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In this exclusive MRVP video, Model Railroader magazine’s N Scale Insight columnist Jim Kelly shares his remarkable N scale basement layout highlighting Santa Fe’s route over Tehachapi Pass, Calif. After retiring as MR’s managing editor, Jim has continued honing his modeling skills, tackling new projects, and implementing realistic operating scenarios — all of which you’ll see here!
very nice Jim, thank you so much for sharing it.
Thanks for the tour of your layout Jim and you’ve given me more inspiration to work on mine. Tehachapi Loop is on my bucket list to visit.
Jim:
Nice layout. Great N scale layout for train watching without driving across the USA to see the Loop in person.
Very good layout and such a wonderful spot to visit in real life. My favorite train watching spot. Happy modeling.
Thanks for the great video!I hope there's more to see i more videos. I can appreciate all the work you've done.
Thank-you for your reply Jim. I hope we see more of your fantastic layout in a future video! 🙂 Keep up the great work you are doing on it. Nigel
Hi Nigel,
Thanks for the nice comment on the layout. The article on building the yard tower is in a special issue: How to Build Realistic Layouts: Freight Yards. It is still available from Kalmbach Publishing. Good luck with the model. The open frame and stairway make it pretty challenging.
Jim
Great show Jim! I really enjoyed seeing your layout in person a couple years back.
Hi Jim, your layout is superb! I was most interested to see the model of the "Yard Tower in Bakersfield" as I remember seeing it in an article as a scratch-build but I cannot find the article! Can you tell me what edition it was in, I would like to build this model now! Thanks, Nigel
Nice layout Jim,,thank you for sharing it with us,,,
Hi, Ken — I'm an iPhone user, but I just borrowed an Android phone and confirmed this and other MRVP video are playing without issue. From what I understand, the Hook Android app (not associate with the MRVP product) must be installed on your phone first. Be sure to check out the FAQs (http://www.kalmbach.com/mrvhelp) if you have technical issues — don't want you to missing out on ANY of this good stuff! — Kent, Associate Producer
Mrvp does not work on Android yet. Any idea when it will? I paid for a half finished product!
Bummer.
Great layout! I really like the scheme with a continuous loop via the helix. Even though the point to point guys don't like to admit it – we're all railfans, and there's definitely something nice about sitting back and watching the wheels roll. There really is something special about that line and those railroads… I hope we get to see an update in the future.
Very nice work, Jim!
wow, really nice layout… I yearn for the day I get mine built
Thanks for the trip over Jim Kelly's Tehachapi Pass RR. It's interesting that Jim has built a number of versions of the line. These visits to operating model railroads are a most enjoyed part of MR Video Plus. Look forward to future video visits.
The scenery is not overpoweered by the trains. The trains run well. I like this layout!
Really enjoyed Jim's Layout and your MR video of it. I hope you do more MR video's of other model layouts. I always like that part of MRVP.
Thanks for sharing this work in progress.
Thanks for the tour Jim! Fourth time dealing with this subject matter shows an excellent capturing of many key elements of the line. Congratulations!
A slight quibble with the MRVideo staff–NOT Jim: The Tehachapi Pass Line was built and owned by the Southern Pacific. Santa Fe used the line via trackage rights. Even during the failed merger SPSF era of 1985, modeled by Jim, this ownership remained. Jim has chosen to emphasize the Santa Fe operation–a modeler's choice, but the line should be titled in a way to reflect the SP ownership.
NICE! A pleasing balance of what looks finished and what's not yet finished, plus some nice trains and great scenery work. I hope Jim is enjoying this railroad.
Kevin MacPherson from Alberta
What a great railroad…It was a very good tour and look forward to more of your layout on video.
Jim, great layout. Thanks for sharing it with us. I look forward to future updates.
Thanks Jim. Beautifully conceived & constructed layout. I like your scenic work especially the rock formations. Although I model Pennsy in HO I always appreciate work in all scales. Thank you for your continuing contribution to scale modelling. I look forward to seeing more progress on your layout. Well done, JIm.
Thanks Jim for the tour! What a beautiful layout!
Thank you Jim and the MRVideo Plus staff for the tour of the layout. Hopefully we'll continue to see update videos as more sections of the layout are completed. Layout visits is one of my favorite sections of MR Video Plus.