Overall Layout Lighting

With the lighting valance constructed, it was time to install the overhead lighting.

 

Portfolio Light Fixture

For daytime lighting effects (sun), I used small under-cabinet lighting units from Portfolio.  I purchased these from a local home improvement store (Lowe's).  They were very easy to install using basic tools and the included hardware.  Each light fixture can be daisy-chained together as well.  This way they can be turned on from one on/off power switch.  However, you can still turn on/off each unit separately if needed.

Daytime Lighting Effect Over Sierra Yard Portion of Layout

For this layout, I was really excited to try overhead nighttime lighting effects (moon and stars).  The layout itself will have various lighting effects like street lights and interior lights for the structures.  However, I wanted to come up with a way for the layout to be lighted from overhead and simulate the glow of the moon and stars from up above.

Blue Rope Light

The solution I came up with was to use strands of blue rope lighting.  I ran three strands of this rope lighting through the rafters of the lighting valence. Once installed, I turned off the lights in the garage and turned on the blue light.  To my delight, I got the effect that I was hoping for.  The blue rope lights gave off a bluish tint that it did appear as if the moon and the stars were shining brightly in the sky high above.  There was also enough ambient light in the garage that operators of the rail road could still function and enjoy running trains.

Blue Rope Light Installed Above the Meat Packing Plant

Construction of Backdrop and Lighting Valence

One thing that I wanted to add to my Oakdale Junction model railroad layout was an overhead lighting valence.  With the layout now setup in the garage, I had the accessibility to take on this project.  The first thing I needed to do was to figure out how I could support the overhead structure.  Since the layout is free-standing and not against any of the garage walls, I needed to make the bracing strong, but not too heavy that it could come crashing down onto the layout itself.

Lighting Valence Supports & Hardboard Backdrop Being Installed

"L-Shaped" Bracket

I made "L-shaped" support arms using 1x3 dimensional lumber purchased from a local home improvement store (Lowe's).  I took two pieces of lumber and butted them together in the shape of an "L."  Then I attached them with an "L-shaped" metal bracket on both sides and securing them to the wood with tiny screws and nuts, washers and bolts.  When these support arms were done, I affixed them to the back side of the wooden layout support table with long wood screws.  Once all the support brackets were installed, I used 1x3 dimensional lumber to frame the front of the lighting valence.  The next step was to cover the frame with 1/2 inch plywood cut to the shape of the frame.



Close-up of "L-Shaped" Bracket

Upper Framing for the Corner Section of Layout

Plywood in Place Prior to Cutting Final Shape

Backdrop Puttied and Sanded for Painting Sky Blue

Oakdale Side with Backdrop Painted Blue

I mixed up the can of sky blue latex interior paint I had left over from when I painted the hardboard backdrop.  I then painted all of the exposed wood that was apart of the lighting valance.  This step greatly improved the illusion that the railroad is surrounded by sky.  The blue color will also help reflect the light down onto the layout as well.

The finishing touch to my new lighting valence was to install a small hardboard fascia to the front of the frame.  This fascia is similar to the one used to frame the layout support table.  I painted it with the same tan latex interior paint and used the same finishing screws to secure the fascia in place.  I then labeled "Oakdale Junction" using black sticky-back letters purchased at a craft store (Michael's).



Completed Lighting Valence & Partially Painted Backdrop

Painting of Backdrop Begins

The hardboard backdrop was installed on the layout a while ago and I painted it a sky blue color using latex interior paint purchased from a local home improvement store (Lowe's).  After several months of anxiety, I finally attempted to paint a more detailed backdrop.  So far, I have only painted the profile hill board that serves as a scenic view block hiding the Southern Pacific's line toward Merced, California.  I am quite surprised at the results of my effort.


The Distant Hills and Fields Take Shape on the Backdrop

I will be the first to tell you that I am no artist and I have no real experience painting.  However, after reading Painting Backdrops for Your Model Railroad by author Mike Danneman (Kalmbach Publishing), and watching several videos on YouTube regarding the subject, my confidence increased.

I purchased inexpensive acrylic paints (Apple Barrel) in a variety of colors from a local craft store (Michael's).  I then applied some of the techniques I learned and to my surprise, the depth of the distant hills began to take shape.  As the hills continued to take shape, I was encouraged to keep on going.  I know I would have given up if things did not develop like they were supposed to.  Once the hills were painted, I then focused on the foreground fields and orchards.  I even painted basic barns and silos to make the scene more realistic.  The painted scene still is not done, but I know that I really do have the ability to paint a decent looking backdrop that will help my layout look more realistic in the long run.



The Hills Contrasted with the Packing Plant

Overall View of the Scene from a Distance

Northern Pacific Reefer Parked in Sierra Yard

 

A Painted Barn Contrasted with the Reefer

 

 

 

 

 

MRC DCC Control System

I have installed the main components of the MRC Prodigy Advance 2 "Squared" DCC System underneath the layout on the Sierra Railroad leg of the layout.  As you can see, it sits on a short wooden shelf.  Under the shelf, are the three circuit breaker modules and the PowerPax unit used for the programming track to program sound decoders in locomotives.

All of these items are from DCC Specialties and were purchased at Tony's Train Exchange.  The double module on the left is the PSX2 DCC Circuit Breaker, the module in the middle is the PSX-AR Auto Reverser/Circuit Breaker and the PowerPax is on the right.  One circuit breaker is for the Sierra side of the layout while the other circuit breaker is for the Southern Pacific side of the layout.  The auto-reverser is for the wye.

These two photographs show the complicated wiring underneath the layout.  You can see the red and black wires running the length of the layout.  These are the main bus wires for the DCC system and are made from twelve gauge solid wire.  The smaller feeder wires drop down from the track above the layout and I use the red and blue "suitcase connectors" to make solid connections instead of attempting to solder all the wires.

HO Scale Chateau Martin Wine Cars

My wife and kids recently purchased some HO Scale Chateau Martin Wine cars on ebay and gave them to me today for my 39th birthday as presents. The cars are older HO kits of these cars, but they do reflect the overall character of the real cars that actually operated on SP's Montpellier Branch.

For those of you who don't know about the Chateau Martin Winery, it was located in Waterford, California on the Montpellier Branch line. The company's wine cars were very distinctive and colorful in contrast to the standard boxcar red of most other freight cars seen in trains during the 1950's. Chateau Martin shipped their wine across the country to eastern markets. It was not uncommon to see the Chateau Martin Wine cars in large east coast citys like New York City.

Though my layout does not depict the town of Waterford, I knew that I needed to have a few Chateau Martin Wine cars in my fleet of freight cars. This way, they can be in the freight consists of SP trains passing through Oakdale. By having these cars on hand, I can model the look and feel of this historic industry to the region I model, without actually having to model it.

Southern Pacific Side of Oakdale Junction Layout

Once again, the use of modeler's license is taking place on my Oakdale Junction HO scale layout. This time it is with the industries that are established on the Southern Pacific Railroad side of Oakdale. Another industry that I am fascinated with regarding railroading in the 1950's is with packinghouse operations.

I like the look and operations of refrigerator car operations, especially those used in fruit and vegetable deliveries. By adding some packing houses in town, Southern Pacific crews will have the opportunity to switch Pacific Fruit Express and other refrigerator cars. Sometimes they will be dropping off empty cars to be loaded and other times they will be picking up loaded cars for transport to off layout destinations. There will even be the need to spot the cars at the ice house to be iced prior to loading. The excitement of operating this type of freight traffic is why I like the 1950's era of railroading.

Meat Packing Industry Served by Sierra Railway

I am obviously not modeling Oakdale Junction 100% correctly on my HO scale model railroad. There never was a meat packing plant in Oakdale served by any of the three railroad companies that operated in the city. However, in my version of history, a meat packing industry was established in Oakdale and the plant was served by the Sierra Railroad.

I need to use some modeler's license on my layout to serve my interests in this hobby. I really like the look and operations of handling refrigerator cars and livestock cars in the 1950's. So this is why I added the meat packing industry to my layout. Most of you will realize that I am using the commercially available Walthers Cornerstone kits to model this industry. Without the opportunity to switch the stockyards, ice house and packing plant itself, there would be no switching work to be done on the Sierra Railroad portion of my layout. I now have added operational interest to my layout so that the Sierra Railroad crew has something to do other than switching the interchange track in town.