November Progress Report - Finally!

Welcome to the November report. 

I realized in September, that I'd completely missed the July and August updates. Suffice it to say that progress stalled in July and August due to life getting in the way. 

Along with relocating my Mom to AZ, I did numerous trips back and forth to Southern California to transport 'stuff' as well as assist in packing and preparation for the move. At the end of July, she moved to AZ. The good news is that she's only 2 miles away. The bad news is that I spent a lot of time helping her unpack, which distracted from my layout time. There have been other household issues which compounded the delays in progress. 

One benefit from the move was that I was able to acquire an oven for baking paint onto brass locos and rolling stock. I had wanted one for a long time, but never got around to picking one up. Since my Mom remodeled her house before she moved in, I was able to get her old oven. 

It's a bit of overkill, but hey, not all painters have a Dacor oven for curing paint. I needed to make a cart for it to wheel around the garage. I dug into my steel scrap pile and welded up a frame. A quick attachment of 4 swiveling wheels and it was ready to roll. 

I guess if I'm desperate, I can cook a roast on the bottom and a loco on the top!

In September, I did present a clinic for the Operations SIG about my Car Card and Waybill system. You can find a recording of the presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRcZeJ5L4fA

On to the layout construction...

Benchwork and track have continued, albeit a bit slower than I would prefer. In my last update, I showed the progress moving compass north toward Taylor Yard. I've since put down more sub-roadbed, roadbed, and track. 

One of the challenges is needing to lay the track sequentially. This provides a good frame of reference to my planned design. Of course, there are always changes/adjustments to the track plan as it moves from paper (on the computer) to physical on the benchwork. 

To the left you can see the main running along the straightedge. The track to the left are the working tracks for Violet Alley or the 'Rat Hole' which is up by the wall. 

More progress on the benchwork the track in the picture on the right. To the left of the main track is the track to serve the industries on the mini-peninsula and the egress peninsula.  

On of the most difficult installations of track is the section of the main track is in the center of this picture on the right. 

The roadbed comes across the benchwork at an angle and it has a slight curve to it. Getting the section between the turnout in the foreground and the turnout down at the far end 'straight' was a major challenge. We didn't have good reference lines and some optical illusions were having an affect on the visual perception of straight. The straight edges were of some help. I think we worked 20-30 minutes on getting that section of track to be and 'look' straight and consistent. Normally, that process only takes a minute or two. I am pleased with the result. 

As a note, Taylor yard is on the opposite side of the peninsula above (right). Benchwork is in progress. However, I've done some redesigning of the engine terminal to include the turntable that was still active in my era. Also, I'm rethinking my yard design to make it a bit more usable. Stay tuned...

To the left, you can see the progress to Violet Alley  where the Wye is the roadbed is. On the prototype, the line continued (into the wall) to 'J Yard' on the SP. 

The SP track in this area of Los Angeles went all over the place as a result of Southern Pacific absorbing the Pacific Electric.

In the picture below right, you can see the Wye much better. Track will be on either side of the Wye. In my version, about 10 car spots to the left and 12 car spots to the right. On the prototype, it was an alley about 15' wide with 80 car spots in on the right side of the Wye and 48 on the left side. Buildings were on both sides of this 'alley'. 

In order to run the job, operators will need to pull the entire track on either side, extract the pickups, manage the holds to be re-spotted and insert the set outs into the string of cars. Then shove it back into the alley. This should be an interesting job. The Wye will use Tortoises to operate the turnouts. 

To the left is the mini-peninsula and the egress peninsula in the background. Some interesting switching opportunities here as well.

In order to lay the peninsula track, I needed to have the siding tracks and main in place for reference. I'll install a fillet in the for corner above the diamond to provide a bit more benchwork for the spur and buildings.

Additional spurs have been added and ready for more benchwork to be built. More switching!

The two random pieces of flex track are loosely placed on the right are where the LATC - Los Angeles Transportation Center will be. At lest my version of it. 

The LATC was located where the SP LA Shops were. I don't have the real estate to represent more than what I squeezed into this space. 

Once I progress further on the main track at the bottom of the picture, I can install the LATC tracks. Again, I need the main track to be in place for the appropriate reference points to install track. 

On the other side of the layout, progress on Dolores yard continues. To the right, the sub-roadbed is installed. As stated previously, I back all curved sub-roadbed with 1/2" plywood for strength of the curved edge and it provides an attachment point for fascia.  

The other picture is the benchwork and risers proceeding further compass west. This will be another switching area in and around Watson Center. A real location and namesake. Unfortunately, I don't model far enough compass north to have Watsonville. Oh well...

Back to Dolores. I had completed the ladder on the compass east end. In order to complete the west end, I needed the above benchwork installed. Next was to get the roadbed installed for both the main and the siding. 

In the picture to the left, you can see where the main track roadbed stopped. This is past the ladder. 

While not as prototypical as it could be, given that I'm in a room with walls, I have to make some adaptions. As the wall corner is approximately 45 degrees, it was necessary to have a curve in the track. By extending the curve to the wall and then coming back into the middle of the benchwork, I feel this provides a bit more character. It adds to the feeling of separation as well. 

In the picture below right is the opposite view of the same curve. You can also see the main and siding coming together. 

I spent quite a bit of time working out the orientation of the turnouts. I wanted to keep to some specific elements such as the location of the siding turnout and the yard track the merges into the siding. It looks to be working out well. 

To the left, is the runaround track at the top of the ladder. This will likely work as engine storage as well for a 3 unit cut. I made sure this would accommodate three SD45T-2s. 

Once the layout is operational, some of that may be changed based on how things materialize. My goal is to be able to avoid removal and re-installation of track and roadbed if at all possible. 

As has been posted before, I'm using drywall mud to help ease some of the gradient changes between the main, sidings, and the sub-roadbed level. I use the homabed transition pieces where possible. I find it effective to use the drywall mud to smooth out the transition. In some cases as the one on the right, I simply use the mud only. 

Once I'm satisfied with the transition, it will be painted along with the roadbed and track installation can be completed. 

More benchwork has begun to pop up as well. The picture to the right is connecting to the Taylor peninsula. Flowing left from the plywood top is Taylor Yard curving to the left and Violet Alley along the wall. 

The picture below is the benchwork to the right of the previous picture. In the right corner, you will notice a notch in the pony wall. This will connect the bridge that joins the layout together in a version of a circle. When you enter the layout room, it is via the stairs (enclosed by the pony wall), and up into the layout. This eliminates duck-unders, swing bridges, etc. from my design. 

To the right is a perspective of both sections of benchwork. 

The benchwork is on temporary legs in these photos, but has been attached to the walls. The legs will be permanently welded in place soon. Once complete, I will install the section of benchwork connecting the two sections. 

As a note, under the right most section of benchwork will be a work desk. 

I was able to begin feeder installation as well. I am very happy with the results and solderability of the Peco track. In other words: good joints and no melted ties. 

Most of the feeder holes are drilled once a section of trackwork is complete and tested.

I'm still determining the structure of the power districts and PSX breaker zones, so I'm only installing feeders at this time. 

That's about it for the updates this time around. The construction is progressing again. I doubt I'll be operational for Desert Ops 2022, but I will certainly offer some tours. 

Of course the SP Exeter Branch will be hosting sessions for Desert Ops and continues to host local sessions twice a month. We completed session 270 last night. Subtle improvements continue with some new 3D printed buildings, motive power and rolling stock changes, along with some roads being added. 

Oh, and an update on the speed matching loop I mentioned in my last blog update... I've acquired all the parts, now I need to construct it. I'm guessing that will happen during my time off between Christmas and New Year's.

I hope you've found this update interesting. 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving! 

June Progress Report

Progress in June hasn't been a much as previous months. Lots of distractions...

There was progress on the SP LA Division. Benchwork has been added and more sub-roadbed installed. Of course one of the progress limiters has been building risers. I know I've mentioned it before and this continues to be a slow progress area. Many of the risers I have built in the past have warped and in many cases aren't usable. For the most part, I've  switched from 3/4" plywood to 1/2" construction for the horizontal surface as it is much easier to correct a warp when installing. OSB works well too, but with lumber prices of late, I'm having to explore all options.

First off it an extension of the main peninsula over the staging yards.

Just to add some perspective to the length of the main peninsula.

The main track roadbed has been added. In this case, the main is a key reference point. There will be track on the left of the main track feeding the mini peninsula industries and the industries on the egress peninsula. On the left of the main is part of the LATC (Los Angeles Transportation Center) which was the old LA Shops. 

In this view, you can see the turnouts marking out the LATC. My version is much smaller than the prototype, but I want to capture the theme

More risers were added to keep growing the peninsula toward the helix (behind and to the right). I will soon be working on welding the frame and installing the cross members to continue building the main level of the peninsula. 

Pictures on the left, are the risers and corner base awaiting drywall. That is the previously installed portion of Dolores Yard. Once the drywall is installed and a few more risers, Dolores Yard will be ready for completion.

Parallel to the wall will be the tracks for Violet Alley. There will be a wye to to access track to the left and right.

In this view you see the main to the left and the 'other' main serving Violet Alley. The track runs clear to the wall which represents the connect to J Yard. I don't have the space to add J Yard.

You can now see the roadbed extending to J Yard. I'll have to better photos of the wye down an the end in my next update. 

While I was in the process of moving some cars out of the way so I could put roadbed down. I put the Triple 57 (drawbar connected piggyback cars). I put them on and gave a good shove. i was blown away how far they rolled on level track. So much so that I decided to capture a video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4vpfmUHBYA

Granted, I did work to make the cars free rolling when I built them. However, I was blown away when I saw how far they rolled. 

I received the new Rapido SW1200 in June too. They are nice models, but some of the grabs look a little thick. I'm not sure if it's a function of paint or wrong wire size. There were a number of threads on the Southern Pacific Prototype Modelers group on Facebook. Some great info shared which saved me some research time in configuring my locos. I opted to use JMRI to program two of them. I do have a Loc Programmer as well on my programming bench. I plan to program the third loco using the Loc Programmer. I'll be interested to see the results in comparison from a programming perspective.

Here is the initial testing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjbQem8clQ4

And below are a couple of videos from an op session on the Lost Dutchman. Some speed tuning is needed. ...it was a last minute decision to video as I'm trying to run the train, clear the main, and video it. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehzhy2XcF2c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X2OmWzlU0Q

I also started acquiring parts to build a speed matching loop. Keith Robinson shared on Facebook that he was building one. The example he sited, which is from North Raleigh Model Railroad. Here is a link:  http://www.trainweb.org/nrmrc/pubs/AppNote%20Locomotive%20Speed%20Matching.pdf

I determined that the best course of action would be for me to make this using Digitrax as that is what Keith and NRMRC used. I acquired a collection that allowed me to harvest the DCS51 controller and Loconet controller. On another group I picked up a Digitrax PXP88 for the sensoring. I realize that reduces my blocks to 8, but I'm okay with that. The system uses JMRI to do the matching. Thanks to Digitrax Dave for his expertise as well. 

I'm waiting for insulated joiners for the Kato Unitrack that I'm using and then I'll begin assembly. I'll have more info in my July progress report. 

May Progress Report

Progress on the railroad has been great lately. Definitely a feeling of accomplishment as I watch my dream materialize. May had some slowing due to many non-railroad related issues, but progress does continue.

Progress toward Dolores Yard included the addition of some industries. I really like diamonds. Railroad diamonds that is. The Exeter Branch has a number of them. 

One phenomenon that has become more prevalent is that I now look as curves and wonder if they are too tight. I grab a radius gauge and realize that the curve is broader than I thought. This was especially true on the turnouts going toward the diamond. Turns out the radius is 26" or better. I've concluded that this is a result of my ruling radius on main being 39". So 24" looks really tight.  

In the photo to the left you can see the diamond in the background and the turnout entering Dolores Yard in the foreground. 

Below are photos of the construction of Dolores Yard. 

I ran out of benchwork, so construction of Dolores stopped. More risers to build. However, I was able to add another 8' of sub-roadbed to the other end of the construction. 

On of the last things to happen in May was to run the test train on all of the track. It's amazing how well the rail joiners carried the power. Well over 45' with just alligator clips and an old MRC ThrottlePack.

Excuse the quality of the camera work. I didn't consider it when I took the video on my phone. 

Up next are feeders and wiring. More benchwork and track installation too in June. 

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End of April - More track installed

As we hit the end of April, the track laying has continued. I've started my fourth box of flex track, so that translates to over 250' of flex track used on the main level. I haven't counted the turnouts yet, but have a lot of empty packages. I am pleased with the Atlas N scale rail joiners and I am ordering more as I see my inventory drying up in May.

I've completed laying track in three areas and will continue heading in each direction until I run out of benchwork. The first is area between Tweedy and the egress peninsula. This has switching on both sides of the main and services the egress peninsula as well. 

In the photo we see the east end of the area in the foreground. The mainline is heading railroad east to Tweedy. That is compass west. For those who may not know, San Francisco was the West end of the Southern Pacific. From Los Angeles you go west toward San Francisco. 

Next we see the overall area. from the east end. The main track is the second line from the wall. This area has turned out the be pretty wide.

To the left is the opposite end, railroad west. You can see the push pins helping to hold the turnout in place as the caulk cures.

Below is the last photo of the area. You can see the west end and the track that wraps around to the egress peninsula.

Heading west, we get to the egress peninsula. I need a better name for the area. In the photo below, the two spurs on the left hand side connect to the photo above where the reefer is.

Below is another view. The main track is from left to right in the back. I had planned to use Peco #7 curved turnouts. However, the Peco turnout is too broad and I ended up using a Walthers turnout. The downside is that I'll need to add a ground throw later for that turnout. And, the tie spacing on the Walthers turnout is different than the Peco. It's not too bad, but I do notice it. Oh well...

The photo above shows the competed egress peninsula. The two tracks that run to the end are storage tracks for the Santa Ana Branch. The may influence what I decide to name it. 

In the picture above, you will see the main track and the siding continue to the right and you can see them come together in the pictures below. That is the end of progress going railroad west.

The third area completed is my version of Tweedy, which is railroad east of the first area completed. Tweedy serves a GM plant as well as other industries. Again, switching on both sides of the main.

Above is the east end of Tweedy. The track will proceed east toward Dolores Yard in the photos below.

 And some photos of the roadbed and laying out the switches. 

Lastly are the beginnings of laying out Dolores.

As you can see in the picture above, it's time to continue adding benchwork. I'm at the end of the line. I'll need more sub-roadbed added in order to complete Dolores. That will likely be in the next update. 

One of the other things I did since the last update was to head to Priddy, Texas to participate in live steam ops on the Comanche & Indian Gap railroad. This is a private railroad and they host an annual ops event every year. I've been going for a number of years and it is always a great time. This year the weather was on the colder side. Much better than the normal baking in the sun!

After a day of Yardmaster-ing the Comanche Yard, I went for a joy ride on a stack train.

The other two days I worked as an engineer, conductor and brakeman on a local freight crew. We rotated jobs among the crew of four on our train. 

After my last update I received a note asking about details on the railroad. Here are some of the details:

Era: 1979-1984

Heights

- Main Level: 42"

- Upper Level: 60"

- Lower Staging Level: 28"

Main track radius: 37-39"

Helix radii - to be determined, but likely 38.5 & 41" There will be two helices to lower staging. They will be double track. The third helix will be single track from the main level to the upper level.

All code 83 track - Peco for all exposed track and Atlas flex track for staging yards. A few Walthers curved turnouts. Mainline turnouts are #6 & #8 depending on location. The remaining are a mix of #5 & #6s. 

The expected train lengths is 25-30 cars. 

That's it for this update.

To the right is the railroad east end. That is compass west. For those who may not know, San Francisco was the West end of the Southern Pacific. From Los Angeles you go west toward San Francisco.