Hi everyone, I just wanted to post a progress report on my 600sqft N scale Tehachapi Pass layout. Construction started a week and a half ago, and so far the train room (former 3-car garage) has been insulated, a false wall constructed in front of the doors. Most of the L-girder benchwork is in, with just the Caliente peninsula and helix (out of view) to finish. Most of the electrical upgrades to the space are finished, and I'm cautiously optimistic that the first train will run on (at least part of) the 440ft mainline within a week or two.
Welcome Wow! And I thought I moved fast... I know everyone loves seeing pictures of progress, so if you can, keep them coming as you go! And good luck on your progression, can't wait to see how this moves along. Triple Decker, or is that middle level just a light valance support?
I second the "more photographs" quote! Amazing project and very interesting as Tehachapi is one of the few places I have been to in the USA.
Thanks for the nice comments, guys! We've been tackling lots of "not fun" stuff like ceiling lighting, electrical circuits, etc. but we did manage to get the line in from Woodford to tunnel 10. All it needs now is track! Note that the nasty, non-prototypical curve just beyond the north switch at Walong, which was necessary to fit my 80% scale loop into the available space, will eventually be hidden inside tunnel 9.
The layout will be truly amazing! Good that the whole loop can be seen in one shot without the distortion s of a very wide angle lens! Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Yeah... I'm pretty sure that goes without saying. It actually took over a year to finally pull the trigger on this because I wanted to be absolutely sure of my living situation before we turned the first screw. Anyway, today's update is an exciting one (well, for me anyway)! Less than a month ago (28 days, to be exact), we laid the first board on my SP Mountain Division layout and, as of this afternoon, all of the subroadbed and benchwork is complete. We're holding off on installing the section between Cable and Tehachapi until the fascias, backdrops, etc. are all installed, as I'd hate to take out 1/3 of the layout with a wayward piece of fascia board being carried through the door! Aside from that, however, it's all done, graded, leveled, and ready for roadbed and track. Going to take some time off the heavy construction for awhile (and probably a few days away from the layout, just to recover and let it sink in), and focus on some electrical work and track laying.
I am still totally amazed at the scale of the layout and what you have accomplished so quickly! As Tehachapi was one on the places my son and I visited during our railfanning trip across the pond back in '98, I am doubly interested in seeing it progress. Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
I wish it wasn't so far from Reno area to Henderson. I would love to come down and see firsthand what you've done. I have grand plans floating around in my head for a garage layout, but nothing that grand! I have an 11' x 14' area to work in, and plan to use as much of it as I can, with somewhat narrow aisles as I am a lone wolf and accept them as a necessity. I have to leave room for the family van on the other half, as agreed upon when I bought this house for my wife, so I'm limited in my plans. I really like what you've done and look forward to more progress reports.
Thanks, David. Any time you're in Vegas, let me know - would love to show you what we've done so far! The first train on the layout turned its first wheel under its own power yesterday. Five SP EMDs had this 50 car test train well under control making the first-ever run up the Tehachapi Loop. What a sight to see; it had been a long time coming - and nothing derailed, stringlined, or hit the floor, so I'd call that a success! [video=youtube;blNX3GXl7bo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blNX3GXl7bo[/video]
Just "WOW"! That is truly impressive! Don't you love it when things work first time? Superb! Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
