Step back into the 1950s and experience the legendary Southern Pacific Shasta Route like never before—brought to life through an incredibly detailed model railroad. This layout recreates 24 miles between Dunsmuir and Black Butte, California, featuring iconic landmarks like Mount Shasta, Castle Crags, and Black Butte Mountain.
Watch as classic passenger trains like the Shasta Daylight, The Klamath, The West Coast, and The Scoot travel through this stunning miniature world, alongside long freight consists and a full 50-car reefer train. Built by James “Tex” Copsetta, this lifelong passion project began in January 2000 and stands as his third model railroad. The town of Black Butte, constructed by his son Jeff Copsetta, showcases incredible craftsmanship and attention to detail. With over 2,000 handmade trees, 16 locomotives, and more than 100 railcars, this layout captures the spirit of railroading’s golden era. One of the highlights includes the Dry Canyon Viaduct, stretching 7 feet long—over 500 scale feet, and a fully operational system capable of supporting one dispatcher and up to five engineers at once. This award-winning layout was featured in the 2016 edition of Great Model Railroads, a publication that selects only six layouts worldwide each year. This isn’t just a model—it’s a tribute to history, craftsmanship, and the enduring legacy of railroading.
About the Author
