Any Balboa members on board? Hope to spend some time visiting your first class layout this week. Any chance to get up close and personal? Maybe bring some visiting power? Appreciate any response tt
THANK YOU!
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There are several members of the SD3R on this forum, including myself. I won't be there on Friday, but a few of the regular guys will be, and are always happy to give folks a close up look, especially fellow 3 railers.
Doug, George, Mike, and Bob, the Friday regulars will be there, along with Tim Lewis. I'm sure one of them would be happy to give up some run time for visiting power ;-)
Thank you for your hospitality. What control system do you all use? I seem to remember that you have all #5 Atlas switches. tt
As they used to say on the Price Is Right "Come On Down!"
Any idea as to your time schedule ? Mike, Bob and Tim will be there from open til closing not sure about George. My cardiologist called me this morning and wants me to see him on Friday morning, wasn't happy with some tests from last week. If he doesn't keep me to long I will probably come in just to kibbitz and give some grief to the others. 
I'll pass the link on to Mike and Bob so they will have a heads up.
TMCC, DCS, Legacey.
Tom if you plan on running Legacy, take your own Cab2, the club don't have one.... just the base connected. I always take mine with me. DCS....you're good to go.
Yeah I'll be there, got a new loco to test out. If you bring a loco, we have Coal Cars for your use. And like L.O.S said, you will need your own Legacy remote.
WaDoug W. posted:As they used to say on the Price Is Right "Come On Down!"
Any idea as to your time schedule ? Mike, Bob and Tim will be there from open til closing not sure about George. My cardiologist called me this morning and wants me to see him on Friday morning, wasn't happy with some tests from last week. If he doesn't keep me to long I will probably come in just to kibbitz and give some grief to the others.
You want me to bring an extra train just in case?
Tom, Enjoy your visit to this amazing layout! I stopped in there a little over a year ago and the guys were very nice and showed me all around. Great bunch of guys with a fantastic layout!!
I'm flying in light from Philly with empty suitcases looking for orphaned engines. I will be meeting up around noon with one of the guys from LA who will be bringing some DCS units.
I've always admired your layout. Been visiting it since 2004. Having spent many years building layouts, I drink in the features others may pass over. You all have one of the most professional model train exhibits I have ever seen.
Tim,
That might not hurt.
Did SD3R ever post the track plan? I'm curious about how things are laid out
Matt,
I can't remember if OGR showed a track plan with their last photo spread. It was shown in a 2004 issue of CTT, not sure of which month, because that is what introduced me to the club and I've been a member ever since.
Go there anytime we visit San Diego.
Lot to see there.
How well do MTH scale wheels take to your turnouts?
It works no matter what. Tom vision line big boys will make it and 2-10-10-2 do as well.
The optimum line for scale wheel equipment would be what we call the "Blue Line". It has no turnouts, just a very long folded dogbone kind of loop. Forgot to add that we are running all Atlas track and Atlas turnouts with the exception of a few Gargraves..
To add on to Doug's comment, all the tracks are capable of taking it but if you have 2 rail trucks (there are some people like that) the blue line is the way to go. Since I am bringing Thomas stuff I might be using that line because I most cases that what most people run their Thomas stuff on. I can compromise if needed
Sounds like fun for all! Thanks.
The museum is having a fundraiser event the evening of Friday the 11th. It's called "Ales and Rails" and is a beer tasting event from 7 to 9 pm. If you have the urge to stay later than the normal closing time of 4pm, there will be members running trains during this event.
hope you enjoy your visit!
AGHRMatt posted:Did SD3R ever post the track plan? I'm curious about how things are laid out
will this do?
Matt,
Hope you and Tom enjoyed your visit. Wish I could have stayed longer.
Anyone who has any high rail model RR interest what so ever needs truly to visit the SD3R. That is one of the finest all around model RRs.
It is balanced with spectator appeal and operator ease. The public has verbal access to all the operators and those running trains are not bumping into bystanders. There are informative display cases, educational wall hangings, cut a way mine view portals, a see thru outside aisle window, flat screen panels projecting real time right of way videos, beautifully finished Oak paneling, trim surrounding the room and step boosters with sturdy hand rails for extra security, ceiling height Backdrop Warehouse wall coverings, full capability for any Lionel or MTH control. The list could just go on and on. This is a very well thought out project with I believe a hundred or so active members.
The layout its self is loaded with fine craftsmanship in many ways. Custom bridges, multiple loops with interesting routing, detailed refinery, engine facilities, unique dependable lift bridge, business district, etc, You just need to visit or at least get the video.
The best part is that the friendly crew is very accommodating. Thank you SD3Rers
A great place....just remembered that I had pics from November 2009.....
A great place.....the O gauge layout was great....but seeing the John Allen artifacts was a special treat!
Peter
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Tom Tee posted:Anyone who has any high rail model RR interest what so ever needs truly to visit the SD3R. That is one of the finest all around model RRs.
It is balanced with spectator appeal and operator ease. The public has verbal access to all the operators and those running trains are not bumping into bystanders. There are informative display cases, educational wall hangings, cut a way mine view portals, a see thru outside aisle window, flat screen panels projecting real time right of way videos, beautifully finished Oak paneling, trim surrounding the room and step boosters with sturdy hand rails for extra security, ceiling height Backdrop Warehouse wall coverings, full capability for any Lionel or MTH control. The list could just go on and on. This is a very well thought out project with I believe a hundred or so active members.
The layout its self is loaded with fine craftsmanship in many ways. Custom bridges, multiple loops with interesting routing, detailed refinery, engine facilities, unique dependable lift bridge, business district, etc, You just need to visit or at least get the video.
The best part is that the friendly crew is very accommodating. Thank you SD3Rers
Thanks for the kind words!!!
Tell your friends, we love to show the place off.
Always happy to give behind the scenes tour.
Just mention you are on the forum.
Putnam Division posted:
the first 13 pictures are of the other layouts in the museum.
and the 3 railer pictures are before we remodeled the place.
nice to see what it used to look like.
glad you enjoyed your visit!
Tom Tee posted:Anyone who has any high rail model RR interest what so ever needs truly to visit the SD3R. That is one of the finest all around model RRs.
It is balanced with spectator appeal and operator ease. The public has verbal access to all the operators and those running trains are not bumping into bystanders. There are informative display cases, educational wall hangings, cut a way mine view portals, a see thru outside aisle window, flat screen panels projecting real time right of way videos, beautifully finished Oak paneling, trim surrounding the room and step boosters with sturdy hand rails for extra security, ceiling height Backdrop Warehouse wall coverings, full capability for any Lionel or MTH control. The list could just go on and on. This is a very well thought out project with I believe a hundred or so active members.
The layout its self is loaded with fine craftsmanship in many ways. Custom bridges, multiple loops with interesting routing, detailed refinery, engine facilities, unique dependable lift bridge, business district, etc, You just need to visit or at least get the video.
The best part is that the friendly crew is very accommodating. Thank you SD3Rers
Tom, it was nice to meet you and Matt... He has some nice stuff. Hope to see you in the near future
Something that really got my attention was the complete two rail train which Matt brought with him. A pair of scale wheel MTH 3/2 diesels with rollers and a dozen scale wheel modern freight cars with Kadees.
Matt set them on the track and ran them for what seemed like a couple of hours with no derailing over any of the switches. The body mounted couplers had no problem going thru the quick "S" curves and the trucks kept full tread/rail contact. No tendency for the scale flanges to pick or crawl over the rail head. Neat!
The track is Atlas sectional and mostly Atlas #5 turnouts plus a few Ross'.
And oh yes, there are lots of other layouts in the huge building. Big whole buncha lots!! But the crowds hang out in the 3r portion.
I enjoyed the visit. Sorry I couldn't stay for Ales and Rails, but I had to get back home as I had to open at AGHR the following morning. I was very impressed with the quality of SD3r's track work as my scale-wheeled equipment didn't even blink, even through a couple of sprung turnouts. I also wanted to thank you guys for you warm welcome. I definitely had a good time. Hopefully I can get back down there in the next couple of months. Next time -- six axle diesels and scale-wheeled steam. 
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