Givens and Druthers

As many are familiar with, creating a list of Givens and Druthers is a popular way to set goals and limits for a design. I started to create a list, but that didn't get much momentum. Although not documented, below is the basic list. I will identify further criteria in subsequent postings.

• No duck-unders. That is a big one for me. As we get older, duck-unders become more problematic. That was a key item for the Exeter Branch and holds true for the LA Division. If you look at the design, you will see a narrow section along the stairwell. This allows operators to come up the stairs into the layout. 

• Wide aisles: I've said that model railroaders get larger over time, not smaller. The last thing I want is folks climbing over each other in the aisles. As a general rule, aisles will be 4'6" wide and 5' at Taylor Yard. No pinch point less than 24".

• Benchwork depth: the maximum depth will be 30". Given that the track will not extend to the backdrop making the maximum reach 27" or so. That has worked effectively to date on the Exeter Branch.

• Maximum operators = 8, nine if I count a dispatcher, but that's down the road. I'd like to keep the pool of operators manageable. The dispatcher will be implemented later. Not every job will run each session.

• 25+ car trains: I really want to run longer trains. So, I've planned trains to be based on a length of 25 60' cars.

• 2 cars per axle: I want to run trains with multi-unit head end power. So I'm implementing a key learning from the La Mesa club and making loco capacity for mainline trains 2 cars per axle. A typical SD45 will be rated for 12 cars. Thus if the train is 25 cars it will require three six axle locos. This will be implemented as a guideline.

• Timeframe: I gave this a lot of thought. I have a variety of equipment I want to run and that posed a big challenge. I struggled with early 70s, mid 70s, late 70s and early 80s. Early stack trains are a must. And I have other equipment I really want to run. So, I settled in the 1979-1982 window. I'm trying to narrow that further. I had to drop the ICTF (Intermodal Container Transfer Facility) as that didn't come into being until 1986. I'll push both ends of the window.

• DCC: I know NCE vs Digitrax is like Ford vs Chevy. My choice is NCE. I use it on my existing railroad (wired) and that command station also becomes a backup. My plan is to be 100% wireless. 

• Track: All track will be code 83. While I realize that lighter rail should be used off the mains, I'm planning to use flex track and manufactured turnouts. I considered Fast Tracks, but with over 400 turnouts, if I want to finish laying track in this decade, I don't have the time to build that many turnouts. 

• Lighting: One of my pet peeves is not having enough light to read car numbers. I do carry a small flashlight in my operator's apron for low lighting situations. On the Exeter Branch there is ample lighting making it easy to read the car numbers. I expect the same for the Los Angeles Division. The room has very bright LED fixtures and I'll have LED lighting under the upper level.  

• Electrical: I'll address this when I blog on wiring.

• Benchwork: I'll address when I blog on benchwork construction.

• Above all the railroad must run and operate well. The existing railroad which is almost 100% Atlas 83 track runs very reliably. That was a key focus which is a combination of trackwork, electrical, and equipment. So, that's the bar that I need to measure up to and exceed.

I'm sure there are criteria that I've left off. I'll add those into the commentary of subsequent posts. 

If you have questions or comments, please don't hesitate to post them.

SP Los Angeles Division Plan

Prior to building the new space for the railroad, I spent quite a bit of time doing research. I acquired a number of SPINS books as well as finding Sanborn maps, Thomas Bros maps, spending time on Google Earth, site visits, books, Google searches, etc. There is a lot out there.

Next, was to design the footprint of the railroad. Many forms were kicked around. I had a list of Givens and Druthers that influenced the design (I'll share that later). With each version of the benchwork footprint, I would locate key places: Taylor Yard, Van Nuys, the Alameda Corridor, etc. Again, the Givens and Druthers were important. Also, I designed the Exeter Branch in a similar manner and it work very well ...in my opinion.

So, below is what I have put together. I've received feedback on the design from a number of friends and am always open to more.

SP Exeter Branch

I thought it a good idea to share the existing SP Exeter Branch track plan. My hope is to back date the railroad from the current 1980 to the early 1960s once the new railroad is complete. Yes, that means 2 railroads. After all, isn't two better than one?

Some History

It's time to start building my dream railroad...well at least something close.

I've been a model railroader most of my life. It started with my first Lionel train set in the 60s and matured over the years. Model railroading took a hiatus in my 20s-30s only to be rekindled in my 40s. It never went away during that time, only put on the back burner.

I was introduce to operations in 2001 and the bug bit me hard. I've operated on various railroads around the country. I've learned so much during that time. Especially was techniques I liked, and those I didn't.

In 2009, I built my first operational layout, the SP Exeter Branch. I based the concept on SPINS diagrams from the San Joaquin Valley and created an railroad that keeps 5 operators very busy during a session. The focus was to make a very intensive switching railroad. I've accomplished that.

To date, I've hosted 129 sessions with not just my local crew, but with guest operators from all over. The railroad has been a great success and I run about 6 sessions per quarter with a crew pool of 20+ operators.

While I've enjoyed the Exeter Branch, I had to make compromises. All model railroads do so. I wanted to have more. More mainline running, longer trains, and use more than 4 axle equipment. Thus I embarked on the SP Los Angeles Division.

In 2014, I had a purpose built room constructed for the new railroad. I've spend a lot of time researching and designing the new railroad. And now I'm about to embark on construction.

I plan to blog about the railroad. From design to construction, to operating.

I hope you will find it interesting.

I welcome your comments.

Let the journey begin!

Rick