The JACALAR RR

The El Capitan, pulling through the raised tracks over the back of the yard, with the descending tracks to the underground station in front of it

 

Here the El Capitan pulls into High Sierra tunnel



and, we see the passenger cars, on the ridge above Laurel Gulch. A freight is on the Laurel Gulch by pass, going past through the switch for Ariel Mineral & Mining



Here, #300 pulls out of the tunnel and approaches the trestle bridge

 

Action shots of El Capitan crossing a trestle bridge

 

An evening glow castes a yellowish light



Here, the El Cap has swung through the tunnel, and is now seen on the near ridge, overlooking Laurel Gulch



"She'll be coming 'round the mountain, when she comes!"

 

Heading past Laurel Gulch. The crossing gate/signals near cemetery are going to be replaced. Haven't been able to get the gates to work well, and already broke one.



The El Cap pulling into the JACALAR station

 

Pulling into and at the station

 

Thanks Jerry. Was a lot of fun taking these photos, today. Once I get my replacement grade crossing signals installed, and the road repaired, will be time to decide "what's next?" Debating on continuing into the foothills and work on the lake / woods area, or go back and try to make some more yard progress (those first couple shots certainly looked "empty")

 

Grade Crossing almost complete

I gave up on trying to get the crossing gates to work... just no luck (and now have two broken NJ Intl crossing signal/gates). Went, instead, with these older style above the road signals.

Here's a busy crossing, as UP #2708, pulling an excursion train, waits at the grade crossing for the Calif Zephyr to go through on the Laurel Gulch bypass. (slow shutter speed, high f-stop, so looks like both lights are on, they do flash properly)



here's with faster speed, so less depth of field

 

Cab Forward!

Here's SP AC-12 #4276, pulling a freight load, coming out of the High Sierra tunnel





And here, we see it passing by on the ridge, as the Zephyr and the grade crossing scene in Laurel Gulch, below takes place

 

Kermat - nice catch, thanks! All fixed (both that were popping up)

Jerry - thanks, I actually like these signals more, as they also fit the time period better. Laurel Gulch wouldn't have had the most up to date crossing gate/signals, since there wouldn't be that much traffic, until it became a tourist trap. Since the railroad is only now getting around to putting in modern signals for rail traffic, they might not have gotten to gates, yet.

 

Thanks, I also have an A-B-A DRG&W Alco PA-1 consist, to change the motive force when I want, but I seem to be partial to the WPs cute:. What can I say, I've lived in CA since 1961 (with the exception of going to school and an 18 month temp assignment).

No, those are the NJ International 2090 n-scale signals. They are a bit bigger than the newer n-scales (with LEDs), but not by much. Not nearly as big as HO would be. The cross bucks are the same size as the ones on the overhead combo crossing. I think there is also some photo distortion occurring, since I took that photo with telephoto lens from about 12 ft away. I may try placing my broken LED ones next to these... now that you brought my attention to it.

 

DPM buildings -- started working on them

A while ago, I picked up a WS/DPM Scenic Ridge kit I found on sale. It's been under the bench for quite a while, but with all the rain we were getting this month in the Bay Area, I pulled the kit out and decided to start on some of the buildings.

I've now (basically) completed 4 of the 13. While these are "easy to assemble", it takes quite a while to paint them up nicely, and then start the weathering process. I still have some touch up to do, and add all the details (decals, signs, etc), but here are the preliminary photos, placed on the layout in approximately where the town will be.

This is a wide angle view of the newly completed buildings



looking down on the street

 

Bldg close ups

Here's the hotel



The turret building and bank



and the transfer building

 

Proposed Changes to layout for town

As I built the buildings, I realized that my track work didn't really lend itself for laying out the town as initially thought. I've also been wondering what I could do differently in this area, as I've actually rarely used the front tracks, except as storage, vs my earlier thoughts. Here is the current and proposed changes. I'm eliminating the track closest to the fascia - turns out I only rarely have anything run on it, and that is more a convenience for me, when I do, rather than any operational reason. The change lets me fit the Kitt Transfer building in, with two other small sidings. It also eliminates one switch and the ess-like curve between the two turnouts, replacing a mainline #4 with a #6, in the process.

Thoughts, comments?