My inspiration as a 12-year-old model railroader was G.A.Humann, a farmer/rancher in Gerber California, and his wonderful South Shasta Lines. Elderly when I enjoyed his articles and photography, I'm sure he's no longer living. Does anyone know what became of the O-scale South Shasta Lines? Scott
ER...Actually he is still alive...and he OPENED the doors to the layout AGAIN this year. April as I recall.
11 JUNE 2008 Scott and Marty. It has been many years since I met G.A.Humann and visited the South Shasta Lines. A superb O-scale layout representing Northern California. I was assigned to Kingsley Fiield about the mid point of my USAF careea (April 1963 to June 1966). I retired from the USAF in 1975. My wife and I along with another railfan couple made a trip down from Klamath Falls, Oregon. We had contacted him prior to going down as to insure he was 'open for showing'. He normally was not showing then, however would give us a private showing. We enjoyed a number of hours there. I went over ever inch of the layout and very much enjoyed the stories as to how he built it. These included the driving of the golden spike, the unfinished extention to Oregon, etc.. He also pulled the small German built steam loco out into the sun for us to take pictures. I consider visiting the South Shasta Lines, one of my fonder memories Larry @ SCRS
Wow. Haven't heard that man or his layout mentioned in a long time. Anyone recall magazine articles about him, or his layout? Seems like there was something in RMC years ago? Boxcab E50
Marty and Larry, thanks for your help. Mr. Humann gave me tremendous help back in the '60s - from typing me long letters to sending color photos, dirt and rock from the Shasta country. He greatly influenced my decision to retire down here in the Siskiyous. Larry, I'm a USAF and airline vet - I live in the Medford area and know Kingsley and F15s well. May we all live the satisfying life of G.A.Humann! Thank you. Scott
12 JUNE 2008 Good morning Scott. At the time I was at Kingsley Field, we had F-101B's. Often we would keep two of them down at the Siskiyou airport. The Klamath Falls area - at that time period - had some very good railfan areas for visiting. In the area were three O gauge (3 rail) modlers that had layouts. One of these , Jack Wade had built a large building just for his layout (railroad). I lost track of him after I was reassigned to Hill AFB, Utah. He also had been down to the South Shasta Lines and talked about it often. Need to leave for work. I need to be in Flight Operations (Lockheed Martin) NLT 0650. Larry @ SCRS
In fact, articles about the South Shasta Lines (and the layout itself) likely span a greater number of years than for just about any other privately owned layout in existence! Godfrey Humann's first published article regarding his pike appears in the March 1951 issue of RMC! He has had many subsequent articles in RMC, as well as some in MR, with the most recent one that I can put my finger on, being in the former magazine in 1993. A truly amazing record. NYW&B
Here is a link to the layout. More photos by someone else. A visitor, I think. His website seems to primarily be steam tractors. One more link.
Legend passes Godfrey A. Humann, owner and builder of the O scale South Shasta model railroad passed away at his home in Gerber California. He was 96 years old. The railroad was a model of the SP from Gerber to Dunsmuir and was open to the public every year in April and had been featured in the model press many times. Funeral services are planned at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Red Bluff on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 1;00 P.M.
That's sad, but not to be unexpected. He was not in very good shape when I visited his display last year. I hope his family will keep the Southern Shasta going in his memory.
