East LA, Pasadena & Cucamonga RT66 Layout (HO Scale)

[Michael Hohn]

Very nice.  I like the architecture and the mountains in the background.  Excellent work.

Words like "evocative" and atmospheric" come to mind.

Mike

[Yannis]

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.

[jbvb]

Nice view. What sort of crossing protection was used in your era?

[Yannis]

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.

[elwoodblues]

Yannis,

That is a great scene, glad you decided to recreate it on the new layout.

[PRR Modeler]

Yannis try Logic Rail Technologies.

[Yannis]

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. 

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.

[jbvb]

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.