and a good one at that! I've built 3 layouts over the past 20 odd years, one completed, one donated to a local museum, and this current layout. All 3 based on the Southern Pacific Burbank Branch, a line that ran though the San Fernando Valley for about 100 years. Around the mid 90's it was closed and that tracks taken up but I still have some great memories of waving to the engineers as they slowly rolled along Chandler Blvd. I've built this layout using as much prototype info as I could find, from people who lived trackside or railfanned the area, to first hand info from workers. The layout is proto-freelanced, with some buildings and locations exact, others updated to reflect a more modern era. I like to think of the layout as if the branch still operated to this day, what would the UP be using for power and what industries would remain. Here's where I'm at thus far. Nearly all of the structures have been scratchbuilt and weathered. I'm finishing up with fences and concrete block walls. No graffiti, I never liked it, although I tried it a couple times. I will add paint patches. Still need vegetation. So far the only thing growing on this layout is time and money. Although the SP kept the tracks weed free with spraying, and nearly all the photos I have show a barren stretch of trackage, I will include the obligatory palm tree and a few shrubs and weeds here and there. For the latest info have a look at the links in my signature. Thanks, Joseph Trackplan Overview of the layout Scratchbuilt Oroweat Bakery Complex in Burbank. The 4 large silos are Walthers Scratchbuilt warehouses on the North Hollywood team track Scratchbuilt light poles, traffic signals, crossing gates Scratchbuilt billboards and printed signs Well enjoy and any questions just ask! Thanks!
I really like your streetlights. How did you get the curved arm for the stop light? Styrene and hot water?
All those lights were made from one pack of Evergreen Rod Assortment and assembled with superglue. I formed the curves by hand just eyeballing them to what felt right. The arms are made from .030 round rod so they were easy to manipulate. Thanks for your interest Mr.trainiac!
Here's the latest: I added some skid marks and grime to the concrete pad with chalks, pallet stacks, a storage container, and a tank trailer. In the prototype pictures I've always seen a tank trailer parked by the silos but I don't know what it's purpose is. Extra storage I guess. Also added a forklift and 2 workers, Manny and Fred. Besides the obvious lack of vegetation, I think something is missing, like equipment or something. I can't put my finger on it. Anyone ever work in a bakery?
Very very nice and tidy layout (i like California themed layouts a lot!!!) !!! May i ask about the padlocks? Are they similar in idea to what i have read in Lance Mindheim's book on operations?
Thanks Yannis, and yes the padlocks are to add to the operating possibilities. I have 1 for each turnout, and 1 for the derail on the bakery spur. Here's what I've been working on: The final ground details of weeds, trash, and debris Glue isn't dry yet in this area of the North Hollywood team track. The pallet on the flat car was meant for the dirt but slipped out of my tweezers and ended up becoming a permanent part of the car. Thanks for reading!
AHHH, that Oroweat bakery. Takes me back as a young kid (tons of years ago), several of the neighbor hood kids often hung out around the yard there...that smell of the bakery plant was heaven! That was almost a mile from our house on Rose Street.
Thanks bremner, I hadn't thought about that. I'll see what I can put together. Is there a section for that to visit so I can see others? I'm still getting my bearings in the forum, trainboard has TONS of info!
Here's the latest Proto 2000 kit; built and weathered Accurail hopper kit, built, detailed, and quickly weathered
