Want to show off your layout design skills, or test how well you can design for an unfamiliar space? Every year, the PCR Layout Design & Operations meet suggests a particular design problem - how to design a layout for a given space, a specific location, or a particularly challenging situation. We invite meet attendees to design a model railroad to meet the challenges, then give a short (5 minute) presentation at the meet.
The Santa Clara depot is quite close to Southern Pacific's former Lenzen engine facility, home to SP's steam and diesel power over the years. It's a famous location captured in so many photographs.
Your challenge is to design an operating layout based on the engine terminal itself. Design a layout that can fit in a 10 foot by 12 foot bedroom of a typical house. The layout should model the Lenzen Ave. engine facility and any staging you need to model locomotive operations at the site.
Share your design with attendees, and tell them about your design choices and proposed operating scheme in your presentation.
See the full design challenge document for full details about the design goal. Contact Bruce Morden (brucedmorden@gmail.com) ASAP to let him know you're interested in participating. Challenge submissions must be submitted to Bruce no later than January 19, 2026.