the MRH Forum

CFNR (California Northern Railroad) West Valley Sub Journals/Blogs
Reply
Regular poster 262 posts dkerber123 Regular poster 262 posts
dkerber123

I am building a layout in HO scale of the California Northern's West Valley Line. This line runs between Davis, Ca. and Tehema, Ca. and connects with the UP at both ends. The interchange with the UP is in Davis, the north end of the line is currently being used to store center beams.

I am currently transitioning from the planning stages of this layout to the construction stages. I have a thread in the Dream/Design section of the forum that explains the prototype, operations, and evolution of the track plan. I want to extend many thanks to all who contributed advise in that thread, I have come up with what I feel is a great plan and I could not have done it without the help of this community. The thread can be found here:

http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/16224

I have started the construction and thought I would start a blog to document the progress. I have the bench work and half of the track laid on the 16' wall of my layout room. I will share photos in the subsequent posts on this blog. Feed back will be welcome.

**** EDIT**** I've decided to place two or three current pictures of the layout on the first page here. This should keep new viewers interested in the layout and show that progress is actually being made.....

My blog documenting the construction of the CFNR West Valley Sub in HO scale http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/16315

 

Dan
Reply 0
dkerber123 Regular poster 262 posts
dkerber123

Track plan

This is the track arrangement of the prototype from Arbuckle to Cortina. photo 78144A23-2709-4CF7-A69F-694A03631C57.jpg This is the finalized track plan, give or take some and not to any scale. photo 74197002-CBA7-4B83-B67F-A7FCD0C27A25.jpg This is a detailed diagram of Williams, drawn to scale. A couple buildings were not included in the plan because I want to wait to see it in 1:1 scale. photo 0746D3A3-38F7-4538-9B6B-968D10FFF43D.jpg

My blog documenting the construction of the CFNR West Valley Sub in HO scale http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/16315

 

Dan
Reply 0
dkerber123 Regular poster 262 posts
dkerber123

Cortina siding heading south to Williams

This is the bench work in place this far. Cortina siding is complete along the 16' wall (right side of plan) and the track is laid up to Lureline Creek. The UP power is only on the layout for testing purposes. photo 754BE940-2239-41A1-8F30-6CA531BFC28D.jpg This is what will be Lureline Creek. photo 7DBA01B1-6B84-4A1F-B084-B484A51F8FF4.jpg This is a bridge I scratch built to cross Lureline Creek. It is somewhat compressed but I think it captures the look of the prototype. The handrail stanchions will get weathered. photo 8F204E17-2488-450E-AEAA-FD494D8140C2_1.jpg This is a prototype photo of the creek. photo 587821B2-0F66-433B-BC0D-F84A35A36592.png

My blog documenting the construction of the CFNR West Valley Sub in HO scale http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/16315

 

Dan
Reply 0
BNstringfellow Regular poster 133 posts
BNstringfellow

Nice

Great job on that small trestle! Did you use wood or styrene? How are you going to mount it to your scene? 

 

link to my blog: http://bnnelsonsub.blogspot.com/

Modeling Burlington Northern railroad's Nelson Subdivision in 1981

David Stringfellow
Reply 0
dkerber123 Regular poster 262 posts
dkerber123

Bridge

I built it mostly out of wood, the stanchions are the only styrene on it. I used two pieces of 1/8" MDF (facia and backdrop material) laminated together for the main roadbed section. The supports were built using dowels and modified Popsicle sticks. I stained it with thinned floquil railroad tie brown. It will be attached to the layout with glue.

My blog documenting the construction of the CFNR West Valley Sub in HO scale http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/16315

 

Dan
Reply 0
dkerber123 Regular poster 262 posts
dkerber123

Layout specifics

I forgot to list the standards of the layout!! Here they are: -Prototype: California Northern Railroad, West Valley Line (Davis, Ca. to Tehema, Ca.) -Era: 2009-2012, late summer/early fall. -Layout size: 12'x16' -Mainline run: 56 feet -Minimum radius: 24" (except for the inside curve on the north end of the Cortina siding. I used a shinohara curved turnout and I'm pretty sure the inside leg is 20" radius.) -Minimum turnout: #4, although most will be #6 or curved. -Maximum grade: None (ever been to the San Joaquin or Sacramento Valleys?) -Train length: 12 cars + power -Track height: 53" -Command system: Digitrax wireless DCC -Benchwork: 1/2" plywood on box grid frame, suspended from the walls on heavy duty shelf brackets. Built in no larger than 8' sections to be modular in case of future move. -Track: ME code 83 main (flex track), ME code 70 sidings/spurs (flex track). -Roadbed: Midwest cork HO scale roadbed for mainline, Midwest cork N scale roadbed for sidings, no roadbed for industrial spurs. -Backdrop: 1/8" MDF painted, photos glued to backdrop in key areas. -Operations: Car cards with switch lists will be used, block signaling as per the prototype (much beyond that I have not worked out yet). A typical operating session will use up to four people; dispatcher, with three "jobs" (Maxwell Turn, Cortina Hauler, and Corning Flyer).

My blog documenting the construction of the CFNR West Valley Sub in HO scale http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/16315

 

Dan
Reply 0
reddogpt Regular poster 228 posts
reddogpt

Cool!

This will be a fun thread to follow! Love the plan! I grew up in NorCal and am familiar with the area you are modeling. You seem to be following Lance Mindheim's approach and suggestions all the way. Looks like it's going to be a great model railroad!

Pete
Reply 0
dkerber123 Regular poster 262 posts
dkerber123

Inspiration

Yes, Lance's work has been a huge influence/inspiration for this layout, as well as Tom Johnson's L&IN, Joe Atkinson's IAIS layout and James McNab's IAIS Grimes layout. Pelle Soeborg's work has also given inspiration, mainly the aspect of modeling the modern.

My blog documenting the construction of the CFNR West Valley Sub in HO scale http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/16315

 

Dan
Reply 0
dkerber123 Regular poster 262 posts
dkerber123

Not much work done on the layout

I didn't get much done on the layout this weekend, but I did manage to weather a couple box cars. I'm a bit rusty I think, but it was a good warmup. photo B4466E05-C73B-41F8-9FC4-F294D1D97992.jpg photo 98F32A4F-8224-42F1-A2C6-7709DC0CF7C6.jpg photo 2A060ACE-93E1-4710-9039-AA1CD4D6FA5C.jpg

My blog documenting the construction of the CFNR West Valley Sub in HO scale http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/16315

 

Dan
Reply 0
dkerber123 Regular poster 262 posts
dkerber123

RBOX

I was shooting for this look on the RBOX car, but obviously went WAY too dark. photo C41D9AEC-D97C-4CD3-B558-66182E387A27_1.png

My blog documenting the construction of the CFNR West Valley Sub in HO scale http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/16315

 

Dan
Reply 0
dkerber123 Regular poster 262 posts
dkerber123

Two more

Here's two more I got done this weekend. photo AB852F0F-F6F8-4878-B5B8-878082EF9519.jpg photo 940F2C72-933E-41AA-B6C1-A695868F76BF.jpg

My blog documenting the construction of the CFNR West Valley Sub in HO scale http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/16315

 

Dan
Reply 0
ctxmf74 Super User 15,937 posts
ctxmf74

"but obviously went WAY too dark"

depending on what you used you might be able to get some off, or if not go over it with a lighter color. there's so many Railbox cars rolling around the railroads that one somewhere probably looks like your model :> ) ...........DaveB

1990.jpg 
Read my blog
Reply 0
dkerber123 Regular poster 262 posts
dkerber123

Too dark

I used a thin very thinned coat of model master burnt umber. When I was spraying it in the sunlight it looked good, I did not realize how dark it was until I took the masking tape off exposing the bottom half, but by that time it was too late. I went over he whole car with a very light coat of model master flat gull gray. If I would have stopped after the second thin coat I think it would have been perfect. I think I put 4-5 passes on it. I guess it looks okay when not compared to the prototype I was shooting for. I haven't weathered a car in about five years, so I'm still trying to get back into the groove. I also picked up Pelle Soeborg's book on detailing / weathering, it showed me some new techniques and sped up the process. One of about fifty boxcars will get lost in the crowd anyway

My blog documenting the construction of the CFNR West Valley Sub in HO scale http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/16315

 

Dan
Reply 0
dkerber123 Regular poster 262 posts
dkerber123

Double posted

My apologies.

My blog documenting the construction of the CFNR West Valley Sub in HO scale http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/16315

 

Dan
Reply 0
dkerber123 Regular poster 262 posts
dkerber123

Layout progress up to date

Here's a picture of the layout up to this point. The view is looking south from the north end of Cortina. Williams will be in the left frame of the picture, spanning the window. Please excuse the mess, the far workbench will get demolished and a much neater work bench will replace it. The small bench on the right side accommodates another hobby of mine. photo 0474CCAD-2960-4464-A64D-06BB9BB54FB5.jpg

My blog documenting the construction of the CFNR West Valley Sub in HO scale http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/16315

 

Dan
Reply 0
dkerber123 Regular poster 262 posts
dkerber123

My wife's great idea

My wife was in the layout room last night hanging out with me while I was painting "sky" onto the backdrop. I was telling her what I had planned for each section and key places I plan to model from the prototype. She suggested that I frame pictures of these prototype locations and hang them in the space between the backdrop and cieling. I think that's a great idea and it spurred another idea; I can do the same thing for prototype based weathered/detailed rolling stock (if they turn out good). I also plan to use trim molding, painted to match the facia, as a border above the backdrop. I saw this on Tom Johnson's layout and think it is a great look, it ties everything together and forces the eyes to the layout like a valance would.

My blog documenting the construction of the CFNR West Valley Sub in HO scale http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/16315

 

Dan
Reply 0
Joe Atkinson IAISfan Super User 3,774 posts
Joe Atkinson IAISfan

"Girls go to college to get more knowledge..."

"...and boys go to Jupiter to get more stupider"...or so goes the saying that my daughter once brought home from grade school.  The net of it is, we'd do well to listen to our wives, especially when it comes to matters of layout esthetics.

Personally, I swiped the idea of prototype photos on the valance above their matching model scenes from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) layout in Troy, NY (using those cheap 5x7 frameless "frames" in my case).  But THEY probably got it from a woman.   Here's a pic:

Joe Atkinson
Modeling Iowa Interstate's 4th Sub, May 2005
https://m.facebook.com/groups/iowainterstate4thsub

https://www.iaisrailfans.org/gallery/4thSub

My MRH blog index

https://instagram.com/iaisfan
Reply 0
dkerber123 Regular poster 262 posts
dkerber123

A couple of firsts for me

Between taping and mudding seams in my backdrop and working on Lureline creek, I tried painting distance mountains for the first time. I know I need to go darker on these, then I plan to add a grey haze with a diluted grey from an airbrush. This is with acrylics working off of a google street image on my iPhone. photo F7865C19-FC4B-4267-AE55-F366E09B1D46.jpg This is the small trestle over Lurline Creek. I poured water today but most of it leaked out through small pin holes. I'll have to give that another shot also. photo 783F3A51-0E88-4CBB-9922-C885431B9FEC.jpg Also ran the 108 for the first time since it arrived yesterday. I'm impressed with the attempt at the level of detail, but it was poorly executed. The strobe is mounted crooked, there is glue spots where the hand rails meet the cab, the ditch lights did not come with lenses (just a hole with the light somewhere in there), and two of the lift rings were bent flat against the top of the hood. I can fix most of this, the glue should disappear when I weather it. Just not sure what to do about the ditch lights, maybe some MV lenses? The sound is decent and I think if I can turn up the horn and bell sounds it will be perfect. I plan to order a handful more of these so I'm hoping this first sample was just a fluke. photo CBC23F33-A73E-4539-A7AA-C9B70EE13143.jpg

My blog documenting the construction of the CFNR West Valley Sub in HO scale http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/16315

 

Dan
Reply 0
ctxmf74 Super User 15,937 posts
ctxmf74

small trestle over Lurline Creek.

the ballast on the bridge looks great......DaveB

1990.jpg 
Read my blog
Reply 0
Joe Atkinson IAISfan Super User 3,774 posts
Joe Atkinson IAISfan

Ditch light lenses

Quote:

Just not sure what to do about the ditch lights, maybe some MV lenses? 

I don't think MV lenses are meant for operating lights, since they have a reflective coating on the back.  Details West ditch lights have clear lenses included, so perhaps that'd be a cheap fix if the diameter is right?

By the way, really nice job on your creek, bridge, and surrounding scenery!  Not to mention the mountains on the backdrop.  Very well done!

Joe Atkinson
Modeling Iowa Interstate's 4th Sub, May 2005
https://m.facebook.com/groups/iowainterstate4thsub

https://www.iaisrailfans.org/gallery/4thSub

My MRH blog index

https://instagram.com/iaisfan
Reply 0
Bremner Prolific poster 1,217 posts
Bremner

MW Lens....

by default, they are just jewels, but you can cut part of the back off to make it a true lens....

am I the only N Scale Pacific Electric Freight modeler in the world?

https://sopacincg.com 
Reply 0
dkerber123 Regular poster 262 posts
dkerber123

Thanks for the replies!

I truly appreciate the comments and compliments! Good point about the MV lenses, I completely forgot they were just small jewels. I have some stuff that is marketed as kind of a liquid lens, I think it is made by microscale. I may try that. Thanks for the compliments on the trestle! The scene (even the small portion pictured) is far from complete. I plan to cover entire bank with various degrees of vegetation to match the prototype location. As soon as I get the water right I'll continue with grass, bushes, then trees. The painting on the backdrop was for practice but I think with some refinements may work. I was toying with making photo backdrops along the entire layout, but that will take a lot of prints! If I can get the mountains right, I think I will paint them and only use photos in key areas. More research into painting distant mountains has revealed that I need to include sky and haze colors to my mountains. I will continue to try until its right. The fourth section of bench work is in, which means Cortina to Morningstar Packing. I rebuilt the entry door so it would swing outward, leaving more breathing room between Cortina and Corning. My 13 year old son really helped out this week by running the buss wires and laying the mainline cork roadbed on the two new sections.

My blog documenting the construction of the CFNR West Valley Sub in HO scale http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/16315

 

Dan
Reply 0
dkerber123 Regular poster 262 posts
dkerber123

Second try at distant mountains

Thank God for YouTube instructional videos, I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. photo 0776DF70-2ADB-4059-907D-5943A43E53E1.jpg photo 71D8B84D-28E5-48DC-B661-A1EC5C05891E.jpg

My blog documenting the construction of the CFNR West Valley Sub in HO scale http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/16315

 

Dan
Reply 0
dkerber123 Regular poster 262 posts
dkerber123

Third attempt...

I like this rendition the best. I think it captures the look of the California coastal range well enough. I think it will be perfect after airbrushing in the haze. photo 98417003-478B-4B72-9012-D4455F9220C7.jpg

My blog documenting the construction of the CFNR West Valley Sub in HO scale http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/16315

 

Dan
Reply 0
dkerber123 Regular poster 262 posts
dkerber123

More progress

I poured the "water" in Lureline Creek, laid the spur for DePue in Williams, laid mainline to just north of Arbuckle, and Morningstar is now rail served. The CFNR 501 crossing the trestle over Lureline Creek photo 41119F0F-0B11-48E4-AB08-0A487D97D757.jpg The CFNR 108 leads a MOW train past a cut of boxcars at Morningstar Packing photo A5201B8A-6A64-44B8-BF03-05C0F6BDBF97.jpg I also participated in the first bass tournament of the year for the circuit I've fished the past 3 years. My wife and I are team partners and have a great time doing this together. We placed 44th out of 66 teams this weekend, but we have never done too well on this body of water. photo 6E6F8AC3-7388-46A9-9CB5-28AB3021556E.jpg photo 9A32544E-A90C-4638-A8D6-21674A2FA881.jpg

My blog documenting the construction of the CFNR West Valley Sub in HO scale http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/16315

 

Dan
Reply 0
Reply