Hello everyone,
I have recently started re-assembling and building my layout after moving houses. Old layout was on the same theme, but much more compact (I rented) with modules built with the intention of fitting a future bigger plan. So now it is time for executing this bigger plan!
Thanks for stopping by! I ll be updating when progress is made.
Yannis
Some specs.Room dimensions: 29'x21'
Track Specs: Peco Code 83 flex track, Min radius 36"-(38" for the mainline on the main peninsula)
Benchwork height and construction: 52" height, birch plywood + pine depending on the module.
Turnouts: 6"-7"-8" for mainline/passenger tracks, 5" used only for industrial sidings.
Era: 1968-1970
ATSF Pasadena Sub-division.
Main scenes: Scenicked Staging Yard (LA or SB), Elysian Park, LA River Bridge, South Pasadena, Pasadena Depot/Industrial Area, Pasadena/Rt66 Colorado Boulevard Downtown Scene, Cucamonga.
Trains operating:- Super Chief / El Capitan combined train
- Fictional excursion train (1951 or 2900 class steamers + 4-6 HW cars)
- Fictional commuter based on once upon a time actual commuter on the line, E8m powered
- East bound and westbound local freights (1-2 GP30/35 powered), doing the LA-SB runs.
The trackplan:LAPasadenaRt66Plan_Feb22_2026.jpeg
Current state of the "along the left wall" tracks and backdrop that i salvaged. I ll paint the wall behind the San Gabriel mountains and have the foam mountain proving a semi-3d effect.TheLayoutBackdropWIP1.jpeg
Scenes from the same modules in the previous layout (will be replicated)
IGP35crossing.jpegTreesBackdrop17.jpg
I'll be following with interest: My first view of the LA area was from an ex-ATSF high-level coach on Amtrak's Southwest Chief when it still ran through Pasadena. Recall seeing the LA Basin from Cajon Pass, full of smog with the tops of hills above it, then through the flat industrial zones that made me think "this is where they shoot Adam 12". I crossed the LA River bridge you're modeling. Didn't have a good camera then...
Wow Yannis that's going to be a spectacular layout when you finish it. You did very well with the mountains and it's coloring.
A couple of times I drove (from Orange County) to Pasadena to visit "The Original Whistle Stop". I think you are capturing what I saw on those trips.
dave
Looks like a nice layout concept. Your backdrop painting fits the scene perfectly.
Jeff
Yannis,
Great track plan and of course I'll be following along on this.
Love those blue SF geeps.
Tom
Thank you all for the motivating replies!!! They are much appreciated.
Dave i think the current Whistle stop is on Colorado boulevard, I guess we are referring to the same shop. It is one of my bucket list items to visit the States and go through these locations.
Speaking of Colorado boulevard, here is a photo of one of the main reasons that I picked Pasadena as the focal point of my layout, the crossing of Colorado boulevard by the ATSF mainline. One of the few cases where one can model a main street with a considerable amount of Art Deco / Streamline moderne buildings and a mainline at the same time.The downtown area/scene is on two modules on wheels that slot into place (in order to access the tracks along the backdrop when needed) and currently are waiting for longer legs in order to go back into their spot. Photo taken from the previous layout, but it will be identicalRT66ColoradoCrossing.jpg
This will be interesting to watch come together, Yannis.
You answered my question about access to the back of the downtown area. Good thinking.
Cheers, Mark.
Howdy Yanis,
The layout design and diagram look terrific. The layout looks to be a lot of fun.
I'll follow the layout thread with interest.
Have fun,
mike
This will be an impressive layout.
The sections you've already built are impressive.
That photo of the train crossing the grade is very realistic.
Mike, Mark and Rick many thanks for the kind words.
Some extra narrative on the track plan. I hope i do not bore with these details.
The staging yard is double ended and represents both LA and San Bernardino.
The small yard between Elysian park and the LA River Bridge, is based on SP's Midway yard, but in my layout is used by the ATSF. It also serves the purpose of hiding a reverse loop track if you notice.
The Diesel House, is not prototypical I am afraid, both SB and LA had TT/RH facilities. I had a few iterations of this trackplan with a reasonably prototypical TT/RH instead, based on Redondo junction but it occupied significantly more space (imho) on the upper right corner. I prefer more negative space and mainline running and a smoother transition from the yard to Cucamonga (going counterclockwise), so i replaced it with a Diesel house. Nothing is built yet, but i think the pros of the diesel house outweigh the cons. I already have the nice Walthers' diesel house kit, and it is much simpler to build this scene than the TT. Feel free to chime in on this.
The excursion steam powered trains, will be making a wine-tasting stop at Cucamonga. They will occupy the main while doing so. That troubled be a bit, but by the late 60s, the Super Chief crossed the line at Cucamonga either very early in the morning or at around 9pm. Local freights followed suit closely so somewhere midday i reckon it would be fine to make a long stop for wine tasting at Cucamonga without bothering anyone. Worse case scenario, i can add a spur off the Cucamonga siding, to move any boxcars parked at the dock of Cucamonga (by the preceding local freight) and have the excursion train park at the siding.
This should be a fun RR to watch. Your doing a fine job so far.
Jerry
This is going to be a fun project to watch, you're already off to a great start.
Ron and Jerry many thanks!!!
Looks like a neat plan Yannis, I'm looking forward to looking in on your journey with the layout..... :)
Very nice. I like the architecture and the mountains in the background. Excellent work.
Words like "evocative" and atmospheric" come to mind.
Mike
Mike and Gregory many thanks for the kind and motivating words.
In the meantime, one more photo from a scene that will soon re-appear and is my favorite on the layout.
RT66ColoradoCrossing2.jpg
Nice view. What sort of crossing protection was used in your era?
James, if I am not mistaken, flashing-lights and a drop bar type gate for this crossing. On a 1972 photo if I am not mistaken (one with a GP30 crossing), it seems that the gate mechanism is there but not the bar itself.
Yannis,
That is a great scene, glad you decided to recreate it on the new layout.
Yannis try Logic Rail Technologies.
Many thanks Curt for the recommendation.
I did check them out, it seems that the solution that resembles more this gate is something like TOMARH863
I will have to double check with my ATSF blueprints book on this. Worst case scenario i ll have to design and print something up. 8)
Ron thank you for the kind words :)
Contemplating now on two things...
On if i should use 3/4" birch plywood decks with benchwork frames made out of the same plywood, or if i should opt for the simpler 3x1 (or 4x1) solid wood benchwork frame. I do have some leftover frames from an older layout that are 3x1.5 (odd metric at 2.7cm x 7cm) that i would like to use.
I also have some leftover decks of lower grade plywood that do have lots of cork on both sides so maybe i should discard those in favor of new higher grade decks. Those decks i just mentioned were used in a couple of disposable modules of my previous layout.
The 2nd thing I am contemplating on... is on if i should go for styrene sheet or hardboard (what is also known as masonite i reckon...) construction for my free-standing backdrops. In the past i went for EPS foam, but i want something more durable. In some parts where the other side of the backdrop will act as a wall for a corridor of my basement I think i might need hardboard+wooden framework in order to be able to hang stuff on it.
I need a pair of HO 1950s GRS crossing gates. I regret not buying them when NJ International offered them. The pedestal type is too new. My current strategy is scratchbuilding my own gates and actuators for a pair of bi-directional flasher masts I got at a train show. Which is little help to you, as the packaging/instructions don't give the manufacturer's name.
No worries James, every piece of info will be useful at some point when i ll be trying to figure out what to use for crossing protection.
Tomar has sold their part H-863 all along. It looks like it only needs painting the gate arms black/yellow for my Massachusetts location and 1960-ish era. It's less than I've paid for fancy Budd RDC models, but somehow I've never wanted to put that much money in the way of a derailment, the giant hand rerailing equipment, or track cleaning in general.
Understandable James (the cost issue). In the meantime i just finished the frame for an extra module (sorry no photos yet).
Another day another trackplan revision. Hopefully improving things. I relocated the Diesel House once more... now to the center of the yard from the upper right corner. I placed an orange grove there in an effort to first, create the perception of a slightly longer mainline run with more negative space on that upper right corner, and second, to get the facility in a more accessible spot.
I also removed one yard track and one staging track. This would be occupied by the 2nd local freight. It seemed to me like a moot point to have 2 local freights (one eastbound one westbound) given that 99% of the time i ll be a lone operator, and given that the two locals were quite similar as trains (same motive power etc...).
Feel free to chime in with respect to these changes.
All the best
Yannis
March30Plan.jpeg
Nice, neat workmanship.
Howdy, Yannis. The track plan is well done and looks like a lot of fun to build. Congratulations. Have fun, mike
Nice plan. Looking forward to the updates.
Jerry
What height do you plan to set the layout at? I seem to recall a ramp up on the East side of the LA River bridge, which might let you squeeze a staging track or two underneath between Gate 2 and Colorado Blvd.
Great looking layout! Especially The F units! 8)
Mike, Jerry, Philip and James many thanks!!!
James the height is 132cm (ie 52"). You mean lower level staging? If yes then this is a no go since i need all the area beneath the layout for furniture/desks etc.
As i was mentioning in a previous post, i am sort of downsizing on tracks as i go, given that what sounds good on theory might not be needed for my needs (solo operator). Feel free to chime in on this.
It looks like a fun layout to operate.
Yannis,
I'm enjoying this journey and love your RT66.
Ypm
Many thanks Tom, glad to have you tagging along! Trying to figure out wood cuts for the remaining tables currently. I hope to get some work done soon.