Seth Neumann
Union Pacific Oakland Sub
Description
The layout is set in the East Bay in 1999. The railroad represents the former Western Pacific 1st and San Jose Subdivisions, which had become the UP Niles, Oakland and Milpitas Subdivisions in the era modeled. The railroad is a secondary main and a branchline which supports an Auto plant (NUMMI), a large gravel operation and a number of smaller industries.
The layout is built in a 450 sqft purpose built room. Construction is single level. Dispatching is by TCS (using CATS) which replicates a Digicon console. Signal control is by CMRInet, including cpNodes made by Seth’s company, Model Railroad Control Systems. All signals are repeated as color lite signals on repeaters above the layout. There is a complete writeup of the layout in Volume 52 of the Layout Design Journal, publication of the Layout Design SIG and a cover story in RMC January 2018 and a cover in NMRA Magazine July 2021. The layout is about 95% sceniced.
A unique feature of the layout is that there is no yardmaster, only a Clerk. This is because the prototype Milpitas Yard has no permanent switcher. The clerk is responsible for managing yard and the neighboring NUMMI complex by writing switchlists to instruct the crews where to place cars. All crews do their own work when passing through the yard. NCE DCC with wireless throttles, all mainline engines have sound decoders, FRS Radios, 2:1 fast clock, switchlists. Uncoupling 100% manual using pics.
Scale: HO
Era: 1999
Approximate Size: 450 square feet
Percent Complete Benchwork-100% Trackwork-100% Scenery-95% Signaling- 100%
Location: Mountain View
Access: Step hazards – stairs, etc., No roller access (wheelchairs, walkers, etc.)
Parking: Close Street Parking is available (< 200 feet)
Video Layout Tour by TSG Multimedia
Video of Operating on the UP Oakland Sub by TSG Multimedia
