Hi all and happy holidays! I finally started working on my new layout after some hectic weeks of dismantling my previous one. The concept as discussed here is a point to point (with continuous run option) layout. Following a design of a much larger layout for a future space, i used the key modules from this future layout, to construct/design a layout suitable for my current space. The future layout represents the AT&SF from LA to Pasadena and Cucamonga, while the current version focuses on Pasadena. It includes part of the industrial area south of Pasadena's depot (disposable module), the depot area, a key focus on Colorado boulevard (route 66) and urban scenery and finally a small industrial area to the east of Pasadena (loosely placed before Cucamonga). The era is set from 1968 to 1970/71, (but by changing some posters / cars i can go back to early 1960s and even 50s). Key focus though is 68 to 70. Spec-wise: 19'X17' Code 83 Peco flextrack, #7.5 and #8 mainline turnouts, minimum mainline radius 30". Height 47" to 49" Maximum incline 1.2% Urban area (Colorado Boulevard) is on roll-out modules so that there is unhindered access to the tracks behind the deep urban scene. Trains operating: Local freights from LA to San Bernardino and vice-versa. Super Chief Grand Canyon #42 Local Passenger (fictionally reinstated, since in reality it was discontinued in the 50s) Here is the final track plan. Benchwork is constructed (as we speak) using 3/4" Baltic birch plywood in open grid box-frames. Here is the plywood piled up and ready for processing After a few battery charges on the drill... the pocket holes are finally ready Assembly of the tables Thanks for stopping by! Yannis
Happy new year everyone. Benchwork is finally finished. Trying to transfer the track plan onto the benchtop and get some cork sheet installed. Urban area benchwork Main depot area Industrial area south of the depot Thanks for your time. Yannis
I like the Route 66 touch! Route 66 goes through Catoosa Ok where to Port is located. Excellent work sir!
Thank you very much Dale. Yes, Route 66 plays a major role in inspiring my theme. Do you also model part of the route?
Hi Yannis, A portion of old Route 66 ( now Oklahoma State Highway 66) runs through Catoosa which is about 4 miles from the Port. I do model State Hwy 167 that intersects 66 about 4 miles south of the Port. Hwy 66 of course crosses Oklahoma from the Northeast to West. Catoosa Oklahoma is also Home to the Blue Whale. A sight-seeing stop when you follow Route 66 through Oklahoma. I keep thinking I might “move” the Whale about 3 miles west and model it in Bird Creek by where the BNSF tracks cross the creek at the Port BNSF interchange. My wife and I have started making runs on the old route on weekends for day trips on nice weekends. We have done the Tulsa to Oklahoma City portion and will start on the Tulsa going east next. There are a lot of interesting things to see either on the highway or within a short distance away. I want to compliment you on your bench work, it looks bullet-proof. You are going to have a solid layout there and I’m looking forward to seeing your progress! Dale
Thank you Dale for the benchwork compliment! Good quality plywood accurately cut helped a lot (i have to give my best commendations to the lumber yard for their ultra precise cuts...). I spent a lot of time planning and aligning parts so that they fit tightly. Especially so for the roll-out modules where the urban scene is going to be. I am contemplating now on how to tackle the foundation for the urban areas... cork & styrene, styrene alone, foam & styrene... , i need styrene on the top layer so that i can have removable/modular plots/roads/pavements. I bet there is an almost infinite amount of interesting spots along the route (66). Speaking of Oklahoma, i really admire the ATSF depot in Oklahoma City. Thanks again for the kind words, i ll sure keep you posted with the progress! Yannis
I was looking at the "trains operated" in your first post. The Grand Canyon operated via the Third District, through Fullerton, not via the Second District via Pasadena. In the early to mid 1960s, the trains through Pasadena would have been the eastbound Fast Mail (not westbound, which went via Fullerton), the Chief, and the Super Chief-El Capitan. The Super and El Cap would have run as separate trains during heavy traffic periods. I believe that some through freights operated via the Second District as well.
Jwb3 thanks for your input! True that up to 1968 the Grand Canyon ltd did operate via Fullerton. From spring 1968 when the Chief got discontinued, the Grand Canyon got rerouted to the 2nd district but from what i read, lost it's Grand Canyon name and became train 23/24. I am focusing on 1968 to 1970, so indeed if i go before spring 1968, i will replace the Grand Canyon with the Chief. With respect to freights (in the 60s), there were the local freights, pickup extras from San Bernardino (in-season), and Kaiser extras. Unless there was some issue on the 3rd , if i am not mistaken, no regular through freights went via the 2nd in the 60s.
I'll also say that your benchwork is very nice- Sturdy and nicely crafted. The 60's are a good modeling era because there was still quite a lot of local freight traffic. Looks like you've provided some spurs for your locals to work. In all, nice trackplan.
Tom, many thanks for your kind feedback! I really like the (late) 60s (and 70s). Music and aviation-history-wise they are my favorite era. Now that i think of it, and car-wise. Having said that, every era has it's merits. I have refined the sidings on the trackplan in the last few days. I swapped a couple of industries and replaced one of them with an oil/gasoline dealer (on the left side of the layout), and i am thinking of adding a team track opposite industry marked with an #8 on the right side, (on the aisle side of the mainline). I got 17 spots for cars as it is (with the revised plan which i plan to post soon).
Nice looking work. May I ask what sizes you had the plywood cut to. It appears to be 3" and 4". Which would be the standard board widths. I have a cut-off saw for lengths. Then I would need to find some local place that would do such for me.
Thanks Shortround! I had the lumber yard cut the plywood to 3.5" strips for the benchwork frame and at 3" for the legs. Some of the legs though are 2x2 dimensional lumber (the rear ones). The plywood itself is 3/4" thick for benchwork and legs, while the table-tops are 5/8". I hope this helps (and glad to meet a Nam vet).
Thank you for the kind words Bobby! Working on the backdrop now, hopefully i ll be able to post an update soon.
Thanks Yannis. 3 1/2" sounds like a good size. About the same as dimensional lumber. If I still lived in the southeastern part of the state I would know were I could go to get the good plywood and get it cut. But, now I live 100 mile to the north and after 12 years haven't seen a lumber yard yet. Just the national chain stores.
No worries Shortround, anytime. I did choose approximately 3.5" to have enough clearance for tortoises (90mm to be exact). I hope that you do find a good source of plywood when you need it.
After some days of work i finally finished the backdrop. It is constructed with EPS foam (30mm) plus PVC sheets for the coved corners. Painting was done with acrylics. Here is the finished view of the north side ...and some more in progress photos... Thanks for stopping by! Yannis
