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

[jbvb]

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.

[Philip]

Great looking layout! Especially The F units!

[Yannis]

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.

[Michael Hohn]

It looks like a fun layout to operate.

[ACL1504]

Yannis,

I'm enjoying this journey and love your RT66.

Ypm

[Yannis]

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.

[Yannis]

Long overdue (sort of) update. I have been working non stop (family/day-job/renovation allowing) during the last couple of months on building the benchwork for the layout. Something north of 27 tables, with more pocket holes, countersinking, drilling, screws and bolts that i could count. Finally all tables are finished and in place and i am now working on the two swing gates.

Some points:

1. I ll post benchwork photos soon after i tidy up a bit.
2. On the topic of swing gates, by beveling the edge that meets the fixed part of the benchwork, and offsetting the pivot axis, i managed to resolve the "cannot-clear the edge while closing the gate" problem. Feel free to chime in here.

A Question: I think i ll kitbash the 2816 Walthers kit for the diesel house from 3 tracks to 2 (without inspection pits). It sort of sticks like a sore thumb on the original location (marked as Diesel House on the trackplan). My options are:
a. Location 6 (2 stalls)
b. Location 21 (2 stalls again).
c. In either location do without a structure and leave locomotives parked in the open.

B. Another Question: Trying to figure out how to hide a cut on the backdrop where the reverse loop track is... Perhaps a steel water tower or impressive sign or back drop building attracting attention? Originally i had an overpass but i reckon that two is too many overpasses on the yard. Proposed location where i got a small black rectangle next to the reverse loop.

C. Another, another question: I like passenger trains a lot, and perhaps a platform (instead of a whole depot) where #22 is could be a good idea? I am thinking about the Walthers 933-3391 kit (LAUPT platform). I also considered the SB depot but it could consume the scene (by removing the two stub ended tracks of-course).

Here is the final trackplan (i also made the yard tracks parallel to the benchwork edges... slanted looked odd in person).

Thanks for stopping by and for your input!

[Rick]

Congratulations on getting the benchwork done.
That's going to be an impressive layout when done.
I'll be here to follow along as you make progress.

[jbvb]

A. I'd put the diesel house at #6. Keeps the focus of the yard there rather than next to Cucamonga.

B. A privacy fence next to the tracks, behind it a half-model of the biggest deciduous tree you can justify, like it's growing in the abutter's yard. Branches extending out over the track into the hole, backdrop dark in the shade of the tree. Another fence/tree on the opposite side of the track.

C. If you'd rather have a passenger platform at #22 than an industry, it's you're layout.  Did the ATSF set out and pick up LCL/express cars at intermediate stations in your era?  A spur for that could be combined with the platform.

The privacy fence/tree would be easier to do if the diesel house was at 21 instead of 6.  Your layout...

[Philip]

Fantastic news!

I brake for F units! Still have that memory of 6 Southern's F's struggling & pulling coal cars in Crandall, Indiana!

Philip

[Jerry]

That will be a really nice layout.
I'll be following along for sure.

Jerry

[Yannis]

James, Philip, Rick and Jerry many thanks for your replies!

James thank you for the suggestions.

1. Agreed, 6 is better than 21 for placing the diesel house in order to have more negative space between Cucamonga and the yard.

2. LCL was a thing to an extent, but i would not do justice to the ATSF freight house that was in LA or SB and above all i need extra tracks for passenger cars.

3. Very interesting idea the tree and fence, but to the best of my knowledge the LA or SB yard areas were sort of devoid of trees. Perhaps an elevated road off the main overpass as seen in the following modded plan (2 stall diesel house instead of 3).

[jbvb]

...3. Very interesting idea the tree and fence, but to the best of my knowledge the LA or SB yard areas were sort of devoid of trees.

I was thinking more of a family home next to the tracks where several generations of owners have tended a shade tree. I found an LA Times article which shows a couple big enough to overhang your "disappearing track":

https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2024-01-29/greatest-trees-of-los-angeles

[Yannis]

I also made some mockups based on having the San Bernardino shops on the backdrop and having the track going between the shop buildings (as it did in the prototype). Seems like two birds with one stone.