Hi folks, I'm trying to design a layout and am in desperate need for some information. I'm doing as much research as I can but because I live in the Netherlands the info is a bit hard to come by... Ok, here it goes: I have a couple of books on the Santa Fe and a couple of layout design books that also include ATSF layouts that gave me some info. At first I wanted to model a freelanced layout loosely based on Cajon pass. It was supposed to be some sort of branchline that crossed the mountains, but had a much steeper grade, so most of the trains would actually go through Cajon pass, but still it would have its share of traffic. As I imagined it, I could include some adapted highlights, like Sullivan's curve so it would still be a little bit recognizable. Trouble was/is that most of it would be through traffic, mostly trains passing along with some switching, but i didn't know what kind of industries the railroad served in that area. The pro for this approach would be the magnificent desert/mountain scenery. As I was looking into what kind of traffic went through Cajon pass, I discovered that most of it was citrus fruit from the valleys. And i read an article about the ATSF branch that went from San Bernardino to San Jacinto (the article was in Kalmbach's 'Trackplanning ideas from Model Railroader - 58 track plans from past issues', the article was called 'The San Jacinto district'). From that article I learned a lot about the 'industries' that were served by the Santa Fe and gave me a lot of inspiration of what i actually want to make. But the layout described in the article didn't quite have the scenery that i wanted. So now I'm a bit stuck. I want to model a freelanced branch of the AT&SF that depicts the fruit industries of southern california valleys (lots of reefer traffic, ice-loading docks, fruit packing plants, crate factories etc.) but i would also love to include some nice desert/mountain scenery. I hardly know anything about southern california, but as far as I could tell from looking at maps, something like the Escondido or Falbrook branches along the Surf Line would fit my ideas. The question now is, can someone give me more information about this area, about the Surfline, or one of the both branches in particular. All information is welcome. I'm especially looking for info about the scenery, industries, kind of traffic, etc. If you have pictures or maps you want to share, please send them. Thanks Wilbert Vossen
The first good news I have for you is that you have chosen the perfect area to model to get both the Desert and the mountians. Second, the Fruit industry is in the valleys that are incredibly close to your mountians. You could easily have a progresso layout that starts at one end in the fruit groves and ends at the other end in the desert mountians. Well, i am sure some here has a little more knowledge about this then I do. Enjoy!
Wilbert, Firstly welcome to trainboard I hope you enjoy the site as much as our members do. This is probably the forum you need to ask the question but once you have the information maybe you can post in the "layout design forum" for better advice on actual layout design
Wilbert, Welcome to trainboard...I think you will like it here! Lots of knowledgeable folk . As for ATSF sources, go to your browser and punch in ATSF, Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe history, etc. There are now a BUNCH of sites regarding the topic . If you don't find it there, then go to Amazon.com and punch in ATSF books. Lots of historical books for sale. Good luck and I hope you get the info you need! John
Have a look at the Cajon Pass Group site & check the discussions. They discuss everything between San Berdoo & Victorville. There are also USGS maps of the pass to look at. http://freehosting2.at.webjump.com/7d0c582f2/ca/cajonpass-webjump/ftimet.htm
The Cajon Pass Group website in undergoing some changes right now & there's a new link: http://cajonpass.tripod.com/ Check it out in a few days.
Thank you all very much for the information and the the welcome's. I'll be sure to visit the sites mentioned. Also, I'm in the progress of designing my own site so I'll keep everybody updated on my research and other stuff.
