Garden railroad, take 2

[Postwar Paul]

[Postwar Paul]

This new end of track may be a jumping off place.....

if I ever decide to extend the trackage.

[PVT Kanaka]

Glad all this work survived the 'quake! I still think you are brave man without a piece of electrically dead track at the end of the line! The boys really enjoyed seeing the rack railway and asked if we could install one. I spoiled their fun with my answer!

[Postwar Paul]

Eric, 

 it's amazing about Garden Railroading: I think you have to adapt for the local challenges at hand. Here in this Southern California climate, the challenges are:

1. The Sun  . Extremely hot, and relentless.

2. Earthquakes. 'nuff said

3. occasional high winds

These are the main concerns I have to work with. Other parts of the country have their own, separate challenges, possibly quite different from mine.

Fortunately, moisture, tarnish, electrical conductivity issues are less here. I have been fortunate so far, but the cog line is a long stub ended branch line, and my plan is to put in another power feed near end of track. 
Just in case.... I think it's too far right now from the source. 
This is next project, as well as a control station of some sort.

If you ever decide to build a cog line, I would be happy to share what I have learned along the way. It's a fun side project, anyway! You've got a great railroad as it is!

Paul

 

[Postwar Paul]

It's been too hot to work outside for weeks.

[Postwar Paul]

Now that it's cooled off, time to run trains!

[Postwar Paul]

Damn the torpedoes!

[Postwar Paul]

[Postwar Paul]

I will use this time to contemplate my next move...

[PVT Kanaka]

Nothing quite like just letting things run to understand what "needs" to come next! We are under stay-at-home orders again, and I let 2 days of just running the iron horse point out irregularities in the track, areas of poor electrical connectivity, uneven grade, you name it! All the numerous little faults that I'd "fixed" by jiggling and wiggling have been permanently removed and / or corrected!

[Postwar Paul]

That's what it's all about! I had another run day today, and it was great! 
I ran mostly passenger trains today, sorry no pictures. Ran 2 Spectrum Moguls, The Aristo C-16, 10th Anniversary Pennsy loco, the LGB Forney,and The RhB engine and coaches.Everything behaved today, and ran flawlessly! I did learn much about gradients, load limits, and engine capabilities. I have some curves and slopes, and need to keep my trains short, or pony up for more horsepower!

Other than that, it was a great day!

You have to run to know what you have, and , what you need...

Paul

[Postwar Paul]

The story is that I used to travel a lot. 3 places that have stuck with me are: Japan, Australia, and Switzerland.

[Postwar Paul]

Here's my new Montreux Oberland Bernois Ge 4/4 look. 2 motor blocks.

[Postwar Paul]

My late friend Noel, who lived in Geneva, we used to exchange train photos. He was a brilliant photographer!

[Postwar Paul]

It's been 20 years, but I remember a cheese buffet in the hotel for breakfast. And I love cheese!

[Postwar Paul]

So the Swiss portion of my " Swiss-Colorado Lines" is an unofficial tribute to my friend Noel.

[Postwar Paul]

The Shay is a great engine, and always a favorite!

[BLT_BY_LIONEL]

Everything looks great!  Love the cog railway line.  It must be awesome to have trains running in all different directions and elevations.  Keep up the great work 

[PVT Kanaka]

Postwar Paul

So the Swiss portion of my " Swiss-Colorado Lines" is an unofficial tribute to my friend Noel. 

What a wonderful, living tribute!  The Triple O serves much the same purpose.  CINCHOUSE has two Nisei still with us.  I made sure both painted a small portion of our sugar mill loco Komaka Iki for this very reason!

Keep the updates coming and the story rolling forward!

 

Eric

[Postwar Paul]

Here's snaps from the "Colorado " roster, featuring the Spectrum Moguls. Notice that I have cut back the train length due to the single gearbox. The Accucraft cars have metal trucks and wheels, and are very heavy !

[Postwar Paul]

Smooth running engines. They require R3, as do the Accucraft cars.

[Postwar Paul]

Need to get back to work on the railroad!

[Postwar Paul]

More to come ...

my iPad requested a software update a week ago. I have not been able to post any pictures ever since. I'll be back when I get this figured out...

[PVT Kanaka]

Looking forward to it!

 

Also, I have decided R1 curves have a singular advantage... VISA card preservation!   Those are beautiful models!

Desultory progress on the mill continues, but we'll be running trains today just the same.

Eric

[Postwar Paul]

Eric, 

this railroad is really getting to the point that it is very pleasant and enjoyable as it is!

when I make significant progress, and get my picture dilemma sorted out, I'll show you what I've got. Usually, it's something gone wrong with the share site...

I'll figure it out....

Paul

[Postwar Paul]

https://letstrythisagain.shutterfly.com/#%3aemid%3dsite_sitecreated%26cid%3dSHARE3SXXXX

[PVT Kanaka]

Paul, the pictures worked! Loved the mounded rocks at the feet of the rack line. They add to the alpine image with their color and texture. I imagine that by obstructing the view of the trains, they add to the illusion of "going somewhere," too. - Eric

[BLT_BY_LIONEL]

Look awesome Paul .  It must be cool seeing the train weaving in and out of the rock mounds while the rack train creeps up the evevated line above it.

[Postwar Paul]

Thanks for the kind words, guys!

Something has changed somewhere, and this is the only way I can post pictures, at least for now....

At least you can get a feel for what I've been up to, and the direction I am trying go...

Paul

[York1]

Thanks for the pictures!  Great scenes.