Home
Art
Calligraphy
Ink Painting
Seal Carving
Trains
On30
Locomotives
Rolling stock
Buildings
Scenery
N scale
YSL
South Pacific
A&MR
Books
Links
Shop
Metalworking
Woodworking
Gaming
Miniatures
Introduction
Our group first started talking about building an On30 layout for showing at the 2004 National Narrow Gauge Convention in December, 2002. We settled on modeling a generic 30” gauge railroad, based on the several 30” gauge railroads in California. Most of the sections are inspired by the Yosemite Short Line. This line was started in 1905 but work stopped in the spring of 1906, immediately following the San Francisco earthquake and fire. The line was never finished, service never started and the 8 miles of completed track was removed by 1915.The YSL was organized to tap into the lucrative Yosemite tourist trade, the several mines located south of the Sierra Railway in Tuolumne County and the rich timberlands near Crane Flat (owned at the time by the General Manager of the Sierra). A lumber mill was planed for Buck Meadows, near Groveland. When work was stopped, the line had 2 small Porters with two additional Porters on order. All of these were transferred to the Empire City Rwy, a 30” gauge railroad higher in the Sierra in Tuolumne County and owned by the Standard Lumber Co. At the time the same men controlled both the Sierra and Standard. Standard added a 5th Porter and purchased two used 3’ gauge Shays, which they re-gauged to 30”. The YSL also had 30” gauge flat cars and both passenger and general freight cars on the drawing board. One flat car remains today and is now at Railtown 1897 SHP in Jamestown. This car had worked on the Empire City Rwy. with the Porters following the closure of the YSL. When the Empire City Railway ceased operation in 1913, the 30’ gauge equipment then found its way to several other locations: These included the Molino Timber Company in the Loma Prieta area of Santa Cruz, the Johnson & Pollock Lumber Company in Siskiyou County north of Mt. Shasta and the Sloat Lumber Company in the Feather River area of Plumas County.
Our layout was designed to be sectional but not modular – every section is needed to operate the layout and sections only mate one way. It goes from about 49" to 65" above the floor and has curves and bridges crossing section edges and other shady things not normally allowed for modular interfaces. A modular group could do this as well but it would take some serious planning and would be less flexible than normal modules. The basic framework was designed by member Jim Long and is made mostly of door skins and blue insulation foam. Our standard was the Bachmann 2-6-0 had to be able to operate everywhere on the mainline that loops the layout and on the branch line that extends to the logging area. Since we are not modular it was not felt necessary to have other standards. Sizes of the sections are all 24” deep but vary in length from 44” to 72” and group members have either one or two sections. The various lengths were set by members ability to store and transport their sections. Each member selected a theme for their section(s) and a track plan was developed. Track is Micro Engineering set on California Roadbed Co. “Homabed” and turnouts are by Railway Engineering. Basic work on the sections was done as a group but structures and most scenery are the work of individual owners. We attempted to unify the look of the layout by trying to do all track and scenery at the joints between two sections while they were connected together. The group regularly met to join parts of the layout and work on common projects (wiring, lighting, track work, facia, scenery). Group member Dave Biondi painted all the backdrops.
There are 10 members in the group. Some of us knew each other before this project, but this is the first thing we have done together as a group. We have an agreement every section will be made available whenever the group displays the layout, even if the owner can not make it. We also agreed that if any one leaves the group their sections will stay in the group and a new “owner” will be found. Current group members are: Dave Biondi, Richard Brennan, Dave Connery, James Eckman, Isaac Good, Ron Kolodzieczak, Pat and Ronnie LaTorres, Jim Long, Ken Lunders, Scott Maze, Frank Markovitch and John Roth. Brad Lloyd is a former member and built two of the current sections.
The Gang
NEW 9/30/2008This photo was taken at the 2008 Narrow Gauge Convention in Portland Oregon. Top left, Jim Long, Isaac Good, Frank Markovitch, Ken Lunders, Pat LaTorres, John Roth, Ron Kolodzieczak. Bottom left, Dave Connery, Jim Eckman, Scott Maze, Richard Brennan and Ronnie LaTorres. Missing is Dave Biondi. John Roth also is a member of a modular On30 group, California Central Coast Narrow Gauge Railroad - On30 modular group. They've shown at a fair number of Bay area venues.
An older photo, round up the usual suspects! Missing is Pat and Ronnie LaTorres, Ken Lunders, Frank Markovich and John Roth. Top left is our backdrop artist extraordinaire Dave Biondi.
The Layout
Two shots of the whole layout put together.
Older Photos
Overall view from Narrow Gauge
Convention
2004
Long view from PCR meet December 2003,
note missing greenery!
Motive Power and Rolling Stock
Rolling Stock Philosophy
I suspect the original YSL was planning to use
some pretty radical curves and grades, the original equipment was only
18' long! In keeping with the spirit of the original, no Bachmann
rolling stock is used as is, its 25' length and general size is too
big. The vast majority of the equipment is bashed, scratched or built
up from kits. The sizes range from about 14-20' for most of the rolling
stock and we use 20" wheels for most of our rolling stock.
Some issues that we have had, the Shay seems a bit jerky on grades, the Climax seems to be better. The Shay does VERY poorly with vertical transitions, it is just a bit too low to the track and this causes shorts!!! The Porter and Davenport usually are very sweet. Athearn's and Bachmann's cheap diesel chassis (bash fodder!) surge rather badly. The Forney is impossible for our curves. I haven't run my 2-6-0 for a long time, it runs slow, but I've never run it up or down a grade.
Rolling Stock
Some of our assorted rolling stock.Scott has recently finished another great critter for the YSL. I'm looking forward to seeing it run.
New 07/09/2008 Photos and text by Scott Maze
This loco is a vertical boiler chain-drive critter from England. Despite the ungainly appearance, they were a very popular adaptation of Sentinel's road steam wagon(!). Sentinel made these locos in
various narrow gauges from 1923 to 1951. I love real prototypes that make kit-bashed critters look ordinary!
This loco is from a Wrightlines kit--all I added were the bell and footboards. I managed to squeeze Soundtrax DSD-090LC sound into the cylinder box on the front, with a speaker in the vertical boiler
(under the cab). It is powered by a Black Beetle.
The loco will be operating on my Sierra Magnesite quarry line, which is part of the Yosemite Short Line.
If anyone wants one of these beasties, check out www.keykits.net-- they have all kinds of weird and wonderful English critters.
New 07/09/2008 Photo by Scott Maze
New 07/09/2008 Scan by Scott Maze
Scott's 4-6-0 bashed from a 2-6-0 photo by Scott Maze New August 10th, 2008
Scott's British Critter, don't ask me what it is! photo by Scott Maze New August 10th, 2008
New 02/13/2008
Scott's Boxcar photo by Scott Maze New August 10th, 2008
Issac's flatcar photo by Scott Maze New August 10th, 2008
New 02/13/2008
New 02/13/2008
New 02/13/2008
New 02/13/2008
Its scratchbuilt, while based on the West Side the trucks and truck spacing are YSL sized. West Side used monster trucks and were high riders, this is a low rider
New 03/09/2008
Older photos
The YSLs latest
acquisition, a little Davenport. We are so modern!
A Hunslet switching on the quarry
line. I wonder if it misses endless rain?
Lovely old Porter in full array
The Sections
Section 1 and 2 - Big Oak Flats by Scott Maze
Scott Maze's portion of the quarry branch line. That
feed store has a
rock, what do you feed rocks to?
Scott Maze's British motive power, pay no attention to the wires behind
the man!
Scott Maze's Red Oak Flats, in the foreground is a transfer table and
car for the quarry, very different for us Yanks.
Everyone's out on the porch when the weather is so nice. More from
Scott Maze.
Older photos
Overall shot minus rolling
stock
With spring coming, much of the plaster
snow is now melting.
Section 3 - Round Hill Mill built by Ken Lunders and in possession
of John Roth
The water tank at Round Hill. Ken's fine modeling work combined with
Dave Biondi's backdrops makes a fabulous little scene. Everything
behind the water tank is backdrop!
Late evening at the Round Hill Mill, no locomotives on the trestle
please!
Early morning at the Round Hill Mill, it processes Ubiquisite ore a
material found almost anywhere. Prototypes include the Red Stone Mill
and the Gentle Annie Mine, Ken Lunders has created a nice PDF
describing the prototype and the techniques he used.
You can get it here: Round Hill Mill prototypes
and construction
Ken's also the owner/operator of Stevens
Creek Models that carries kits and parts for On30, O as well as
those other scales.
Older photos
Some of the areas are recovering from their plaster winter, spring is
coming soon! Round Top Mill under construction, one primary
construction material, cereal box cardboard!
Round Hill Mill before shot
Round
Hill Mill under construction
Sections 4 and 6 - Sawmill area by Ron Kolodzieczak
New
02/13/2008
New
02/13/2008
New
02/13/2008
New
02/13/2008
New
02/13/2008
New
02/13/2008
I don't have any smart aleck comments about the sawmill, these were
supplied by show attendees.
Notice of correction!
I'm not up on ancient history, what are all these little houses with
one door and no windows for?
Ron Kolodzieczak's sawmill drew lots of attention and a cash offer.
Older shots
Raising the sawmill
The counties largest dance floor is
about to become cutting edge. Some great machinery!
They rolled up the sidewalks and
forgot where they left them. What a party! PCR meet
Our thirsty steamers now have a new
place to fill up.
Sections 7 and 8 by Jim Long
Jim Long's trestle, a fantastic job. Also some railfanning before
CAL-OSHA.
Some of Jim Long's structures. Jim updated his module a bit, it was
roughly handled by hoodlums at the Sacramento World's Greatest Hobby
Show.
New
02/13/2008
Older shots
A view from a local hill show the
rural character of central California narrow gauge.
The YSL still runs a fair bit of steam, so
we need tanks. Here's an unusual one that's a fine example of modeling:
It's a long fall if we derail here, Jim
Long's bridge prior to backdrop and trees
More of Jim Long's section before
extensive landscaping
Here are two shots of our
trestle, I forgot the name of the canyon though! In the first shot you
can see most of it with all of the carefully modeled vegetation and the
trestle itself.
Here's a closeup of the trestle
showing some of the many bolt castings that went into making it a great
model. On the trestle is trusty Shay #21 and the high security boxcar.
I think it's going to get some doors soon, the lads are tired of prying
off the siding to get at the contents.
Section 9 and 10 Stamp miil and mine by Dave Connery
Snaking through Dave Connery's Shawmut Mine, rough trackage!
Awesome modeling! Not mine of course.
Running past the tipple, the guy running the mine tram is a real speed
demon.
Older Photos
Shawmut Mine, one of the many
mining
operations in the area
Section 11 Apple shed by Dave Biondi
Dave Biondi's apple and what have you warehouse.
Section 12 Whistle Stop at Carlon by Jim Eckman
We realigned the track on this module since we couldn't
get anything up
it in a reliable fashion! Note the new bridge and other construction.
New
02/13/2008
New
02/13/2008
New
03/09/2008 Dawn at Carlon, from an old picture
courtesy of Picasa.
Worst modeling on the layout. Just a store and ticket office. This
store is under renovation.
Ranger station, but no Smokey around. This station has been relocated
to a position off the layout!
Older Photos
After dropping off and probably
goofing
off, the Rolling Outhouse tries to make up for lost time heading for
the bridge
Bumming around at Yosemite
Section 14 - Camp 14 by Brad Lloyd in possession of Frank Markovich
This section has already had some serious rework done on
it by Frank, when things get further along I will post more pictures.
This is Brad Lloyd's logging module, the remains
of a successful logging operation, messy weren't they!
Older photos:
Poor photo prior to rigging
Section 15 - Camp 14 by Brad Lloyd in possession of Pat and Ronnie LaTorres
This section has already had some serious rework done on
it by Pat, when things get further along I will post more pictures.
Brad Lloyd's quarry operation with British motive power, don't ask me
what the engine is! I can only recognize Stirling singles. I have been
told that this is a "Quarry Hunslett" since so many were used in the
Welsh slate quarries.
Questions
What about the group?
I do think a local group is really key to getting things
up and running. It doesn't have to be very big, probably as few as few
as 3 or 4 can serve as critical mass. Some of the things that helped
us:
- Definite goals, show at the NNGC!
- Regular meetings, one reason that I think that it's important that you modules fit in your normal mode of transport. If you drive a big truck, your already set, at least until you fill up. Even the smallest car can generally carry a 2x4 module. Everything had to be there for the YSL to run, but maybe you don't have to bring them all.
- A big place to gather together.
- An overall thought one what your groups modules will grow up to be. Whimsy is a valid choice, but it should be a choice and not an accident.
Cool ways of work for portable goodies:
- Foam is your friend.
- Plaster is the enemy, use acrylic matte medium or white glue with industrial paper towels.
- Glue everything or make it removable, because it's coming off one way or the other.
- If the object is heavy think about pins if you must leave it in place.
- Bamboo skewers make great foam reinforcement and can be used to make long wiring holes.
Make a couple of small dioramas if you want to try out some techniques.
I visited your web page and I like what you've done. I have several questions.... you said your mountains are foam covered with cheese cloth and matte medium?
Yes, on my module that is the case. Others used plaster cloth or house paint mixed with dirt!
What do you put on top of that?
Nothing. Matte media comes in different thicknesses, the thick stuff is totally moldable as to shape and thickness. It's expensive though.
Did you use ME flex track?
Yes. Some sections use handlaid Code 70 though. Roadbed
used is HO
Homabed, spikes nicely.
California Roadbed Co. Inc.
What did you use for switches?
We used Railway Engineering for the most part, some of our group handlaid their own.
There is a group of us here in North Texas building a portable layout. We have started out with foam and a thin plywood box also. I would be curious to see photos of how you join each module.
1/4-20 bolts and wingnuts, I'll take pictures at the
convention.
What did you use to construct the large mountains?
Foam, lots of foam! On mine I used matte medium
and cheese cloth, very strong! Others used plaster cloth. Others used
white glue on foam.
How much do the modules weigh?
Mine's 2' x 4' and maybe weighs 10-15 pounds and
it fits in the back of a small Saturn station wagon, larger modules are
moved in body bags in the back of pickups and a few people have vans.
Do you use a specialty vehicle to transport them?
No, everyday cars. The modules are mostly made from foam of one kind or another glued in a thin plywood box, they are very sturdy yet light weight.