Layout Overview | All the Layout Details

I believe the last part of the line that runs in Huntington Beach is called the Wintersburg spur, I used to live near the lumber yard and remember that the train would deliver there about once a week, usually on a Wednesday.

Didn't cover past the river. Looking forward to the future river bridge.

Rick, Rick, Rick! What are we going to do with you, my boy? Let me explain to the masses what you have not addressed in this video.......... Folks, first of all, this is my favorite layout of all time. In fact, I'm seriously attempting to clone it in a Florida environment - probably 1976-1985, from Wauchula, FL down to along about Punta Gorda, FL, along the old ACL route which came down from Lakeland through Bartow to Ft. Myers years ago. Yes, Rick has described the local area of his layout, his philosophy of modeling, the industries he models, and even the brand of his locomotives (although he's missing out on the great Atlas MP15 switcher), and the track. But, what makes his layout special is something unique. Rick gives his "people" their own unique personalities. Allow me to explain through examples: What sets this layout apart from virtually all others on YouTube is that Rick gives personality to some of the characters who dwell on his layout. And I must admit, I noticed this and embraced it - even enhanced it - early on. I accept the blame for that, assuming there is blame to be allocated. (But I digress.) However, I did this on my own; Rick did not ask me to. Examples: There is Engineer Rick, a straightforward reliable guy who knows his stuff and does his job faithfully. There is Torres, who is a reliable employee most of the time, and who has an eye for the women on occasion, but generally behaves himself. There is Sanford, who quietly does his job and never attempts to showboat himself in any way. Then, there is Torres' wife, whom we have never seen, but who is so faithful to Torres in that she covers for him when he is not up to par. There is the industry rep, Carl (or is it Karl?), who is a lush. He manages to retain his job, despite the fact he is often under the influence. In fact, he carries a cup around with him, although we don't exactly know the contents, but we do know Carl is often not to be found when we need him - and when we do find him, he often cannot stand up. Then, there is the guy who runs the taco stand, although we don't know much about him, is apparently an iron-man, unfazed by nearly anything around him. Speaking of the taco stand, there are the beach girls, who apparently hang out there for free lunches, or whatever. And a very interesting character there is "Lance Ramrod", semi-professional volleyball player, who only wishes he was as good as he thinks he is. Some say he is Carl's son. Whatever he is, he has an eye for the women. And then, we have the minor characters. There is the "new guy" who just went to work for the railroad; there is the weirdo (homeless bum) who lives under the blue tarp along the fence, behind the taco trailer, and there are the other weirdos who live under the overpass at the tiny yard. Last but not least, there are the cats who haunt the dumpster, the dogs (some at the riding club, and one on the locomotive named Benjamin), the riders, the horses, and that is about it. Well, there you have it - one of the greatest layouts I have ever seen. It is a very special layout because it has been brought to life by Rick. And it is a reflection of the real world with all its characters, flawed and not-so-flawed. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. It is really special. And Rick, I apologize if I have overstepped my bounds. "Keep on switching............"

I love your narration, you’re a great modeler and superb at just explaining things and talking, enjoy your channel hugely

Happy to know that you are modeling the Union Pacific in Southern California! Thanks for sharing your story and keep up the amazing work! Love the UNION PACIFIC!!!!

Hey Rick, I like how you take the time to explain your railroad to new comers. Very nicely done.

Thanks for the lead to the LA rail atlas. I've been looking everywhere for something like that!

I've been a model railroader since 1951, and this is one of the layouts in my top 10 of all time. In fact, if I get around to building a new layout, it will be largely inspired by this one. Thanks! (Love the puppy, too.)

Hi Rick & it's is Randy and i like yours video is Cool & Thanks Rick & Friends Randy

Thanks for the overview and always love it when you do that. It keeps everything up to date and then some. Thanks again.

Nice work, overall the backdrops and scenic panorama are great. What I like most is you haven't tried to cram every single thing you ever thought of in the space. Instead, you have left "white space" and a chance for each element to present. Final quido, you have a very strong sense of coming from here and going to there, hard to do well in medium space. Thanks.

Is that Junk yard dog sound effects I hear in the background,lol. Great update, very detailed explanation. Thanks for Sharing!

I always like the way you enjoy your railroad. Very well done and this is a great intro video.

Thanks Rick, I enjoyed the “philosophy “ part along with the rest of the tour. I will have to see if I can include some of your “letterbox staging”. Cheers Peter from downunder.

Rick greetings from across the pond, I’ve been following you for quite a while a throughly enjoy what you’ve done / do. I’m in the process of planning my next-scale layout, but BN / GN / NP, using your track plan as an inspiration for what I intend to do in a much smaller space. Personally I can’t stand what we call merry go round layouts, I enjoy switching but don’t want to do a point to point shelf layout. Carry on with the good work and I’ll see where I’m at over the next week months. All the best Gordon

The cables on your power poles have that realistic sag droop! Maybe that takes quite some extra work? Not often I've seen that. Looks great Rick. Maybe night ops would be impractical, due to manual switching etc. Though your layout in particular would look great in night scenes and take on a whole new look with a few well placed lights. Even for just some casual almost non operations running, short video. Not that I'm trying to create your worklist for you ;) Maybe you have some night lighting already done.

Nice explanatio Rick. Keep having fun!

Great Overview! You answered any questions that I had. I am really impressed with your operations also Bro'. I really would love to see you do a LIVE VIDEO of your Ops where you are actually taking your time and doing it the LONG WAY from your actual POV. I know that is asking a lot though. But if you ever decide to, let me know. I will most definitely tune in no matter how long it is. JUST A THOUGHT.

Really like the back ground scenes.

Rick, I recently posted the questions you just answered, so thank you for posting this video! I model O-scale and really like Lance Mindheim as well!!! Having lived in Reno, NV, we did not have basements below the house, but rather had California basements, meaning 3-car garages. The big constraint was not being able to run big locomotives or the 89' center beams or flat cars. Please keep posting videos as your layout progresses. We need the inspiration!