SP San Luis Obispo & Cuesta Grade

Fluid Dynamics Jan 29, 2013

  1. Fluid Dynamics

    Fluid Dynamics TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hi guys,

    I've been away from the forum for years but still love the Southern Pacific coast line as it runs thru San Luis Obispo and up the mountain range. With my college days behind me and all the great aerial photo resources now available, I came up with this sketch of how I would build it in a 20x15+ space. The glorious trestle is at lower left, station and roundhouse / loco facilities at bottom, and both horseshoe curves at top.

    The real Cuesta grade is a helper operation with an active passing siding, several passenger trains per day, regular MOW activity, and stunning scenery.

    My intent would be to build it one module at a time, as I'm working out of my motorhome as a contract engineer, for the time being.

    Here is the start of the first half of the station area. The track is just mocked up in the photo. There is plenty of room for the station, freight house, helper track, second (Surfliner) station track behind the fence, old water tower, vegetation and palm trees, etc.

    I'll try to keep this thread updated as I go along.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. TrCO

    TrCO TrainBoard Member

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    Wow, looks like quite a project you've got for yourself there :-D I can only imagine how everything is going to happen given your living situation, so please do keep us updated. Do you plan to model the prototypical operations, or focus on one particular element of them? (eg, mainly running passenger trains)
     
  3. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Twenty by fifteen is a nice space. Keep us posted about how you progress.
     
  4. Fluid Dynamics

    Fluid Dynamics TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yes, as much as possible I'd like to make the layout capable operating just like the SP in the early 80s. I've scrapped 3 layouts over my lifetime because they could not expand into what I really wanted all along: this little stretch of main line as uncompressed and vast as the real place. It is a natural work of art. I am drawn to it like many people are drawn to Tehachapi.

    http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=223577&nseq=92

    In the steam days there were the Coast Daylight and Coast Starlight, once per day. Amtrak eventually took over and retained the Coast Starlight with old single level equipment during Phase I, then came the Superliners and ex-ATSF El Capitan cars in Phase II and III. During this period there were also the Amfleet based commuter trains several times a day (now replaced by Surfliners at the present time).

    The yard has changed over the years. The original schematic from the 50s is attached. I'll probably have to prune it for the layout, although it would be good to keep it large enough to make and break locals, store several locos on the turntable spurs (the roundhouse was demolished at the end of the steam era), fuel / sand facilities and the freight warehouse / team track.

    The idea is to start building something that I will never be inclined to throw away - something that can key into my master plan point to point layout as true to life as possible. If it takes me a couple years to just build the yard, it will be an investment that won't expire. This first module can fit inside the storage bin under my couch.
     

    Attached Files:

  5. dstuard

    dstuard TrainBoard Member

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    I went to school in SLO 1964-69. During the last 2 years I lived on Ella St. overlooking the depot and would watch the headlights of trains as they desscended the grade.

    Good luck on the project!
     
  6. sd90ns

    sd90ns TrainBoard Member

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    Will you be including Gudalupe?
     
  7. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    SP San Luis Obispo & Cuesta Grade

    Never get tired of watching the tracks from San Ardo down to SLO, while driving on 101.
     
  8. Fluid Dynamics

    Fluid Dynamics TrainBoard Supporter

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    Probably so, and any other interesting branch interchanges and industries nearby. The sketch is really just a rendition of the mainline thru the pass - depending on how big the future layout room is, there could be so many additional destinations to give operating purpose beyond just mainline running - it could easily become a club layout, since point to point open ended (literally)!

    But the short term desire is just to get the yard. I've been studying it in the early days. There were 8 tracks coming right off the curve ahead of the station - 4 thru tracks and 4 yard tracks, with a little bit of space between them. It looks like there was a lot of action there in the heyday. Even GS4 headed expedition trains with a daylight painted SD40 helper.

    http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=165143&nseq=150

    http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=185788&nseq=130

    http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=296157&nseq=65

    http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=342656&nseq=44

    http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=331964&nseq=49
     
  9. DCESharkman

    DCESharkman TrainBoard Member

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    Looks like a great project!
     
  10. Fluid Dynamics

    Fluid Dynamics TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks, everyone for all the encouragement. Here is a more detailed look at how I'm going to try to fit the yard throat on the first module. The SLO yard bends on the way in, bends in the middle and again with a slight hook at the end. It still had all 4 through and 4 yard tracks in the early 80s, with some of the freight station and engine facilities.
     

    Attached Files:

  11. Fluid Dynamics

    Fluid Dynamics TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yard ladder all soldered up and entry curves / overall position getting sorted out. The station buildings are going to end up right against the backdrop, but the front fascia can extend a few inches off the edge to give room for scenery, if necessary.
     

    Attached Files:

  12. dave n

    dave n TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hey FD, welcome back! Looking forward to your layout progress, it's always a good thing to have more SP California on the board.

    OBTW, I finally painted my backdrop :)
     
  13. Fluid Dynamics

    Fluid Dynamics TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks Dave, nice to see you're still around. :)

    The old layout was great for a college quad but didn't travel well (I moved it a total of 6 times between two internships and my first job). Old fashioned plywood over a frame should be a lot more durable, and small enough to stay out of the way. There is a ton of modeling that can be done in this scene.
     
  14. Fluid Dynamics

    Fluid Dynamics TrainBoard Supporter

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    Dave,

    I checked out your rail images. WOW that backdrop turned out great, but the Modesto depot is really amazing. How did you do it? I'll most likely be scratch building all 3 depots for this module. I don't even know where to begin.
     
  15. Metro Red Line

    Metro Red Line TrainBoard Member

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    Great area to model! Don't forget the rolling hills with the trees dotting the tops! And I'd love to see the horseshoe curve section. I rode it on the Coast Starlight.

    My layout, which models a fictional modern-day UP connection between Bakersfield and SLO, would actually connect with yours!
     
  16. dave n

    dave n TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks - it was fun to build. I guess you have been gone for awhile...! here's my build thread:

    http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine...Depot-project-started&highlight=modesto+depot

    I use styrene for all my scratchbuild structures - for me, prototype structure building is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the hobby, between the research, planning, and actual building. Can't wait to see some more SP depots in n scale!
     
  17. Fluid Dynamics

    Fluid Dynamics TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks for the link. Yes I basically put N scale on a shelf for many years, as I was going thru the dark ages of engineering school.

    I think we have the same idea - it was the Coast Starlight trips thru this area that made me want to model it. The scenery is incredible. I like the idea for your layout.

    :)
     
  18. Mike Madonna

    Mike Madonna TrainBoard Member

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    Just wondering where you found the "Clear Standing Room" map of the SLO yard? Very, very interesting! Thanks, Mike
     
  19. Fluid Dynamics

    Fluid Dynamics TrainBoard Supporter

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    I must have been searching for "san luis obispo trackage" or "southern pacific san luis obispo" and it came up toward the bottom of the results, somewhere in one of the web pages.

    I've also seen on ebay, complete track schematics for portions of the SP and other railroads. I may end up picking up the one for the coast line, so I can understand the engine service area and turn table. It would also be very helpful for Guadalupe, the sidings to the refinery and Vandenburg, etc.
     
  20. Metro Red Line

    Metro Red Line TrainBoard Member

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    It's called Google Maps Satellite View :)
     

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