AMERICA'S LARGEST BNSF/UP MODEL RR - Layout Tour: The La Mesa Model RR Club

[@investigativem1409]

Absolutely love it, I’m glad to finally find a true scale modeler there isn’t 10 tracks side by side, trains and rails stuffed in every nook and cranny its perfectly proportioned more scenery than rails like real life. Two thumbs up on my end.

[@mattberg916]

I'm always amazed at the amount of time, patience and talent that goes into layout. And this one is outstanding!

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks Matt! -Josh

[@jamessbca]

Great Video. Thank you! I've been to the layout many times, but have never gone "behind the scenes" as you do here. Infrastructure-wise, this layout is simply mindblowing. Thanks for the video!

[@marvinhardy8767]

This was the best video tour of the Las Masa RR Club that I have seen to date.

[@davidpost428]

Great presentation of a mammoth layout built and run by really skilled people ! Thanks for sharing !

[@BradLobregt]

Great layout tour. Thanks for taking us along for the tour... Beautiful track work..... Brad

[@dallindavis7905]

With prototypical speeds! AWESOME!!! realistic speeds brings everything together, thanks for the post!

[@jsarkozy]

amazing layout...now you prompted me to search for more up to date videos!!😁

[@riogrande5761]

There are a lot of videos and they show Southern Pacific trains, not these modern BNSF stuff~!

[@JawTooth]

I would sure love to see that in person. Thanks for posting this great video!!

[@GrandT]

That's impressive! Thanks for the tour. :)

[@trainswithnickyt]

I'd love to see a revisit to the railroad, to see how things have progressed since this video. These things are always so amazing to see, even if it's something that we could never achieve at home on so grand a scale.

[@pumices9844]

Amazing! The wide expanses and canyon/hills section is very realistic , and with the right lighting it will look like the real thing.

[@enriqueaguilar4892]

Wow keep on going n make it a lot better n investing more money n add more scenery to the layout on the new sections it's worth the investment everyday great job

[@MrBlue-ib7oi]

wow! just wow! this is probably the best layout i have ever seen.

[@motorTranz]

This is one of the most beautiful realistic modeling I've seen! Thank you!

[@Tegridyvs]

You know what would be really badass? Put a mini go pro on one of the trains and record the train going over the whole layout from the trains perspective

[@gandalfthegrey7874]

Sir Custer What is it with everyone and gopros?? They want them on everything.

[@josephallan8791]

Adderall vs that would be spectacular. Seeing it go through the tunnels with the lights on and stopping and going for signals and overall just running realistic. I dont care if it took 45 minutes but it would be awsome to see that layout and all that beautiful scenery from that prospective. Good idea bro!!!

[@richardgordon8110]

Adderall vs what's a mini gopro???

[@ROMPE_NALGAS_24-7]

This is not the largest layout you need to see what I have been cooking for the last 11yrs

[@railfanningmichael3970]

@@gandalfthegrey7874 rude, aren't you

[@davidrudolph2825]

Very impressive! Beautiful track work and scenery! Quite a project and a lot of work! Well done!

[@maicodoug]

The video documentation of a set up like this deserves the best video. Less shaking is required & I would love to see it done better. Some image stabilization perhaps. But I'm being critical , but this project deserves it. Excellent video overall. Good work. An inspiration for all.

[@christopherorourke6362]

I visited there on New Year's Day when I was home in the Civilized San Diego area for the New Year's weekend. I have been to to the San Diego Model Railroad museum since the summer of 1975 when I was stationed aboard the USS BlueRidge LCC-19 when I was in the Navy & thee ship was homeported there. The San Diego area will always be home to me, the very best metro area I have ever lived in. I enjoy the model railroad trains when I visit there.

[@stevenmichael2845]

This layout is amazing. I was there when I was 10, I really hope to get back out there some time.

[@gaetanwillingham4145]

I would love to clear the lines and take the smoothest running freight car and put it at the highest elevation on the layout. And see just how far it will go.

[@nnoscc5231]

I only see it flying off the rails 😂

[@mamanbear1667]

Incredible layout and trackwork. Yeah, we want to see more. The Tehachipi Loop is unreal.

[@supergillou6596]

Même un étranger comme moi a reconnu Tehachapi loop comme si j'y étais.

[@espinozajos]

Thanks for letting me run your NS Dash9 loco on that West bound coil train NS/BNSF consist, first time I ever ran NS power!

[@ScottDowneywoundedbear]

WOW, what a layout. I would not want to wire it. Great video. Scott

[@norcalpacificrailway5644]

What's even is better is two clubs one building. One upstairs and one down stairs. A day full of model trains. Awesome modeling. Matt-

[@MrBlaqdave]

I'm a truck driver and I passed that route on Hwy 58 a lot. spot on!

[@camcoulter5993]

Great layout. Nice video. The amount of design and work that go into such a project is to be admired.

[@CarmineRC]

Thanks for this!!!! I haven't been to La Mesa in over 10 years... LOTS of changes! I'd give BODY PARTS to run my Pacific Belt RR on THAT!! I'll look through your channel for a video of trains RUNNING on this amazing Layout! :D

[@richardlilley2158]

Thank YOU for the video, and thanks to everyone involved in the club. A magnificent piece of work.

[@johnaltyn3171]

Thank you so much for your outstanding landscape. I used to drive up to Tehachapi mountains and watch the trains move through the little town of Mohave, CA. EXCELLENT WORK

[@newhavennscale]

I love this layout! I grew up in Bakersfield and everything looks so prototypical. I remember the orange orchards and hunting lizards in the desert. Amazing!

[@dracopticon7788]

Wow! The terrain really makes me want to watch that build.

[@wiredtvcraze]

Very impressive and huge. The realism is equally impressive. Loved the mountains and the long mainlines! Great Job!!!

[@jeffreymcfadden9403]

Many years ago(1978-late 1990s)ran trains on the famous V&O. I was friends with the 2 sons brad and patrick. the mcclellands lived 1 block from the CR main, so we photoed trains by day and ran trains all night long. I was able to get some photos during my time there. I was also 1 of the crew for operating sessions. allen was(is) a super nice guy. the V&O was everything you may have read about it. thx for the memories allen!

[@dennisvanburen6602]

2/16/2020 This is fantastic! So real looking. The scenery is beautifully done. I'm planning to fly to San Diego and drive toYuma the week after Easter, should have time on the way home to spend some time here viewing the layout.

[@christopherorourke6543]

I always enjoy visiting the La Mesa model railroad club display & the N scale display at the San Diego model railroad museum when I’m home in the San Diego area. I have visited there several times since 1975, so many times that I don’t keep a record of it. It’s the very best HO layout in the entire country.

[@MichaelClark-uw7ex]

That is amazing, to move those huge consists under working rail line conditions instead of a small consist on a show track has to be incredibly satisfying. And the realistic scenery adds to the feel, to watch one of your locos or set pull one of those huge consists through the loop....priceless

[@lionellance]

All I can say is wow...freakin nice.. thanks for sharing and keep up the great work. .

[@murraycampbell6038]

We have just suffered an major series of earthquakes in New Zealand, but your videography is much more nerve-wracking than the shaking scenery on our South Island main trunk railway.

[@arkansaswookie]

Hahahahahahahahah foe sure. I needed Dramamine just to watch this.

[@ClutchCobraKID1]

He was using his cell phone, but u knew that.

[@poruatokin]

ClutchCobraKID1 - Doesn't matter what he was using, he's fucking useless.

[@jamesmcdowell459]

A cell-phone train video was too much for your nerves. Don't cry, baby.

[@kennethsmith8968]

@@poruatokin wah wah wah

[@bigd510]

This is such an amazing layout. The detail is awesome. At 8:10 the building on the far left is now completely gone but I have a picture taken on 3/20/2004 of the pyramid shaped part of the building still standing. I think that was a water tower. At 9:20 you call this control point Allard which it probably was originally but today it is called CPSP338 Bealville. At 10:54 is the remains of Tunnel 4 so this has to be after the Tehachapi earthquake in 1952. Plus the shoofly around Tunnel 5. And at 19:45 in the corner of the CTC board is where the earthquake happened on the White Wolf fault that runs right under that area. I hope someday to get down their to San Diego to see it, I'm not that far here in Bakersfield. I sure wish I could add pictures to these comments.

[@normfredriksen1381]

I've driven through Tehachipi many many times and the detail here is absolutely spot on.

[@theubaum]

Great layout, yes I would love to see it in operation! Thanks for the superb tour!

[@railartist001]

Outstanding job of videography AND narration ...... encore, encore !!!!!! Keep up the good work ....

[@seegurke93]

Great layout and great video! Thanks! I will now go downstairs and keep on working on the benchwork :D

[@jonnybeck6723]

Just amazing... and looking f'ward to an update and some 1950's era ops. thanx

[@jesusse9757]

Congratulations. It's very nice. You are doing a great work. Greetings from Spain. Thank you for this video. Saludos cordiales desde España.

[@daviddurbin808]

Great video Josh, was there several years ago but lots of changes have been made. Thanks fro sharing!

[@lovelacetunes]

Thanks for the great tour and narration. Amazing size and true to life detailing👍👍

[@curraheewolf]

Awesome!! Thank you for the superb video!! Happy Railroading!!!!!

[@PeterCPRail8748]

Fantastic tour, never scene this layout so detailed. Maybe one day will see it in person.

[@mitchellwhitney839]

Yes let's see some trains running on the layout.

[@nsmodeler24]

Mitchell Whitney I have LOTS of videos from last weeks operating session. I have a ton of editing to do, but stay tuned for a video from the Modern Ops Session on the layout with lots of BNSF, UP, and some NS. ;)

[@GTI6speed]

Mitchell Whitney What else do you want? A cookie?

[@lynnaholcombe4908]

Hey Josh Nice meeting you & your Dad. We both had a blast, our first Operating Session, as you probably could tell. In case your interested I have a couple of YT videos under "L & L Railroad. I know your Dad asked if we had YT channel. You guys take care. Lynn & Linda

[@DerredmaxTRIAX]

That looks just like the loop! too cool. How fun.... Great work keep it going.........

[@paulrosa6173]

I get a catalog every month from Micromark (because I bought some metal years ago) and until seeing some of these videos, I never noticed the pages of HO model stuff. Now I watch these videos and realize these layouts must involve hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of track, rolling stock, engines, and such a wide range of building types in kit form. The typical engine averaged about $300 and rolling stock seemed to go for about $25 a piece. Building kits could range from $20 to well over $100. If the manhours involved are added in, as well as the materials for the landscape and all the lumber and metal for the tables etc, I wouldn't be surprised if that setup was worth millions of dollars, if such things could be easily sold. Now I know why one seldom, if ever, sees old model railroad items at garage sales, junk shops or Goodwill stores. This stuff is man jewelry. I am amazed that technology like railroads also requires the modeler to pay so much attention to the landscape. In some of thee layouts, the railroad itself seems almost like an excuse to model the landscape. It can be so evocative and even poetic. I don't have the money or space for even a small layout but have started to love watching these big setups. I have one question I can't find an answer to online. Do the clubs own the stock or do the members pool their own resources and equipment while they are members? According to the comments below, this layout has been around for decades. The club must have accrued some serious value in all those years and it looks like it requires some serious responsibilities on the part of the members. Model railroads at this scale are the toys that aren't really toys anymore from the looks of it.

[@kevinyoung9557]

Wow huge layout .Going to be a gem when all done.

[@atc2853]

Awesome layout guys. Great job!

[@micksbackyardaquaponics1408]

That is one big layout you have there it is good to see it and showing us the layout 👍📹🚂🚃🚈🚦🛤

[@trinity3467]

Run a train at least... the scenery is magestic that is 4 sure! Pretty amazing! How many square feet does all this cover? Very impressive!

[@markarnold8160]

I keep rewatching this. So much space I'm truly envious!

[@billyreynolds4749]

Phenomenal layout!!! However....I'd love to see the layout from a slow moving locomotive perspective! Thanks for sharing!

[@ericthered1140]

I just hired on to Union Pacific out of Chicago-Proviso as a Wisconsin line conductor. Great job on the model. GoUP🚂🚂🚂

[@Ken-Kaef]

Thanks for posting and showing us the uncompleted sections as well

[@elleryparsons5766]

Mind Blown Speechless! This Is how I want to Be when I go to Train shows I Would love to go to A indoor tour of a Layout one day.

[@railfan_guy4798]

@NSmodeler24 Great Video! Nice Tour And Amazing Layout!

[@choochoo3985]

Can't say enough great things about the layout and attention to detail, but don't forget the Old Rugged Cross on the hill. Without it the Tehachapi loop is not complete. Thanks for sharing. Ted

[@bigd510]

That would limit its era to after 1989. No steam no "F" units. They would have to tear out Bealville and most of Caliente. (just kidding of course)

[@joshuatoro8977]

Would love if you could show more of the cattle yard

[@victortinmouth1283]

I recognized a lot of the areas from the Trainz Simulator Mohave Subdivision route I downloaded, and use with Trainz 12 and Trainz:A New Era. It takes about 2 1/4 hours to run a train at posted speeds from Mohave to just before Bakersfield, at Edison, where there is a large industrial park area. I have also looked at the route with Google Earth. Very realistic where the scenery is done.

[@williamschlenger1518]

Great job.It looks like you have a lot of work ahead.You must have people skilled in all areas,electric, layout&design.

[@FlyingTigress]

They've been working on the museum display for several decades. SDMRM Life Member

[@cn8800]

Looks like a dream layout to operate on!

[@trainssker]

I was in this place a number of years back. Not sure they had gone to DCC yet. Very impressive. HO and N scale... 2 Two track O scale and a Three Rail O scale layout. I had a video and a lot of pictures that I took but lost them all at Walgreens when I tried to download it all on to a disc. :-(

[@Modelrailroad10]

Very impressive layout. I really enjoyed it.

[@TannerandMelanie]

Awesome! Looks like a great hobby

[@CalebsRailFilms]

That's a pretty impressive layout you've got there mate! This came up in my suggestions, wasn't going to watch it right away but I'm glad I did. It's magnificent! It's so good I've subscribed. Looking forward to more videos of this layout. Best wishes from South Australia. Cheers Caleb :)

[@puddycat2325]

Not his. He does have videos of his layout as well though.

[@ericgarner6175]

I gotta say I wonder how much money is into this layout. Has to be close to a million id imagine. All the time too and artistic details. Just awesome though. Couldn't imagine building something like this

[@riogrande5761]

I've been a fan of this layout for years but haven't had the chance to go across the country to see it in person. I find it interesting he called it the BNSF/UP model RR. I always thought it was the SP/ATSF RR! I've watched a number of video's showing classic SP trains running on it, which I greatly prefer caboose era trains.

[@marionmitchell261]

Hello, Thought you would be interested in seeing some sidelined Union Pacific power near Tucson, Arizona. There must be over a mile or more of silent engines sitting coupled together in the desert. Marion Mitchell look for the dog. Enjoy very much watching your videos, hope you all enjoy what the footage we shot on the 21st. Thank you.

[@joestephan1111]

Having been along the entire route for real many times, yes, more please.

[@evergreenrailroadmodelers2405]

Great Video and Greetings from Spokane WA.

[@AGDeJohn]

WOW!!! What a layout! Would love to see that Union Pacific Passenger train running on your layout.

[@ClanMacNab]

It would be interesting, though un-prototypical. They stopped running passenger traffic over this line when SP and UP merged - most likely for liability reasons. Had the opportunity to ride the SP passenger train from Bakersfield to Tehachapi when I was 8. Indelible. I REALLY need to see this model in person.

[@billyray94]

Amazing layout The original two railroads were the ATSF and SP. UP came much later after acquiring the DRGW/SP. The BNSF obviously gained access via the ATSF/BN merger.

[@OvermarsGaming]

i like the detail so much, great works!

[@Ralph2]

That's a very ambitious project!

[@williamsantangelo]

Huge layout I'm impressed never seen so much track PJS LI NY

[@BrewPub]

Amazing layout. One of the very finest.

[@supersnake2099]

I made it to 5:12 and motion sickness finally set in. Whuu...that was one wild ride Mr. cameraman. I had the sound down, maybe that was the reason. :o

[@deepgreenish]

This layout is a work of art. The distances involved are staggering. What type and shape of building contains it? I cannot imagine the amount of work involved on a layout this huge. The track work also looks very fine scale - great work. Compared with the Miniatur Wunderland layout it is far superior owing to the scenery's realism and the sheer scale of the thing.

[@TristanMorrow]

The building that houses the La Mesa MRRC layout also contains 5 other model railroad clubs and _their own huge layouts too!_ The building is in Balboa Park in San Diego, California ....I think the buildings were constructed more than a century ago for a World's Fair or something.

[@martyyoung3298]

I am a member of the Balboa Park Railroad Museum and this building replaced a building that housed the Aerospace Museum that was burned down in an arson fire with a total loss of all exhibits. They moved to another building and this is a large building housing many museums including us. Our museum is 25,000 square feet with an N scale layout, two HO layouts, one O layout and a Lionel layout. We have occupied the space since 1981 and if you come to San Diego, I highly recommend dropping by.

[@krislangley6226]

@@martyyoung3298 Lifetime member, here - even though I was living in SD only until 1992. "You Should See the Trains in [Your] Basement."

[@sargentrowell81]

That is INSANE!!! I wish I had a layout that massive to run my Amtrak trains on!

[@dutch2120]

FANTASTIC Layout!

[@MrThunderhorse1941]

Totally amazing. I am impressed. :-)

[@GTI6speed]

Oh my gosh I just love trains so much I love your videos thanks for putting them up how would I ever live without your train influence nsmodeler24 I love you.

[@danjelowitsch]

Great layout! How about less shaking, better focus, and more trains?

[@ColorMeMozart]

What an awesome layout!

[@jimsmoter4510]

That is a large layout. Very nice

[@TonisalpenmodellbahnN58]

Very impressive and beautiful , Grüße aus Germany, Toni

[@swayteca]

OOOh, so well done, very nice layout

[@LeonelTrains]

The scenery is really realistic and amazing, beautiful work

[@vincebreen3-55]

I've been to see this layout a number of times over the years. The size and scale of visible layout is breathtaking. What is the ratio if actually visible portions of the layout to what only member/operator's will see?

[@sakcad]

You have some talented people working on this layout! Just how many are there doing the actual construction? Your commentary was excellent! Do you have actual engineers in control of the wiring? How often does the track get cleaned?

[@csabalakatos2701]

Congratulation! Nice job 👌👍❤👏

[@blkstang83]

Pretty amazing layout.

[@MotoCrazy66]

This is actually bigger than the real life sized entire UK railway system! Probably runs better as well.