A Streetcar Named... Descanso

[Cajonpassfan]

Okay, no Marlon Brando here, or Vivien Leigh...
But they are my heroes anyway, a bunch of Pacific Railroad Society railfans who managed to acquire the obsolete funeral car Descanso of the electric narrow (42") gauge Los Angeles Railway, fondly and simply known locally as Lary, and in 1940 plopped it on top of Cajon Pass, next to the little Summit depot, to have a place to stay and photograph the daily parade of ATSF and UP trains coming up the pass from both directions. For almost 27 years, the Descanso "rested" at the top of the pass, providing shelter to numerous raifans and photographers, and thanks to them, we have access to a wonderful collection of literally thousands of photos taken on both sides of the pass, one of the best documented rail spots in the country in the forties, fifties and sixties.

Well, this wouldn't have much to do with N scale, were it not for Guido Cherici of, I kid you not, Italy, who decided to bring us a 3D printed model of the Descanso, first in HO, and now, caving in to some admittedly self-centered prompting on my part and others', in N scale. I'm sure there must be a HOT market for obscure American N scale funeral streetcars in Italy, because it is now available on Shapeways, and it is exquisite!

I got Guido's print a few days ago, scrubbed it with Simple Green followed up with a lukewarm bath of Dawn, let it sit in the sun outside to dry thoroughly and absorb some UV rays for two full days. Today I hit it with a light coat of Tamiya surface primer, and voila, apparent success! No more Bestine here, I think/believe maybe possibly it makes our little models too brittle. The UV "cure" was suggested by a friend, so we'll see if it cures the latent "crystal rash". So far so good... Now I can bury my so-so kitbash attempt at Descanso and replace it with a proper model. Still have to figure out the paint scheme (Orange and Cream) get Nn3 trucks, pole, and build a 42" track section at Summit.
Tbc, I'm sure....
Otto K.

[johnb]

Otto, I would look at using a Z Scale MTL F7...they are already scaling out to 3'6" and we are lucky that Descanso is still around.

[Chris333]

Is that a "Niles" car?

[Santa Fe Guy]

Very cool and a great tribute.
Rod.

[johnb]

Is that a "Niles" car?

The real one was built by the LARy_{https://youtu.be/zlSE8s3IR0U}

[Cajonpassfan]

Otto, I would look at using a Z Scale MTL F7...they are already scaling out to 3'6" and we are lucky that Descanso is still around.

I know, right? Nn3 is more like Nn41"...just about perfect for this.
Except this is a stationary model, like its prototype, so I will save a bunch of money and settle for MT Barber Coleman archbars ... Close enough to the real thing for me. Plans below...
And yes Chris, a homemade contraption.
Otto

[draskouasshat]

I can't wait for mine to show up otto!
Now if i can only get my summit to look "right" to me........

Adam

[nkalanaga]

You could also use MT's Nn3 passenger trucks, with the outside brake hangers removed.  That would be closer to the right wheelbase, and given the size, most people wouldn't notice the difference.

I've used those on many of my "modern" freight cars for my 1974 Montana narrow gauge.

[johnb]

You could also use MT's Nn3 passenger trucks, with the outside brake hangers removed.  That would be closer to the right wheelbase, and given the size, most people wouldn't notice the difference.

I've used those on many of my "modern" freight cars for my 1974 Montana narrow gauge.

I have some Republic Locomotive Works white metal passenger trucks and MTL wheels.....for like nothing....PM me

[Cajonpassfan]

I have some Republic Locomotive Works white metal passenger trucks and MTL wheels.....for like nothing....PM me

Thanks John, PM sent.
Otto

[johnb]

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

replied to the PM...got 3 pair, for about 25 years

[Cajonpassfan]

Thank you for your generosity John, but it's not the right kind of truck. I do appreciate your generous offer.

I discovered another photo and confirmed the Descanso had a light, archbar style truck with a wheelbase of about 5'-4".  MT Nn3 trucks look good, but have a wheelbase that's way too short. At this point, I'm thinking MT standard gauge Barber-Coleman sideframes are the best bet going for this, except I need to narrow gauge it. Shouldn't be a problem, since this car isn't going anywhere, so I don't need to worry about how freewheeling it is. But it will probably need 28" wheelsets, preferably narrow thread? I'm thinking Fox Valley narrow thread?
I did make a 39' long code 40 section of 42" gauge track today, to be fit onto the Summit scenery. Tbc...
Fuzzy proto pic below...
Otto

[thomasjmdavis]

"were it not for Guido Cherici of, I kid you not, Italy"

Were it not for the tool and die makers at Rivarossi and Roberto Martari, I would probably be modeling the Ann Arbor or the GB&W.

Really nice, Otto.  I may do this myself, if my model railroad ever gets as far west as Cajon Pass (I am starting at the east end).  It's great when you find things like this for scenes, because if we add a couple "signature" details or structures, most people look right past whatever compromises we need to make, because that key element really makes the scene.

Out of curiosity, how was the car transported to Summit?

[Cajonpassfan]

Thank you, Tom. I agree, there are certain iconic signature items that identify a scene and create a sense of "time and place". At Summit, the Descanso was certainly that. Too bad I only have a shallow scene behind the tracks, so the car will sit closer to the tracks than its prototype. It's one of those compromises we all need to make...

As to your question, according to the PRS website, on July 1, 1940, Santa Fe transported the car to Summit from Vernon Yard on a flat car. The "Summit Club" apparently raised all of $135 at make it happen... In 1967, while the new SP Palmdale cutoff was being graded right through Descanso's site, the car traveled to the OERRM in Hemet on a flatbed trailer behind a truck. It's still there, restored to its original glory.
Fun stuff,
Otto

[nkalanaga]

Narrow-gauging the MT standard gauge trucks isn't hard, and they can be made to work.  I did that 40 years ago for my first Nn3 cars, as nothing else was available.  They looked horrible, as I also reused the MT wheels, pizza-cutter flanges and all, just making new bolsters and axles.  The bolsters didn't look like much, as I drilled two holes in each sideframe, connected them with two brass rods, and built a new bolster on those.

For a cosmetic truck it wouldn't be hard to make a good looking bolster, just cut the center out and splice the ends together with a cover plate.