What? A new post? Oct-Nov-Dec 2024 Update.

Yes, I'm finally getting around to writing another blog post. This one will cover October, November, and December of 2024. 

First up, Happy New Year to all. We had a wonderful Christmas at Casa de Watson and spent quality time with family and friends. Our New Year's was low key as always. I prefer not to go out on New Year's and avoid the craziness. I hope you had an enjoyable holiday season!

Over the last three months, progress on the LA Division wasn't bad. Although I would have preferred to have accomplished more. That being said, a lot of time was spent coordinating, preparing for and hosting DesertOps '24. The event was successful and the three of the sessions I hosted on the Exeter Branch went well. Of course, each session involved a tour of the LA Division. The feedback was very good. I had a few other friends/visitors tour the LA Division over the DesertOps weekend. 

With regard to the blog, I was pushing very hard to complete the LA Division prior to DesertOps. I think that, and the coordinator work required for DesertOps, all contributed to my burning out. The last thing I was motivated to do was sit down and write a post for this blog. In writing each blog post, I probably spend 6-8 hours writing it, editing photos, and editing in general. And, as you may know, some of my text editing could use some improvement!

A lot was completed over the last three months. It's hard to represent the chronologically, so I'll cover it by areas worked.

I'll start with the helix at the end of the Taylor Yard peninsula. The staging connection is a long one, so I've had to break it into two images.

In the below image, notice that there are two East Staging yards. Each has an independent lead connecting to the helix. On the left end (far end of the yard), the two yards are connected via a loop. This allows me to turn trains without having to handle the equipment. Because of this, I need a method to route trains into/from a specific yard to either track in the helix.

I opted to add a double slip for this purpose. The double slip is near the orange handled rail nippers. It is marked with a red arrow in the design above right.

I quickly realized that the double slip wasn't the best solution. How would I expect train crews to control the routing? I could automate it, but I'd need to have a way to set the routing straight for one session and diverging/crossover routes for the next session. This would all have to get programmed into the turnout matrix. Most importantly, I would need to have ability to change the routing from session to session. The double slip was not the best solution.

I wasn't too thrilled with having to remove the double slip and any associated track that had been installed. Especially since some of it was under the previously installed main level benchwork. Think banging your forehead into the crossmembers!

After I realized that a double crossover was the necessary and best solution for what I wanted to accomplish for my routing, I ordered one of the new Walthers code 83 double crossovers. I'm quite impressed with it. It is DCC friendly and has a snap mechanism similar to what Peco uses. 

So, I removed the track. Fortunately, I'm using latex caulk and it is 'relatively' easy to remove the track with a putty knife. All the track and the double slip were easily salvaged. 

To the right the double crossover has been installed. Tortoises have yet to be added. All will be mounted on top of the benchwork for easy access. 

A toggle switch will be added to control the routing. It will be set for both tracks to be routed for straight routing or both diverging. The toggle switch will be set prior to each session. This will eliminate any operator confusion with regard to routing to and from the East Staging yards.

With the steel construction complete and the helix base placed, I built up the risers around the helix. This forms the base for the track that will go around the helix end.

On the floor in either picture is the cut OSB sub-roadbed base the will be placed on the horizontal risers.

Before the top was completed, I added track and feeders to the first turn of the helix. I also connected track to the two tracks going to staging which are mounted on the rectangular piece of masonite. 

In the distance is the double crossover noted above.

I needed a convenient weight to hold the track down while the caulk was drying. The spring clamps satisfied the need. 

In this view, the following things are in place: 

1) the first layer of the helix is mounted and in place. 

2) the connections to the staging tracks is complete. 

3) the OSB for the main level is in the process of being mounted to the risers. 

Pictured right is the next step with the drywall installed on top of the OSB base. There will be two tracks going around the end. One will be the single track main, and the other is the yard lead / departure track. 

Note: As I had mentioned previously, trains will depart from the body of the yard versus a dedicated departure track. This is more prototypical. My operations schema will not be impacted by trains leaving from the body of the yard.

The main track roadbed has been installed. The main is on the inside. My plan is to have a backdrop around the inside edge. It will break up the helix view and provide a barrier incase something stringlines. 

In order to complete the peninsula, I needed to connect the main part of the peninsula to the end. This will allow me to finally connect the main track between the two sides.

After installing the risers, I added pieces to make the connections.

Probably the trickiest cut was this piece of drywall connecting the main part of the peninsula to the end. The end width is only 5" wide, so extra work was required to ensure alignment. 

I always use splice plates under the drywall joints to ensure solid benchwork.

In the view to the right, all of the drywall is in place. This completed the benchwork for the peninsula end. This was a major accomplishment and allowed me to wrap up construction of the Bullring yard and finish up the River area on the other side of the peninsula. It also allowed me to transition the main tracks from either direction into the helix. 

The Bullring yard was not in my original plan. However, considering the operations plan I have developed, it made most sense to build a 'local' yard. This would support all locals leaving out of Taylor Yard and service the local industries between Dolores and Gemco. So, I created the Bullring. 

There was a Bullring yard near Taylor on the prototype. With a little modeling license, I created my version. The yard was name the Bullring as there was originally a bullring located there prior to the yard being built. 

Since the yard was not in my original plan, I had to get creative in the design. I had finished the west end of the yard a while ago. Now it was time to finish the east end. The east end is much more of a challenge as it is on a curve. 

I fiddled with a number of designs for the east end ladders. It is a delicate balance of maximizing the track length with making the yard functional and realistic. I probably changed the ladder design four times at a minimum. Every time I came to work on the ladders, I changed the design. I finally mocked up a solution and worked with it. 

One thing I wanted to include in the design was a caboose/RIP track in the Bullring. My other challenge was to keep the length of the double track as far as possible.

In the design to the right, I have already move the double track to single track closure on the main above the yard, rather than next to the ladder. This may be a reach issue. If it is, I'll install a tortoise and a toggle for operators. I made the decision to move the double track to single track connection because I wanted have some white space on the benchwork. Kind of ironic huh? f you've operated on the Exeter Branch, you'll likely agree on the irony.

I finally settled on a mock up I liked and began to lay the track. 

To the right is the beginning of the ladder build out. 

A view from the opposite end of the yard. 

More progress on the yard. All is coming together. 

The Bullring is complete. Except for the feeders :) I'm very happy with the result. I'm pleased with my operations plan and how this yard will be used. The caboose track is between the two smaller ladders.

The next area to completed was the side of the railroad opposite the Bullring. It is noted with the red arrow. 

The two green arrows represent the two main tracks heading to the helix and East Staging. The lines do not converge as in the diagram. They each go to a distinctive track on the two track helix.

To the right, the track arrangement is being worked out. On the right side of the helix 'hole' is the diverging main roadbed from right to left. The other main to the helix is being laid out for the roadbed to be installed.

A view of from the opposite side. 

All of the roadbed is now in place. Time to start laying track. 

The main is being installed. In order to make the Bullring design more effective, I opted to extend the yard lead and connect it to the main. The second turnout from the bottom of the picture is that connection. This will be used as a departure track for all trains headed railroad east. Based on my operations design, this will not prove disruptive for the Bullring yard crew. 

The track is complete except for the mains heading to the helix. The roadbed is in place and ready for track. Once the helix is complete and up to the main level, the track will be installed. This will ensure smooth trackwork for the helix connection.

The remaining work was to connect the track on both ends. To the right is the main being connected. In order to make sure I have a flowing curve, all track was installed at the same time. Getting the three turnouts on the right in place and connecting the main was important for a smooth flow of track work. 

Above is the completed result. Now, I really need to get a backdrop in place to provide the separation between the two sides of the peninsula. In the track plan above, the green line represents the backdrop.  

The upper level around the walls is nearing completion. 

The completed benchwork pictured right, is ready for me to being the build out of Coast Staging. Only one more drywall piece is needed to complete the wall benchwork. The stanchions on the far right in the distance are ready for the remaining piece. This is the end of the Ventura Branch.

The buildout of the Ventura County Railway (VCY) and the connection of the main track between Oxnard and Camarillo is the next area to cover. The VCY track is in green below.

Pictured right are the SP main track roadbed in place and the VCY roadbed in progress between the SP main and the wall.

The VCY main is complete. The VCY run around is in the distance. The runaround will be very important for the VCY job. The VCY main track is on 0.125" roadbed. I apparently didn't take a photo of that. For reference, the SP main is on 0.24" roadbed. I opted for the lower roadbed on the VCY to give it some contrast versus the SP main, and to give it distinction from the spurs.

Laying out the VCY local tracks and the connection to Port Huememe. 

Another view without all of the clutter.

The industries sprus are complete. This includes Smuckers (jelly and jams) and the VCY shops, among others.

The Occidental Chemicals spur is on the left and the Port Huememe track on the right. 

The SP main track has been installed in the foreground. 

Now to cover the build out on the peninsula and Camarillo. 

In the plan, the VCY is at the top, the SP main is the purple line. The peninsula includes Moorpark which is on the opposite side of the peninsula. The helix is the black circle where Down is written. 

The design has the SP main crossing over from the wall beyond the benchwork half way point, providing a broad radius for the main track transition from the wall.

Above, the upper level steel from is in place. Most of the risers are installed.

In the transition from the wall to the peninsula, I found it most effective to use an OSB deck to be sure that a strong base was in place to support the inside corner. Right, the plate is installed and leveled.

The drywall is installed. The VCY track was yet to be laid as I had to have the wall to peninsula connection complete first. 

Peninsula construction continued. This has a huge open space.

Adding more drywall to the peninsula.

Construction of the upper peninsula ended half way thru Camarillo as I needed to finish the main level benchwork and track at Gemco, and the end of the peninsula. That construction is on hold until I get the helix raised. That is on hold until the splines are in place. Can you say dependencies?

To the right is the SP main track roadbed installed.

The SP main roadbed has been extended across to the peninsula. Moorpark is on the opposite side of the benchwork. Note: the roadbed has crossed the centerline of the peninsula. This will provide a broad radius for the SP main.

The main continues around the corner of the peninsula. Note that the siding roadbed has been added. 

The main crossing from the wall to the peninsula.

The installation of the super-elevated main track has been completed. 

The one and only frustration I have with Peco is that I've had a dozen turnouts where one of the wires connecting the point rails to the frog rails has a failed solder connection. It's an easy fix, but requires every turnout to be inspected when removed from the package. In the picture above, the turnout is upside down to indicate that is needs to be repaired. So far, corrections have been made to failures on #8 and #6 turnouts. The #5s have been problem free. 

Along with the benchwork construction stopping, track laying stopped as well. I find it most effective not to stop track laying at a turnout because alignment can be a bit wonky. Nor do I stop in a curve. In order for the trackwork to flow, I stop track in a straight section. To date, this has been a very effective method. 

The helix to connect the main an upper levels was started. 

The first layer of the helix required the connection of a straight piece of masonite to the curved pieces of the helix. I ensure the curved top plates are connected to the straight piece to lock everything together. The straight section is anchored to the benchwork. 

The track was added to the helix and connected to the main coming from Burbank.

A look at the track going into the helix. 

On to Port Hueneme. Pronounced: wye-nee-mee. This was the US Navy See-Bees base. It later became open to import vehicles from Japan. Starting with Mazda. I'll have a train staged in Port Hueneme and this is serviced by the Ventura County Railway and interchanged with the SP in Oxnard. 

The Port Hueneme track wraps around the helix. I determined that the best method for construction was a spline. After everything leveled, I connected the plywood connector/bridge across the window to start the build out.

As the spline is wall mounted, I mounted standoffs to the wall to provide the appropriate relief spacing for the spline.

Another construction photo.

Time to break out the clamps!

Once I cleaned up the top surface with a block plane, I installed the track and connected it to the other VCY trackage.

If you didn't notice in the photos, the television changed as well. 

I bought a security camera system to monitor the entrances to each of the four hidden staging yards. Pictured right are  two of the four cameras temporarily installed for testing purposes.

My plan is to have all four cameras display on the tv at the same time. The camera system controller has that capability. Unfortunately, the 42" tv that I was using turned out too small in the four panel view. The two key viewing locations are too far away. Begrudgingly, I decided to go buy a new tv. My wife helped by pointing out that since it was near Christmas, televisions would likely be on sale. 

I try to buy all of my electronics from Costco. Their warranty extension is second to none. I picked up a 65" tv for the new display. 

The new tv required a new mount to be added to the wall. The new mount has a longer arm reach allowing me to have the tv in the corner. After that arrived, I installed it and was ready to mount the tv. 

I was concerned about putting up the new tv over the existing helix and splines. Luckily, the mount I bought made the process easier to connect the tv to the mount. The fact that the tv only weighs 35 pounds made my work a lot easier. The 70" tv in my house weights 95 pounds, so the 35 was quite a relief. This was all done from inside the helix as well. 

Here is the old tv. 

This is the new tv. 

Quite a difference in size. After testing with the camera system, it was deemed a success.

A lot of the layout has been completed. In every area, I marked out where the roads would be. But they were just penciled in on the benchwork. Fortunately, my helper Tim took on the job of painting roads. The painted roads are interim until the scenery is done, but make a noticeable difference. I'm using craft paint from Walmart. Ironically, the color is called Pavement. Go figure. It looks good.

Here are some roads being added. 

I commented to Tim at the end of the first day of painting roads, that since he is now a member of the city road crew, we should get him a safety vest to wear. He one upped me at the next work session showing up with not only a vest, but a hard had too. He said the hard hat protects him from upper level benchwork!

I finally began working on Coast Staging again. The trick is that the yard has two sections and I'm trying to keep the track length as long as possible. My ladder design needed to be compact to reflect that.

Coast Staging is divided into two yards. Both are indicated with the red arrows. The yard along the wall will be four tracks and the yard down the peninsula centerline will be six tracks. The blue arrow highlights the Ventura Branch which is the green and blue lines.

As you can see in the plan above, the Ventura branch crosses the track accessing the six track yard. I considered a number of ways to accomplish this and have settled on just having a diamond rather than a bridge, tunnel, etc. 

There are essentially three ladders. One splitting the two yards and one in each yard. 

These pictures are highlighting the design process and laying out the turnouts. My next blog update for January will have the completed ladders and track. 

The last area to be addressed is the Valley Spline connecting Burbank Junction to Valley Staging. With some reluctance, I began building out the spline.

Right is the connection at Burbank Junction. As you can see, this spline will parallel the edge of the benchwork. I really didn't have much choice in where I would locate this as I have to come from main level and main track height and then drop 7.5" to access the staging helix. 

The spline is 7 layers. In the next update, I will have the track installed and the connection to the staging helix completed. I will add frosted white acrylic to the back side of the track. Similar to the Harbor Spline I discussed in my August update. This spline will have clear acrylic on the aisle side so operators can watch their trains easily. I will also use Peco track as this will be clearly visible compared to the Harbor Spline.

That pretty much covers the work completed in the fourth quarter of 2024. I made a lot of progress while managing some burnout. The holidays were a good recharge and I'm moving forward again. 

I did run out of steel and will be picking up another 200 feet so I can finish off the peninsula and wrap up the construction phase. 

I am also confident that I have enough turnouts and flex track to finish the build. I'm good on all other materials too. Full speed ahead!

Thanks for reading and I welcome your feedback.

Happy New Year!