I have a great respect for Jack and his layout, knowledge, but after this tour of his layout, the recourses he sot after for his modeling, the time spent on each project and the attention not just to details, but perfection. AMAZING . biggest thing that made my jaw drop.. The kitty Litter, now that is dedication to a scene
Thanks, Jack, for a detailed look at your amazing layout. I'm a new modeler and found many good tips discussed in your video. Your scratch-built buildings are very impressive!
These talks are always so enlightening and enjoyable. I hope you are able to find more and more ideas for keeping us informed on the YV and your journey. Thank you so much!
Back in 2004 I wrote a book about the YV entitled "Trains to Yosemite". While sharing the history of the railroad, I also explained how things were done and why, etc. The book sold out in 2011 but used copies are available on Amazon and other stores. Jack Burgess
I ordered the book through my local RR store way back when it was published and, yes, I've actually read the entire book. It's not signed, but it remains one of my favorite books and I often pull it down and re-read sections. I also make use of your website. I don't model the YV but I'm a fan of yours.
The history is such a great aspect of model railroading so often missed. I am pursuing history as well in my modeling project, and I have to tip my hat to Jack for his passion and his desire to get it right.! Well done sir..!
Jack you mentioned you wished you could figure out how to get the date on the cast tunnel portal...I have a scratch built concrete coaling tower and used an old style label maker with the raised lettering to make a date plate and after weathering it looks phenomenal...you'd never know what it was if I didn't tell you!
In 1939, people likely were not necessarily averaging 6 feel tall. People averaged less than that height. However, I understand the need to come up with an average height for modeling purposes!. Jack, I love your Model Railroad!
I’ve visited this railroad twice. This video really captures the experience, including the fascinating and detailed explanations. Exactly as I remember it (though there was nothing 3d printed yet at the time of my visits).
An interesting note about the stepped concrete piers, a likely reason for their odd shape is because the railroad simply encapsulated the rotting bents in concrete rather than cut them off, as they would have had to prop the bridge up while the concrete was poured. As a real life example, the Sierra Railway did that when they replaced the lower wooden trestle bents on the Stanislaus River bridge as they prepared for the flood waters of the original Melones Reservoir in 1926.
Possible but there are no large trees near the river. The California Railroad Commission in the early 1920s inspected all of the bridges on the YV and found a number of problems which lead to installing concrete foundations to the bridges. Jack
Mr Burgess said in the beginning that he would go down and watch cars in Newark, Newark California? The reason I'm hoping to get an answer is I used to switch out as a brakeman in Newark. I was crew based out of SP's Oakland yard.
Thank you for letting me know, and this tremendous video is a wealth of great model railroading history! Little more research I found out that he lived in Newark California. Ironically I live about 1300 ft up the hill from the John Muir (National Park) home. A famous 120 year old rail trestle (the Muir Trestle) there too. BNSF and it's rails 1200 ft from my back deck .
Bagby Yosemite Valley Ry. Co. or Bagby Yosemite Valley R.R. Co.? The photo is Ry. and your model is R.R. Why? Gettin' all emotional about a Flying J sign and red and white buildings, what about this? I'm so confused. I turn to Jack for accuracy, yet here I find contradiction.
First, the railroad was incorporated as the Yosemite Valley Railroad and then reincorporated in 1937 as the Yosemite Valley Railway. But it had been "Railroad" for so many years that even railfans that I talked to called it the YVRR. As mentioned, only paperwork, timetables, etc. included the new name. Yes, I could have painted that building green with yellow trim but it would not have been correct....or accurate. Every building color, every detail, etc. are accurate as far as I could find from my research. Jack Burgess
I have a great respect for Jack and his layout, knowledge, but after this tour of his layout, the recourses he sot after for his modeling, the time spent on each project and the attention not just to details, but perfection. AMAZING . biggest thing that made my jaw drop.. The kitty Litter, now that is dedication to a scene
Great to see a legend and his masterpiece.
Amazing layout, stunning, brilliant, and spectacular!
Thanks for the tour Jack. I really enjoy all of your videos. Great way of modelling. Greetings from Germany. Walter.
I have really enjoyed ALL Of the Jack Burgess videos. Very informative and I have adopted many of his ideas.
Thank you Cool, I really appreciate your comments!
Jack Burgess
The stories behind the buildings made the viewing even better. It tells why a structure was built and certain way it was used..
Simply tremendous
Thanks, Jack, for a detailed look at your amazing layout. I'm a new modeler and found many good tips discussed in your video. Your scratch-built buildings are very impressive!
Excellent - a labor of love!!
Great show, Jack! Love you see your beautiful layout and hear your stories. Keep it up!
"They were kids chairs" . . . lol. @ 25:47. Thank You for sharing this layout tour. I really enjoyed it. Cheers ~ Boomer.😁
These talks are always so enlightening and enjoyable. I hope you are able to find more and more ideas for keeping us informed on the YV and your journey. Thank you so much!
Back in 2004 I wrote a book about the YV entitled "Trains to Yosemite". While sharing the history of the railroad, I also explained how things were done and why, etc. The book sold out in 2011 but used copies are available on Amazon and other stores.
Jack Burgess
I ordered the book through my local RR store way back when it was published and, yes, I've actually read the entire book. It's not signed, but it remains one of my favorite books and I often pull it down and re-read sections. I also make use of your website. I don't model the YV but I'm a fan of yours.
Fantastic as always.
Amazing details !! Wow
Amazing layout! The attention to detail is mind-boggling. Thank you!
Thanks Paul...
Jack Burgess
The history is such a great aspect of model railroading so often missed. I am pursuing history as well in my modeling project, and I have to tip my hat to Jack for his passion and his desire to get it right.! Well done sir..!
Thanks for another great video from Jack's railroad!
Wonderful video
Well done ! Very enjoyable seeing the entire layout and hearing some of Jack's stories.
Jack, I always enjoy your videos. Your attention to detail is most impressive! Keep up the great work 😊👍!
The stacked stone walls made with the kitty litter is a really neat idea. Looks really good too. 👍
Very neat, thanks for sharing! I love the cable pulling the log car idea on a layout!
There is another video just about the logging inclines. It is at
ruclips.net/video/a4_mJuS9WWc/видео.html
Jack Burgess
Jack you mentioned you wished you could figure out how to get the date on the cast tunnel portal...I have a scratch built concrete coaling tower and used an old style label maker with the raised lettering to make a date plate and after weathering it looks phenomenal...you'd never know what it was if I didn't tell you!
In 1939, people likely were not necessarily averaging 6 feel tall. People averaged less than that height. However, I understand the need to come up with an average height for modeling purposes!. Jack, I love your Model Railroad!
At the time, assuming a man was 6' tall seemed correct....in highsight, "Not"...
Jack Burgess
I’ve visited this railroad twice. This video really captures the experience, including the fascinating and detailed explanations. Exactly as I remember it (though there was nothing 3d printed yet at the time of my visits).
An interesting note about the stepped concrete piers, a likely reason for their odd shape is because the railroad simply encapsulated the rotting bents in concrete rather than cut them off, as they would have had to prop the bridge up while the concrete was poured. As a real life example, the Sierra Railway did that when they replaced the lower wooden trestle bents on the Stanislaus River bridge as they prepared for the flood waters of the original Melones Reservoir in 1926.
Possible but there are no large trees near the river. The California Railroad Commission in the early 1920s inspected all of the bridges on the YV and found a number of problems which lead to installing concrete foundations to the bridges.
Jack
Mr Burgess said in the beginning that he would go down and watch cars in Newark, Newark California? The reason I'm hoping to get an answer is I used to switch out as a brakeman in Newark. I was crew based out of SP's Oakland yard.
Yes. He probably watched you switch in Newark CA.
Thank you for letting me know, and this tremendous video is a wealth of great model railroading history! Little more research I found out that he lived in Newark California.
Ironically I live about 1300 ft up the hill from the John Muir (National Park) home. A famous 120 year old rail trestle (the Muir Trestle) there too. BNSF and it's rails 1200 ft from my back deck .
Great tour Jack. Have you thought about hinging the roundhouse roof to open and close it like a lid?
I wish I could but it would be impossible to do now.
Jack Burgess
Ah. Is it that permanently attached that even if you can take it off piece by piece to put a plexiglass top over the roundhouse interior detail?
THAT DAN SEAMS FROM THE BAKERSFIELD CLUB FALLEN RIP DAN
Bagby Yosemite Valley Ry. Co. or Bagby Yosemite Valley R.R. Co.? The photo is Ry. and your model is R.R. Why? Gettin' all emotional about a Flying J sign and red and white buildings, what about this? I'm so confused. I turn to Jack for accuracy, yet here I find contradiction.
First, the railroad was incorporated as the Yosemite Valley Railroad and then reincorporated in 1937 as the Yosemite Valley Railway. But it had been "Railroad" for so many years that even railfans that I talked to called it the YVRR. As mentioned, only paperwork, timetables, etc. included the new name.
Yes, I could have painted that building green with yellow trim but it would not have been correct....or accurate. Every building color, every detail, etc. are accurate as far as I could find from my research.
Jack Burgess