UP and BNSF
Railroad Layout Name: Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (Nebraska Division)
Layout Owner: John Swanson, Beloit WI
Layout Size: 28’ x 70’
Scale and Gauge: HO standard gauge
Scenery Type: Styrofoam and Hardshell
Percent of Scenery Complete: 97%
Control System: GML Walkaround Throttles
Mainline Trackage: 570’
Maximum Number of People Allowed at One Time: 20-30
Wheel Chair Accessibility: No
I’m a retired high school science teacher. Trains and trucks have always held a fascination for me. My first train set was a Lionel, which I purchased in 1951. I added cars and accessories, but soon became interested in HO scale. I still have my first HO locomotive, a Hobbytown E-7 ABA set. It was the beginning of many, many locomotives that I have accumulated through the years.
Various locomotives are in display cases. I painted most of them in schemes of favorite railroads. Several are brass diesels acquired over the years. Others are extensively kit bashed or detailed plastic models. Most diesel locomotives on the layout are plastic because so many highly detailed plastic models are now available. The rolling stock is largely plastic kits; again, since so much is available in plastic. However, some cars are brass, some are craftsman kits, some are kit bashed, and some cars are scratchbuilt.
Highway trucks are also an important part of my layout. Previously, I carved the truck cabs from balsa. Recently, cabs are cast resin using rubber molds of originals. The beds or trailers are made from basswood or plastic. A variety of commercial or cast wheels are used.
My real hobby enjoyment is in scratch building structures. I build structures that catch my eye when I am traveling. I take photos and get as many measurements as I can. Then I adapt the structures to my layout. For example, there are 12 grain elevators and feed mills. Most are built from styrene and brass shapes, but other materials have been used. Many other structures are on the layout. However, all of the sidings reserved for elevators and industries have now been filled.
This railroad was begun in 1991 when my wife and I moved into our new home. The layout was built to represent the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern (now Burlington Northern Santa Fe) in eastern Nebraska during the mid to modern diesel era. My former UP and BN railroad was featured in the first issue of Great Model Railroads in 1991. The new layout uses structures, scenes and vehicles from the former layout, plus many new industries.
Before benchwork was started Terry Trank, Rob Marston, Tom Maladecki and I installed a blue-painted masonite backdrop and blue masonite cover over the railroad itself. In addition, the 120 volt layout wiring and florescent lighting was installed. The layout’s bench work is built with 2 x 4 legs and L-girders, while the two peninsulas are of grid construction. Mainline roadbed is spline topped with Homasote. There are extensive storage tracks, as reverse loops, below the peninsulas as well as storage tracks along two walls below the layout.
I began hand laying track, but the 70’ x 30’ around-the-wall layout with one BN mainline and two UP mainlines made me conclude that I could either run trains or lay track. So, Atlas nickel silver code 100 track and switches were used for the majority of the trackwork. Most turnouts are hand thrown by Caboose Industries switch stands or by a linkage devised by Rich Woock.
The railroad’s electrical system uses 83 conventional blocks, excluding yards, capable of being powered by either of six GML hand held memory throttles. Terry Trank and Tom Maladecki did the wiring. It is ample, heavy duty and orderly to provide years of hassle-free enjoyment.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a remarkable “Display” layout. One of the finest anywhere. The three mainlines each make a loop of the entire basement on sweeping, broad-radius curves. Long trains are powered by 2-4 of today’s diesel locomotives, or possibly 2-5 diesels of the 70’s or 90’s. See unit trains, double stacks and piggy backs, or general merchandise trains travel through fantastic scenery. Or watch the entire Santa Fe El Capitan sweep majestically in and out of view. There are dozens of spectacular, highly detailed major structures that will have you gawking for a long time. In addition, there are countless excellent mini-scenes for you to view. Don’t miss seeing John’s layout if you have the opportunity.
