: Auburn
state: CA
post code: (zip)
distance: 139

Fidelity to prototype:
Rigor:
Documentation:
Session pace:
Car forwarding: CC&WB
Tone:
Dispatched by (primary): TT&TO
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications: Telephone

Steve Hayes

layout name: Western Pacific
short desc: (short desc)
long desc: Layout covers from San Francisco to Salt Lake City with Reno and Tidewater branches. Fully signal with CTC. Computer generated waybill system. 1970 era. 4 large yards. 9 passing sidings. All diesel power. Includes prototypically correct scratch built models of the Oakland and Salt Lake depots (Salt Lake was featured in MR trackside photo section).

status code: (40) Not available

scale: HO
prototype: WP
era: (era)
scenery: 50%
size: 30 X 56
mainline length: (main len)
plan type: (plan type)
ops scheme: (ops scheme)
control: DCC/Stanton Dead Rail
num ops: 12
accessibility: (2) Several steps and/or duck-under(s)
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: N
owner url: steveswplayout.hayeswp.com/
first name: Steve
last name: Hayes
phone: (209) 536-1847
call time:
email: HAYESWP@hotmail.com

street address: 16241 Fleetwood Street
city: Sonora
state: CA
post code: (zip)
distance: 134

Fidelity to prototype: Full
Rigor: Purposeful
Documentation: Moderate
Session pace: Sequence
Car forwarding: JMRI Operati
Tone: Casual
Dispatched by (primary): TWC
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications: Telephone

Bill Horstmeyer

layout name: The Oregon I-5 Corridor
short desc: (short desc)
long desc: (long desc)

status code: (60) Offering Session(s)

scale: HO
prototype: SP
era: (era)
scenery: (scenery)
size: (size)
mainline length: (main len)
plan type: (plan type)
ops scheme: (ops scheme)
control: CVP Easy DCC
num ops: 8
accessibility: (1) Handicapped hostile
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: N
owner url: http://www.bayrails.com/layouts2.php?m=horstmeyer
first name: Bill
last name: Horstmeyer
phone: 415-971-1689
call time:
email: bhorstmeyer@comcast.net

street address: 76 Via La Cumbre
city: Greenbrae
state: CA
post code: 94904
distance: 48

Fidelity to prototype:
Rigor:
Documentation:
Session pace:
Car forwarding:
Tone:
Dispatched by (primary): TWC
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications:

Dave Houston

layout name: SP Rocklin Sub
short desc: (short desc)
long desc: This fully sceniced "Rocklin Subdivision" layout features a double deck design with reverse loop staging yards at both ends. Soundtraxx Tsunami sound decoders fill the room with realistic prime movers and SP light packages. The layout was designed both for operations and long passenger trains. The impressive passenger terminal is home to many western name trains. Focuses on the transition era. Dave's layout was featured in NMRA Magazine December 2010.

status code: (50) Offered as bonus session

scale: HO
prototype: SP LA & Central Valley, Sierras
era: 1950s
scenery: 100%
size: 55 X 14
mainline length: (main len)
plan type: (plan type)
ops scheme: (ops scheme)
control: Digitrax DCC
num ops: 8
accessibility: (1) Handicapped hostile
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: N
owner url:
first name: Dave
last name: Houston
phone: (916) 533-3135
call time:
email: daylightsales@gmail.com

street address: 4508 Scenic Drive
city: Rocklin
state: CA
post code: (zip)
distance: 128

Fidelity to prototype: Few Comp.
Rigor: Purposeful
Documentation: Moderate
Session pace: Sequence
Car forwarding: CC & WB
Tone: Disciplined
Dispatched by (primary): CTC
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications: Telephones

Bill Kaufman

layout name: State Belt RR
short desc: (short desc)
long desc: The State Belt ran for 100 years along piers and into warehouses of the San Francisco waterfront. Bill has taken important elements like a car float, interchange at King St. (where the Giants play today), street running, and switching areas under Telegraph Hill and built them into a 12' x 12' layout using interesting modular techniques. Operations follow the prototype State Belt with 2 crews each working their own division. The railroad is totally functional, and signature buildings like the Ferry Building and Merchants Ice and Cold Storage are being worked on. Control is Lenz DCC with wireless throttles. The State Belt was written up in the April 2007 Railroad Model Craftsman.

status code: (40) Not available

scale: HO
prototype: State Belt RR
era: 1944-45 along San Francisco Waterfront
scenery: 70%
size: 12x12
mainline length: (main len)
plan type: No Mainline and everything is in Yard Limits
ops scheme: Chief Clerk, CC&WB, and the B-7 car request that the Belt used
control: NCE-DCC
num ops: 5
accessibility: (4) No hazards
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: N
owner url: http://www.statebelt.org
first name: Bill
last name: Kaufman
phone: (415) 491-0543
call time:
email: bill@statebelt.org

street address: 32 Salvador Way
city: San Rafael
state: CA
post code: 94903
distance: 54

Fidelity to prototype: Full
Rigor: Adheres
Documentation: High
Session pace: Sequence
Car forwarding: Switchlist
Tone: Casual
Dispatched by (primary): Yard Limits
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications: Voice

Michael Leavell

layout name: CNW State Street Line
short desc: Small Layout
long desc: (long desc)

status code: (60) Offering Session(s)

scale: N
prototype: Chicago & Northwestern
era: 1950
scenery: 20
size: 120
mainline length: 40 Ft
plan type: Around the Walls
ops scheme: (ops scheme)
control: Digitrax
num ops: 5
accessibility: (1) Handicapped hostile
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: N
owner url:
first name: Michael
last name: Leavell
phone: 510 890 5776
call time: 9:30
email: michael@championville.0rg

street address: 1608 Northshore Dr.
city: Richmond
state: CA
post code: 94804
distance: 38

Fidelity to prototype: High
Rigor:
Documentation:
Session pace: 6 to 1 fast clock
Car forwarding: Car Cards
Tone:
Dispatched by (primary): Verbal Authority
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications:

Clif Linton

layout name: B&OCT
short desc: Baltimore and Ohio Chicago Terminal
long desc: Lots of switching action on the terminal railroad! The prototype served over 500 industries around Chicago and saw heavy traffic. Clif has modeled key portions including Robey Yard and several towers in an around the walls design in a detached garage.

status code: (40) Not available

scale: N
prototype: B&OCT
era: 60s-70s
scenery: minimal
size: 20x16
mainline length: 100'
plan type: Around the Walls
ops scheme: Tower, 251
control: Digitrax DCC
num ops: 8
accessibility: (3) Average house (1-2 steps)
wheelchair access: Y
duckunder entry: N
owner url:
first name: Clif
last name: Linton
phone: 510-415-1573
call time:
email: linton122@gmail.com

street address: 2810 Van Buren St
city: Alameda
state: CA
post code: (zip)
distance: 23

Fidelity to prototype: Pretty close
Rigor: relaxed
Documentation: developing
Session pace: relaxed
Car forwarding: CC&WB
Tone:
Dispatched by (primary): Tower, 251
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications:

Dave Loveless

layout name: The SP Coast Division Monterey Branch
short desc: The SP Coast Division Monterey Branch
long desc: The R&D Railroad models the Southern Pacific Coast Division in 1954. The modeled portion includes the main classification yard at Watsonville Junction, and switching at the towns of Castroville and Gilroy, and the sidings of Sargent and Elkhorn. In addition, the Monterey branch, an abbreviated second deck connecting to the main line at Castroville, has switching jobs at Fort Ord, Monterey/Cannery Row, and Pacific Grove. It is a single deck, twice around design in a 12' x 30' room, and supports a crew of 7. Trains to and from Salinas and San Jose are sourced and sunk via a double ended staging yard. A key feature is that the layout requires little or no re-staging between sessions. As for trains, there are four Watsonville based local turns, east and west through freights, passenger trains, a surprisingly-fun-to-run sand train, and a reefer local. As envisioned by the owner, the R&D was built as a laboratory to learn about operations and layout design. To bring the layout to its present form, many ideas from post op-session discussions have been incorporated into the layout as experiments. The good ideas were refined, and the bad ideas were abandoned. As such, it has undergone many changes over the past three years and more than 65 op-sessions. These changes have been mostly in track arrangements, operating system, and rules. The R&D has now reached "maturity", in so much as the lessons learned from the R&D 2.0 are being applied to the design and construction of a new layout and an outbuilding to house it.

The layout is NCE DCC controlled with wireless throttles, and hand thrown turnouts. While scenery has not been a focus of the R&D experiments, 35% of the layout is sceniced. Dispatching is done using Track Warrants via FRS radios. Concise documentation of all train operations is provided to assist operators in stepping into a new job.

This layout is offered as bonus session on Wednesday, March 13, at 2:00 PM. It is a little over an hour from the hotel so you can make it if you arrive at the hotel by 12:30 and is ideal if you are driving in from Southern California.

status code: (60) Offering Session(s)

scale: HO
prototype: Southern Pacific
era: 1941
scenery: 30%
size: 600 sq ft
mainline length: (main len)
plan type: (plan type)
ops scheme: TT&TO
control: NCE DCC
num ops: 9
accessibility: (4) No hazards
wheelchair access: Y
duckunder entry: Y
owner url: http://bayrails.com/layouts2.php?m=loveless
first name: Dave
last name: Loveless
phone: 831-722-9893
call time: 2:00 PM
email: mikadodave@gmail.com

street address: 445 Carlton Rd
city: Watsonville
state: CA
post code: 95076-8657
distance: 65

Fidelity to prototype: high
Rigor: moderate
Documentation: complete
Session pace: relaxed
Car forwarding: CC&WB
Tone:
Dispatched by (primary): TWC
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications: Telephone

Don Marenzi

layout name: Copper Pass & Western
short desc: (short desc)
long desc: Based on a route in Alaska that was proposed and surveyed, but never built. The route runs north from port facilities on the Pacific Ocean to the Yukon River. The principle traffic consists of copper, zinc, coal, and forest products. Entry to the layout requires negotiating 3 steps and a 50" high by 20" wide nod-under, so not wheelchair accessible. All aisles 36" or more once inside layout room. Track is 95% complete, scenery 25%

status code: (60) Offering Session(s)

scale: HO
prototype: Freelance
era: 1976 Alaska
scenery: 25%
size: 19x22
mainline length: 310 feet
plan type: Double deck, around the walls with peninsula, helix
ops scheme: TWC, point to point, hidden staging at each end
control: Easy DCC
num ops: 8
accessibility: (2) Several steps and/or duck-under(s)
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: Y
owner url:
first name: Don
last name: Marenzi
phone: 510 794-3469
call time:
email: DonMarenzi@aol.com

street address: 8055 Par Court
city: Newark
state: CA
post code: 94560
distance: 7

Fidelity to prototype: Evoke Era
Rigor: Purposeful
Documentation: High
Session pace: Sequence
Car forwarding: CC & WB
Tone: Casual
Dispatched by (primary): TT&TO
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications: FRS

Ed Merrin

layout name: Northwestern Pacific (NWP)
short desc: (short desc)
long desc: Layout is a depiction of the NWP running through Sonoma and Mendocino counties about 1958. It is double decked, connected by helix, with staging yards on a third level underneath. It is designed to be operated in a prototypical fashion, with trains and scheduling based on a prototype timetable. Most motive power are SD7s as per the real NWP of the time. Scenery is about half finished, with painted backdrops and blue foam covered with drywall "mud" and Sculptamold. Power is through a Lenz DCC system. A number of the locomotives are sound equipped.

status code: (60) Offering Session(s)

scale: HO
prototype: Northwestern Pacific
era: 1958/Northern California
scenery: 50%
size: 12 x 17
mainline length: (main len)
plan type: Two level, point to point with continuous running option
ops scheme: Timetable, train orders, fast clock.
control: Lenz DCC
num ops: 10
accessibility: (3) Average house (1-2 steps)
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: N
owner url:
first name: Ed
last name: Merrin
phone: (707) 799 3734
call time: Evenings
email: edmerrin@comcast.net

street address: 2115 E. Foothill Dr
city: Santa Rosa
state: CA
post code: 95404
distance: 87

Fidelity to prototype: Few Comp.
Rigor: Adheres
Documentation: High
Session pace: Fast Clock
Car forwarding: CC & WB
Tone: Casual
Dispatched by (primary): TT&TO
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications: Voice

Seth Neumann

layout name: UP Oakland Sub
short desc: (short desc)
long desc: The layout is set in the East Bay Area in 1999. The railroad represents the former Western Pacific San Jose and 1st Subdivisions, now the UP Niles, Oakland and Milpitas Subdivisions. The railroad is a branchline which supports an Auto plant (NUMMI) and a number of smaller industries.

Dispatching is by TCS (using CATS) which replicates a Digicon console. All signals are repeated on color lite signals above the layout. A unique feature of the layout is that there is no yardmaster, only a Clerk. This is because the prototype Milpitas Yard has no permanent switcher. The clerk is responsible for managing the yard and the neighboring NUMMI complex, writing switchlists to instruct the crews where to place cars. All crews do their own work when passing through the yard. The layout is about 95% sceniced.

status code: (60) Offering Session(s)

scale: HO
prototype: Union Pacific
era: Spring 1999, East Bay
scenery: 95%
size: 12' x 35'
mainline length: 120 foot visible
plan type: Folded dogbone with staging
ops scheme: dispaching is CTC, car forwarding with clerk and switch lists
control: NCE DCC
num ops: 8
accessibility: (3) Average house (1-2 steps)
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: N
owner url: http://www.bayrails.com/layouts2.php?m=neumann
first name: Seth
last name: Neumann
phone: 650-965-4687
call time:
email: sneumann@pacbell.net

street address: 2712 Katrina Way
city: Mountain View
state: CA
post code: 94040
distance: 19

Fidelity to prototype: Few Comp.
Rigor: Adheres
Documentation: High
Session pace: Fast Clock
Car forwarding: Switchlist
Tone: Disciplined
Dispatched by (primary): CTC
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications: FRS

Bob Osborn

layout name: Chicago and Mackinac
short desc: Grand Rapids Inudstrial Switching District
long desc: (long desc)

status code: (50) Offered as bonus session

scale: HO
prototype: Loosely PRR
era: 1960s
scenery: 50%
size: 10 x 20
mainline length: (main len)
plan type: (plan type)
ops scheme: (ops scheme)
control: Easy DCC
num ops: 4
accessibility: (1) Handicapped hostile
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: N
owner url: http://www.bayrails.com/layouts2.php?m=osborn
first name: Bob
last name: Osborn
phone: 9255196016
call time:
email: bob@cmrailroad.com

street address: 424 Western Hills Drive
city: Rio Vista
state: CA
post code: 94571
distance: 75

Fidelity to prototype:
Rigor:
Documentation:
Session pace:
Car forwarding:
Tone:
Dispatched by (primary): Verbal Authority
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications:

Jim Providenza

layout name: Santa Cruz Northern
short desc: (short desc)
long desc: Jim's Santa Cruz Northern is a point to point, double deck, walk around style layout that shares a two car garage with a compact car. The SCN is single track with about 240 feet of mainline, of which 45 feet is in a three level helix. The maximum grade is 2.25%; minimum mainline radius is 26.5". The SCN is a jointly owned Western Pacific/Santa Fe subsidiary, running from a connection with the WP in San Jose California south to Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast. As such it shares many of the characteristics of similar lines in the area such as the Central California Traction Company or the Northwestern Pacific. Five major sidings have been extended to average 15 feet in length. All of the visible mainline and most of the switches are hand laid. Set in the early 1970's, motive power is either second hand or leased, quite often from the parent roads. Traffic has traditionally centered around industrial products in San Jose, agricultural products from the Santa Clara Valley and wood products and cement from the Santa Cruz Mountains. The layout has appeared in numerous model railroad magazines most recently in the March 2010 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman.

status code: (60) Offering Session(s)

scale: HO
prototype: WP / ATSF
era: 1971
scenery: 95%
size: 21 X 22
mainline length: 240 feet
plan type: Double Deck walk around
ops scheme: Time Table and Train Orders, Car Card /Waybill and Switch lists
control: NCE DCC
num ops: 12
accessibility: (4) No hazards
wheelchair access: Y
duckunder entry: N
owner url:
first name: Jim
last name: Providenza
phone: (415) 472-6715
call time: evenings
email: jimprovidenza@yahoo.com

street address: 16 Drakes Cove
city: San Rafael
state: CA
post code: 94903
distance: 51

Fidelity to prototype: Few Comp.
Rigor: Adheres
Documentation: High
Session pace: Fast Clock
Car forwarding: Switchlist
Tone: Disciplined
Dispatched by (primary): TT&TO
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications: Telephone

Jim Radkey

layout name: BNSF Pink Lady Sub
short desc: (short desc)
long desc: The BNSF Pink Lady Subdivision is the born again connection between Boise ID and Sacramento CA. Known for its unusual pink color of the earth you find when you dig a hole This route was inherited by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) from mergers (Take Overs) of Burlington Northern (BN) and (Fire sale) of the Great Northern (GN). BN was planning to abandon the route and sell the track to a scrapper when the discovery of Pink Unobtainium (PU) was made in 1975. Well they changed their minds! The actual BNSF PLSD is a HO scale, freelance mountain railroad that occupies a 21 by 25 foot California basement (a garage) and was designed with operations in mind. The track work is code 83 flex track laid on cork, pink foam and plywood. The layout is controlled by NCE DCC and wireless throttles. There are 5 decks, (3 are staging) of track work that flows around the room in what John Armstrong refers to as a, spiral peninsula scheme. The track work starts and ends in big looped staging areas. The mainline run is about 300 ft. There is 3 long double track/passing sidings, a ten track yard, a two turn helix, and a branch line. There are 4 towns and 40 industries; including the Pink Lady Mine, 2 grain elevators, 4 large industries and numerous smaller industries. The mainline has 30 inch or greater radius curves, 2.5% or less grades, and all turnouts are controlled by switch machines. Currently the layout has about 20 percent of the scenery in place. (I’m working on it) Crew Positions 1 Dispatcher, 1 footboard yardmaster 2 yard crew, 10 Hoggers. During an operating session the train lineup includes locals, drag freights, through traffic and extras as required. We usually run 10 to 15 trains during a session. There is enough operating for 14 operators. Car movements are generated by car cards. Train movement is by Track Warrant Control (TWC). Communications is by two-way radios. Operations are meant to be purposeful but relaxed. If you are not having fun I have not been successful.

status code: (60) Offering Session(s)

scale: HO
prototype: (proto)
era: 1995
scenery: 15%
size: 525 sq ft
mainline length: (main len)
plan type: (plan type)
ops scheme: (ops scheme)
control: NCE DCC
num ops: 13
accessibility: (4) No hazards
wheelchair access: Y
duckunder entry: N
owner url:
first name: Jim
last name: Radkey
phone: 510-207-7197
call time:
email: sscotty@att.net

street address: 1331 Marin
city: Albany
state: CA
post code: (zip)
distance: 35

Fidelity to prototype: Evoke Era
Rigor: Purposeful
Documentation: Moderate
Session pace: Sequence
Car forwarding: CC & WB
Tone: Casual
Dispatched by (primary): TWC
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications: FRS

Jon Schmidt

layout name: Nicasio Northern Railway
short desc: North Bay Shortline inspired by the NWP
long desc: The Nicasio Northern is an HO-scale model railroad. It is designed for TT&TO operation with switchlists. It runs only steam, with Soundtraxx sound in the locomotives and Digitrax DCC for control. Track is complete and operational. The layout has a peninsula in the center of the 12 x 21 foot space, and the rest of the track runs around perimeter of the room. Bayside yards and the engine terminal are on the peninsula. It has 28” aisles. It is NOT disabled accessible (stairs).

status code: (60) Offering Session(s)

scale: HO
prototype: loosely follows the Northwestern Pacific
era: 1924
scenery: Some
size: 12x21
mainline length: 100
plan type: Around the walls
ops scheme: TT&TO
control: Digitrax DCC
num ops: 5
accessibility: (2) Several steps and/or duck-under(s)
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: N
owner url: www.trxndesign.com/NNRwy
first name: Jon
last name: Schmidt
phone: 415-342-1097
call time:
email: jontenor@gmail.com

street address: 542 San Pedro Cove
city: San Rafael
state: CA
post code: 94901
distance: 50

Fidelity to prototype: Prototype In
Rigor: prototype in
Documentation: Good
Session pace: relaxed
Car forwarding: Switchlists
Tone:
Dispatched by (primary): TT&TO
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications: Radio

Andy Schnur

layout name: C&O Alleghany Subdivision
short desc: (short desc)
long desc: Main line extends from Alleghany, Virginia to Prince, West Virginia with staging representing Clifton Forge, VA and Handley, WVA. There is a branch line off the main at Prince leading to the town of Raleigh, WVA with three coal mines to work and some industries in the town of Raleigh. Mainline industries include a large power plant, limestone quarry, produce distibuter, lumber mill, lumber yard, and coal dealer. Most online towns have a freight station to work. 5 passenger trains operate during a session as well. Operating sessions, when I have them, last 5 hours with a meal break in the middle.

status code: (60) Offering Session(s)

scale: HO
prototype: C&O
era: Summer 1947
scenery: 90%
size: 22' x 48'
mainline length: 5 scale miles
plan type: Walk-around, loop to loop staging
ops scheme: Run Trains on quasi C&O schedule for the day shift
control: NCE DCC
num ops: 9
accessibility: (3) Average house (1-2 steps)
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: N
owner url:
first name: Andy
last name: Schnur
phone: (925) 283-4476
call time: Morning (9:01am -- 11:59am)
email: Schnurae@netzero.com

street address: 853 Solana Drive
city: Lafayette
state: CA
post code: 94549
distance: 40

Fidelity to prototype: Unknown
Rigor: Unknown
Documentation: Unknown
Session pace: Unknown
Car forwarding: Unknown
Tone: Unknown
Dispatched by (primary): TT&TO
Dispatched by (secondary): 251
Communications: Unknown

(first name) Silicon Valley Club

layout name: Silicon Valley Lines
short desc: (short desc)
long desc: Founded in 1979, Silicon Valley Lines (SVL) is a freelance HO Scale Model Railroad Club located in San Jose, California. Construction of the current layout began in late 2000 and is located in the basement of an industrial building near downtown San Jose. The railroad occupies a 23' x 72' space, and is a multi-level design built using commercial steel C-channel as a benchwork system with over 600 feet of mainline. The upper level is a single-track division, while much of the lower level is double tracked. The layout features two large operating yards, as a well as ample hidden, yet accessible staging.

We operate using NCE DCC, and utilize Direct Traffic Control (DTC) operating rules.

status code: (60) Offering Session(s)

scale: HO
prototype: freelance
era: freelance
scenery: 50%
size: 72'x23'
mainline length: >600 feet
plan type: Multi-deck around the walls
ops scheme: DTC
control: NCE DCC
num ops: 10
accessibility: (4) No hazards
wheelchair access: Y
duckunder entry: N
owner url: http://www.siliconvalleylines.com
first name: (first name)
last name: Silicon Valley Club
phone: 408-203-6910
call time: Afternoon (12:01pm -- 5:59pm)
email: svl@siliconvalleylines.com

street address: 148 E. Virginia Street
city: San Jose
state: CA
post code: 95112
distance: 18

Fidelity to prototype: Evoke Era
Rigor: Purposeful
Documentation: Moderate
Session pace: Sequence
Car forwarding: Computer
Tone: Disciplined
Dispatched by (primary): DTC
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications: FRS

Ernie Simard

layout name: Western Pacific
short desc: Western Pacific in the late 60s
long desc: (long desc)

status code: (40) Not available

scale: HO
prototype: Western Pacific 2nd and 3rd Subdivisions
era: 1960s
scenery: 70%
size: 20 x 20
mainline length: 200'
plan type: walk around with a few duck unders
ops scheme: CTC
control: Digitrax DCC
num ops: 8
accessibility: (1) Handicapped hostile
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: N
owner url:
first name: Ernie
last name: Simard
phone: 707-762-9163
call time:
email: esimard@yahoo.com

street address: 1920 Turtle Creek Parkway
city: Petaluma
state: CA
post code: 94954
distance: 71

Fidelity to prototype: high
Rigor:
Documentation: good
Session pace:
Car forwarding: Switchlists
Tone: relaxed
Dispatched by (primary): CTC
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications:

Dave Stanley

layout name: Morada Belt
short desc: Western Themed Freelance Railroad
long desc: (long desc)

status code: (50) Offered as bonus session

scale: HO
prototype: WP, SP, UP
era: 1970s
scenery: 70%
size: 20 x 20
mainline length: (main len)
plan type: Around the walls with Peninsula
ops scheme: (ops scheme)
control: Easy DCC
num ops: 6
accessibility: (1) Handicapped hostile
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: N
owner url: http://www.bayrails.com/layouts2.php?m=stanley
first name: Dave
last name: Stanley
phone: 209 985 8928
call time:
email: rrfreek@gmail.com

street address: 4619 Ridgewood Ct
city: Morada
state: CA
post code: 95212
distance: 70

Fidelity to prototype:
Rigor:
Documentation:
Session pace: Intense
Car forwarding:
Tone:
Dispatched by (primary): TWC
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications:

Ted Stephens

layout name: Ohio and Little Kanawha
short desc: Freelanced C&O in West Virginia
long desc: Freelanced C&O in West Virginia

status code: (40) Not available

scale: HO
prototype: C&O Inspired
era: (era)
scenery: 90%
size: 12 x 50
mainline length: (main len)
plan type: (plan type)
ops scheme: (ops scheme)
control: NCE-DCC
num ops: 5
accessibility: (1) Handicapped hostile
wheelchair access: Y
duckunder entry: N
owner url: http://bayrails.com/layouts2.php?m=stephens
first name: Ted
last name: Stephens
phone: 650 248 9255
call time:
email: egirbovan@netzero.com

street address: 897 Independence #3D
city: Mountain View
state: CA
post code: 94043
distance: 17

Fidelity to prototype:
Rigor:
Documentation:
Session pace:
Car forwarding:
Tone:
Dispatched by (primary): Verbal/phones
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications:

Tony Thompson

layout name: SP Santa Rosalia Branch
short desc: SP on California Coast in the 1950s
long desc: offered as 2-fer with Bob Osborn's Chicago and Mackinac

status code: (60) Offering Session(s)

scale: HO
prototype: Freelance branch of the SP: think Santa Maria, Guadalupe
era: 1952
scenery: (scenery)
size: 18 x 18
mainline length: (main len)
plan type: Island
ops scheme: (ops scheme)
control: NCE DCC
num ops: 4
accessibility: (1) Handicapped hostile
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: N
owner url: http://bayrails.com/layouts2.php?m=thompson
first name: Tony
last name: Thompson
phone: 510 637 9960
call time:
email: tony@signaturepress.com

street address: 2906 Forest Av
city: Berkeley
state: CA
post code: 94705
distance: 33

Fidelity to prototype: high
Rigor: high
Documentation:
Session pace:
Car forwarding:
Tone:
Dispatched by (primary): TT&TO
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications:

Steve VanMeter

layout name: South West Pacific Railway
short desc: (short desc)
long desc: (long desc)

status code: (60) Offering Session(s)

scale: N
prototype: Freelance, follows WP
era: (era)
scenery: 100%
size: 27 X 44
mainline length: (main len)
plan type: (plan type)
ops scheme: (ops scheme)
control: NCE DCC
num ops: 10
accessibility: (1) Handicapped hostile
wheelchair access: Y
duckunder entry: N
owner url:
first name: Steve
last name: VanMeter
phone: 510 521 7557
call time:
email: steve@suredude.net

street address: 1352 Bay Street
city: Alameda
state: CA
post code: (zip)
distance: 25

Fidelity to prototype: Evoke Era
Rigor: Purposeful
Documentation: High
Session pace: Sequence
Car forwarding: CC&WB
Tone: Casual
Dispatched by (primary): Verbal Authority
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications: FRS Radio

Paul Weiss

layout name: Central Vermont in Northern California
short desc: Central Vermont in Northern California
long desc: Single Track New England Railroading in the 1950s! The CVinNC is a prototypical recreation of the Central Vermont Railroad from CV Pier in New London to Palmer, Mass. The CVinNC is built in a converted 1600 sq ft industrial building adjacent to the former Northwestern Pacific (now SMART) tracks in Novato. This is a new layout with little scenery as yet.

status code: (60) Offering Session(s)

scale: HO
prototype: Central Vermont
era: Mid 1950s
scenery: minimal as yet
size: 40 x 40
mainline length: 500'
plan type: Mushroom
ops scheme: New England low density mainline
control: NCE DCC
num ops: 13
accessibility: (1) Handicapped hostile
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: N
owner url: http://bayrails.com/layouts2.php?m=weiss
first name: Paul
last name: Weiss
phone: 415-497-5590
call time:
email: Paulbweiss@mac.com

street address: 815 Olive Dr.
city: Novato
state: CA
post code: 94945
distance: 59

Fidelity to prototype: High
Rigor: Medium
Documentation: Extensive
Session pace: relaxed
Car forwarding: JMRI Ops
Tone:
Dispatched by (primary): TT&TO
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications: Telephones

John Zach

layout name: Sierra Railroad
short desc: (short desc)
long desc: Multi - deck layout with over 10 scale miles of Sierra Railroad mainline trackage plus Interchanges with SP and ATSF in Oakdale, Pickering Lumber Co at Standard, WSLCo in Tuolumne and the Hetch Hetchy RR at Hetch Hetchy Jct. Prototypical operations based on 1955 prototype. Base scenery is about 90% done with some finished scenery. Most structures are in place. Layout designed for operations.

status code: (50) Offered as bonus session

scale: HO HOn3
prototype: Sierra Railroad
era: 1955
scenery: 66%
size: 22 X 65
mainline length: over 10 scale miles - single track
plan type: around the walls - multi deck- one giant helix
ops scheme: Track Warrants
control: Easy DCC
num ops: 13
accessibility: (2) Several steps and/or duck-under(s)
wheelchair access: N
duckunder entry: N
owner url: http://www.sierrarailroad55.com
first name: John
last name: Zach
phone: (209) 625-5609
call time: 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
email: jzach@hrblock.com

street address: 17921 Bononza Dr.
city: Twain Harte
state: CA
post code: 95383
distance: 121

Fidelity to prototype: Full
Rigor: Purposeful
Documentation: High
Session pace: Fast Clock
Car forwarding: JMRI Operati
Tone: Casual
Dispatched by (primary): verbal authority
Dispatched by (secondary):
Communications: Radio