The Palisade Canyon Railroads (N)

[N Scale Brad]

A west bound Southern Pacific manifest is crossing the Humboldt River near Palisade Ranch in central Nevada.

Hi, I'm new here at Realistic Model Railroading. I have been working on this N scale layout since the fall of 2014 but had been planning long before that. The layout is in a 21 x 10 foot room that I built in the back of my garage. It is an around the room arrangement with staging below that is connected by a helix. The height of layout is 55 to 59 inches not counting the staging. This allows room underneath for work bench and storage. The layout is being constructed using a one section at a time approach and I am currently working on the last sections that will have scenery. The middle of the room is left open to allow space for working on each section of this layout and modules for modular layouts. Sorry I don't have a drawing to share at this time.

The prototype for this layout is the Southern Pacific and Western Pacific lines across Nevada between Winnemucca and Carlin. These were operated cooperatively by the railroads as a paired system giving both a double track line from World War 1 until the Union Pacific took everything over in 1996. I operate the layout in 3 different eras, 1975 to 1982 (WP and SP), 1983 to 1988 (UP and SP), and 1989 to 1996 (UP and DRGW/SP).

I do have a blog with all the background of the layout up to this time it's at https://palisadecanyonrr.blogspot.com/ I'll be doing regular updates on the layout here but for now the photo above gives an example of the layout.

[Allen]

Brad, welcome aboard RMR.
Glad to see you joining us.

I have followed your blog for years and always enjoy seeing what you create. It's well thought out and nicely executed, just like the scene above.
Thanks for sharing.

[N Scale Brad]

Since the introductory post I finally got around to creating a decent track plan drawing and have added it to that post. Now I want to start a layout tour going around the layout section by section with some further explanation.

First just a brief review of the prototype for any of those not familiar with the history. The Southern Pacific (SP) across Nevada follows the original alignment of the first transcontinental railroad with a few realignments made over the decades. When the Western Pacific (WP) built in the early 20th century it followed the same general path and in some area followed it quite closely. Each railroad operated it's own single track line until the outbreak of World War 1. At that time the federal government dictated in the name of efficiency that the two railroads would operate their lines between Winnemucca and Wells as a double track. Crossover points were installed just east of Winnemucca at Weso and just west of Wells at Alazon. After the war ended both railroad agreed that this system was better and kept this arrangement permanently. My layout represents areas along the "paired track" arrangement between Weso and Tonka.



The first section on this tour is Weso which was installed into the layout in 2016. Weso is the western end of the paired track arrangement. Below is a photo of Weso with labeling to give some orientation. The way the layout is oriented, the view is to the south with west being to the right and east to the left.



Eastbound SP and Amtrak trains from Sparks take the crossover to the WP track which becomes the eastbound paired track for both railroads. All westbound traffic is on the SP track and any WP trains would take the other crossover to return to the WP line.



At the west end of the Weso section the SP line disappears under the I-80 overpass to enter the helix down to the SP staging yard. The WP line goes a bit further then disappears under the US 95 overpass to enter the helix and the WP staging yard.



At the east end of the Weso section is an area that I call Dry Creek. Both tracks round the first corner here.

[Jaz avalley]

The terrain and rolling stock is spot on, please paint that poor cow. And fill the little gap on the backscene with more sand, your eye for colour is excellent and I like the different ballast on the two tracks as we see this exact thing so often.You need an eagle or a vulture and maybe a coyote. Your work is superb.Sorry to nit pick but when I see such good modelling I think so little stopping this from being perfect. Bliss.

[N Scale Brad]

The cattle are Black Angus. That little gap from getting the backdrop over the corner of the bench work does bother me too and I intend to added to that little hill but have got gotten around to it. I like the idea of some coyote but have not seen any available, make have to look through my dog selection for a reasonable stand in.

[Allen]

Thanks for posting the plan Brad, not sure I've seen it in a full view before.
The backdrops really adds to the scene and depth. Looking forward to the rest of the tour.

[N Scale Brad]

So much of what I've shown on the blog are close up. In this series of posts touring the layout I am going to show them in full view. The drawing is completely new.

[Paul S.]

Tremendous scenery, Brad! What a great layout!

[N Scale Brad]

Thank you Paul. Glad you are enjoying it, more to come.

[Michael Whiteman]

I'm really impressed how the scenery and especially the color matches your backdrop so nicely. What caught my eye was the 4 rows of barb wire you ran on that fenceline. Nice feature, well done.

[N Scale Brad]

Thank you Michael. The barb wire fence is an etched brass kit from Yesteryear Creations.

[N Scale Brad]

Continuing the layout tour we are moving in a counter clockwise or easterly direction around the room to the next section of the layout which is named Golconda. This is pointed out with a bright green arrow on the prototype map below.




The goal for this section was to recreate a small scene that was common on the prototype. I found the photo below on the web that I used as a reference. The tracks cross the Humboldt River many times and this photo which is near Golconda is typical. The Southern Pacific line is crossing on a sectional concrete trestle in the foreground. The Western Pacific line is crossing on a truss bridge in the background. This view is looking north.



This section of bench work is only 3 feet long and was added to the layout in 2017. While most of the layout has been built of new quality materials this section was made up from scraps of lumber. Because it was small I was not worried about the weight. The truss bridge is a modified Central Valley kit and the segmented concrete trestle was scratch built. The river water was done with acrylic paints and gloss medium. Because my layout orientation is looking south the truss bridge is in the foreground in the photos below.

[Jaz avalley]

The water is the correct colour to the reference,but I would add a couple more layers of honey toned varnish,it comes off flat,the reference has more depth; it is of course real water but if you look the subtle honey tones are missing,and frankly this model is so nice something you can fix dead easy is worth a look at, impressive modelling.

[N Scale Brad]

Thanks for the input Jaz. I am not familiar with honey toned varnish but will research that and give it a try when I get the chance.

[Jaz avalley]

Most old fashioned varnish is naturally honey toned, the new plastic varnish in my experience is a pain, and can take ages to dry. To be frank even if you do not add any more layers, the colour match to reference is totally amazing. from the blue distant mountains to the nearby hills,and the almost seem less run into the scenic layout. the sand matching, the green matching, the track, the weather worn bridge, and the rolling stock are a joy to compare to the reference.
If you looked at mine you could offer improvements for pages and pages possibly even write a book lol

[Allen]

You're backdrops are just killer Brad! They tie in so nice and adds so much depth.

[N Scale Brad]

Thank you both. The backdrops are from Backdrop Junction and are printed on vinyl. Along this stretch there is 24 feet of such backdrop ( 6ft x 4 ).

[Mike H.]

Need to second Allens words, your backdrop is a killer. Perfect!

[Steve H AC&Y]

Getting the layout color palate to compliment the backdrop color palate has to be one of the most difficult tasks facing a layout builder, IMO anyway. Past efforts prove I am not good at it. Your results are excellent!

I finally got around to visiting your layout blog for the first time. I guess I don't get out enough. Very well done.

[N Scale Brad]

The next section on this layout tour moving to the left or east is the 8 foot long Battle Mountain section. On the map below Battle Mountain is pointed out in blue. The stations on this map represent places along the Western Pacific line. The WP line passes Battle Mountain several miles to the north at a point called Rennox on this map while the Southern Pacific line passes directly through the town.



Battle Mountain is actually one of the bigger towns in this part of Nevada but I am only modeling the industrial district. To simulate the separation between the SP and WP line at this point I placed the WP line along the front and at a lower elevation than the SP line with a low hill in between. This section of the layout has a depth of 18 to 20 inches and was added to the layout in 2018.

There are 4 on line industries on the Battle Mountain section and they are all on the SP line. These industries are a combination of actual similar industries that are located in the area and fictitious industries. I will revisit each of these industries in detail in future posts. The western or right half of this layout section has a plastic pipe manufacturing plant and an ore processing plant.



The eastern or left half of the Battle Mountain section has a diesel fuel distributor and a cat litter manufacturing plant. The siding here is long enough to hold any train that fits in the staging yard sidings. With the paired track operation this siding would not be used for opposing meets unless the WP line was shut down for some reason. It mostly serves as a track for the local to work from when servicing these industries.

[Michael Whiteman]

You have really got a good eye for colors. These scenes are so very realistic looking. Excellent work Brad.

[N Scale Brad]

Thanks Michael. What I did was to put up the backdrop then blend the scenery materials to match the foreground colors of the backdrop. I use a blend of sanded grout, Arizona Rock & Mineral and Woodland Scenics products.

[Jaz avalley]

Even your low relief works, the height you have photographed it infers length not even there, modelling and photographic skills,superb.

[Allen]

I'm really enjoying your tour Brad.
It's tying things together for me.

[N Scale Brad]

Glad to hear that Allen because that was the idea I had with this series of "tour" posts.

[Paul S.]

Those are well-modeled scenes, Brad. Uncrowded, realistic, and the scenery is top-notch. The industries look as if they truly can support rail service.

[N Scale Brad]

Thank you Paul. Most of the prototype travels through empty country and I wanted to give that feel to the layout. Later after I finish giving a section by section tour of the layout, I will post some more detailed information on each of the industries in Battle Mountain.

[N Scale Brad]

This next stop on the tour around the layout is Harney which is pointed out in blue on the map below. Again we are moving eastward or to the left on the layout. Harney is a point where both the SP and WP tracks are closely following the Humblodt River and are beginning to enter the narrower part of the Palisade Canyon. This is the area where in 1939 a west bound City of San Francisco passenger train running on the SP track was derailed by saboteurs.



This section is about 5 feet long and is where the backdrop transitions from the printed photographic backdrop to the modeled canyon wall with a blue sky painted above.




To add interest to this area I have been adding some scenic details such as the repaired washout scene in the photo below.




And the wreck of a covered hopper car that had derailed because of the washout as seen in this photo. I still plan to go through and add some more brush and rocks throughout this area.

[Paul S.]

Just for giggles during a ops session, Brad, you oughta crank up the thermostat to 90, just to bring the ambient temp in line with the geography.

[N Scale Brad]

No Air Conditioning in the train room right now so in the summer that could occur naturally on some days, especially with a few bodies in there operating the layout.

[Michael Whiteman]

I'm enjoying the way you relate to the map Brad. That banged up hopper in the river reminds me of seeing cars sliding down the bank east of Kittitas WA after one of Milwaukee's many derailments in the 70's. Nice feature. Would two cars be more believable??

[N Scale Brad]

Glad the map is working out that way. I have always really enjoyed following layout articles in magazines that have a map. My inspiration for the wreck scene was the wrecks along the Eel River and the Northwestern Pacific line, which was the subject of my last layout. The covered hopper had gotten broken in a fall. A belt sander was use to flatten the corner that appears to be partly submerged in the river. A second car would be more believable, I just have to wait for the next accident.

[Allen]

That's a quick clever trick sanding the car to make it look submerged.

[Jaz avalley]

A west bound Southern Pacific manifest is crossing the Humboldt River near Palisade Ranch in central Nevada.

Hi, I'm new here at Realistic Model Railroading. I have been working on this N scale layout since the fall of 2014 but had been planning long before that. The layout is in a 21 x 10 foot room that I built in the back of my garage. It is an around the room arrangement with staging below that is connected by a helix. The height of layout is 55 to 59 inches not counting the staging. This allows room underneath for work bench and storage. The layout is being constructed using a one section at a time approach and I am currently working on the last sections that will have scenery. The middle of the room is left open to allow space for working on each section of this layout and modules for modular layouts. Sorry I don't have a drawing to share at this time.

The prototype for this layout is the Southern Pacific and Western Pacific lines across Nevada between Winnemucca and Carlin. These were operated cooperatively by the railroads as a paired system giving both a double track line from World War 1 until the Union Pacific took everything over in 1996. I operate the layout in 3 different eras, 1975 to 1982 (WP and SP), 1983 to 1988 (UP and SP), and 1989 to 1996 (UP and DRGW/SP).

I do have a blog with all the background of the layout up to this time it's at https://palisadecanyonrr.blogspot.com/ I'll be doing regular updates on the layout here but for now the photo above gives an example of the layout.

Just for a split second as I looked I thought it was a reference picture, fine modelling.