O Scale - S Scale - Narrow Gauge West
The annual O Scale West / S West show is focused on two-rail O-scale and S-scale modelers who are interested in more true-to-scale modeling (no AF or three-rail models shown). However, anyone is welcome to attend. The shows are held for several days in California. They include vendors, how-to clinics, contests, operating display layouts, individual seller tables, and local layout tours (self-drive).
Even though the NASG is not directly involved with O Scale West / S West shows, we still wanted to have a page dedicated to this annual meeting.
From an S-scale perspective, this show started in 1995 because west coast modelers wanted to have something similar to the Fall S Fest and Spring Spree. The "S-West" multi-day convention was created. Some were held in conjunction with the O Scale West event, and some were stand-alone. Starting in 2006, the O Scale West and the Bay Area S Scalers (who were the dominant force behind the S-West events), decided to combine their efforts, and it became the annual O Scale West / S West show. Please note that the external links include O-scale models photos; not everything is S-scale. Starting in 2019 their name changed to "O Scale - S Scale - Narrow Gauge West".
2024
2023
Location:
Santa Clara, CA
2022
Location:
Santa Clara, CA
Notes:
The Bay Area S Scalers had their new switching layout at the show, with people operating it. Operations/re-staging are all done without having to handle the equipment. The track is code 100, and the turnouts are servo-controlled using Tam Valley Depot electronics.
Attendance to the show was far less than in pre-lockdown years, but there was a lot of S-scale product for sale.
Photos taken at the event can be found in the June 2022 issue of the S Scale Resource magazine, starting on page 67.
Additional photos are available here.
2021
Location:
Santa Clara, CA
Notes:
Canceled due to corona virus lockdown.
2020
Location:
Santa Clara, CA
Notes:
Canceled due to corona virus lockdown.
2019
Location:
Santa Clara, CA
Notes:
Special O- and S-scale SP Interlocking Tower structure kits available during and after the event (manufactured by S-scale modeler Michael Eldridge's Sandy Point Models company).
Photos taken at the event can be found in the June 2019 issue of the S Scale Resource magazine, starting on page 74.
Event Model: SP Interlocking Tower
2018
Location:
Santa Clara, CA
2017
Location:
Santa Clara, CA
2016
Location:
Santa Clara, CA
Organized By:
Bay Area S Scalers
Notes:
"S West 11".
2015
Location:
Santa Clara, CA
Organized By:
Bay Area S Scalers
Notes:
"S West 10".
2014
Location:
Santa Clara, CA
Organized By:
Bay Area S Scalers
Link:
Link:
Notes:
"S West 9".
2013
Location:
Santa Clara, CA
Organized By:
Bay Area S Scalers
Link:
Notes:
"S West 8".
2012
Location:
Santa Clara, CA
Organized By:
Bay Area S Scalers
Link:
Notes:
"S West 7".
Event Car: Pacific Rail Shops WP Box Car
2011
Location:
Santa Clara, CA
Organized By:
Bay Area S Scalers
Link:
Notes:
"S West 6". This was a joint convention with the NRMA's national convention.
2010
Location:
Santa Clara, CA
Organized By:
Bay Area S Scalers
Link:
Notes:
Held in conjunction with the O-scale National Convention.
2009
Location:
Santa Clara, CA
Organized By:
Bay Area S Scalers
Link:
Notes:
The two flat cars were produced by Wiseman Model Services and sold through Howard'S Trains. One was 53 feet long and the other 40'.
Event Car: Wiseman Model Services SP 53' flat car
2008
Location:
Santa Clara, CA
Organized By:
Bay Area S Scalers
Link:
Notes:
Arden Goehring's layout was open for the tour.
2007
Location:
Santa Clara, CA
Organized By:
Bay Area S Scalers
Registrations:
200+
Link:
Notes:
Starting this year, the Bay Area S Scalers and the O Scale West groups combined their efforts to create this annual show. A report about the show with several photos can be found on page 10 of the April 2007 issue of the NASG's Dispatch.
2006
Location:
San Mateo, CA
Organized By:
Bay Area S Scalers
Link:
Notes:
This was called "O Scale West Plus S".
2004
Location:
Portland, OR
Organized By:
Bay Area S Scalers
Notes:
Lee Johnson and Joe Visintine took the Bay Area S Scalers' modular layout up to the national NMRA convention in Seattle. After that, they set up a "S West" show the following weekend.
2002
Location:
Stockton, CA
Organized By:
Bay Area S Scalers, Sacramento Valley American Flyer
Notes:
This was called "S-West IV". Private home layouts included that of Arden Goehring, and the layout of Vic Cherven Sr. and Vic Cherven Jr.'s (this layout was started by the father-son team in 1987). A personal report about the show can be found on page 24 of the December 2002 issue of the NASG's Dispatch.
1998
Location:
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Organized By:
Inland Empire S Gauge Assn, Rocky Mountain Hi-Railers, Northwest S Scalers
Notes:
This was called "S-West III". Spearheaded by Gil Hulin, to focus on visiting Jess Bennett's layout. Also, Ernie Horr and Ron Tilton were open for layout visits.
Event Car: Lionel GN Gondolas with load
(photo © Rich Gajnak)
1997
Location:
San Mateo, CA
Organized By:
Bay Area S Scalers
Registrations:
35
Notes:
This was called "S-West II". Held in conjunction with the O Scale West show. Among the layouts open was Ed Loizeaux'.
1995
Location:
Palo Alto, CA
Organized By:
Bay Area S Scalers
Notes:
It was called the S West then, and it was held in conjunction with the NMRA's Pacific Coast Region annual convention. There were 3 operating layouts at the show, and 4 S-scale layouts on tour. Read more about this in the August 1995 issue of S/Sn3 Modeling Guide.