La Mesa Model Railroad Club HO Scale DCC Layout Tour Tehachapi

#trains #LMMRRC #railroad #TehachapiLoop #espee #balboapark
This is part of TSG Multimedia's Layout Tour Remaster series. In this series, I have taken previously published layout tours and re-processed them with better color correction, better thumbnails, better stills, improved sound, much better music, and in some cases, scenes that have never been seen before!
One of the most well-known HO Scale model railroad layouts on the west coast resides in historic Balboa Park, the world famous cultural destination in San Diego, CA.
This layout is known because it is one of the largest layouts in North America and models one of the most famous places in North American Railroading, Tehachapi Pass.
Come with us as we follow a 1950s era Southern Pacific steam freight train from Bakersfield, up the pass, over world-famous Tehachapi Loop, and on to Mojave.
Along the way we meet both overtaking and opposing traffic, and tick off all the best known spots along the line, including Bakersfield, Edison, Sandcut, Bena, Ilmon, Caliente, Woodford, Walong (Tehachapi Loop), Tehachapi, Monolith, Mojave, and more!
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[@StillPlaysWithModelTrains1956]

The standard for every modeler to strive for. Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work.

[@RajeshKumar7179]

Absolute Respect for these guys. So much thought processes have they gone through to setup this layout, It's Amazing.

[@darrelparlapiano2589]

I drove for lumber company in the eighties and always stopped at the loop to watch the east bound climb the route, and yes it was a engineering marvel.

[@harrycallahan692]

I can't even imagine the man years it took to build this layout. Great job!

[@patlatorres7000]

I've been lucky enough to be part of the operating crew at La Mesa for four of their operating weekends. My first run I was engineer on the swing helper on a 66 car beet train running eastward up the hill. My locomotive was cut in about 2/3rds of the way back, with the rear end helper about ten cars ahead of the caboose. I've also worked as the engineer on the road locomotives on a 65 car eastward train, road engineer on westward passenger trains, locals working out of Bakersfield and as the yard switcher in Bakersfield. In every case it's very easy to forget that one is operating a model and to fall into the roll of being an actual train crew. A WONDERFUL railroad, run by some first class people. It's well worth taking the time to visit not only the La Mesa club, but also the other four model railroad exhibits in this world class museum.

[@riogrande5761]

I grew up in northern California so a long time SP fan, but never had been south of LA; but this layout is a masterpiece. I have been stranded on the east coast for decades now - the SP I knew as a young adult is long gone. I do hope to get out to this layout one day to see it in person. In the meantime I'm working on my own layout in my basement running D&RGW and SP trains from the late 1970's.

[@davidf9630]

The historic information is priceless! Thank You so much, I'm AMAZED!

[@regularguyreviews3048]

I drive through Tehachapi 3 times a year and your layout is very impressive . I’m glad there’s people like you guys to keep this amazing hobby alive!

[@mchavezjr661]

Im from Bakersfield. It’s awesome to see history

[@chaswintermeyer1939]

My gradson loves trains and loves this video--thank you!

[@tsgmultimedia]

Happy to hear that! There are lots of other videos your grandson and all his friends would love on this channel!

[@waynehawkins2157]

Fantastic information great layout

[@tsgmultimedia]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ropinhorseman924]

"WOW", from about 1990-2001, used to travel to San Diego 2-3 times annually. Wish I had knowledge of your club back then. I'm going to find y'all on line and follow your progress. Great Club!

[@gregbowen617]

Great video! Greetings from Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺

[@redneckfromwashington259]

The layout Looks amazing just the history of the route is incredible

[@Peter_Morris]

What I really find impressive here is how smooth and level all the rails must be. I hardly saw any wiggling or jiggling if the rolling stock as it loved along. That really adds to the realism. If I’m ever out in San Diego I’ll make sure to visit this place.

[@tsgmultimedia]

It's well-worth a trip to see this amazing accomplishment!

[@NightOwlModeler]

That's due to the Car Shop standards for the equipment and also the Track Gang's painstaking work to make every joint and switch meet standards and flow smoothly. Several switches have lasted years without guard rails installed. I think we found a guard rail this year knocked out of its spikes, apparently never soldered in permanently, and no trains had any issues with it until someone noticed that "that switch looks a little weird...". Definitely plan to drop by if/when we are allowed to open up again. (sigh) NOM

[@kennethstewart4214]

@@NightOwlModeler up iou iou iou OP OP

[@kennethstewart4214]

@@tsgmultimedia ⁹

[@ThePaulv12]

I don't really know why I'm watching this but I can't turn it off. It is absolutely fabulous!

[@michaelsvestka8040]

Excellent video! Thank you!

[@tsgmultimedia]

Glad you liked it!

[@MrBillCNW]

Great job on the narration and video and thank you for sharing.

[@truenorth3077]

This is amazing. "In construction for 35 years" Wow! I was born and raised in Tehachapi, CA. The Tehachapi Loop was a favorite. The Best Western Mountain Inn had an HO scale model of the Tehachapi Loop, back in the 80's. I loved seeing that. Great video, thanks!!

[@73lemontwistcuda]

I have road a train from Bakersfield to Mojave it was scary exciting never regret doing it I lived in California city and had no other way home so I road the sf tailor train 98! Flat under a reader trailer whole Lotta screeching on those wheels also have photos standing near one of the tunnels

[@monica93304]

I'm from Bakersfield, CA. When the pandemic is over I'm going to go see this layout.

[@armandosoliz1455]

For sure. But funny we will go to SD to see what's in our backyard.....these people did some great work.

[@bpp325]

Magnificent work in progress.

[@SLStolworthy]

I am so glad I found this video, as my Father in law lived in a box car at Cable for quite some time! My wife was 2 years old at the time so that would of been 1957. She talks about the engineer's tossing them candy and fruit as they went bye. His name is Garland Sparks. any information you may find from old records would be wonderful to see! Great job on the layout, and wonderful presentation. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Stolworthy Kingman AZ

[@gunsaway1]

AWESOME!

[@dexterdog62]

This is beyond impressive.

[@genegreen9613]

Excellent video of an excellent model railroad. The narrator has a clear, easy-to-understand voice. Good choice! Great for those of us with hearing difficulties. He describes and explains very well. Just wish he hadn't said, "Here we see . . . " so often.

[@NightOwlModeler]

Yeah, I think part of that was we shot this right after a 3 day convention in Palm Springs. My voice was shot... and my brain wasn't far behind! After about Tunnel 8 was shot after dinner, and we wrapped around 2Am. I was there until 4Am putting all the equipment away. So brain-fry was definitely an issue during this shoot, but at least we made it happen! Jason

[@michaelnoviello6302]

I was google mapping as watching....you guys are amazing....super well done...the detail is spot on!

[@stevepringle2295]

My ex wife lived in Keene, CA just down the road from the loop. Beautiful area.

[@W7LDT]

Amazing. Looking forward to being able to come visit again.

[@jfarinacci0329]

good history. thank you.

[@MrTomStover]

Best layout Video tour I have seen.

[@daveneil3963]

Just unbelievable! So realistic, great work! I'll have to watch this several times more! I've got some "Foamer" friends I'll have to send this to.

[@FrankTedesco]

Fabulous. And all at prototypical speeds. Well done.

[@bobfinkenbiner2539]

excellent video, i really appreciate the narration which adds so much information about the railroad. i have been there about a dozen times, but never can spend as much time as i would like, because the family gets bored and impatient.

[@Cowboy-in-a-Pink-Stetson]

I have seen many videos of the 'La Mesa' model railroad and club, but this has to be the most informative and interesting one about who you are and what you are doing. Thank you very much for taking the trouble to do this. Greetings from Germany.

[@jimarnn1938]

Fantastic...loved the narration modeling rail operations and comparing model system to the real original.

[@tsgmultimedia]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@themikentimcomedyshow3343]

PRETTY COOL!

[@kirillkapaln4536]

Magnificent! Enjoyed your show and elevated my appreciation of hobby and history.

[@The0311gruntUSMC]

Nice work simply awesome layout.

[@zacharyspinks6207]

A Wonderful Layout, Very Awesome Tour!

[@tsgmultimedia]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jonnybeck6723]

All around well done video... Yes I made it to the end with bells on... cheers

[@Haya_archive1]

I actually been there after going on USS midway and oh my god I was in heaven after going

[@dorothyfishbaugh4728]

I did make it to the end of this video....It was a fantastic video...AWESOME!!!

[@garthjunor3027]

Excellent in many ways. Detail and quality of narration, plus captions, really good and informative without being tedious. Filming, editing and especially selection of angles, is outstanding. The quality and realism of the layout is beyond criticism. Seldom have I experienced such an enjoyable video record.

[@tsgmultimedia]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@klingonklangon6900]

Hello from Sweden. I was about to post something similar. Totally agree! Great production!

[@scotabot7826]

Got some dirty/bad track in the section approaching tunnel 8. Beautiful layout!! I can't even fathom the work that had gone into this masterpiece!

[@davidsheriff8989]

This captures the era ...very realistic and well researched....

[@dhdisprsmith2296]

Fantastic! I'm not a modeler but have railfanned Tehachapi about a dozen times. You've done a super job on the layout, I almost thought I was there almost 70 years ago.

[@mikepage9581]

Absolutely amazing landscape and detail work, and the narrator did a great job describing the tracks and ridings. I drive a semi over Tehachapi quite often and am always impressed at the length of trains crossing the pass. Now I know a little more about how they make it across. Thanks. Job well done!

[@dorianmclean6755]

Incredible. Absolutely incredible. Fantastic. So glad I saw this

[@jtveg]

Great work. ✔️💯🏆 Thanks so much for sharing. 😉👌🏼

[@kend3900]

One word...WOW!!

[@TF0x42]

Looks awesome, I will come and visit it when I come to California

[@NightOwlModeler]

Yes, double check that the museum is open. Most of the last year has been shut down because of the thing which shall not be mentioned.

[@usnusmcret]

When I was stationed in San Diego(1976-1979), I used to spend the day at the museum

[@normansilver905]

I remember the La Mesa Club when they were in the old Fire Station on Nebo Drive in La Mesa. I worked behind that site at the old CDF La Mesa HQ station and frequently visited the layout. There sure were many talented young modelers at that time. That was in 1965.

[@RobbieSongwriter]

Wonderful video of a magnificent layout. One of the best captures of a real rail route I've ever seen. Absolutely first rate backdrops and very believable scenery that accurately mimics the real thing. I'd venture to say that a lot of scenes could be taken for the real thing. Amazing scale speed operation also. Highest cudos to this club for the highest standards in model railroading. Great narration. Thank you for sharing this great layout.

[@jamespascarella3336]

Fascinating!

[@markarnold8160]

I watch the Tehachapi railcam and this is a very good representation indeed!

[@markarnold8160]

I just watched this again. Still a big WOW!

[@donaldcasselman9127]

Simply amazing incredible workmanship.

[@enriqueaguilar4892]

It's great to keep building more ho train layouts they're worth investing money into n with new technology DCC n sound technology is better n more family entertainment

[@jimtrack3786]

Very well prepared and done. Beautiful layout.

[@Pastshelfdate]

This has been amazing. Thank you for letting us see both the public-facing (mostly?) finished settings and behind the scenes ongoing work. I'm a happier person, knowing this has been going for so long, with no end in sight. So you're dong important work. Some of us need all the help we can get, staying happy enough to be productive. Stay safe.

[@kenshores9900]

It is a great layout. Jack has a great deal of information and experience to share. The part about minimum curve radius is interesting and important. It is important for the appearance of the train when operated. Good episode Looking forward to more.

[@NightOwlModeler]

Jack?

[@garygerard4290]

you've put a good man on the mic. It's nice to see the shorter 40 freight cars. Cool video - thanks.

[@markhayes6407]

excellent tour. thanks for sharing

[@jdmforever5583]

Very cool👍

[@curailproductions7636]

Wonderful layout!

[@cathrynm]

This is advanced level model railroad.

[@CM-ARM]

Just beautiful

[@CassidysWorkshop]

Fascinating show on how the layout works and what's behind the scenes. And I loved that long shot you mentioned. That place is huge! Thanks John.

[@tsgmultimedia]

Thanks, Greg! I thought you would appreciate this one!

[@hoguesignature3273]

O......M........G!!!!! Thanks ❤️

[@redbarnz]

That was a fantastic tour! Thank you for the wonderful time!

[@jimkammerer8028]

THANK YOU JOHN GREAT VIDEO AWESOME INFORMATION AND THOUGHTS ON THIS LAYOUT AWESOME GOOD STUFF

[@tsgmultimedia]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@wiliamcamarda2471]

Senssacional! esta maquete e perfeita. Perfeita operação com os trens. Parabéns!

[@littlebitseaton2925]

you're scenery people are amazing with the accuracy and detail on the layout.

[@nickmuff3171]

Beautiful modeling! As someone who models the KCS, that express box car is a long way from home!

[@NightOwlModeler]

KCS among many other RR's did have sealed mail connections to Oakland (Richmond) during the 1950s, via the Santa Fe.

[@SGTGhost]

Still a great layout to watch

[@robertballing4990]

Spectacular job!

[@christopherorourke6543]

I always make an effort to visit the San Diego Model Railroad museum when I’m home in the San Diego area. The La Mesa Model Railroad Club Tehachapi layout is my favorite HO layout, I also enjoy the N scale layout as well. Both the La Mesa Model Railroad Club layout & the N scale layout at the San Diego Model Railroad museum gives me ideas on how I want to do my Pacific West Coast Railroad layout. My ultimate goal is to model the entire West Coast from the San Diego area to. An outer,BC,Canada.

[@markdeschane4467]

In my opinion the La Mesa Model Railroad Club has built the best model railroad in the US!

[@fredtedstedman]

This is way beyond a model railway , congratulations guys !! Wales UK I just had to watch it again-in case I missed anything ! Your colours are wonderful , the sun-bleached weathering is spot on , a lot of layouts can look too dark (the paint colour .)and this makes them "model like" when viewed .

[@NightOwlModeler]

I believe it was within a couple months of this video shoot, the lighting in some parts of the layout was updated again. One of the problems with lighting as large a space as the LMRC layout fills, is getting bright enough artificial lighting which doesn't hurt the viewer's eyes. NOM

[@fredtedstedman]

@@NightOwlModeler Hi , I really meant the colour , though you are going to get more bright sunlight than we do in UK !

[@Thompsonje]

I used to check out the Balboa model railroad museum all the time when living near the area. It is really worth seeing in person 👍🚂

[@TheSupradude26]

Definitely in the top 5 of my favorite model railroads / layouts. I would love to see it in person sometime if I’m ever in the area. If I lived down there I would certainly want to become a member as I would love to work on and operate that amazing layout.

[@thetrain3968]

l have been to that museum it’s my favorite

[@n-scaleunionpacificevansto6569]

Thanks for sharing this layout visit, John. It has give me a much better understanding and appreciation for La Mesa Club's layout. ...Roy

[@Vrod1432]

Thanks ! John and Jason !

[@kyoshiphoto4045]

Awesome video. A fellow named Bruce let me run a Brass Daylight consist over this layout when I was a kid. (Like 15 years ago)

[@TrainsandDioramas]

What a great layout tour! This is a wonderful creation and looking at the scenery and structures you realise how much attention was paid to build it exactly like the prototype. I'm also in love with the great looking tracks - absolutely picture perfect.

[@waynefrisbie4909]

Ive worked for the rr loved it always been interested in trains must be in my genes gret narretor And knowledgeable about the history Thankypu

[@rebut1212]

I visited the club around New Years Day 2020. I have been to many model rr clubs. This club is Bucket List material. As stated above, they have the room and the talent to do a great job of recreating a real road. “Selective Compression” does not seem to apply here. In addition to the big picture, there are many, many small scenes of impressive detail. San Diego is a great place to visit and this club should not be missed.

[@NightOwlModeler]

Actually selective compression does play a roll here... it's just that with an overall compression of only 50%, it looks like the real thing compared to many models that are forced to do more like 5-10% full size...

[@laurensrodi4264]

awesome job, I hope to visit one day

[@JoeG-firehousewhiskey]

That was a fun layout to visit! Thanks for the video on it!

[@davidarnold2173]

First saw this layout featured in Model Railroader Magazine way back when and was so impressed with the shot of grade crossing at Caliente. Didn’t realise it was real location until I read the article nevertheless the less it remains ( to my mind) one of the most if not best scenes featured in that esteemed publication 👍👍🇦🇺

[@Grainexpress]

Wow! What a layout! Great camera work capturing the scenes of the layout. 😎

[@whhrms]

I've seen photos of this club in the model railroad magazines! Yes, it's spectacular! What I really like about it is that they have the space and breathing room to create a railroad that actually travels through a realistic countryside at a realistic speed. Climbing the Pass was a marvel! I hope they post more videos as the scenery work progresses.

[@martyyoung3298]

I see this layout every week and it is extraordinary. Though I am not currently a member of this club (there are four clubs and five layouts in the museum) I have operated on it and that is fun.

[@Longshadowsmodeltrees]

This is one of the best video of the pass made, it's like being home. Backroads Bob

[@tonyordaziii7250]

Can you revisit this layout again so I can see what they have done so far

[@ukeukeaduke]

Great fun flipping back and forth between this video and Google Map to find most of the places on this layout. Okay, so it took me longer than the 42:42 to get through it but it was interesting.

[@wrbergner]

I was wondering if anyone had ever had the time or space to capture this line. I'm gonna have to make some time to see this marvel!!!

[@Calispeedboi]

Ive visited it cool part is this isn't the only layout there.

[@Superseanbarry]

I was there in 1971 I think? At that time there was a limestone mountain cliff made out of burnt [phone books. Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks fo a great video!

[@kcsnow9447]

Re: The grade signals. What color is the "pass-at-restricted-speed-indicator?" It was solid lunar white on the D&RGW (dunno today under UP ownership), but I really don't know what is was on the shared Tehachapi pass line back then, nor whether it was Union Switch and Signal or General Railway Signal Co equipment that was actually used. I suppose a quick look at the dispatcher's board would answer that--green or black--but I'm not sure they weren't even combined, nor whether they even could be. Paul Lubliner should know, if he's still around. As far as the first, second, third sections go, are the marker lights active on the models? I see blinking markers @26:45-26:59...but I think they are actually blinking as bleed over from the Mars light. Yes?

[@NightOwlModeler]

SP's 1950s grade signals had yellow circle plate with "G" on them... as modeled here.

[@kcsnow9447]

@@NightOwlModeler Ah, ok. Thx. I remember running upgrade toward tunnel one (or two), and you can look down and see a block signal before the tunnel entrance, but didn't remember the yellow surround plate. Never did see one in use (but I was only running as a guest, "weekend" engineer), so they probably weren't used on weekends anyway. Which begs the next question: Red light in that yellow G surround would be my guess, as in "the next block IS occupied, but you may proceed at restricted speed (15mph or less) expecting to come to a stop." I can't see it being a yellow light somehow--that seems too dangerous, given the possibility of heavy fog in the area.

[@davidboultinghouse3332]

I wish the table was still there in Bakersfield

[@ron5935]

Fantastic video. Someone knows how to use a tripod. This is my favorite person, diesel and steam. When I was a youngster, I remember seeing the perishable goods cars cooled by ice on the ICRR west of Chicago

[@tsgmultimedia]

Thanks, Ron. Yes, tripods are one of the 3 most important things when you're trying to make a video like this. Far too many videos, especially on KZbin, are ruined by shaky hands, bad audio, and no lighting.