Beautiful layout. Loved the guy being thrown through the glass, the Petticoat junction water tower and the dam project. Your attention to detail is admirable.
Great modeling, and so very authentic. My folks took me to SRR country when I was a kid in early ‘60’s. The Jamestown yard structures are recreated very authentically. A 2-8-0 (#24, I think) was parked near the open sheds. My favorite book which inspired me, was “The Sierra Railway,” by Dorothy Newell Dean, Howell North publisher. Thanks Mr. Sutherland for bringing back good memories through your modeling efforts.
One of the most interesting layouts I've seen on UA-cam - the attention to authenticity is superb and the work involved in creating all these different levels should win a Nobel Prize in modeling! You could charge admission to this place if you haven't already.
Wonderful. My dad and I hiked the branch before the reservoir flooded the area. Found the old turntable at angels camp plus some freight buildings along the right if wat that had become homes
I lived up in the area for many years. 1962 my dad and I built a cabin in Cold springs I spent many weekends and every vacation from school there. 1996 my wife and I moved to Twain Harte and only move from there to Washington state Oct 2020. I My wife's dad worked for Western Pacific on the Zephier. I have been to the Jamestown railroad museum many time and donated a large 1800s drill press. I really enjoyed your video thanks for making it.
Dear Sir, I won't mince my words with you at all. Initially your video came up in my "you might also like" section, but i passed it by, the today it came up again, so being bored i watched it and almost quit it about 1/2 way thru.but i stayed and was taken by the laundry story and then WOWED by your rock plant factory just based off of 2-pics, GREAT JOB !!
Fantastic job! So many interesting areas modeled. Love the long stretches of open running between the areas and the cut away detail projects. The steep grades are very cool.
I very much enjoyed your video. Modeling a existing or once-existing prototype as authentically as practical is certainly a challenge. It appears that you have certainly done justice to your model of the fascinating Sierra Railroad. It is a work of art; your scratch-built buildings are exquisite. Thank you for producing and sharing this very interesting and informative video.
Very Impressive.. I lived near a Place calld the Train Barn .. It was an older wooden Hip Roof Barn on Austin Lake between Vicksburg and Portage MI .. I was aware it was there .. The owner had model RR's set up but also was a store for RR equiptment.. The Barn is still there but the Owner retired and has since passed away .. Such a Tragidy to be near something like that and never go to see.. I am talking 3 miles from where I live.. Don't ever recall hearing any advertising .. but I knew it existed..
The real story about Gus getting knocked off the engine was that he was squatting over the edge of the tender sill in the gangway "taking a s#!t", and his overalls got caught on a cattle guard. I laughed so hard when my friend told me that! He was a kid when he went to work for the Sierra Railroad in the 70's and heard a lot of great (and inappropriate) stories from the old-timers.
Another one of those "Urban Legends" truth will never be known. While makes for a good tale is all but impossible to have happened based on the distance from the track the cattle guard was placed, The Late Al Rose who was a very avid fan of the Sierra in the 30s and forties related to me during one of our monthly lunches that Gus had too much pride in his engine and personal appearance to ever hang it all out so to speak. Plus he knew the line better than any other engineer so unlikely a "Cattle Guard" could have snuck up om him.
@@RoundhouseRat Jim Baker was fireman for Gus Swanson on the Angels Branch for the several years and relayed the story to Steve Torrico when he hired on for Sierra. Steve spent a lot of time with the "old folks" and noted that he had visited Jim's place several times and confirmed a lot of the stories told in the Deane book on the Sierra. I suppose it's possible Jim could have forgotten or exaggerated things over time. Like you said, some things are hard to know for sure.
Grew up in Oakdale and have always been into modeling and model railroading majority of my life I can't say this enough of just the appreciation seeing this an modeled so close to home I have very few words but envy you for all the work, an time, and passion that took to build this! Absolutely great video and amazing layout. Didn't know most of what I just learned about the Sierra RXR till watching this. Was wondering if you had anything along the the lines of a club or op. sessions etc? Or maybe an open house gathering get together by chance? Another note would be what had caught my eye from the beginning of the video was the short line with "Atlas" on the layout map. Well my dads half of my family now almost 4 generations owned and raised up have lived on well what is the last marked parcel of property on Atlas Road in Oakdale. Grew up down there with many of memories all right along the Stanislaus River! About 2-3 years back I was walking around on what's mostly fairly flat ground as so many years have layered up on what looked like a mini piece of Rail Road rail " about 1" 1.5" wide possibly only what I could see protruding through the hard ground was maybe 3" or 4" long maybe a short line or half size RXR?" but wasn't just a piece randomly dropped rail a long time ago it definitely was alot longer only the rest was buried. Didn't think much of it at the time not till now I have no doubt in my mind after the video that thier was in fact a RXR which ran right through my familys land that was just cool to know and obviously they left lengths of track if not all of it out thier by the looks of the time line could be just short of if not during the beginning of time my great grandfather acquired an began owning the property on Atlas. All just too cool thank you for sharing this. - Michael
Sierra got cars from all over the country. The West Side & Pickering Lumber Companies were renowned for the tracts of virgin Sugar Pine lumber that they milled, so Sierra got boxcars from all around the U.S. Pere Marquette, Pennsylvania, New York Central, Illinois Central, the Nickel Plate Road, and especially the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe railroads.
I noticed that myself. The DL&W prided itself on its clean-burning anthracite coal. I have to wonder how sooty that car might have gotten before it returned to its home road.
Sir, you mention Hank Johnston who was also known as an accomplished model railroader. I have a well worn copy of the April 1967 Model Railroader which features his Bullfrog Logging Co.. It was a nicely done little pike but it is a bit of a shame that most of the pictures are in black & white. Great layout, Mr. Sutherland; I especially like your recreation of the dam-building site. I grew up in Port Deposit, MD, a small historical town on the Susquehanna River. Up the river a few miles is located the Conowingo Hydroelectric Facility built between 1926 and 1928. It was quite a construction project that flooded the old town of Conowingo, MD under over 100 feet of resevoir water and changed the entire topography of the river. The importance of this facility is not only its production of electric power but in that it is a "black start" facility which means that, if the power grid goes down, it can be used to jump start the grid because it is the only plant that can do it.
Appreciate the time and effort put into this brilliant layout. Thank you for showing this piece of history and the building of the dam. The trestle bridges and buildings are super. Great video.
An Absolute Stunning; Historically-Based Layout That Given The Number Of Scratch-Built Structures; Shows Sincere and Dedicated Commitment. However; May I Humbly Suggest That Attention Be Given To Programing Of The Loco-Running CV's To Improve Their Performance To Complement The High Detail Of The Layout. Best Regards / John
Beautiful layout replicating a historical railway..... Liking the original historical photographs. // The only weird thing is how at times the trains seem herky-jerky. It's real obvious at 23:15. Maybe it's not the trains... but could be the recording camera. Or maybe it's YTube streaming, or my internet here. Dunno.
very detailed layout. could spend a great deal of time just looking around. a couple water towers on the layout, so I would have to stay away from the controls.
I love the layout and will look very realistic if the scene: homes, factories trains will have some weathering techniques so do not look "toy like" Other than that great job 👏
I open videos to see like maybe a train layout with scenery and all you see is someone talking about trains. It's not you because every video I open is the same thing. You expect to see an awsome layout and you sit watching somebody talk about trains. Jeez
Phantastic, love them tyco cars being used with the live loads. Superb watch…
Beautiful layout. Loved the guy being thrown through the glass, the Petticoat junction water tower and the dam project. Your attention to detail is admirable.
Great modeling, and so very authentic. My folks took me to SRR country when I was a kid in early ‘60’s. The Jamestown yard structures are recreated very authentically. A 2-8-0 (#24, I think) was parked near the open sheds. My favorite book which inspired me, was “The Sierra Railway,” by Dorothy Newell Dean, Howell North publisher. Thanks Mr. Sutherland for bringing back good memories through your modeling efforts.
Very nice work, indeed! Those switchbacks are amazing. Thanks for sharing. Greetings from Jamestown NY.
Fantastic detail and operational concept. The surprise of working gravel cars is a wonderful addition to your layout. Thank you for sharing!!!!!
One of the most interesting layouts I've seen on UA-cam - the attention to authenticity is superb and the work involved in creating all these different levels should win a Nobel Prize in modeling! You could charge admission to this place if you haven't already.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Once again, amazing presentation. Thank you for the peek at a great railroad!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Wonderful. My dad and I hiked the branch before the reservoir flooded the area. Found the old turntable at angels camp plus some freight buildings along the right if wat that had become homes
Great layout, looks like fun to operate.
Great vintage to model, informative video
Cool layout and history
A job well done!
I lived up in the area for many years. 1962 my dad and I built a cabin in Cold springs I spent many weekends and every vacation from school there. 1996 my wife and I moved to Twain Harte and only move from there to Washington state Oct 2020. I My wife's dad worked for Western Pacific on the Zephier. I have been to the Jamestown railroad museum many time and donated a large 1800s drill press. I really enjoyed your video thanks for making it.
Outstanding!! You should be very proud of it!!
Dear Sir, I won't mince my words with you at all. Initially your video came up in my "you might also like" section, but i passed it by, the today it came up again, so being bored i watched it and almost quit it about 1/2 way thru.but i stayed and was taken by the laundry story and then WOWED by your rock plant factory just based off of 2-pics, GREAT JOB !!
AWESOME GREAT WORK 🙂
Fantastic job! So many interesting areas modeled. Love the long stretches of open running between the areas and the cut away detail projects. The steep grades are very cool.
Very nice to see a Gorre & Daphetid car.
WHAT A FABULOUS LAYOUT!!! i really enjoyed the detailed history of the Sierra Railroad....
Glad you enjoyed it!
Very nice layout
This is a really wonderful layout. There was not one minute wasted here in this video. Wunderful explanations and adaptation of the historic line.
I like the live load aspect on the gravel pit.
A superb layout! A historical treasure as well as an example of great skill and workmanship. Kudos to Mr. Sutherland. I really enjoyed the tour.
Most impressive.
Enjoyed that one, I took my brother to the museum in 18.
Great layout and loved the history. The dam project is very realistic I rewound several times as it's fascinating.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Saalute to "Petticoat Junction" at 7:55
Nice work with great attention to historical references and operational realism.
Absolutely beautiful, very nice scratch builds and hi level of detail. Thank you for sharing.
I very much enjoyed your video. Modeling a existing or once-existing prototype as authentically as practical is certainly a challenge. It appears that you have certainly done justice to your model of the fascinating Sierra Railroad. It is a work of art; your scratch-built buildings are exquisite. Thank you for producing and sharing this very interesting and informative video.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for sharing. Got several chances to see your earlier Railroad. Great video.
Glenn, I sure miss California, and our Daylight Division forays to the western slope of the Sierra Nevada.
This layout is amazing I wish I had the space for something like this
Love the prototypical operation. That makes the whole story so fun!
Awesome layout!
Excellent layout well built well researched!
Great train layout .🏆🚂
Very Nicely Done Well Detailed love it.
Congratulations, amazing job! it’s an inspiration to me. Thank you so much.
Fabulous job done on your layout and a great watch I really enjoyed it thank you 😎🙏
Great video of an absolutely wonderful, realistic model railroad. Thanks for sharing!
Very Impressive.. I lived near a Place calld the Train Barn .. It was an older wooden Hip Roof Barn on Austin Lake between Vicksburg and Portage MI .. I was aware it was there .. The owner had model RR's set up but also was a store for RR equiptment.. The Barn is still there but the Owner retired and has since passed away .. Such a Tragidy to be near something like that and never go to see.. I am talking 3 miles from where I live.. Don't ever recall hearing any advertising .. but I knew it existed..
The real story about Gus getting knocked off the engine was that he was squatting over the edge of the tender sill in the gangway "taking a s#!t", and his overalls got caught on a cattle guard. I laughed so hard when my friend told me that! He was a kid when he went to work for the Sierra Railroad in the 70's and heard a lot of great (and inappropriate) stories from the old-timers.
Another one of those "Urban Legends" truth will never be known. While makes for a good tale is all but impossible to have happened based on the distance from the track the cattle guard was placed, The Late Al Rose who was a very avid fan of the Sierra in the 30s and forties related to me during one of our monthly lunches that Gus had too much pride in his engine and personal appearance to ever hang it all out so to speak. Plus he knew the line better than any other engineer so unlikely a "Cattle Guard" could have snuck up om him.
@@RoundhouseRat Jim Baker was fireman for Gus Swanson on the Angels Branch for the several years and relayed the story to Steve Torrico when he hired on for Sierra. Steve spent a lot of time with the "old folks" and noted that he had visited Jim's place several times and confirmed a lot of the stories told in the Deane book on the Sierra. I suppose it's possible Jim could have forgotten or exaggerated things over time. Like you said, some things are hard to know for sure.
Grew up in Oakdale and have always been into modeling and model railroading majority of my life I can't say this enough of just the appreciation seeing this an modeled so close to home I have very few words but envy you for all the work, an time, and passion that took to build this! Absolutely great video and amazing layout. Didn't know most of what I just learned about the Sierra RXR till watching this. Was wondering if you had anything along the the lines of a club or op. sessions etc? Or maybe an open house gathering get together by chance? Another note would be what had caught my eye from the beginning of the video was the short line with "Atlas" on the layout map. Well my dads half of my family now almost 4 generations owned and raised up have lived on well what is the last marked parcel of property on Atlas Road in Oakdale. Grew up down there with many of memories all right along the Stanislaus River! About 2-3 years back I was walking around on what's mostly fairly flat ground as so many years have layered up on what looked like a mini piece of Rail Road rail " about 1" 1.5" wide possibly only what I could see protruding through the hard ground was maybe 3" or 4" long maybe a short line or half size RXR?" but wasn't just a piece randomly dropped rail a long time ago it definitely was alot longer only the rest was buried. Didn't think much of it at the time not till now I have no doubt in my mind after the video that thier was in fact a RXR which ran right through my familys land that was just cool to know and obviously they left lengths of track if not all of it out thier by the looks of the time line could be just short of if not during the beginning of time my great grandfather acquired an began owning the property on Atlas. All just too cool thank you for sharing this. - Michael
Nice layout of a great prototype, now you just need to paint the track and weather everything.
fantastic work! love the working gravel structures.
Very impressive. I must say, that 'Phoebe Snow' DL&W box car is a long way from home!
Sierra got cars from all over the country. The West Side & Pickering Lumber Companies were renowned for the tracts of virgin Sugar Pine lumber that they milled, so Sierra got boxcars from all around the U.S. Pere Marquette, Pennsylvania, New York Central, Illinois Central, the Nickel Plate Road, and especially the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe railroads.
I noticed that myself. The DL&W prided itself on its clean-burning anthracite coal. I have to wonder how sooty that car might have gotten before it returned to its home road.
Sir, you mention Hank Johnston who was also known as an accomplished model railroader. I have a well worn copy of the April 1967 Model Railroader which features his Bullfrog Logging Co.. It was a nicely done little pike but it is a bit of a shame that most of the pictures are in black & white. Great layout, Mr. Sutherland; I especially like your recreation of the dam-building site. I grew up in Port Deposit, MD, a small historical town on the Susquehanna River. Up the river a few miles is located the Conowingo Hydroelectric Facility built between 1926 and 1928. It was quite a construction project that flooded the old town of Conowingo, MD under over 100 feet of resevoir water and changed the entire topography of the river. The importance of this facility is not only its production of electric power but in that it is a "black start" facility which means that, if the power grid goes down, it can be used to jump start the grid because it is the only plant that can do it.
Wow, outstanding!
Very informative and impressive. Well done.
Glad you liked it!
Appreciate the time and effort put into this brilliant layout. Thank you for showing this piece of history and the building of the dam. The trestle bridges and buildings are super. Great video.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Lovely layout!!! Been waiting for one of these tours
very well done, I learned a lot.
Parabéns lindo layout
Well, you really did a great job on making this! :)
An Absolute Stunning; Historically-Based Layout That Given The Number Of Scratch-Built Structures; Shows Sincere and Dedicated Commitment. However; May I Humbly Suggest That Attention Be Given To Programing Of The Loco-Running CV's To Improve Their Performance To Complement The High Detail Of The Layout. Best Regards / John
I'm still looking forward to the day a model railway company makes the Sierra #3. Why no one has past the Tyco version in the 70s is beyond me.
Beautiful layout replicating a historical railway..... Liking the original historical photographs. // The only weird thing is how at times the trains seem herky-jerky. It's real obvious at 23:15. Maybe it's not the trains... but could be the recording camera. Or maybe it's YTube streaming, or my internet here. Dunno.
very detailed layout. could spend a great deal of time just looking around.
a couple water towers on the layout, so I would have to stay away from the controls.
That's a great idea! Even though I didn't believe you, I have seen this scenario in action. :)))
What’s the size of the turntable at the 21 minute mark?
When you Demoed the Layout Did you save any of your Old layout for Anything you could Build into?
Glenn saved a portion of his old layout starting from where the switchbacks begin to the end of track at Angels Camp.
Where did you get the model of #3?
Who painted your mural? It is incredible
Question. Can a DCC work on any train tracks? O I have DC train tracks HO.
I love the layout and will look very realistic if the scene: homes, factories trains will have some weathering techniques so do not look "toy like" Other than that great job 👏
I open videos to see like maybe a train layout with scenery and all you see is someone talking about trains. It's not you because every video I open is the same thing. You expect to see an awsome layout and you sit watching somebody talk about trains. Jeez
I do not understand this comment. Are you saying you enjoyed seeing Glenn's trains running on his layout?