In December 2009 we visited the Golden State Model Railroad Museum, located in Point Richmond, CA (in the Bay area). The museum houses three exhibits that are built and operated by the East Bay Model Engineers Society. Their website offers the following description of the Santa Fe Western layout:
The Santa Fe Western O Scale layout doesn't attempt to model any specific area, but generally resembles the Western United States. The layout is noted for its high mountains, deep canyons, wide rushing rivers, steep climbs, long straight-aways, and snow-capped peaks. Although a specific era was not targeted during construction, most of the structures would mark this as a mid-1930s to mid-1950s motif.
Thanks to Jeffrey Rowe who was the trainmaster and host during our visit.
The Golden State Model Railroad Museum celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2010, but its roots actually extend back to the founding in 1933 of the East Bay Model Engineers Society.
For more details on the history of the engineers and the museum please visit: http://www.gsmrm.org/history/