Layout changes for 1996

A train layout is everchanging. In 1996, there were plans for three major changes.

Also, be sure to check out the Soccer field near the Olympia Passenger station. This area is replaceable, so an array of changing mini-scenes can be installed for a few months. During the holidays, the circus comes to town and sets up their big tops here.

First, is the refurbishing of a double-track bridge. It is behind the Diablo yard, to the left as seen from the alsie. In April 1996, the wood support girders were removed, leaving just the pillars and the roadbed. The bridge is being changd from wood supports to a flowing concrete structure.

The Scenery committee envisions the new bridge to be a sweeping concrete arch. This should look great especially since the bridge curves to the right as the track heads uphill!

In the area below Coot's Castle, we are trying to replicate the Buffalo Landing area on the Westside Lumber Co. as it looked in the late 50's. The Westside was based out of Tuolumne, California, and extensively logged the Stanislaus National Forest from 1898 until 1960. This was their last truck to rail reload before they went to exclusively truck logging.

We are trying to duplicate the feel of the scene but not exactly copy it. Since we had a limited amount of space we were only able to add one spur off of the main. On the prototype, the landing was adjacent to the mainline and was not a stub ended spur. We did try to duplicate the orientation of the logging road that comes down from the hills to the reload site and then returns up the back side. When complete, the scene will include two spar poles which will be fully rigged. The loading donkey will be diesel powered just like the prototype. We will have at least two logging trucks in the scene. One will be fully loaded and awaiting unloading. The second will be light and headed back to the woods for another load.

Operation will consist of empty log cars being pushed into the siding from Narrow Gauge block 13. The cars will then be loaded with actual loads. A switch engine will return and pull out the loads and bring them up to the upper narrow gauge yard. After several loads have accumulated in the upper yard they will be assembled into a train and brought down to the mill in Thompson Flats for processing.

The scenery will be based on the prototype location, which is located in the Stanislaus National Forest about 20 miles from the Yosemite Park boundary. This will include dirt from the actual area and lots of pine trees and manzanita brush. Heavy work on this part began in April of this year.

Scenery changes are almost constant. Like Nature, they too occur gradually. Right now changes are afoot for mainline block 3 in the Canyon. On the above picture (for bridgework), you can see where the work is being done. Down low there are two dark spots on below the other. These are just down and to the left of the single bridge. The tunnel in the lower-right of the picture leads to block 3. The dark spots result from negative slopes on the canyon wall.

The Scenery People are adding more mountainside to bring this section of the canyon wall outward. Two short tunnels, one above the other, about 9 inches long, will be added here. The plaster tunnel entrance has already been chosen. Work on this part started the first of August.

In concert with the Narrow Gauge addition, the Diablo Canyon area behind Nevins is getting a color change. The well known "butterscotch frosting" look is giving way to a Granite rock color. The cliff walls are now colored granite gray. The rock clusters will be highlighted and vegatation added. Work on this part started the first of September.

We're preparing the layout for the Holiday Show. In Olympia, the monorail track has recieved some repairs. If you came to the shows during the year, you probably noticed some erratic behavior. Tom has fixed up the track, promising smoother operations. A Diablo Valley Lines paint scheme monorail is also in the works for the Holiday Shows.

The circus comes to town, compliments of Jack O'Hara, our Chairman of the Board. The soccer field gives way to big tops and elephant trains. We hope to see you there!

Many extra trains run during the show. During the Fall, we take these special trains out of their boxes and tune them up. We try to run one train every hour on the hour. When the trains run, we announce them, along with some background and interesting notes.