Update: This video (and a couple of others) are all that is left of the layout now. My father is Bill Everett and I grew up in the house around Dad's Traction hobby. Unfortunately, in August of 2015, he entered a nursing home. At his advanced age (90), and with the loss of his wife of over 55 years who passed away in August, 2015 - he was unable to continue living independently. Thankfully, the OERM was able to accept most of Dad's models and his substantial collection of other railroad items. Unfortunately, the layout had to be dismantled. Dad is very happy to know that his items survive in a place (OERM) where they can be enjoyed by others. During a visit to Santa Barbara in February, 2016 I showed Dad this youtube video. He was amazed that it had (at that time) over 31,000 views. He was also gratified to find out that so many people gave it a "like." During his lifetime, he has been one of the foremost experts in traction modeling, as well as steam locomotion, and interurban light rail. He also co-authored a book in 1984 called "Mule Car and Trolley; the Story of the Santa Barbara Railway". Thanks to John Smatlak for making this video. And thanks to the many who have taken the time to view it.

I am sad to report that Bill Everett passed away yesterday (12/14/17) at the age of 92. I am grateful that this video still exists on KZfaq and consider it a living memorial to the hobby he loved so much. He enjoyed sharing and was pleased that so many others had the chance to see the layout that he worked for decades to build. RIP Dad

My youngest loves trains. I began to think about Grandpa Everret and came across this in a quick google search. It put me in tears to see the attic just as it had been my childhood and growning up visiting and him, quickly start the track up and watch it go while he tinkered with placements of people. Or the smell of him glueing with such precise touch. Grandpa always sent us to Santa Cruz to ride the train down to the boardwalk every summer too. This hobby was a true passion and I wish I'd have asked more. Thankful for this video!!

This was a remarkable layout built by a remarkable man. Thanks for sharing it so it lives on for the enjoyment of others. Bill and I swapped letters for a number of years and during a 4 month Navy assignment in Ventura County in 2002, Bill graciously welcomed my family and I for several visits. I wrote an article on his layout for the now defunct Trolley Talk magazine around 2003. Thanks again for this video and may he and Betty Rest In Peace.

My deepest condolences t you and your family for the loss of your dad. I, myself was also a Highway Patrolman in New York and have a fond love for the trolley cars. That was a FANTASTIC layout and it is a living tribute to your fathers love and enjoyment of the electric traction. God Bless

What a fantastic layout this highly skilled man has created. Truly a credit to him.

Wow! That is amazing! Bill is a master craftsman. Those trolleys and streetcars are awesome. His whole layout is awesome. I can't believe he scratch built all those trolleys, buildings, and signals. Such a beautiful job. Thanks for sharing!

I was invited to a PCR convention in Santa Barbara around 1972.... I was about 13 or 14 years old at the time. (Junior High School). This one one of the layouts on tour and it was amazing.... I still remember it!

I went on a layout tour in the Santa Barbera area, Bill's layout was the third one I visited and I ended up staying the whole day there! Bill is wonderful to talk to. He is also a WWII vet having taken part in the D-Day invasion and fought his way all the way to Germany. Not only is the trolley collection impressive, so is his Trolley paraphernalia collection as well.

Good GOD.....I cannot believe the size, detail, and accuracy of this layout. I'd give anything to see that in person...

I am back a year after posting my first comment about Bill Everett's 'O' scale model trolley layout. I've been back here numerous times to watch this video over and over again. I can't quite put my finger on why I like it so much, I just know that I do. I also know that I'll be back here again to watch Bill Everett's model railroad creation in action again and again and again. I just can't get enough of it. I truly enjoy this episode of Behind the Rails.

I think I’ve watched this great video over 100 times. Still a magnificent achievement, even if it only lives on in memory and in his fabulous models.

Absolutely brilliant ! may God watch over you Mr. Everett's for you have inspired me and new generations of the love of scratch building magnificent models as you have done! you are my muse!

The work of a true craftsman. Thanks for posting.

Magnificent models and layout ,God bless Bill Everett 🙏

What a beautiful collection of hand-made models! God bless you Bill Everett!

All I can say is that this man had a truly God-given gift to build such a wonderful layout and rolling stock! This history has to be preserved!!

What an amazing modeler. Trainman's hat's off to him!

A fitting tribute to someone who obviously adored his work.....

A wonderful video of a wonderful traction layout. Thanks for shooting and sharing and special thanks to Bill for his service to our country.

The man is very talented and creative. I truly envy him. Bill Everett's contribution to the traction portion of this wonderful model railroad hobby is greatly appreciated. Especially by me.

Great model builder and outstanding model railroad

When I was still very new to model railroading in middle school, this lay was featured in MRR. I was astounded at the modeling skill displayed here. Upon further reading I learned all these trollies are scratch built models. Amazing.

Thanks. Great video, John. Bill was a one-off as they say, a survivor from an earlier era in the hobby. Now even our buildings are all preassembled. The only problem with this approach is layouts start to look the same when everyone has the same distinctive movie theatre on theirs. Bill will be missed

What an awesome trolley layout! Way to fuel my imagination! Or better yet, charge up! Thank you!

Unbelievable. I am so amazed and moved that I don't know what else to say.

Sorry to hear that your father passed away but so glad that his collection and this video exist of his legacy, thank you for sharing this unique model....

WOW! Fantastic. I'm drooling looking at all those trolleys. Great job.

I remember when this guy and his layout were featured in a mid eighties issue of Model Railroader Mag. Very cool! All handmade scratch built streetcars, trolleys and interurbans.

Superb, stunning and all scratch built, too. A wonderful achievement. So pleased that Bill's models can still be viewed and enjoyed at the museum. Thanks for sharing this video.

Washingtonian here, glad to see a model of a YVT Master Unit is there. YVT had only three, all are back in Yakima, 2 can run, the third spent too much time in Snoqualmie.

What an amazing talent with gorgeous results of his many hours (years) of work. He should have been consulted and involved in building real trolley car lines.

Absolutely awesome work

Really, God Bless you, Bill Evarett. You are probably the best!

Wow! This is incredible. Thanks Bill!

I saw an article in model railroader magazine in which there was a real estate companies that specialize in dealing with houses that had fantastic model railroads in them that could not be moved and they were considered a very valuable asset to the house. One guy saw the layout in the basement of a house for sale and she told his wife if you like the upstairs I like to downstairs and we will buy this house.

I hope he can still build in the nursing home. Great work and vid. Thanks, Paul

A layout one just can dream of, incredible!!

Looooooooooove the Model Trolley Layout.

Bill looks a little like Barney Fife in his police uniform. Great video, lot of work and patience.

Wow! What a layout!

Absolutely beautiful work!

I'm in the Southern California traction club and that is amazing I hope they go to a great place when he paces away… I wish I could have one

Great lay out as well as cars ..

Astounding prowess this man has ! ! To scratch build ALL of it by himself is nearly beyond belief ! ! E V E R Y car, all catanary, poles, trolley wire, track, structures..WOW !!! Do wish much more of layout was shown. What about control system ? Could have walked and talked around the room.

Wonderful creation!

True Art Bill!!

This is SOOOOOO awesome

That is a beautiful Layout

i saw this layout in model rr whilst the layout was still in santa barbra. still a ground breking rr in my mind.

Amazing

Amazing!

Hi from Argentina! I'd love to go and visit your museum in person, but it's impossible for me at the moment. I love this video, and all my admiration to Mr Everett's job!! I wonder if it's possible to buy a T-shirt (or 2) like the ones you have on in the video. Please let me know, and how I can contact you. Greetings!

This layout appeared in the December 2011 issue of Model Railroader.

Good video

I would pay money to learn how to build from him.

john I was wondering what happens to bills beautiful layout I really hope that his sons or some one at the museum takes good care of the layout because he spent so much time and care of it

Also in the August 1983 issue.

Way beyond my skill sets, but really cool!

Wait, did Bill say he was powering 200 volts DC through the wires?

was still in diapers when this man started his layout. :) ohm myyyyy!!!

What scale are those Edit: looks ho but might be on30

Beleza...

sorry about your loss I lost my mom at 16 I first saw his layout in model railroader and was impressed but he is with your mom peace and keep the faith in jesus god bless

It's not at the museum. It's stored in Bill Everette's home in Santa Barbera.

is he still alive>

Holy shit that's a lot of interurbans.

Be nice to see more of the layout and less of the old guy jawing'.