The Santa Cruz Northern is an operation oriented HO layout set in the early 1970s. Jim Providenza built this double decked railroad as a way to railfan his favorite spots in northern California. The railroad, a subsidiary of the Santa Fe and the Southern Pacific, was built in a double car garage where it shares some space with the family car. To make the most of the available space, the scenes are only 12" to 18" deep. Jim has plans to expand along the only vacant wall.

Operation brings the railroad to life with full crews, a dispatcher, and over 12 trains per session. There are no switching puzzles, but only trackwork designed to move freight over the road. Jim and his operators work the railroad much like professionals with paperwork, radios and lots of coffee.