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New member

Mr. Train — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:17:22 GMT

Seen in group images Click here
Nice view!

Deferred maintenance? Not on this railroad. SD40-2 4798 waits for an upgrade to DCC while the GP7 already equipped, has come in for general maintenance. The colorful Rock Island is alive and well.

stokesmrc

stokesmrc — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:31:16 GMT

Hello to all;....... there is thing for sure I don't know what I am doing! But will try to post something to my Blog. I am new to this so please forgive me if I not doing this right...
First let me start by saying that I have justed started a Model Railroad club in Florida, with 8 members and we have all scales right now we have a building 40' X 30' with N and HO DCC trains set up on two tables 18'X5' and 1 able 8'X5' with N scale. I am going and try to put some picture up. I am sorry if this is the wrong way to do it just Remmber I am 67 of age and in a wheelchair but I am still young at hart anmd just like the bunny Keeps going and going.

Replanting the TRE

Doug A. — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:04:26 GMT

No progress to report per se, but some news about "The TREiN" as it has been moved to it's quasi-permanent location in my new apartment. It is currently unceremoneously plopped down on a few storage tubs and the rest of its pieces and related "infrastructure" piled around and generally everything is in a state of disarray since I didn't get home from the model railroad rescue attempt till about 1:30 last night.

But it's here, and my dad and I built some legs for it over the weekend which still need to be put together and attached to the layout. So once that is done, work can commence once again. Woohoo! :thumbs_up:

Layout Progress 8/3/2008

gpa — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 05:42:37 GMT

West End Sub Roadbed

I laid this out like the east end, using colored pencils, straight edge, protractor, compass and a square. Not much difficulty this time around.

I added a 2"x72" strip along the western edge, protruding into the window sill. The addition of the roller shade last week helped make this possible. It'll give me some extra room for depth of background scenery.

Cutting

I used a circular saw for the longer straight portions and a jigsaw for the rest. I tried a cookie cutter approach on this side of the layout. I trimmed out the ramp and landing for the central tidelands industrial area. I was only planning on having this section a 1" below ruling grade, but it's not low enough for my rail over road bridge. I'll probably lower it to 1.25" and put a .25" bump in the mainline to accomodate.

Now on Display

I tested out the display shelf on the light hood fascia. Looks good so far.

Now What

True up the west side sub roadbed
Splice sub roadbed to the south central highline
Add sub roadbed into closet
Rough out the tideflats industrial area

Summertime Progress...

campp — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:09:21 GMT

...is painfully slow in the Bonita River Valley. Over the last couple of months I've added ground cover over 1/4 the eligible areas. The two overpasses for Highway 22 are built, and now need weathering.

I'm building 500 feet of Insta-Fence for one of the businesses right now. I'm finding it isn't so Insta. More like Sorta-Fast-Fence. Pictures later. :shade:

Change Chugging Into Folsom

John Barnhill — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 22:49:26 GMT

Change chugging into Folsom
Historic railroad-tract development to proceed

By Roger Phelps The Telegraph

An artist's rendition conveys the feel expected for Folsom's coming Perspective Plaza, to be developed next to new buildings in the city's historic railroad area at the foot of Sutter Street.

A never-been-speedy Railroad Block Project is picking up steam in Folsom.
A tract of some five acres at the west end of Sutter Street was once home to Folsom Station, a Southern Pacific stop. The station included a roundhouse, with a turntable for redirecting engines back to Sacramento.

The current project is a sort of marriage of Gold-Rush and modern rail systems, plotted as it is close to the city's terminus of a Sacramento Regional Transit District light-rail line.

The tract between Sutter and Leidesdorff streets is projected to house a modern, transit-and-tourism friendly complex of three-story buildings. A public plaza will flank the buildings, featuring an amphitheater seating hundreds for open-air public performances.

The new buildings, especially a restaurant planned for the site of the old roundhouse, will try to rival with some success the time-anointed style of the original architecture found on Sutter Street, said Jerry Bernau, managing partner of Folsom Railroad Block Developers LLC.

"We're in the final building-permit stages for the Granite House building," Bernau said. "Our goal is to begin construction in the fall. We're trying to beat the rains."

That new structure will occupy the corner of Sutter and Reading streets, where the Granite House Hotel once stood.

"The building will resemble a grand hotel with bay windows, balconies and a lobby with a fireplace," a City of Folsom newsletter states. "Sutter Row, at Sutter and Wool streets, will look like four buildings, to match the rest of Sutter Street. The Leidesdorff Building, along Leidesdorff Street, will have an industrial look.

"That's where the warehouses were," Bernau said.

A trio of new buildings will contain seven retail shops, 13,000 square feet of office space, 60 one- and two-bedroom loft apartments and 80 parking spaces, according to the city.

The city will develop a wide public space, Historic Folsom Station Plaza, on 2.6 acres to be flanked by new buildings.

The idea has been around for a long time. The city Redevelopment Agency acquired the tract in 1990.

But only recently has the community apparently embraced the thinking that the city would be helped by modernization done as respectfully as possible of history.

"In June 2007, the Historic District Commission approved a design, and there was no opposition," Bernau said. "That was a far cry from 2002."

In 2002, an early proposal for developing the land was rejected. Rejection came despite the fact that the proponent, Sotiris Kolokotronis, was an experienced "transit-oriented" developer, builder of close-in condominiums from which residents rode the bus a short way to work in downtown Sacramento.

"The community was out in force," Bernau said. "It was 'too dense,' 'too tall.' It was 'incompatible with the existing Historic District.'"

Folsom decided to slow down and try to get the idea back on track. Kolokotronis remains a member of the development partnership, Berneau said.

"The city hired all the consultants, people got in a room and got out their pens, and the result was a Master Plan," Bernau said.

Plan conception took around seven months, with much advice from residents, he said.

Bernau said the community's recent satisfaction with the multi-story parking garage is proof that the whole general idea was a satisfactory one.

"It proved you could build on Sutter as long as you had great design and compatibility with history," he said.

On the 4.9-acre tract, the parking structure now occupies 15 percent of the territory and the four planned buildings will occupy 31 percent, Bernau said.

Amy Feagans, city redevelopment director, noted that the project dovetails with Folsom's project to modernize the appearance of Sutter Street further east, in the historic business district.

All told, the city has hired "about 20 different consultants," Feagans said. "I sometimes call it the full consultant's employment bill."

Spanning History (No Hands Bridge)

John Barnhill — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:53:30 GMT

Auburn Journal

Spanning history
Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge is endurance landmark
By Todd Mordhorst, Journal Sports Editor

Ben Furtado/Auburn Journal

Gordon Ainsleigh stands below Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge ? also known as No Hands Bridge. The first man to complete the Western States Endurance Run, Ainsleigh sees No Hands Bridge as a ?bridge to the promised land.?

The Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge once connected Auburn with the vast resources of the American River Canyon. In modern times the structure spanning the American River serves as a beacon for weary equestrians and endurance runners.

The landmark commonly referred to as �No Hands Bridge� connects the rugged Western States Trail with the final climb to Auburn, leading runners from the wilderness to civilization.

�No Hands is our bridge to the past and to our future,� said Gordon Ainsleigh, who was the first man to run the Western States Trail from Truckee, which led to the founding of the Western States Endurance Run two years later. �For those of us in the Auburn area who have sweated so much, breathed so much and lived so much of the best of our lives on that trail through the wilderness to Tahoe that we usually access only by No Hands, it�s like a bridge to the promised land.�

The bridge was erected in 1912 by the Pacific Portland Cement Company to connect its limestone quarry to the Southern Pacific main line in Auburn. At the time of its construction, the bridge was the largest concrete arch bridge in the world. More than 800 men worked on the construction of the bridge, which cost $300,000 to build.

When the railroad ties were removed in the 1940s, the bridge was relegated to primarily serving adventurous equestrians like Wendell Robie. The Auburn businessman founded the Western States Endurance Ride in 1955. He was also the driving force behind the creation of the Western States Endurance Run more than 20 years later.

The Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge�s unique design has survived numerous floods while other bridges in the area failed. In 1964, the Hell Hole Dam gave way and the ensuing flood took out two bridges up-river. The cement structure was pressed into service, providing the link between Placer and El Dorado counties while the Highway 49 Bridge was being rebuilt.

The �Valentine�s Day� flood of 1986 knocked out two bridges to the west while the Mountain Quarries Bridge held firm.

The nickname �No Hands Bridge� came about prior to the installation of handrails along the bridge in 1984. While most equestrians would dismount to cross the guardrail-less bridge, veteran rider Ina Robinson would drop her reins and cross with no hands, leading to the catchy nickname.

The bridge�s rich history is now a major part of the endurance community. The bridge is the last major monument before runners reach the Placer High track and the finish of the Western States Endurance Run. The bridge has witnessed some major drama in the Tevis Cup. In 2007, Jeremy Reynolds passed John Crandell between No Hands and the finish line in Auburn to win.

The bridge stands less than four miles from the Western States finish line, though the final climb out of the canyon has claimed many a runner.

No Hands Bridge was closed temporarily in 1995 and �96 when it was discovered the footings on the mid-river abutment were failing. However the bridge was opened temporarily for both Western States and Tevis Cup.

Congressman John Doolittle, R-Roseville, was able to appropriate $700,000 for the repairs on the bridge, which were completed in �96.

Auburn�s Hal Hall helped lead a major effort to have the Mountain Quarries Bridge listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The bridge has been a huge part of Hall�s life as one of endurance riding�s most decorated competitors.

Ainsleigh couldn�t picture life without No Hands Bridge, the gateway to a land that remains the wild west.

�The trail basically follows the drainage of the middle fork and it�s our connection to that,� Ainsleigh said. �It�s like so much of our lives are connected to this trail and this bridge is kind of sacred ground.�

The Journal�s Todd Mordhorst can be reached at toddm@goldcountrymedia.com or comment at AuburnJournal.com

--------

Fast Facts:

Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge
Commonly referred to as No Hands Bridge after being dubbed such by endurance rider Ina Robinson in the early 1980s, who would drop her reins and ride across the then guardrail-less bridge with no hands.

Built by John B. Leonard and completed on March 23, 1912.

The bridge is 15 feet wide, 482 feet long and 70 feet high at average water flow.
The U.S. Department of the Interior placed the bridge on the National Register of Historical Places in 2004.

Gordon Ainsleigh
The chiropractor from Meadow Vista was the first man to run the Western States Trail from Truckee to Auburn � 100 miles � in 1974.

The Western States Endurance Run was founded two years later and Ainsleigh has finished the run 22 times in 30 hours or less.

Ainsleigh now serves on the Auburn Recreation District�s board of directors.

---------------------------------------
Auburn Sentinel
Notes From the Trail - Daughters take to Quarry Trail and No Hands Bridge Written by Don Chaddock

The Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge, constructed in 1912, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Photo by Don Chaddock.
With my son otherwise occupied on a recent Saturday, I convinced my two daughters to give up cartoons and the Internet to spend some quality time on the trail with their papa. The task was not easy and there were protests, but victory was mine.

We chose to hike part of the Western States Trail, as suggested by my 8-year-old, but a different section than we usually find ourselves using.

With packs loaded with water and snacks consisting of apples and cheese, our skin glistening with sunscreen and insect repellant, we hopped in the car to drive into the American River canyon on Highway 49.

Once you�re across the river, park on right side of the highway in the dirt area. It�s just beyond the bridge. There is a gate (#150) nearby and is the entrance to the Mountain Quarry Trail.

The trail follows along the river, offering views of the debris from the old washed-out bridge, and comes to a fork at the Western States Trail. Left will take you to Cool (3 miles away and mostly uphill) and right takes you to Auburn (4 miles away and also uphill, but with a more gradual climb).

Following the trail right will take you over the Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge, known to locals as �No Hands Bridge.� The structure was completed in 1912 and served as the route used to transport limestone from the quarry located a mile upriver to the Southern Pacific main line in Auburn. The local landmark has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2004.

On the Auburn side of the river, the trail is fairly easy until it reaches a small stream, pond and waterfall. It�s steep down and up the other side.

Off the trail, old concrete bridge footings can be spotted among the trees and grass. Other hikers were ahead and as we approached, their small dog ran to greet us.

About one mile in, there is an access road that branches off uphill to the right. Since we were only doing a short hike, we turned around at this spot and made our way back to an area where we could sit. Crossing over the pond and cresting the hill, there is a hand-built rock retaining wall alongside the path, with a few larger rocks nearby that make perfect seats.

In the shade, we stopped and ate our lunch, watching another hiker go by. The hike back to the car was quite nice. The bridge is a popular hiking and dog-walking spot and there are usually folks down below enjoying the river.

The hike, two miles total, took a few hours with the break included and provided plenty of papa-daughter bonding time.

Next week we�ll take a look at a few miles of the popular Quarry Trail and the park areas that have been created along the Middle Fork of the American River.

Don Chaddock�s �Notes from the Trail� publishes weekly during the summer. He may be reached at editor@sentinelnews.biz

Info on train consists

Mr. Train — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 14:21:11 GMT

This thread goes to show trainboard members are here to inform any one who ask any question.

http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/...d.php?t=100492

First Blog

BNSF FAN — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:06:09 GMT

Just wanted to get a blog page started.
As part of my current position, I am traveling quite a bit. Looking forward to a possible break this fall where I can get back to some modeling.

Today on my workbench, there is a set of Trash Spine cars that are partialy assembled and some Ballast Hoppers waiting to be decaled (Still need to get the decals)

That's it for my first blog. More to come.:tb-biggrin:

Fish Camp, El Portal, Laws and more...

John Barnhill — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:48:33 GMT

I have been wanting to visit the Yosemite Mtn & Sugar Pine RR and the El Portal RR Museum for quite some time. My buddy Jeff and I have batted around the idea forever. Finally the trip happened this weekend with some additions for Jeff.

We headed out of Sacto at 5:00 am. This time I came fully prepared with my surviving steam locos list and my caboose list. Also a list of the disc golf courses along our route just in case we could get in a round somewhere along the way. A huge pile of maps filled the glove box too.

Our first stop was Stockton to see if we could catch STE #777 outside. Of course everything was locked away on this beautiful Sat morning.

Modesto was next to check up on the MET. No changes to report and no new pics either.

From Empire we paralleled the BNSF to Merced. Got to catch the "earth worm" along the way.

At Merced, Highway 140 took us into the hills to Mariposa. Just east at Midpines was our next goal. At the KOA is an ex ATSF caboose being used as a video arcade. Finding and photographing was no problemo. Nearby though was a huge forest fire and while heading back down the hill to Mariposa we passed about 40 firetrucks from all over the state. Mariposa's fairgrounds were packed with fire equipment as well. I did photograph fire trucks for a bit sometime back and this would have been a smorgasborg but we had places to be and I didn't bring quite enought film for fire trucks too.

We headed down Hwy 49 to Oakhurst to catch Hwy 41 up to Fish Camp. While in town, we ran across another ex ATSF caboose, this one with a yellow cupola, that didn't appear to be on my list. Cool! Our first bonus! I don't count an earlier bonus ex ATSF caboose at Planada since its not in the hills. :D

Another ex ATSF caboose at Bucks Lake was our next stop. Unfortunately we couldn't locate this one and ran into the biggest group of stuck up, preppie, rich, tree huggers ever at The Pines. The were actually avoiding us and giving us dirty looks. Wierd. Well needless to say we got the hell outa town with a few choice explatives to describe the natives.

Fish Camp here we come!

As we pulled into the parking lot, Shay #10, ex WSL, was just getting the next train ready. #15, also ex WSL, was in the shop. We found two "extra" critters as well along with several other pieces of rolling stock. I put quite a dent into a roll of film, as well as my pocket book, there. They have plenty of merchandise for the fans and tourists.

To get from Fish Camp to El Portal directly one has to pass through Yosemite. Jeff had never visited the park before so we took the next couple of hours doing all the usual touristy stuff in there. Half Dome, El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, etc. Even with a bit of smoke from the fire mentioned previously, the scenes were absolutely gorgeous and the park was packed despite gas prices.

The Transportation Museum at El Portal was ok. Not too much to see. I did get the Yosemite Valley caboose and the Hetch Hetchy shay. Also they have the twin water tower from Bagby and a depot/tower which looks alot like the one from Bagby as well. I couldn't locate the incline across the river for the Yosemite Lumber Co though.

At this point I was satisfied. My trip was complete and I had gotten quite a few new pics for my site. Jeff had other plans though so we headed back into the park once again. This time we went up New Big Oak Flat Road to Tioga Pass Rd and out the backside of Yosemite to Hwy 395. Along the way we stopped at Tuolumne Meadows and a few other overlooks to check out the wondrous landscapes. Upon exiting the park Mono Lake came into view. I'd wanted to see it but wasn't as impressed. Course what would be impressive after seeing all those waterfalls and giant granite domes?

Bishop to the south was our planned stop for the night and we arrived late afternoon. A quick 4 mile sidetrip to Laws got us there just after the museum had closed. Well there is always the next morning and we could sleep in. Somehow we managed to pick a weekend when there was a huge Motocross event goin on in town. The place was packed and we barely got a room since we don't ever bother with reservations. By the way, the Motel 6 sucks! Worse than any other I've stayed in. It was easily 100 degrees out and our air conditioner didn't work well until about 3am. :(

Back at Laws at 10am. This place is EXCELLENT! Besides ex SP narrow guage steamer #9, there are a ton of narrow guage cars and also the turn table, water tank and depot. The other displays were very interesting and the ladies giving presentations were top notch and very sweet to boot. We were also notified that we couln't leave until we rang the bell of #9. Of course I gladly posed for a photo while doing so.

Besides #8 in Sparks, Nv and #9 in Laws, Indepence,CA has the third remaining SP narrow guage steamer. The park is right on 395 and super easy to find. She looks to be in good shape and there appears to be plans by a local group to add some more trackage at the park.

Lone Pine was the next destination but we decided to take a roundabout exploration of the Carson & Colorado (SP narrow guage) r-o-w in route. Not much left but a straight raised mound of dirt through the sage brush but we did find quite a few deteriating spikes and ties. The depot at Lone Pine is huge and is now a private residence but quite a sight.

At this point we were going to head out for Keeler and points beyond in Death Valley to photograph another steamer on display there. However upon arriving at the depot in Keeler, trouble struck. Just as we were about to depart, we discoverd we had a flat. Keeler is basically a ghost town with no services and this is now Sunday just after noon. Bummer! With our little rubber donut on the car, we had to backtrack to Lone Pine to see what we could do.

Sure enough the tire shop is closed on Sunday. Who came up with this great idea?! Yes I'm saying this with full sarcasm. We're screwed. Ok, lets try out some fix-a-flat and see if that works. Sure enough I'm gonna buy some stock in the company that makes this product!!! Not only did it get us back on the road but two days later it is still working.

Now we've lost some time and gotta beat feet for Mojave by way of Trona. For years now I've wanted to go there and photograph the power for the shortline. Remember though, it is still Sunday. Upon arrival we found all the power but it is behind a fence and the railroad office is closed. Even with the sun against me I think I've managed to shoot the entire roster. I'm still using film though so we'll have to wait and see how the pics turn out.

Randsburg reminds me of Jerome,AZ. This is a silver mining town just off 395 on the side of a large mountain. The town looks like everyone just dropped everything once the silver went bust with the addition of alot of rust and wear. Old mine sites are scattered everywhere. Surprisingly several shops are still open for perusing. At the local history museum is a very small steamer used in the nearby mine.

Leaving Randsburg out the backside, we found ourselves to be the only vehicle within sight and we were at the top of a really long straight downhill road that eventually leads to Hwy 14 and Mojave. Just for kicks, we gave er a little gas then threw the car into neutral to see how far we could coast down this lonely stretch. We didn't quite make the bottom though we tryed using our bodies to give us a little extra movement to clear the last little uprise in the road. Gee, the things we do to entertain ourselves. :D

Its been two years since I've gotten to visit Mojave. Boy did I miss the place. It isn't much but I love to stay there on our trips to the Southwest. A cheap room, the local liquer store and the chinese buffet along with a ton of trains is all I need.

Monday morning finds us on our final leg of the journey headed back home. Just as we are leaving town to head over the hill another train comes into sight. Low and behold the SP heritage unit is on the point!!!
Score!!!!

The rest of the hill was barren as far as trains go. Even stopping at Bealville gave us nothing.

Bakersfield provided us with a few San Joaquin Valley units and the SP steamer at the museum.

From here we decided to parrallel the BNSF up towards home. A siding in an orchard gave us three blue and yellow BNSF GPs and we caught two Amtraks and a freight along the way to Cocoran. An unexpected switcher of a type niether one of us could identify serves a plant there at Cocoran. Also along the way at Wasco we captured a Savage GP. The rest of the trip we headed north on 99 without seeing too much of interest or anything we hadn't seen before. The only exeption is the new AL Gilbert GP. Unfortunately she was parked in a spot where we couln't get a shot.

Another stop in Stockton finally produced STE #777. We had to make a second try since we were passing by and this time it paid off. Though I've heard STE wasn't railfan friendly, the crew had no problem with us taking pics.

Despite being worn out and already eight hours into a five hour trip home we had to add just one more stop to the itinerary. Ione.

Amador Foothills #10 was moved to Ione over a month ago and just left near the depot. As niether of us have our own pics of this unit, a quick twenty-something mile sidetrip finished off our three day weekend.
Despite the time she's spent there, no vandalism has taken place and she looks pristine! Definately a way to finish off the trip.

Just a few more miles and we're back home in Sacto.

Until our next adventure....

Sac Northern Ghosts...

John Barnhill — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:29:21 GMT

After work last Thurs, my friend Aaron and I decided to head north towards Marysville and Yuba City to check out the ghosts of the Sacramento Northern.

Aaron is bigtime into SN and has done a ton of exploring and research. He brought along an old map of the many SN and SP lines that ran throughout the twin cities and we wanted to check out some of the sites.

We started out on the south side of Marysville just to the south of the airport where there are still actual SN rails in place. A long spur to an idustrial area was interesting to explore. Several different spurs with rails in place reach out to a small number of industries including a lumber plant. Most look as if they havn't been used in many years but they are still accessable by UP if need be. Right near the airport the line is being used to store a bunch of UPFE and ARMN reefers.

Our next stop was the SP depot location in M-ville. Only a small tin sided railroad office stands on this spot currently but it was interesting to note the stairs, railings and passenger platforms still in place.

According to the map Aaron brought, SP had some street trackage just to the north of this. Though obviously it has all been obliterated by modern construction, I believe we found evidence at on spot between 7th and 8th. Just at the back of a brand new multi story building under construction is where the switch should have taken off from the main. Of course there is no sign of it but as we were turning around I noted something odd in the concrete we were driving on. There was a curve to the edge of the contrete that was in just the right spot to accomodate rails. We can't be sure, yet, but I'd bet my next paycheck this curve to the concrete is just that, where the spur ran. These things don't just happen for no reason.

Binney Jct was our next puzzle. Aaron had an aerial shot of Binney and a photo of the tower. We wanted to locate where the tower was and to just compare what was with what is. Recently the conector in the southern corner was replace by UP when they had a large trestle burn in Sacramento at Johnston. With a closer look and the aerial to back us up, this is a newer embankment than the original and just to the inside of it. The original according to the aerial and map heading straight down into town aligned with one of the north-south streets. It also turned west nearly 90 degrees and crossed the WP. Within this turn was a large pond. What is so amazing is none of this exists anymore. The embankment and pond have been completely wiped out and now the spot hosts a ton of apartments. From the aerial, one would not believe they bothered to move that much dirt.

As for the tower, this was fun to try and locate. In the photo is a low white fence or railing then the mainline with the diamond to the right and then the tower. In the background is a track embankment and a palm. We tried to line it up a couple different directions but couldn't quite get everything to fit until we looked at the fence again. There is currently a very similar white fence along the WP main in the northern quadrant. I decided to put that fence in the same spot in front of me and align the photo to match. As I compare, there is a small concrete platform just across the main from the fence and with some more comparison, a burnt and felled palm rests just behind that in the southern quadrant just in front of the track embankment. With all these lining up Aaron and I have come to the conclusion the small platform is where the tower stood. In fact, we're damn sure until proven wrong but it would take a very strong argument. :D

And just for kicks, while at Binney, we caught BNSF trackage rights trains. One headed in each direction.

Next stop, the tunnel in Yuba City. What?! A tunnel in Yuba City you ask. No way. Yep, way. :D

The SP has an official tunnel that crosses under the Hwy 20 bridge. There was once an SP branch that ran along the bottom of the river levy just as you enter YC from M-ville. The spot where the line passes under the bridge is it. When you pull up to park, this thing looks just exactly like a tunnel, just a short tunnel. Would make a really neat model.

Our next stop was the ex SN yard. I couldn't keep track of which streets we were on but Aaron drove us to where the yard used to sit. There are still crossing signal boxes at the street crossings along with a crossbuck on a pole still at one end where the line enters street trackage. The row is very evident in the street here and fun to follow.

Bridge St was next where the SN entered YC. Though all rails and ties have been removed, the rail bridge still stands and is incredible to check out. It still carries the 'NE' and clovers of the Northern Electric which is a SN predecessor. Just across the river is the old WP depot which now provides housing courtesy the Salvation Army. Here also stood a water tower and the switch SN used to exit the WP for Yuba City. Also at the M-ville side of the bridge the road drops down a small hill and passes under the WP line. A grade from the rail bridge does as well though I had never noticed before. In the overpass are two additonal portals through which the SN exited the bridge, came down the short grade and passed underneath the WP into street trackage here. Blew my mind as I've driven through this spot several times and had never even thought of this let alone noticed these extra portals. By the way, the electrical pick ups are still in the tops of the portals.

By this time it was getting late and the light was failing so we started to head for home. We did try and check out where SN had originally entered into Marysville from Sac it no longer leaves any trace we could find.

There will definately be more trips to explore this bit of SN along with a trip or two to Chico to see what is left there.

Neat stuff! :D

WSL Camp 24 fieldtrip

John Barnhill — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:51:06 GMT

*Tuolumne** City Memorial Museum***

Field Trip Program to

*West Side Lumber Company - Camp 24*

*Saturday August 2, 2008 at 9 AM*

The TCMM Historical Research Committee has scheduled a Field Trip
Program to WSLC Camp 24 in the Stanislaus National Forest. Be sure to
bring along your binoculars, camera, hiking boots, GPS, FRS radio, CB
radio, Ham radio and a "brown-bag" lunch for nourishment, a trash bag, a
chair and maybe a (ant-resistant) picnic blanket to sit on. Bring
along your own water for drinking, and of course, "bug" repellant.
Please remember, whatever you pack into the forest, you must pack out -
"leave no trace." This is a family event.

The field trip _meeting time_ is at *9:00 AM at the USFS Mi-Wuk Ranger
District Office* parking lot for handouts and a map. [The Forest
Service rest room should be available.] We will depart _promptly_ at
*9:29 AM*. We should be finished at Camp 24 approximately 1:00 PM.
_>>> Remember:_ there are _no_ "facilities" after you leave the Forest
Service Office.

The *USFS Mi-Wuk Ranger District Office is located at 24695 Highway 108,
Mi-Wuk Village, CA 95346. *We will be travelling Stanislaus National
Forest Service Road 3NO1 to 3NO7 to 3N86. It is a good level road, but
dusty. You do not need a four-wheel drive vehicle. We will convoy and
stay together. Headlights on. (We will have a "lead vehicle" and a
"tail-end Charlie vehicle.") Be sure to have a full tank of gas after
you leave Sonora. You will drive approximately 50 miles total, round
trip.

TCMM Docent and WSLC Historian, *Art Kauppi*, will lead us into Camp 24
after crossing Hull Creek. He will give a complete description of all
the activities of lumber camp life. Camp 24 partially remains as a mute
reminder of the significance of this camp to the life of the West Side
Lumber Company.

*_RSVP is necessary._* We need a count for handout material, maps, etc.
We must limit our participants to a manageable amount. Car-pooling is
strongly recommended. Send an E-mail to
*_TuolumneMuseum@FrontierNet.net_* or call toll-free *877-838-4882* and
leave a message. We need your name, a people count and a vehicle
count. You can bring your animals, but remember there are mountain
lions and snakes and bears and other creatures that will see us first.

_Technical notice:_ "Family Radio Service" radios (FRS) tuned to
channel one (no tone) will be of great help to you so we can communicate
between cars and point out bits and pieces of sightseeing interest
during the trip. Citizens Band (CB) radios tuned to channel two will be
monitored by the "tail-end Charlie" vehicle during the trip. There is
_no_ cellular service in the area we are going. In case of any
emergency, we will have "ham-radio" capability with the outside world.

*A little history......* West Side Lumber Company Camp 24 was used as a
railroad construction and logging camp from 1915 thru 1960 and was home
for about 200 loggers. This was a loaded log car exchange point. There
are remnants of buildings and materials that were used during its
heyday. You will see where the cookhouse was and all the food cans that
were simply tossed out the kitchen window. You will see an oil tank
loading area. You can walk the famous "balloon track."

This is a great historical experience for the entire family. This is a
Docent-led walking tour. Handicap and wheelchairs may have a serious
problem dealing with the soft dirt area, rocks and ruts. Therefore,
wheelchairs are not recommended, unless you feel you can sit in a car
and enjoy. You do not have to stray too far from your vehicle.

For additional information, go to http://www.TuolumneMuseum.org/camp24.htm
<http://www.tuolumnemuseum.org/camp24.htm>

Block & Switch Diagram 7/27/2008

gpa — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 06:00:55 GMT

The numbered turnouts will likely be motorized. Other switches, in the industrial zone may or may not be motorized.

Blocks have yet to be numbered. There will probably not be any intermediate signals, just absolute signals protecting the major mainline control points.

The Holland Yard transfer table will probably be hand operated, unless I can figure out a way to easily motorize it.

Track Plan 7/27/2008

gpa — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 05:49:32 GMT

OLD PLAN --> NEW PLAN

Major Changes

Added Holland Yard inside of closet
Moved central mainline 4" north. To give a little more room for background scenery over hidden staging

Holland Yard Features

3 classification tracks totalling 102"
A small loco or caboose track
95" Arrival/Departure track
36" Yard Lead
36" Set Out Track or Yard Lead Extension
86" of mainline (which may eventually bust through the other side of the closet and into a hallway extension)
A 2 track transfer table servicing the A/D track and the tail to the yard lead

Track Plan 6/19/2008

gpa — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 05:34:52 GMT

OLD PLAN -> NEW PLAN

Major Changes

I've abandoned the hidden helix track plan and opted for a U-shaped double track loopety-loop.

Features

Seperate industrial district with central cement plant
Barge slip
Rail over rail, rail over road and road over rail bridges
3 reversing track sections
3 track hidden staging, with lift-off access
Utilizes awesome looking Pola Double track tunnel portals