SoCal Cajon Pass Layout

steveparkinson Oct 28, 2018

  1. DCESharkman

    DCESharkman TrainBoard Member

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    One other thing, you may want to also try mixing body mounted couplers to truck mounted couplers too. They can also be problematic at times. I have had issues with the Trainworx 86' auto parts boxcars with the body mounted couplers connected to smaller hoppers and covered hoppers with truck mounted couplers. Not on the sweeping curves like you have, but in the crossovers and other turnouts.
     
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  2. steveparkinson

    steveparkinson TrainBoard Member

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    Ok, that’s good to know too. Most of the stuff I have is truck mounted couplers but a few here and there with body mounted. Good info moving forward though. Thanks again!


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  3. bill pearce

    bill pearce TrainBoard Member

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  4. SD75I

    SD75I TrainBoard Member

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    Great Thread!! Looks like youre in Run 8. Looking forward to continued posts! Thanks for sharing!
     
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  5. WFOJeff

    WFOJeff TrainBoard Member

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    That was an enjoyable run you shared with us, thank you.
    {Made me nervous watching}
    Reason I say that is in my layout in the early build days I had a test train mixed manifest staged in between clearance test runs and I inadvertently bumped the layout frame...mixed manifest tipped and my Union Pacific SD40-2 Sound Unit hit the ground...then my heart hit the ground...

    Thanks again, can't wait to see the completion.
     
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  6. steveparkinson

    steveparkinson TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks Bill, I’ll look into those methods and recommendations.


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  7. steveparkinson

    steveparkinson TrainBoard Member

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    Thank you!


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  8. steveparkinson

    steveparkinson TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks Jeff, I’ve had a few scares too but now the frame and benchwork is solid enough that if I bump it, nothing really moves. I’m still pretty careful with it though.


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  9. tphmike

    tphmike TrainBoard Member

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    I've just stumbled on your thread and have read and watched everything. You have completed a huge amount of work in such a short time. I'm enjoying watching you construct your railroad and I'm really looking forward to your next post.
     
  10. steveparkinson

    steveparkinson TrainBoard Member

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    Hi Mike,

    Thanks for the feedback and glad to have you onboard. I appreciate it a lot, I don't update probably as much in here as I should but I also have a facebook page just for the layout "SoCal N Scale Layout" and the Youtube channel which you have probably seen in some of the posts. I'll keep posting in here too, just need to remember to do so.

    Thanks again,
    Steve
     
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  11. steveparkinson

    steveparkinson TrainBoard Member

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    Been working on the helix now for a few weeks and it’s very time consuming. I just made it to the third level of the five needed to reach the top.


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    Also managed to test out some new locomotives and rolling stock....

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  12. steveparkinson

    steveparkinson TrainBoard Member

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    Short video testing some new rolling stock and a locomotive!




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  13. WFOJeff

    WFOJeff TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for sharing with us.
     
  14. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Nothing like being a little late to the party. You'd of thought I would have spotted this sooner. This, from a desert rat that once haunted Cajon Pass. BNSF hadn't been thought of and everything over the pass was either Santa Fe or Union Pacific. Then some suit in a office decided to build the Southern Pacific Colton Cut Off. It took a bit to get the track laid. They used hand laid track :eek: and refused to put in Atlas Flex Track. o_O;)

    Once the trains were running we had more variety and different types of trains to watch. Gosh, it was fun and those were the days. :cool:

    I have to say you are doing some fine work.
    The track plan appears to be fairly well thought out. It's hard to capture Cajon Pass and not many do. You kind of have to pick and era and stick with it. With one exception illustrated here on TB, in your thread. :) I've tried but never did get it right or finished.

    You build your bench-work pretty much like I do. I've had good success with this method and will continue. You may or may not find this helpful in the future but I take two 1X4's and glue them together to create an L Shaped Leg. It gives them the needed rigidity, should they be expected to stand alone and a good solid platform on the floor. Most floors aren't flat or level and that only adds to the challenge.

    Keep up the good work.
    Great pictures.:D
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2019
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  15. steveparkinson

    steveparkinson TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the feedback and tips. I have already started replacing my old temporary legs with stronger ones, mine are a 1x4 with a 1x2 glued and screwed to it (pic below). I’ve only done four so far but I’m trying to do a few at a time between other layout “to-do’s”.

    I’ve got more ME concrete flex track on order but it’s backordered for now so Main 3 and the UP high line progress is at a standstill until then.

    Helix from the lower level to upper level has kept me pretty busy for a while now.

    Thanks again and look forward to any feedback.

    Steve

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  16. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Those legs will get'r done.
     
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  17. steveparkinson

    steveparkinson TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks, I plan to replace them all with this style.


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  18. bill pearce

    bill pearce TrainBoard Member

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    Get some 1/4-20 tee nuts and some 1/4-20 bolts. Drill a hole in the bottom of the leg, and put the bolt in, then you have a good adjustment for variations in floors.
     
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  19. steveparkinson

    steveparkinson TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks Bill!


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  20. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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