So I meet Al Rose right before he died. Bruse Cassa was a huge rail fan of the Sierra and he turned me in to the fan that I am today of the rail roads of Tuolumne county where I lived at one time. Al Rose took some photos that saved a lot of history of the area. I really enjoyed your video
I’ve watched each of these episodes three or four times because they are so well done and enjoyable and also gives me incentive do work on mine. I model in 15mm/foot(1:20.32) and scratch build at least 95% of everything. Thank you Jack. Tom Rey
Dear Mr. Burgess, You, sir, are a man among boys. You're dedication and passion for this project is inspiring. In building a "simple model railroad"... you, literally, furthered historical documentation of a real-life railroad. It is almost unimaginable to me the amount of work this took. This is a "life project" that I hope you know is worthwhile and so greatly appreciated. Thank you and may God continue to bless you in all your endeavors... frankly, for all of our sake and benefit. Additionally, thank you TSG M for creating & sharing this series.
I thoroughly enjoy watching Jack and listening to his processes. He is a very exact and knowledgeable person in so many areas. Thanks for taking the time to produce this series.
I agree about everything you said. It's really because of Jack's generosity with his time and knowledge that this series is happening. He has a passion for the hobby and a work ethic that demands precision and accuracy - exactly what would be needed to do what he has done!
WOW! Great information. You have taken a great amount of time, energy, and money to obtain your collection of information. Thank you for sharing with us!!!
There are some great tips in this video. More and more historical archives have access online. I keep checking to see what is available for my favorite railroads. Thank you for doing such a great job of documenting the Yosemite Valley.
Jack's a great guy. He knows so much and is very willing to share his knowledge with anyone who may be interested. I'm finally starting to read his book "Trains to Yosemite" and it's great because as I read it, I hear his voice talking in my head like he's telling the story in person. Now if I could just get rid of the other voices in my head. :))
WOW PUT LOT DETAIL INTO THIS VIDEO ALL FULL DETAIL LAYOUT THANK YOU FOR SPECIAL DETAIL VIDEO AND VERY THANKS FOR SHARE THIS WITH US ALL IN MODEL RAILROAD
I’ve watched this video several times, but only now realized that the Oakland school principal Jack refers to here was a fellow by the name of Ralph Kerchum, who was a fan of the Sierra Railway and either photographed or collected photos of the line’s Angels Branch. Several of the photos from his collection were used in the Sierra’s version of Hank Johnston’s book, many of which were my inspiration for modeling the Sierra. I’ve been hoping to find his collection someday to get higher quality copies of the photos in the Sierra book. More than likely they are in the CSRM collection, as Mr. Kerchum was a member of the Pacific Coast Chapter of R&LHS, which ultimately donated most of their collection to the State to form the California State Railroad Museum. Long tangent, but I thought it was interesting. Life is full of these interesting little tidbits. 😊
My book on the YV is out of print but can be found by googling "Trains to Yosemite". Hank Johnston's book "Railroads of the Yosemite Valley" is readily available. I have a YV website at www.yosemitevalleyrr.com. There is also a chat list at groups.io/g/yosemitevalleyrr.
I think Jack's process is important to understand. Remain curious and open to new info at all times. Chances are the information you seek will reveal itself if you can do this.
It may be worth noting that many of the photographers and collections that Jack mentions also had material on many other railroads, some of which Jack has noted in this program. Roads such as the Sierra Railroad (Al Rose andTed Wurm, whose collection is now archived at the Western Railway Museum), Virginia & Truckee (Ted Wurm), Modesto & Empire Traction, Central California Traction, Tidewater Southern (Al Rose), and many, many others. These guys got around back in the day, and their photographs, no matter how good or bad, are priceless, and as emphasized by Jack, are invaluable to modeling a prototype. I began modeling the Sierra just under 10 years ago, starting out with nothing more than the book that Jack mentions was available on the railroad, now having just about everything I need to build an accurate model of the line as it was in the early years. Needless to say, it takes a lot of time, initiative, and digging, but if you're serious about replicating a railroad operation in miniature, its the way to go.
Nice video! I'm a big believer in doing all kinds of research. I think that research is especially important when modeling a prototype railroad, whether it be historical or contemporary. For me, learning about the area I'm modeling and the UP which runs through that area has been one of the most enjoyable aspects of the hobby. ...Roy
It is certainly one of the aspects to modeling. Even if you don't want to model a very specific prototype, research can help a proto-lance project achieve an authentic look. :)
I have a question, if you’ve answered it, I’m happy to go to another video with you explaining it. I’m wanting to do a simple, working outdoor V&T loop. I’m not experienced in model railroading other than running the set my father had in the 1970s. Is there a resource I can use to convert an existing steam locomotive to a more equivalent appearing at least, V&T engine? I can see, as a practical matter, I’m going to have to at least repaint another locomotive, but ones I’ve seen, the profiles are different to pictures of V&T stock, so I feel I’m also anticipating having to “refabricate” as well as repaint, but I’d really rather not have to go to that length. Do you have any tips or suggestions? Also, since I plan to run this outdoors, I am hoping to use O gauge equipment.
I wish Al had gotten copies of the documents for the Sierra, I'm sure he would have loved to have them had he be given the chance. All the more important that Al collected what he did for the YV, being that of the two, Yosemite Valley was less widely documented than the Sierra at the time.
As I suspected, I wasn't able to make it down today. Hopefully next weekend or the weekend after when Wes comes back down. I am really enthusiastic about working on the car, ever since I have been a fan of the YV when I met Jack and visited the layout almost ten years ago. That, and knowing the age and unique history of the car makes it all that much more exciting of a project to help move things along. 330 also needs a regular volunteer work force to really get things done, as the meets are only once every so often. I am happy to be that extra help! :)
Jack thank you, I realy want to build the Eureka/ Palisade R.R N.G.dwn to main, SP & WP east to Wendover AFB & West to Reno, maybe up the Feather River, Granddad worked the Palisade N.G.then on to the SP & WP we Road the Zephyer alot back then too.. great Idea's
wow that is a lot of information. just goes to show if you really want to know. there are ways to obtaining such info. local libraries of the cities your rail road are in, would be the best bet. a lot of pre internet stuff is still kept. but never scanned or duplicated.
Adding a little more to my previous comment, what Jack is really offering novice modelers with these videos is perspective. You can model a car or locomotive fairly easily with minimal information in many cases, but duplicating an entire railroad operation requires significantly more research, and asking the right questions. Like Jack's example with the stains on the YV boxcars, WHY did they look that way? WHEN did they look that way? WHO might know the answer to this question? WHERE can I find sources that will allow me to study this information? All things detailed by Jack in this video. If you're serious enough, it will make finding the answers to these questions much less work and much more fascinating. Everything you find out also helps to shed light on various aspects of railroad operations, so be sure to share what you know with other people. You may find that someone knows something related to your studies you hadn't even thought about.
Absolutely love this series with Jack. Just found some B&W and color video of the YV on RUclips. Here's the link; ruclips.net/video/CAz7pUZVTmI/видео.html
So I meet Al Rose right before he died. Bruse Cassa was a huge rail fan of the Sierra and he turned me in to the fan that I am today of the rail roads of Tuolumne county where I lived at one time. Al Rose took some photos that saved a lot of history of the area. I really enjoyed your video
I’ve watched each of these episodes three or four times because they are so well done and enjoyable and also gives me incentive do work on mine. I model in 15mm/foot(1:20.32) and scratch build at least 95% of everything. Thank you Jack.
Tom Rey
Glad you enjoy it!
Thanks Tom...always glad to hear the viewers appreciate my videos.
Jack
Dear Mr. Burgess, You, sir, are a man among boys. You're dedication and passion for this project is inspiring. In building a "simple model railroad"... you, literally, furthered historical documentation of a real-life railroad. It is almost unimaginable to me the amount of work this took. This is a "life project" that I hope you know is worthwhile and so greatly appreciated. Thank you and may God continue to bless you in all your endeavors... frankly, for all of our sake and benefit.
Additionally, thank you TSG M for creating & sharing this series.
Thanks you so much for your kind words....
"you, literally, furthered historical documentation of a real-life railroad"
This is a great video! I've saved it in my research playlist so I can refer back to it later. Thank you!
I thoroughly enjoy watching Jack and listening to his processes. He is a very exact and knowledgeable person in so many areas. Thanks for taking the time to produce this series.
I agree about everything you said. It's really because of Jack's generosity with his time and knowledge that this series is happening. He has a passion for the hobby and a work ethic that demands precision and accuracy - exactly what would be needed to do what he has done!
WOW! Great information. You have taken a great amount of time, energy, and money to obtain your collection of information. Thank you for sharing with us!!!
There are some great tips in this video. More and more historical archives have access online. I keep checking to see what is available for my favorite railroads. Thank you for doing such a great job of documenting the Yosemite Valley.
You're welcome, Kent. We're lucky Jack is willing to share, and I'm honored that he's allowing me to be the one to do the documenting.
Another great video! Really enjoying these.
Glad you like them!
What a lovely Video, Mr Burgess is such a really pleasant Person, many Thanks to him and yourself John.
Jack's a great guy. He knows so much and is very willing to share his knowledge with anyone who may be interested. I'm finally starting to read his book "Trains to Yosemite" and it's great because as I read it, I hear his voice talking in my head like he's telling the story in person. Now if I could just get rid of the other voices in my head. :))
WOW PUT LOT DETAIL INTO THIS VIDEO ALL FULL DETAIL LAYOUT
THANK YOU FOR SPECIAL DETAIL VIDEO AND VERY THANKS FOR SHARE THIS WITH US ALL IN MODEL RAILROAD
Loved the video! The amount of research to accurately depict a certain piece of rolling stock can become a hobby in its self.
You got that right!
I’ve watched this video several times, but only now realized that the Oakland school principal Jack refers to here was a fellow by the name of Ralph Kerchum, who was a fan of the Sierra Railway and either photographed or collected photos of the line’s Angels Branch. Several of the photos from his collection were used in the Sierra’s version of Hank Johnston’s book, many of which were my inspiration for modeling the Sierra. I’ve been hoping to find his collection someday to get higher quality copies of the photos in the Sierra book. More than likely they are in the CSRM collection, as Mr. Kerchum was a member of the Pacific Coast Chapter of R&LHS, which ultimately donated most of their collection to the State to form the California State Railroad Museum. Long tangent, but I thought it was interesting. Life is full of these interesting little tidbits. 😊
Thanks for reminding me of Ralph Kerchum.
Jack
THANK YOU...for sharing. Deep research here, thanks Jack for sharing.
Really enjoyed that very much. And has sparked my interest in learning more about the YV. :-)
Jen
Mine too. I have Jack's book - I just have to read it!
My book on the YV is out of print but can be found by googling "Trains to Yosemite". Hank Johnston's book "Railroads of the Yosemite Valley" is readily available. I have a YV website at www.yosemitevalleyrr.com. There is also a chat list at groups.io/g/yosemitevalleyrr.
Hi Jack! :)
Hi! Very cool, many thanks Jack!
Great info. Wealth of info and insight. I enjoy these types of videos.
I think Jack's process is important to understand. Remain curious and open to new info at all times. Chances are the information you seek will reveal itself if you can do this.
Excellent presentation. I look forward to each of these little talks. Thank you.
Thanks James, I do too. The next one is scheduled for August and is most likely to be about double deck benchwork.
Great video! Useful and interesting
Thanks, SA! The idea is to share the knowledge in the hope that it will inspire someone to try it!
It may be worth noting that many of the photographers and collections that Jack mentions also had material on many other railroads, some of which Jack has noted in this program. Roads such as the Sierra Railroad (Al Rose andTed Wurm, whose collection is now archived at the Western Railway Museum), Virginia & Truckee (Ted Wurm), Modesto & Empire Traction, Central California Traction, Tidewater Southern (Al Rose), and many, many others. These guys got around back in the day, and their photographs, no matter how good or bad, are priceless, and as emphasized by Jack, are invaluable to modeling a prototype.
I began modeling the Sierra just under 10 years ago, starting out with nothing more than the book that Jack mentions was available on the railroad, now having just about everything I need to build an accurate model of the line as it was in the early years. Needless to say, it takes a lot of time, initiative, and digging, but if you're serious about replicating a railroad operation in miniature, its the way to go.
What era you modelling of the SR?
Nice video! I'm a big believer in doing all kinds of research. I think that research is especially important when modeling a prototype railroad, whether it be historical or contemporary. For me, learning about the area I'm modeling and the UP which runs through that area has been one of the most enjoyable aspects of the hobby. ...Roy
It is certainly one of the aspects to modeling. Even if you don't want to model a very specific prototype, research can help a proto-lance project achieve an authentic look. :)
Great info and research.
Thanks, Russ! I enjoy bringing this information to you, and comments like this make it even more rewarding.
Great video John, l had learned a lot about the layout.
I have a question, if you’ve answered it, I’m happy to go to another video with you explaining it. I’m wanting to do a simple, working outdoor V&T loop. I’m not experienced in model railroading other than running the set my father had in the 1970s. Is there a resource I can use to convert an existing steam locomotive to a more equivalent appearing at least, V&T engine? I can see, as a practical matter, I’m going to have to at least repaint another locomotive, but ones I’ve seen, the profiles are different to pictures of V&T stock, so I feel I’m also anticipating having to “refabricate” as well as repaint, but I’d really rather not have to go to that length.
Do you have any tips or suggestions? Also, since I plan to run this outdoors, I am hoping to use O gauge equipment.
I wish Al had gotten copies of the documents for the Sierra, I'm sure he would have loved to have them had he be given the chance. All the more important that Al collected what he did for the YV, being that of the two, Yosemite Valley was less widely documented than the Sierra at the time.
How did the work on 330 go today?
As I suspected, I wasn't able to make it down today. Hopefully next weekend or the weekend after when Wes comes back down. I am really enthusiastic about working on the car, ever since I have been a fan of the YV when I met Jack and visited the layout almost ten years ago. That, and knowing the age and unique history of the car makes it all that much more exciting of a project to help move things along. 330 also needs a regular volunteer work force to really get things done, as the meets are only once every so often. I am happy to be that extra help! :)
Jack thank you, I realy want to build the Eureka/ Palisade R.R N.G.dwn to main, SP & WP east to Wendover AFB & West to Reno, maybe up the Feather River, Granddad worked the Palisade N.G.then on to the SP & WP we Road the Zephyer alot back then too.. great Idea's
wow that is a lot of information. just goes to show if you really want to know. there are ways to obtaining such info. local libraries of the cities your rail road are in, would be the best bet. a lot of pre internet stuff is still kept. but never scanned or duplicated.
Adding a little more to my previous comment, what Jack is really offering novice modelers with these videos is perspective. You can model a car or locomotive fairly easily with minimal information in many cases, but duplicating an entire railroad operation requires significantly more research, and asking the right questions. Like Jack's example with the stains on the YV boxcars, WHY did they look that way? WHEN did they look that way? WHO might know the answer to this question? WHERE can I find sources that will allow me to study this information? All things detailed by Jack in this video. If you're serious enough, it will make finding the answers to these questions much less work and much more fascinating. Everything you find out also helps to shed light on various aspects of railroad operations, so be sure to share what you know with other people. You may find that someone knows something related to your studies you hadn't even thought about.
Absolutely love this series with Jack. Just found some B&W and color video of the YV on RUclips. Here's the link; ruclips.net/video/CAz7pUZVTmI/видео.html
A friend once told me that he thought that I was a model railroader because I was a history buff. That could be true.
First