Southern Pacific's Jefferson Branch

[ratled]

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!!!!!

Its golden spike time!
The Siskiyou track work is complete. It's the last section of the layout. It took me a while to work out the final track arrangement so that I am happy with it, its functionally practical, and meets the objectives I set out back on page 1 of this thread. I also ordered some of the wrong parts which didn't help any. All the feeders are in and the TO's are temporally in operation with Caboose Ind ground throws until I can fabricate up the over sprung throws.



Even scaled down the Siskiyou Mill can produce more traffic than the RR can handle – which is true of any mill that is rail served. I ran a test train through the area and I can say it is a challenge to switch! I could easily run a 20 car train to service this area but only have enough space for about 10 cars at a time. Here are few pictures of the area and the test train:










I ran a couple of cement cars as stand ins for the log cars to test that area.



Although PALCO, the mill I am loosely modeling after, used flat cars for logs instead of spline cars, I like the feel better of the spline cars. As stated earlier “feels like” trumps “is like”. I am currently mocking up a spline style log car with parts on hand (except for the bunks). I think the mock up is coming along good enough to go ahead and order the proper supplies but I want work on it a little more.

Whats next? I need to shake down the area throughly. I'm in desperate need of acceptable cars, especially box cars and flat cars. I also need to bring what I have up to minimum standards which includes Kadee #148s w/ no trip pins, metal wheels and up to weight standards. The motive power is so in need a good PM.