Pacific Electric Tribute Layout

Nice use of the space you have.  A couple of thoughts.  Make block 5 look like the mainline, IE catenary etc.  The main would be all of the straight track on the back edge.  Backdrop would be city scenes.  Move the industries so that they face block 4 so that it looks more industrial,  the coal loader, ice depot, and oil bunker.  This would allow you to slide the block 5 track closer to that back wall and give you more room between block 5 and block 4.  Lastly maybe just use overhead in the industrial area and not catenary.  Just some thought.  Good start should be fun to build and of course fun to switch!  Russ

ChiloquinRuss posted:

Nice use of the space you have.  A couple of thoughts.  Make block 5 look like the mainline, IE catenary etc.  The main would be all of the straight track on the back edge.  Backdrop would be city scenes.  Move the industries so that they face block 4 so that it looks more industrial,  the coal loader, ice depot, and oil bunker.  This would allow you to slide the block 5 track closer to that back wall and give you more room between block 5 and block 4.  Lastly maybe just use overhead in the industrial area and not catenary.  Just some thought.  Good start should be fun to build and of course fun to switch!  Russ

Thank you for the input Russ, those are really great ideas! Definitely, I have some extra track, I can probably plug in another straight or half straight at the end of the block 4 switch to push the mainline back to the wall. I definitely want to add the overhead lines and catenary poles to give it the P.E. look! I'm even going to paint my 520 Boxcab in black and use P.E. silver decals and tiger stripes on the cab ends. I'd like to also do this with the #51 switcher and an MPC era NW2 switcher. I'm having difficulty finding the TTOS Pacific Electric #60 trolley for a decent price, so I'll probably have to repaint a couple of rough #60s for the passenger service. I'll be redecorating the ice depot as a Sunkist packing house/ice depot, the coal loader will represent the quarry serviced by the P.E. in the Azusa/San Dimas area, and the oil depot will be for the Long Beach Amoco operation. Thank you again for the input and support, I just joined the forum and everyone has been great!

Nice design.  So I take it you'll have three freight cars to shunt around.  An operating milk car, a refrigerated boxcar and a 3461 type coal dump car.  Maybe even a tank car.  Block 1 and 4 will be for your trolley, I suspect.  Blocks 2 and 5 will be for the milk and refrigerated cars.  And block 5 will handle the milk car when the trolley is at one of the stations.  The oil derrick siding can either house a tank car or be the parking spot for your motive power.  

Am I on the right track ?   I really like the layout.  I also have limited space but managed to get a 3' x 12' oval of track along with shunting sidings.  I gave up on running a passenger train because I have alot of operating freight cars.

Cute. What about a runaround? ( two more switches) Also it would be cool to add a gantry crane.  Doesn't really take any space.

Here's another research source for you.  Russ

Trolley Museum

Dan Padova posted:

Nice design.  So I take it you'll have three freight cars to shunt around.  An operating milk car, a refrigerated boxcar and a 3461 type coal dump car.  Maybe even a tank car.  Block 1 and 4 will be for your trolley, I suspect.  Blocks 2 and 5 will be for the milk and refrigerated cars.  And block 5 will handle the milk car when the trolley is at one of the stations.  The oil derrick siding can either house a tank car or be the parking spot for your motive power.  

Am I on the right track ?   I really like the layout.  I also have limited space but managed to get a 3' x 12' oval of track along with shunting sidings.  I gave up on running a passenger train because I have alot of operating freight cars.

Thank you Dan! That is pretty much on point, I was looking for a fun layout where I could run trolleys without attention, or flip it and operate say one trolley while running a freight movement at the same time. I like Russ' idea about converting Block 4 into an industrial area with all the accessories and operating cars in that section, and pushing Block 5 back and using it as a mainline for the trolley/interurban. But maybe mixing the accessories on both lines as in the original plan could make switching/trolley running interesting! I'll probably run both layouts prior to screwing down the track and see which works best. Our garage will need to be renovated and rebuilt in the future, so there is always room for expansion!

Will posted:

Cute. What about a runaround? ( two more switches) Also it would be cool to add a gantry crane.  Doesn't really take any space.

I actually was actually thinking about adding a runaround, and I do have two extra switches to play with. As for the gantry crane, I might see what unfolds...I'm planning on getting a Burro Crane and a couple of crane cars to use on my MoW train.

ChiloquinRuss posted:

Here's another research source for you.  Russ

Trolley Museum

Thank you Russ! I'll have a look!

The 1033 will be fine for operating a train or trolley, but if you're planning on having operating accessories,  I'd recommend a transformer with a bit more oomph.  

I like the layout!  Looking forward to seeing the finished product.  

Say!  Could I interest you in a freelance PE Blimp?  Walthers passenger car, outfitted with Lionel Alco trucks.  Works fine on O27 curves.  You'd need to fit an E unit to it,  as it's currently wired for forward only.  

If you're interested,  drop me a line!  Email in profile. 

Mitch 

Good call Mitch, I think I'll hold out for my dream transformer, either a KW or ZW 275 watt model.

I love the blimp! I sent you an email, it is perfect for my layout! Mind my email, I didn't read that it will run on 027...I got a bit too excited when I saw your blimp!

OldSoul91 posted:

Good call Mitch, I think I'll hold out for my dream transformer, either a KW or ZW 275 watt model.

I love the blimp! I sent you an email, it is perfect for my layout! Mind my email, I didn't read that it will run on 027...I got a bit too excited when I saw your blimp!

I grew up near the remnants of the PE Torrance and El Segundo branches (still operated by UP). I have the drawings and dimensions of the PE Torrance bridge (built in 1913) thanks to the City of Torrance soliciting bids for rehabilitation of the bridge if you're interested.

OldSoul91 posted:

Good call Mitch, I think I'll hold out for my dream transformer, either a KW or ZW 275 watt model.

I love the blimp! I sent you an email, it is perfect for my layout! Mind my email, I didn't read that it will run on 027...I got a bit too excited when I saw your blimp!

Sent ya email in return.  And you can never go wrong with a KW or ZW! 

Mitch 

AGHRMatt posted:

OldSoul91 posted:

Good call Mitch, I think I'll hold out for my dream transformer, either a KW or ZW 275 watt model.

I love the blimp! I sent you an email, it is perfect for my layout! Mind my email, I didn't read that it will run on 027...I got a bit too excited when I saw your blimp!

I grew up near the remnants of the PE Torrance and El Segundo branches (still operated by UP). I have the drawings and dimensions of the PE Torrance bridge (built in 1913) thanks to the City of Torrance soliciting bids for rehabilitation of the bridge if you're interested.

Thanks Matt! Although I can't fit a bridge into the layout at the moment, I plan on adding one when I am able to expand the layout when we remodel the garage. I'd definitely be interested in making a replica of the PE Torrance Bridge! I might have to come and check out your hi-railers club, too!

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

OldSoul91 posted:

Good call Mitch, I think I'll hold out for my dream transformer, either a KW or ZW 275 watt model.

I love the blimp! I sent you an email, it is perfect for my layout! Mind my email, I didn't read that it will run on 027...I got a bit too excited when I saw your blimp!

Sent ya email in return.  And you can never go wrong with a KW or ZW! 

Mitch 

I'm leaning towards the KW, the price fits in with my budget at the moment, unless an affordable ZW comes along