Southern Pacific Railroad in the Cascades - Part 12, A Layout Tour 

Whoever disliked this...??? I don't get peoples' minds. I think this layout is really great work!

this by far is one of the top contenders for layout of the year and I might add is on the wish list of every model train fan, yes! I count myself in on that, I wish it were mine

That layout is ridiculously well done. Very impressive.

I am at a loss to describe genius, old school knowledge, and what the next young generation can build with their own hands if they just put down a phone!! Awesome work Bill !!! I love every idea you came up with..Pure enjoyment to watch...

The mountains look so real!

This is such a unique layout!! One of the coolest I've ever seen :) Wow... thanks for making this high quality video. The middle part with the bridges and different elevations of track, absolutely stunning. And so many viewing angles!! I've watched A LOT of layout videos and this is one of my favorites.

Your layout is great; and very inspiring. Your control/electronic seem sophisticated and yet they appear not intimidating. You have a knack of blending sophistication and naked artistry. Truly magnificent!

I love the peninsula and the way the train climbs back and forth on it's way to the upper level. I suspect John Allen had quite an influence on your design. If only my mountain layout would look so convincing.

thats just awesome the auto lift bridge coolest thing i have ever seen and the screen door spring very smart indeed .well done great landscapes thanks for sharing this layout with everyone. you the man

Impressive scenery & the signals will help make for some fun operations on that layout. The footprint is unique & noteworthy as well.

Again, I'm just blown away by this layout of yours--really remarkable! Tom

You may have the best layout on the site... It is truly a pleasure to watch. I always shut off my TV to watch your videos. I have had many people fooled into thinking its real life! get some diesel power on there!

"O-U-T-S-T-A-N-DI-N-G-" in form, function, design, and killer scenery! BRAVO!!!

One authentic gift for eyes. Well done. Salutations from Spain Madrid

Wow!!! Now that is a layout! Now you need a fog machine in there to get the Cascades on a foggy day.

One word......................WOW!.........Thanks for sharing...;-)

Speachless - what an incredible layout !

Beautiful layout. I could sit on that mountain and look at those trains all day!

Stunning layout! Keep up the awesome build! (Goes back to sweeping the sawdust out of the garage again.)

Quite a remarkable layout! You should be very proud of your work and innovation!!!

Great layout. I like the way you take advantage of the space to maximize the functionality of the layout.

Grest video Bill! I particularly like the view inside the Helix where you can see three layers of the same train.

This is SWEET. Wish I could visit one day

Awesome layout

I could literally sit there and watch your trains go by for hours! Jason.

SUPERB is the only word to describe this layout. Wow, what an inspiration to those who are going to build their own layout in the not too distant future like ME. Thanks, and good job!

Cool looking layout, love the long sweeping curves, can't wait to see how mine turnout. ..

A master piece

Brilliantly done, Bill. Very tastefully done. It seems larger layouts (and smaller ones too) can end up being so busy and cluttered. Those layouts end up being overwhelming. Your layout has achieved the ultimate balance of operation and landscape, with a very organic feel. This train room also reiterates the importance of cleanly done facia, walls, ceiling, and lighting. Thanks for sharing! Noah

I love the long train and and looks just right on your layout.

That is very pleasing to watch. Great work on making the layout!!

Watching the train in the helix is hypnotic!

Bill Rodgers. Southern Pacific RailRoad in the Cascades - part 12, A Layout Tour. Truly Amazing Layout you have Bill. With lots ads of detales. Out Standing.

Its a great LAYOUT! !

Wow..picking jaw up off floor. .Great layout. .thanks for sharing and keep up the great work. .

Excellent work, loved watching the train on 3 levels of the helix....Especially liked the christmas tree!!

Impressive endeavor! Also love how the cab-forwards and the caboose are each spaced a helix-revolution apart...

Wonderful. Thanks for sharing

w o w !!!! what a massive fright train, nearly endless. in between viewing your video, i also wondered about the cab forward heading steam engines, but after reading few coments and answers... thank you for the video and your efforts for building and showing something like this

Very good workmanship, hope to build the same in not too distance future. Excellent video presentation 10/10

smart layout, very cool that you used flextrack.........love the wide, sweeping curves

excellent unique design and WOW automatic bridges? thats awesome

WOW it looks like it has been put along of work into it

Purely love this layout can not watch it enough

Stunning system design. .

Absolutely beautiful. My brother would totally love this layout.

Bill-that's amazing. I could watch this layout for hours. The detail and quality of engineering is amazing. LOVE the descent helix. Fantastic

Very cool I loved it

Really great video

Thanks! I'm glad you like it. It is a cab forward; but not a Big Boy. Big Boys were conventional 4-8-8-4 articulated locomotives operated by the Union Pacific. Cab forwards were unique to the Southern Pacific.

Sweet layout!!! LOTS of forethought & hard work went into it. Thanks for sharing!!!!

Awesome Layout

That mountain scene is mind boggling amazing work. Very well done!

Wow, a work of love by a genius !!!

I couldn't stand the noise of the train for long.....but a fantastic layout....congratulations.

@prognosis2001 Thank you for the very generous comment and for giving me the idea to use some wider shots and show more of the layout. People seem to like it :-) . I've never really considered running modern rolling stock, but it could make a cool video. There may be a problem with tunnel clearances for double stacks, just as there was on the prototype. I will investigate. Bill R.

Good Job Bill, I'm really impress on your layout, Really glad you shared with all of us. Keep up the good work.

The stuff Dentists use for impressions and it lasts forever, great layout great photography Bill!

One of the most BEAUTIFUL layouts I've seen on video. You are a CREDIT to our hobby. The detail is so realistic. I just LOVE it. Many THANKS, kytrainman

Just beautiful!!! just needs a little smoke coming out from that loco!!!

Absolutely stunning!! What a dream!

I really enjoyed this amazing trip.

Superb performance! Well done Bill! That is ans was the best model railroad video ever posted. Seeing the train work thru the layout from those long wide shots, walking us thru the layout, and everything you showed us! Fantastic footage and once again well done. Wish I were in the area so I could stop by and run a modern on your layout. Next thing you need to do is invest in a few SP AC4400 or the like and intermodals. Would be perfect for your setting. Thanks again Bill for a great update!

That's truly incredible

nice layout and cab forward!

How does a video of this awesome layout get 37 thumbs down? 37 pinheads with layout envy...

That looks fantastic!

Wow!! Fantastic work very nice!!!

Thank you 72blackbird. The grade is 2 1/2%. It is just steep enough to require helper locomotives for trains over about 10 cars. You can find out much more about the layout by visiting the layout web site. The web site has a track plan, several articles about layout features, and many photos. There is a clickable link in the description text below the main video window. You may need to first click the "Show more" button to see the link.

Excellent job on your layout. Keep up the good work.

Outstanding, Bill!

The best modelrailroader.... Congratulations... Juliano F Serra Brasil.

Great Layout !

Thanks Ed. When I converted my layout from DC to DCC (several years ago) I used Digitrax non-sound decoders. Subsequently I have purchased a number of sound equipped locomotives that came with a variety of decoders. Currently, I use SoundTraxx Tsunami decoders to convert silent DCC locomotives to sound.

The flex track is mostly Atlas code 83. Turnouts include totally scratch built, Central Valley kits, Walthers/Shinohara, and Atlas.

Thank you mapexmac. That was a thoughtful and generous thing to say.

Thanks MEC513. If I knew someone with a fleet of modern rolling stock, it would be fun to run it on the layout. I can imagine a whole new series of videos featuring big modern locomotives and distributed power.

Well I found your layout inspirational. I am starting to collect everything to build my second layout and I have really enjoyed looking at what and how you have created everything. Thank you for sharing.

What a layout that is mate looks like the really thing mate

excellent job!, nice layout, a good eye for color!

Thank you very much for your kind and generous comment. I bought my locomotives from a variety of sources; including Caboose Hobbies, and Ulrich Models in Berthoud, CO. I've also used mail order direct from the manufacturer, from Internet hobby sites, and via E-Bay.

nice professional looking layout!....and excellent use of the helix....i have a layout "under construction" with a helix in the mountain as well, but in S scale so only two tiers....am still in the plywood fever stage because i enjoy watching the trains "test" my loop too much and haven't been able to find the time to finish it yet.....but your layout has given me a couple of ideas and some inspiration to get back to working on it....only difference being i prefer the blue and pink foam for rocks/cliffs, etc.....lighter weight and more realistic but i have to say that was some mighty fine hydro-cal work....got into using foam thru my friends who worked in efx in the movies down in l.a.

Thanks. Great Layout,and description of the build,etc. Mmmmmmmm

Chris, Thank you for the nice compliment. I'm glad you like the layout.

Thanks for the generous compliment. You brought a smile. You da man too.

Hi Bill. This looks so great. Fantastic ideas.

All I can say is WOW, thanks for sharing.

Really enjoyed your layout. Some great construction work & fabulous scenery. Tony. Ireland.

Bill great layout, thanks for the video!!!!!

Very impressive!

No problem. I'm glad you liked the video. Thanks.

Hard work really pays off! Fantastic layout!

fantastic layout; amazing scenery

Bill - I must say, your layout is truly inspiring, awesome and extremely entertaining! Fave & a save for this video. In a time when our daily focus is on bombings, econ bad news, worry, strife, and political division in our own beloved nation - your delight in this hobby is a breathe of fresh air! Your rock work and tree-lined landscapes are REALLY inspiring me to get going on my layout aspirations.

That layout is amazing.

Love the forward cab loco.

Great work! I like how you focused on fully detailing one area at time! Great track work too!

Awesome job!

Spectacular work Bill, hats off for some master modelling skills ! Cheers Gregg

Your layout is so great,i like it