Large S layout is nearly complete with mid summer generic east coast scenery. The mighty NYC dominates, but the WSLCo also has a lot to show. DCC, CMRI, and JMRI all work together to provide automatic signaling and dispatching on the mainline. The layout has appeared in Model Railroader, Railroad Model Craftsman, Mainline Modeler, Great Model Railroads 2005, Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette, Model Railroad Hobbyist, and PBS TV Tracks Ahead.

Founded in 1979, Silicon Valley Lines (SVL) is an HO Scale Model Railroad Club located in San Jose, California. In 1999, we moved to our current location where our new 23' x 72' layout is now in operation.

SVL operates trains using digital command control (DCC), which allows engineers to control locomotives independently on the same track. Our layout is constructed using some unique benchwork building techniques, with much of the layout supported by structural steel components.

Check out the club's own website at http://www.siliconvalleylines.com

Chama NM ties traffic from a busy narrow gauge branch line into the D&RGW Alamosa-Durango mainline. It is fall and the Aspens have changed color up on the mountains as the stock rush is just getting started. Scenery is 80% completed. Easy DCC control system with Soundtraxx decoders providing the audio for steam engines. Water tank and stock loading sound effects are used to lengthen the run. Time-table and Train Order operation supported by a telephone system is used to direct traffic to handle car movements governed by the familiar car-card and waybill system.

San Jose in the 1930's: Steam with an emphasis on freight operations. Setting includes San Jose, Los Gatos, and Santa Cruz. This compact double-decked layout includes walk-around DCC, staging, reverse loops, and some partially completed scenery.

The replica of the Yosemite Valley RR fills a two car garage. Full scenery, exceptional detail prototype modeling. Recreates August 1939 on the Yosemite Valley RR with exact duplication of locos, rolling stock, buildings, scenes, and scenery. 90 scratch-built structures. The rolling stock is scratch-built, resin & styrene kits. Operating style is prototypical, and tightly structured, reflecting 1939 practices.

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.

A beautiful re-creation in HO scale of the Western Pacific RR in the Spring or 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.

Large S layout is nearly complete with mid summer generic east coast scenery. The mighty NYC dominates, but the WSLCo also has a lot to show. DCC, CMRI, and JMRI all work together to provide automatic signaling and dispatching on the mainline. The layout has appeared in Model Railroader, Railroad Model Craftsman, Mainline Modeler, Great Model Railroads 2005, Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette, Model Railroad Hobbyist, and PBS TV Tracks Ahead.

An Alaskan railroad that could have been, but was not built. This garage-sized two level layout, set in 1976, principal traffic consists of coal, copper and forest products southbound, with supplies and fuel northbound, including supplies for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Motive power is mostly 1st and 2nd generation EMD with some early ALCo power running out their last miles. Scenery is 20% complete. FRS radios. Easy DCC wireless throttles.

Union Pacific in the East Bay 1999. Parts of the Niles, Oakland and Milpitas Subdivisions. Features switching operations in Mipitas, NUMMI auto plant in Fremont, Centerville, Niles Canyon, Pleasanton and Radum (Kaiser Sand and Gravel).

Trains are controlled by NCE DCC with wireless cabs. Dispatching use Track Warrants over radio and a modern (computer based) CTC system is coming up.

This is an operations-focused layout, but scenery is well underway.

Baltimore & Ohio and Western Maryland both snaking their way though a 1200 square foot HO layout in its own custom-built room. Multiple levels provide huge staging yards below the mainlines. The benchwork and mostly hand-laid trackwork are complete. Scenery is roughed in and the beautiful backdrops by Mike Kotowski are being painted, and several landmark structures are in-place. With the era set to 1953, both railroads are in their steam to diesel transition, so both are seen in large numbers.