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DVL Layout

  • Diablo Valley Lines is exclusively HO scale (1:87). The equipment operated on the layout represent periods from the middle of the nineteenth century to the present time. Most of the modeled structures date from the 1950's when the transition from steam to diesel motive power was in full swing in the USA.
  • The layout contains standard gauge track and narrow gauge track.
  • Only the train ferry Ramon, as seen in Mallard, represents a place from real life. The overall theme is a composite of the mountainous area of the Western United States.
  • The layout is approximately 1,904 sq ft, contains over 4,300 feet of track, has over 240 working switches or turnouts, and contains several miles of electrical wire.
  • From our collective knowledge, and that of our many visitors, we believe that we have the most mountainous model railroad of it's kind anywhere. The highest peak is about 1,350 scale feet about the floor if measured in HO scale, while the highest trackage is some 672 scale feet above the base table.
  • The mountains are constructed of lightweight plaster based products spread thinly over a simple framework of wood and window screening. When properly textured and colored this plaster-like material creates a strong and believable mountainside.
  • The structures around the layout are of two kinds. Many are scratch-built from raw materials requiring many hours of work. Others are assembled from kits and are often improved by kit-bashing or modified in many ways. Proper painting and weathering are necessary to prevent a toy-shop appearance.
  • Our model railroad has been featured in magazines and newspapers around the world. Some of the articles can be seen on display during our shows.
  • From its inception, DVL stands among the few model railroads built and intentioned soley for public show. As such we also host a night scene / light show every hour on the half hour (7:30, 8:30. 9:30...) with accompanying soundtrack.
  • While construction and reconstruction projects have continued for nearly forty years, it has never been possible to answer the frequently asked question, "How long did it take to build all this?"

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