Oh the Irony of placing this article right next to "Reverse running"...

This is one absolutely Goregeous railroad.  Thanks Jack!!

The first thing I did was download all the specials.  This was the first one I watched.  After watching I had only two thoughts            1 ) WOW

2) WOW, would that make a greta Live Op's #5

Thanks guys for getting this

Steve

A first-rate layout and an excellent article.  Thanks for the track diagrams and the keyed photos.  Lucky for Burgess that he got it built before the death of scratch-building. It would be impossible to duplicate this with only RTR components.

Artarms

Charlie this is your best article so far! Just before I moved to Virginia I had planned to model the YVRR and I am really impressed with Jack Burgess and his fine work and details. I think I read some where that Scratch building is dead I sure hope not for more than 60% of my narrow Gauge will require me to scratch build my towns and Stations.

I really enjoyed the read as well as the video.

Dan

Besides all the great stuff here, from the well documented and researched structure construction to his rolling stock, I was very impressed with the padded arm rest on the yard! What a great idea, and shows that this isn't just a show piece - but it's meant to be operated.

Thanks for the article.

No Dash-9s, no W******s steel mills . . .  what kind of a railroad is that, anyway?

While many of us chase zebras, Jack set himself a goal and achieved it.

Great article! I have read a fair bit about this railroad. To my mind, it is the ultimate expression of model railroading and where I hope somewhere to be with my efforts. What I especially liked was the DVD interview. While much has been written, I had never had a chance to see and hear Jack speak. Its nice to put a face, manner, and voice to the work I admire so much.

I second the idea that this would be a FANTASTIC op session live DVD.

Chris

 A good article about a very outstanding railroad!

That open roof on the El Portal station probably came about after Jack & his wife were returning from the 1992 PCR Convention at which the model won it points.  They stopped by our house. Jack brought the station in and placed it on our dining room table.  At the time, the model had a full roof which was completely removable so  people could see the interior.  Jack removed the roof while in was on our table, which has an overhead "western" style chandelier with 3 small spotlights built into it.  The interior detail showed up beautifully in that light and Jack's wife Jacqie remarked that maybe the roof should remain off when it was on the YV layout.  Hence the open roof seen on Jack's layout. That model deserved every point that it got!

I got my August issue of Model Railroader and on pg,s 64-69 is and article on Jacks Burgess 4-4-0s and how he re-detailed the Modernized American but no mater how hard I tried I couldn't get any of the photos to move so I went to MY copy of the July issue of MRH and watched the finished engine in action.

Dan

Thanks for featuring this outstanding model RR. I had the opportunity to visit during the Santa Clara convention and can say it was one of the highlights for me.

MRH magazine gets better with every issue. Thanks for this great model railroad mag.

Regards,

Keith Stamper

Is anyone else having trouble getting the video of the interview with Jack to play?

Which version of the magazine? Standard or Embedded?

Worked fine here.

I tried both versions.  The standard version allows me to click on it.  It loads but will not play.  The embedded version of the video will not open.  Most of the other videos in the magazine open with no problems.  Charlie's video in his article and the Jack Burgess are the only two that will not open.

Sorry I can't suggest a solution but I can verify that both videos in question worked flawlessly when played from the embedded version here.

Which browser and version (internet explorer, firefox, chrome, safari, etc.)?

Which type of computer and OS (mac, pc, linux)?

Charlie

... can you play them if you go to our YouTube Channel and play them from there?

Thanks Joe.  I was able to view them on You Tube.  Great videos...finally able to watch them!  Keep up the good work with the magazine.  Really enjoying the whole experience!

Wow! - so many ideas, beautiful scenery, and a nice clear track plan.  Inspirational!  Thanks