Tehachapi, BC

[GaryHinshaw]

Ok, I think this plan might help illustrate the situation and answer Mark's question.  Here's what the lower-level staging looks like now:



The notation is the same as in the schematic.  The basic run from SY1 to Edison (the beginning of southbound running) is a straight shot across the garage door, with one turn in the helix area to gain elevation.  This is required to provide clearance for SY2 underneath Edison.  While it would be possible to stage one SB train in the loop, it doesn't seem like it will be necessary, especially since all this track will be quasi-visible.

A few other notes:
* Hopefully you can get a sense of how much more accessible the throat of SY1 is now.  I'm a bit concerned that the engine service tracks in the middle of the yard loop will be too hard to reach, but they can be relocated if necessary.

* I haven't tied the helix into the lower-level track yet, but it's a lot more clear to me how that will happen now.

* The throat of SY2 is only 6.5" below Edison.  This may be asking for trouble.  I could lower SY2 and SY1 with another turn of the helix, but I'm not planning to yet.

* Mark, you're correct that this yard job is a lot like the Nelson Sub job on the C&W.  I'm expecting that I will be doing that a lot of the time.   But at least I can picture how to do that job now.

* A word on capacity and crew sizes.  There are nearly 5 s-miles of mainline running to get over the Pass.  At track speeds of 15 mph, this would take  about 18-20 min to traverse w/o stopping.  I expect a typical run with opposing traffic will take 30-40 min per run.  There is probably ample capacity for ~6 trains each way in this staging  plan, which would fill a 2-3 hour session pretty well.  Now for the rub: if I run helper ops, I will want 2-person crews, at least in the beginning.  I think I only have room for 6 operators at most, so this would mean 3 trains on the hill at any given time.  I think 4 trains at a time on the hill would be a nicer challenge for the dispatcher, especially when one or both of the locals are out switching, so I'll be very curious to see if crew supply can keep up with train demands...  I can't wait. 

-gfh

[mark dance]

Well Vanrail 2013 next September will bring in 30 more operators...will the main and all staging be in by then? Many will be from CA!

,

[GaryHinshaw]

Well Vanrail 2013 next September will bring in 30 more operators...will the main and all staging be in by then? Many will be from CA!

That's a daunting prospect, but I'm always up for a challenge (I work best under pressure).  Even if I'm not ready for serious ops, I'd be very happy to have interested parties stop by and give feedback, as long as they knew what to expect.  I know that's not the goal though.

-gfh

[mark dance]

Just make it pusher ops.  Don't worry about switching.  Advertise a capacity for four visitors (taking turns as head end or pusher crew with no wayfreights or yard crew...yet). The visitors can always choose not to sign up for the layout!

The long trains, modern helpers coudl well be enough to tempt the CA guys!  And Steve Stark and I are tired of being the only N cale layouts in the invite!

md

[GaryHinshaw]

Challenge accepted!      

[Coxy]

Ok Steven, this will teach you to ask for more layout shots.  Here's a pair that encompasses the upper deck work to date...

Now, could you please photoshop all the junk out of them like you did before? 

Thanks Gary, more shots definitely appreciated. Have been MIA with the new company but hoping to get back to a more normal lifestyle soon. PS may take a little longer .

The layout looks great in these shots. Loving the concrete ties. I have several more pages of updates to still catch up on under Tehach BC. Looking forward to seeing where you've progressed to.

Perhaps you cover this in a later post, how far to go till you have a continuous running loop?

Cheers,
Steven

[Scottl]

OK, I'm taking the plunge and I blame Gary  .  I ordered Proto87 parts to build a #8 code 55 turnout.  I'm convinced this is going to be worth the effort and fun.

[GaryHinshaw]

Great to hear Scott.  I hope you're still enthusiastic after the first build.      (New layout in the works?)

I've been swamped at work the last several weeks, but I finally got my first Tortoise installed the other day and it works like a champ.   Sadly, the install was a PITA due to the size of the machine: I had to re-jigger a roadbed splice to accommodate the Tortoise mounting flanges,  which meant sawing off a piece of the old splice, which meant man-handling the benchwork a bit, which meant a 10-pack of small drill bits hit the floor, breaking *all* of them.  And too bad that the mounting screws could not be reached with the screwdriver I had even though I have plenty of room for the machine itself.   

Two steps forward, one step back, towards the goal of closing the loop on the upper deck.

[Scottl]

I've only installed one Tortoise machine, but it taught me to plan ahead for them!  They do work pretty nicely though- a very satisfying whirl and movement.

I'm definitely in a "possibly" new layout mode...  Still working out my thinking, but one priority is better quality track work.  Inspired by yours and others here. 

[sizemore]

This has fallen to the second page, I am disappointed in you Gary for lack of updates.


The S.

[GaryHinshaw]

Thanks for the bump Tim.   

Sadly, teaching has been pretty hectic this term, but I have been sneaking in work on the three Ts here and there (track, turnouts, and tortoises).  Nothing very photogenic, but I'm still hoping to have the upper deck track work finished by December.  The accomplishment of the past weekend was to get the mainline on the Loop itself permanently glued down, with .020" of superelevation, which is subtle but awesome.   The stunt of the day was to roll a solo BLMA truck 1.5 scale miles down the 2% grade from Summit to the end of the current track work, without derailing.   Stupid Truck Tricks.

Cheers,
Gary

[sizemore]

Thanks for the bump The S.   

Sadly, teaching has been pretty hectic this term, but I have been sneaking in work on the three Ts here and there (track, turnouts, and tortoises).  Nothing very photogenic, but I'm still hoping to have the upper deck track work finished by December.  The accomplishment of the past weekend was to get the mainline on the Loop itself permanently glued down, with .020" of superelevation, which is subtle but awesome.   The stunt of the day was to roll a solo BLMA truck 1.5 scale miles down the 2% grade from Summit to the end of the current track work, without derailing.   Stupid Truck Tricks.

Cheers,
Gary

Yeah I want to keep it up there so I dont have to hit Page 2 all the time.


The S.

[GaryHinshaw]

It's working!  A southbound BNSF manifest is having no trouble navigating the Loop - with a little help:

http://vimeo.com/56844601

Sorry about the poor video quality - skip to ~1:20 if you're bored.

[C855B]

That's great, Gary. Very smooth. How many did you put on the floor ground before successfully circumnavigating the loop? 

[GaryHinshaw]

The first run up the hill was at 5 smph with the hand gripping the throttle (it's 5 1/2 feet to the concrete floor - with no safety net), but it's been incredibly reliable from the start. The only issue I've been having is with random uncoupling when there is too much slack.     (It's always the MT or Kato couplers, never the Full Throttle ones).

Some notes:
* The first few cars in this train are Full Throttle equipped.  They've been no problem.
* Most of the cars have BLMA or FVM low-pro wheels.  That's been no problem.
* There is a ~50-50 mix of truck-mounted and body-mounted couplers.
* The helper is running in DPU mode on the same throttle as the lead units.  Nothing runs like a Kato....   

-gfh