Paradise Valley Model Railroad
  • Layout
    • About
    • Animation
    • Construction
    • DCC
    • Gallery
    • Heritage Equipment
    • Past Layouts
    • Plans
    • Videos >
      • 2014
  • Roster
    • Freight Cars
    • Locomotives
    • Non-Revenue Equipment
    • Passenger Cars
  • Events
    • Show Calendar
    • Event Pictures >
      • 2015 National Train Show Portland OR
      • United NW Monroe Model Railroad Club Show 2015
      • Great Train Expo Puyallup 2013
      • Plane, Trains & Automobiles 2013
      • Clamshell 2013
      • Train Fest WA History Museum
      • Great Train Expo, Puyallup WA, December 2012
      • Fairplex Garden Railroad Ponoma CA 2011
      • Great Train Expo Pomona CA 2011
    • Event Videos >
      • 2011 4449 In Centralia WA
      • 2011 TNW Club Show Tacoma WA
      • 2011 United Northwest Model RR Show Monroe WA
      • 2010 Great Train Expo Puyallup WA
      • 2010 Columbia Gorge Model RR Club Show
  • Links
    • Club & Home Layouts
    • Hobby Shops >
      • All Electronics
      • Factory Direct Trains
      • Historic Rail
      • Hobby Smith (Portland OR)
      • Internet Hobbies
      • Internet Trains
      • Micro-Mark
      • Mile Post 38 (CA)
      • Online Trains (Tacoma WA)
      • Overland Models
      • Reynaulds
      • Scenic Express
      • Tammie's Hobbies (Oregon)
      • The Short Line
      • The Whistle Stop (CA)
      • Tony's Train Exchange
      • Walthers
    • Magazines >
      • All Scale Rails
      • Model Railroad Hobbyist
      • Model Railroad News
      • Model Railroader
      • Railroad Model Craftsman
      • Trackside Model Railroading
      • YouTube Model Builders
    • Manufacturers
    • Museums & Train Rides
    • NMRA >
      • Alaska
      • Gateway
      • NMRA National
      • Pacific Northwest Region
      • PNR 4th Division
      • PNR 5th Division
    • Prototype >
      • Amtrak Status To Centralia
      • Association Of American Railroads
      • Federal Railroad Administrator
      • Freight Rail Works
      • Herzog
      • Operation Lifesaver
      • Railroad Signal International
    • Webcams
  • Reference
    • Bicentennial >
      • Locomotives
    • Christmas Catalog Train Pages
    • Collections >
      • Disneyland Trains
      • Mariner's Trains
      • Thomas Clark Gnomes
    • How-To's >
      • DCC Installs >
        • Proto 1000 F3 (2009)
      • Remove Walther's Hi-Level Roof
    • Local Photos & Video >
      • Local RR Photos
      • Local Video
    • Reference & Social >
      • Acme License Maker
      • Amtrak History
      • Amtrak Paint Schemes
      • Depot Photos - WA State
      • Gerrits Diary
      • Hank's Transportation Page
      • HO Railroad
      • HO Scale Train Resource
      • HO Seeker
      • Manual of Traffic Signs
      • Model Railroad Electronics
      • Railphotog
      • Railroad Modeling
      • RailServe
      • RR Picture Archives
      • Scale Converter
      • Trainboard
      • TrainLife
      • TrainOrders
  • Contact

About The Current Railroad

The Paradise Valley Railroad is an 11 foot by 14 foot HO scale model railroad. It is located in the Pacific Northwest and replicates the cities of Centralia and Chehalis Washington.  The time period is spring of 1976. Burlington Northern and Union Pacific are the dominant trains on the system but you will also see Milwaukee Road, Amtrak, Great Northern, Northern Pacific, Southern Pacific along with a few other roads.  The bicentennial was a huge event in 1976 and we celebrate here with red, white and blue paint schemes on several locomotives.  There are many industries including a large mint factory and potash storage.  Engine facilities include a large turntable and roundhouse as well as a locomotive repair building with gantry crane.  The mountain area includes a waterfall and river scene on one side with a farm and small town on the other. There is also a lighthouse scene perched atop a cliff with an ocean at its base. The layout has a double track mainline so a minimum of two trains can be ran for display, usually more.  Trains are controlled by DCC which means microprocessors are installed in the locomotives allowing individual control as well as special lighting effects and sound. 

History

Paradise Valley was founded in 1969 with a train set given to me by my parents for Christmas. It was manufactured by A.T.T. and is currently on display in the train room. Not long after, the track was mounted on a 3’ x 6’ plywood board by my Dad and I. It was stored under my bed when not in use. That lasted for several years before I claimed space for a fold up layout in my parents garage. My expertise grew leaps and bounds with that layout. The current layout was started in June of 2003 and is a passion of love. Thanks to my Dad, I am comfortable and enjoy electronics the most but I have fun with all aspects of the hobby.

Statistics

Currently there are over 1,000 individual people and animals roaming around on the layout along with 200 plus vehicles.  The locomotive roster hosts over 30 diesel locomotives and 1 steam. Rolling stock includes over 120 different types of train cars and cabooses.  The mainline is 64 feet long which in HO scale is a little over a mile.  Minimum radius is 26 inches with a maximum grade of 3.9 percent.  The layout height varies between 42 inches and 48 inches.  Each building has it’s own lighting as well as numerous streetlights, traffic lights and crossing lights.  Trains and turnouts are controlled with a Digitrax Digital Command Control Empire Builder station. 

 

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.