Santa Barbara

II

American N Gauge Layout

This is the replacement layout for 'California Coast'.   The layout is currently under construction  but some photos will appear shortly. As of September 2009, all track is laid, most wiring completed and scenery is now well under way. Should have some photos uploaded very shortly. The layout is DCC controlled and sound will be added at some future time. the main station building is nearing completion and scenery done on over half the layout.   Many photos were taken during the Summer of 2008 and 2009, of the buildings that are being modelled. All of these will have to be scratch built

The 'Surf line' is the name given to the stretch of railroad that runs from San Diego  up through Los Angeles to Santa Barbara, One hundred miles to the north of Los Angeles. It gets its name as a large part of the route hugs the coastline. Amtrak passenger trains run over this stretch of line with two trains a day continuing north of  Santa Barbara, one of these being the Coast Starlight which travels between Los Angeles and Seattle in the north of the country. The scenery along this route is generally breathtaking except for the built up area of Los Angeles, which is typically American sprawl. The stretch of line north of Los Angeles is owned by Southern Pacific (now part of Union Pacific) while south of Los Angeles to San Diego is owned by Burlington Northern Santa Fe.

The overall size of the layout is 16 feet by 3 feet plus operator space behind. It all fits in one car.