N-scale Layout Overview

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GEHAMS’s N-scale layout, situated on the 2nd floor of the commercial building J.J. Newberry's in downtown Bakersfield, California, measures approximately 18’ X 90’ and features 17.4 scale miles of mainline track. This impressive Bakersfield model trains layout showcases a strong Santa Fe and Southern Pacific influence on local railroad properties in Kern County.

The centerpiece of the layout is our representation of the World Famous Tehachapi Loop, constructed by our resident NMRA AP credited scenery specialist Mike O'Brien. He utilized topographical and Google Earth measurements to create a highly accurate depiction of the real Tehachapi Loop. This expansive scene includes Sandcut, Caliente, the Tunnels, and a scratch-built bridge.

Additional scenes feature the Northern staging yard, added in 2005, which includes 6 UP staging tracks and 4 BNSF tracks, representing locations to the North and West of Bakersfield. A freelanced version of Downtown Bakersfield showcases the Passenger Station, Buttonwillow, which now includes the recently added Frito Lay plant and Del Monte packing & shipping warehouse.

The LandCo Industrial complex is being updated by another NMRA AP credited member, Doug Wagner, and includes various commercial and industrial businesses. Next, there is a large representation of the Bakersfield yard, along with scenery depicting the Edison area, a key hub for the state's potato processing industry.

Other landscapes typical of Southern California are depicted, featuring citrus orchards, oilfields, small towns, and industrial facilities such as petroleum refineries, loading racks, packing sheds, lumber yards, cattle pens, warehouses, and manufacturing businesses. There's also a representation of Tehachapi with a passenger station and yard that services mainline traffic along with the small branch line of Kernville, recently updated by another of GEHAMS's talented sceniteers, John Donaldson.

Mojave, which was previously a 10-track staging yard, has undergone a transformation to now feature a 5-track staging interchange and classification configuration for setting up trains. Additionally, a 2-track passenger siding has been added to accommodate through passenger traffic, and our most recent addition is the branch line of Trona, offering a freelanced view of one of the state's historical mining processes.

The layout operates using a Digitrax radio command system, supported by 5 boosters and home-built power supplies. The wiring has been completely redone by the expertise of Don Wright, and the layout’s brain has been upgraded to the new duplex system with a DCS240 command station, allowing for both tethered and radio control of trains. The layout is also Wi-Fi ready for smartphones to be used as throttles. Additionally, the N-scale layout features a newly redesigned dispatch desk utilizing JMRI's Panel Pro system to effectively operate trains on the layout.