Jack A. Burgess

Jack Burgess initially became captivated with the Yosemite Valley Railroad in the mid-1960s as he searched for a prototype railroad for a new model railroad layout. The Yosemite Valley satisfied all his criteria. It was a fascinating shortline railroad providing passenger service to one of America's most beautiful national parks. It also shipped logs, limestone, and general freight and, with small engines and turn-of-the-century freight cars, was the perfect prototype for building rolling stock, structures, and locomotives by hand.

To accurately scratchbuild his models, he realized it was necessary to find more information on the structures and equipment owned by the railroad. This need started a ceaseless and continuing quest to find additional photos and information.

His highly successful efforts at modeling a specific prototype as closely as possible became well known in model railroading through the nearly 100 articles he authored for numerous model railroad magazines. His high standards of modeling the YV earned him recognition as a Master Model Railroader from the National Model Railroad Association. An article in a national magazine named his layout as one of four most notable, milestone layouts of all time. Visit his website, www.yosemitevalleyrr.com, for more information.

Jack retired in 2004 from the City of Newark (San Francisco Bay Area) after a 39-year career. He worked there as a civil engineer and managed the city's capital improvement program, coordinating the construction of streets, parks, and public buildings. Jack and his wife, Jacque, have three children and five grandchildren.