Southern Pacific in the Inland Empire (N)

[john_plsn]

While looking through Historical Aerials it looks like the SP did not have a heavy shop in West Colton. The UP built it and the transfer table in the early 2000's. The two tank farm tracks weren't there either. The SP did have quite a car shop set up, but I don't have space for that. Maybe I can spread the light service and ready tracks out and move Riverside Ave to the disappearing backdrop/mirror and end the yard scene there. Pepper Ave would be deleted.

Removing this area from my plan sure would simplify the area and give a bit more wriggle room. The heavy service would be rarely used operationally anyway, where as the light service and ready tracks would be in constant rotation. The more I think it through the more it makes sense. I already have the A/D tracks and related train order building mixed into the scene.

I'll add a new plan shortly.

[Allen]

There's no sense overdoing a scene if you're not going to make use of it. Modeled space is more valuable than real space.

[Russ C]

I like how plans are constantly evolving. Even after tracks are down, thinking about how it's to be -or is- operated gives one ideas for improvement.
Sounds like you're on the right track, so to speak, John, I'll look forward to seeing your revised plan...

[john_plsn]

I agree Allen.

Here is a quick redo and I can see spreading out and shifting the tracks a bit here and there even more. I do like having the ready tracks between the service and yard tracks as the prototype.


Here is a reference to the previous version.

[Allen]

Yes, I like that.
Now the space where the heavy shops were at could be considered negative space or could be filled with some abandoned or non railroad buildings.

[Paul S.]

Negative space is a good thing. It actually makes the layout seem larger, and gently nudges viewers into looking elsewhere for visual input.

[Russ C]

Looks much better! Less 'congested' looking and more workable.

[john_plsn]

An update on the yard. A few years ago I bought some curved turnout ties, so I added them to the plan to help spread things out a bit. In moving the ISP&S and S&F areas apart creates some space for reaching into the scene to throw turnouts and uncoupling duties without killing details. A win. I still need to build four #8 curved turnouts, but the rest are just about ready. I am about out of rail, but a nearby friend may have some I can buy off him.

That empty space on the right front edge will likely either be the main yard office or what they call the loco facility. There are no tracks at the building in the aerials I see. So it must have been a parts and support building. I am not sure what the small RH(Round House) is for. There is a narrow road between service and the ready tracks with supplies along the road. That should be neat to put together. I'll include the aerial for quick reference.

[john_plsn]

https://youtu.be/AxIM0YpaG1g?si=BJ_k9EQM536yU4SN

[john_plsn]

Over this last week I was able to get the remaining track down. This includes loco service, ready tracks, A/D tracks, and extend the class tracks. Time for ground throws and feeders to bring it closer to life.

[Allen]

Very nice John, looks just like you had it drawn out!

[Russ C]

I like curved turnouts, they can be real space savers. And the way you have this area laid out is well done John.

[denny99]

Great job!

[john_plsn]

I completed the wiring and turnout controls and had one short to trace. Good to go now. Of course I had to pull out some power to see how it would look when busy. With the exception of another PSX to separate this end of the yard from the other I consider the yard done.

Next mission is the upper level benchwork.

Model Railroading is so much more fun when I have my locos out on the layout.

[BillyJoeBob]

john -- Thanks for the info. I googled the PSX and DCC Specialties and read about the equipment. Read about blocks, surges from sound decoder capacitors and passenger car lighting. My layout is wired for cab control (but just one DCC cab) so that is ok. I only have engine lighting, so that's ok. I’m confused about dead shorts. What I couldn’t find is, and here is my question... If there is a dead short in a block, does the PSX doodad allow the rest of the blocks controlled by the same booster to operate or does the short shut down the booster?

BJB

[denny99]

That looks very nice, John!

[john_plsn]

Thanks for the compliments. BillyJoeBob, In the event of a short the PSX will shut down only its controlled district which protects the booster and allows it to continue feeding power to the rest of the layout. The most common issue is operators running up on turnouts thrown against them or a derail.

[Paul S.]

The most common issue is operators running up on turnouts thrown against them or a derail.

Just like the prototype.😅

[BillyJoeBob]

john -- So the PSX unit is basically acting as a Self-Reset Quick Disconnect 5 Amp Circuit Breaker? It happens so quickly that the booster doesn’t see the short? That is a great doodad but way above my budget. 😣Thanks for getting me to read the web site. BJB

[Allen]

Yes BJB, it is nothing more than a circuit breaker. I have several of them on my layout and they work like a charm.