santa fe cajon-ish 1947 in a Kansas basement

[draskouasshat]

Maybe ill work on some of the scenery and see if that helps this layout stick.

Adam

[C855B]

It would be a hoot if you could model the iconic animated "TRAIN" sign at the west end.

[draskouasshat]

It would be a hoot if you could model the iconic animated "TRAIN" sign at the west end.

Already have one built that works. Ill post pictures when i dig it out but i have to find it first.

Adam draskovich

[Cajonpassfan]

It would be a hoot if you could model the iconic animated "TRAIN" sign at the west end.

One like this?
Otto

[C855B]

Heh. That might just be it.    It activated when a train entered the block at Alray.

It was gone by the time I was 'fanning Summit. In its place was a rotating amber beacon, which, naturally, vanished with the '72 realignment.

[Cajonpassfan]

It activated when a train entered the block at Alray.

Mike, that seems odd to me, I had always assumed the TRAIN signal was activated by trains passing Signal 564, the one below the 10 degree blind curve below Summit (pic below). There were three long blocks between it and Alray, seems like a long way down.... It would be good to know.
Otto K.

[C855B]

I was told multiple times it was Alray. What I do recall was a considerable wait between the beacon activating and a train showing up.

[Cajonpassfan]

Interesting. It took a 14mph "fast freight" about 15 minutes to cover that distance. I posted a question about this on the Yahoo Cajon Group, we'll see if we get anything. I'd like to get it right
Otto K.

[draskouasshat]

its seeming like theres a good possibility of the old cajon pass coming down. I do not like the proportions, nor do I like how everythings laid out. The room size that I thought would be plenty big enough at 10x30, is not the correct shape/setup for what id like to model.
Im not sure what im going to do but im pondering on a 1940s transcon layout in Kansas, Oklahoma, or texas so I can run nice long reefer blocks.
I don't like that ill have to find a way to run my UP equipment elsewhere so that's weighing in on things.

perhaps ill go semi protolanced with a socal feel without modeling the actual pass. If you have any ides that might peak my interest, go ahead and leave them as im open to anything, EXCEPT Pennsy! 

Drasko

[eja]

im open to anything, EXCEPT Pennsy! 

Drasko

I like them both ... your loss.

[GaryHinshaw]

Sorry to hear this.  Can you say a bit more about why the space is not good for Cajon?  Are there additional aspects of the layout that don't satisfy, e.g. lack of staging, awkward access, etc?  Identifying these might help you decide on a new direction.

[Spades]

Drasko

How about modeling San Pedro. You would have both ATSF and UP and Socal.

[Cajonpassfan]

Yea, I'm sorry to hear that also Drasko,  as I know you've put a lot of effort into your plan. But I fully understand how difficult it is to squeeze the West slope of Cajon into a relatively narrow room. Cajon topography and track curvatures require space, as I learned working on my own layout, and I have 22' of width to work with...

Since you asked for ideas, here's a brilliant one for you: why don't you model the more linear, (and more generic) East slope? I would center the layout on the town of Victorville; it's got everything: small enough to be modelable, large enough to have interesting industries and a helper base, fantastic scenery (Upper and Lower Narrows of the Mojave River, big bridges, a cement plant) a branch to Edwards AFB, a connecting Mojave Northern branch line, and it sits on the double track First District mainline with a 100mph raceway east to Barstow, and a 1.6% climb west toward Summit. It's a joint line for both ATSF and the UP, with streamliners of both roads hitting the century mark just east of Oro Grande if that is what appeals to you (what's not to like?)

One could model as far out in each direction as space would allow, with staging loops representing Barstow and Summit stacked above one another to support a parade of trains around the clock. Westbound freights would get helpers in Victorville, as would some westbound secondary passenger trains. The local switcher based in VV could keep a local operator busy servicing a number of industries. And if you ever get your hands on 3800 class 2-10-2's, they'll be right at home here...

I once designed an HO layout for a friend along these lines and think your 10' x 30' room could accommodate a similar concept nicely. I'll attach some pics to illustrate the setting.
Or you can model Kansas
Otto

[C855B]

... a branch to Edwards AFB, ...

George AFB. Edwards has two spurs off of the Mojave Sub.

Victorville is an excellent idea. From Frost to the bridges would make for a great bit of railroad with lots of scenery and topography opportunities. I'm condensing that into about 25' on my RR, VV station to the Lower Narrows.

[Cajonpassfan]

Yes, George, I know better