SoCal Cajon Pass Layout

steveparkinson Oct 28, 2018

  1. nscalestation

    nscalestation TrainBoard Supporter

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    Steve, here are links to a couple of posts on my blog showing these type of brackets.

    Example of large brackets with cross bracing under the bench work.
    https://palisadecanyonrr.blogspot.com/2015/08/installing-staging-yard.html

    Example of large brackets with cross bracing on top of bench work.
    https://palisadecanyonrr.blogspot.com/2016/12/finishing-upper-return-loop-bench-work.html
     
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  2. steveparkinson

    steveparkinson TrainBoard Member

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    Outstanding, thanks for sharing. I’ll read up on them and more on your blog. It looks like a very nice layout. Thanks again for the tips and for following along. I’m sure I’ll need more advice along the way!

    Steve


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  3. bill pearce

    bill pearce TrainBoard Member

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    I'm sorry I no longer have the layout, but believe me, overall my life is better now.

    Bill
     
  4. steveparkinson

    steveparkinson TrainBoard Member

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    Couple more shots and a quick video....

    Track on the hidden reversing loop going in. Using the helix bench work as a work bench for now.

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    Wheel weights for adding weight to freight cars are good for holding wire in place while soldering.

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    Section moved and installed on the bench work.

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    Test run before installing the section on the layout....




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  5. steveparkinson

    steveparkinson TrainBoard Member

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    Update time, I'll try to sum up what I've done this past week in one post.... The pictures are uploading in order - oldest to newest.

    - Soldered feeders and installed track in on hidden reversing loop.

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    - Installed hidden reversing loop on to layout.

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    - Finished sub-roadbed and cork roadbed for Main 1 and 2 and placed in spot to test fit.

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    - Finished sub-roadbed for UP/SP high line and placed in spot to test fit.

    - Worked on the BNSF Mains 1-3 sub-roadbed for the climb up through Cajon before the split (still in work).

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    - Tested hidden return line in place and wired up temporarily.

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    - Finished bench work for the upper return loop (last section of major bench work.

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    - Completed sub-roadbed and cork road bed for the upper reverse loop section.

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    - Also installed some extra support brackets (tried a new method on a few and it seems to work better. May have to replace the old ones with these too.

    That's it for now, thanks for following along. Feedback is always welcome.


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  6. bill pearce

    bill pearce TrainBoard Member

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    Here's a hint. Go to a fabric store and buy several packages of pattern weights. Put cork down with yellow carpenter's glue, use weights to hold down. Glue sets in about 0 minutes. Then smear a thin coat of yellow glue to the top of the cork and put track down, weigh with pattern weights, again set in 30 minutes. Don't drink too much beer while waiting for glue to set and you can get a lot done in an evening.


    Another idea: use one half of a piece of HO cork for mainlines, just the right width for N flex track, and N cork for sidings. For yards, get sheet cork from home store.
     
  7. steveparkinson

    steveparkinson TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks Bill, I’ve been using the yellow wood glue for the road bed and it does set up quick. For the track I have been using clear silicone but I haven’t got that much down yet because I’m still planning ahead for blocks, districts and eventually signaling...... trying not to get ahead of myself with track and then have to go back and modify for wiring etc.

    My last layout was a block DC that I converted to DCC so I’m trying to wire this one DCC the right way from the start.

    As always, thanks for the tips and feedback. I’ll put a lot of those to use.

    Steve


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  8. bill pearce

    bill pearce TrainBoard Member

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    On my Cajon layout, It was wired for both DC and DCC, as when I wired it DCC was too new and I couldn't abide the one available compleltely for N, Digitrax, as I'm not smart enough and too math challenged to program their decoders. So I wired it as a multiple blocked two throttle DC layout, where throttle A was DC and B was DCC. Worked like a charm, and I could operate my Atlas powered track cleaning car without investing in DCC decoders.
     
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  9. steveparkinson

    steveparkinson TrainBoard Member

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    Mine will be wired for DCC since 90% of my locomotives are all DCC equipped. I only have a handful I still need to install decoders in.


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  10. steveparkinson

    steveparkinson TrainBoard Member

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    Got the UP/SP high line cork roadbed installed and some additional sub roadbed to it built up.

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    Also installed some more track coming up from the reversing loop (hidden) that comes back up through another loop (hidden) connecting BNSF main 1 and main 2.

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    Hope to get more done this coming week.


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  11. steveparkinson

    steveparkinson TrainBoard Member

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    Short video testing some new track installed along with checking proper clearances.....




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  12. steveparkinson

    steveparkinson TrainBoard Member

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    Layout update number three on video....




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  13. steveparkinson

    steveparkinson TrainBoard Member

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    Haven’t updated in a bit in this forum so here’s a bit of an update.....

    Cajon taking shape with roadbed and track

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    More sub roadbed and track installed between Sullivan’s Curve and the 15 freeway....

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    Digitrax AR1 installed, first of several needed...

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    Wiring for block detection and future signals as I go....

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    Testing trains with new track and wiring installed....

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    Benchwork and sub-roadbed continues to bring trains down from Blue Cut through Keenbrook before it will reach the helix....

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  14. steveparkinson

    steveparkinson TrainBoard Member

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    New video update on the YouTube channel that has a bit more of the previous updates....



    Thanks for watching!
    Steve


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  15. bill pearce

    bill pearce TrainBoard Member

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    Do you have a link for your old layout or any pictures/videos of it? I’d love to see it.

    Thanks
    Steve

    I have no internet presence and no videos, but if you can, pick up a copy of MRP1999. It's the dueling layout issue, with both my 1966-set cajon layout and Otto Kroutil's transition era Cajon layout.

    Just had another thought. You are flirting with disaster. Prime ever possible part of the bench work, or you will have trouble with temperature and humidity changes in the garage.
     
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  16. steveparkinson

    steveparkinson TrainBoard Member

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    Will do Bill, thanks for the tip. I have a dehumidifier in the garage and a space heater for the cold months. I’m also going to put in the blow in type insulation behind the drywall so I don’t get the summer/winter temperature swings.

    Steve



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  17. DCESharkman

    DCESharkman TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for some great documentation on you layout build. A little late to the party, but I will say that I also use the AutoRacks and a few other of the very long wheelbase cars as a test for all my track laying. I also intermix long and short short cars together because I have seen those combinations sometimes having issues.

    I really like your layout and build process! All the videos are fun to watch, thanks for them too!
     
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  18. nscalestation

    nscalestation TrainBoard Supporter

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    Steve what I did was to pick up a gallon of paint at Lowes that was a mis-matched color for $5.00. I have sealed all my bench work with it and have had no problems with temperature changes in my layout for 4 years which is basically in a garage.
     
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  19. steveparkinson

    steveparkinson TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks and glad to have you onboard. I try to mix up the freight and locomotive too; also direction of travel for both. My previous layout had issues in some of the turns later on when I put some six axle locomotives on it. Had to go back and adjust some track curves. Lesson learned for this one!

    Thanks again
    Steve


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  20. steveparkinson

    steveparkinson TrainBoard Member

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    Good tip, thanks. We have some left over paints from all the rooms here. I’ll see what I have left here to use or pick up a mis-matched color from Lowe’s.

    Steve


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