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Salinas Valley
John Baggaley
Salinas Valley is a small US switching layout, with relatively modern rail served industries. It is assumed to be situated on the outskirts of a city. The design is based on the 'inglenook' style with an additional 'kickback' siding to a small chemical distribution depot served by tank cars from a number of suppliers. The rear siding and the main tracks are worked from a small sector plate fiddle yard.
One of the industries is a scrap dealer and stocks of shredded material can be seen ready for dispatch. The other main business is a small railcar repair works which is intended for railcars needing a bit more than minor repairs to be transferred from a nearby yard.
Finally there is the long track at the rear is primarily intended to hold railcars awaiting space at one or other of the industries. It can also serve as a 'team track' where local hauliers can collect or deliver items that require railrpad haulage .
It is constructed on a purpose built baseboard of well braced thin plywood with integral lighting. The trackwork is Peco Code 75 trackwork with the turnouts (points) operated by rods from the rear. The scenics are from a variety of sources, mostly modified European and Walthers kits. Locos are from Bachmann, Atlas, Walthers and Broadway, with a couple of Trackmobiles from Factory Direct Trains, rolling stock is from various US manufacturers. All stock is fitted with Kadee couplers, mainly #5s and #148s. It is DCC controlled using an NCE PowerCab and the locomotives have a variety of decoders installed.
One of the industries is a scrap dealer and stocks of shredded material can be seen ready for dispatch. The other main business is a small railcar repair works which is intended for railcars needing a bit more than minor repairs to be transferred from a nearby yard.
Finally there is the long track at the rear is primarily intended to hold railcars awaiting space at one or other of the industries. It can also serve as a 'team track' where local hauliers can collect or deliver items that require railrpad haulage .
It is constructed on a purpose built baseboard of well braced thin plywood with integral lighting. The trackwork is Peco Code 75 trackwork with the turnouts (points) operated by rods from the rear. The scenics are from a variety of sources, mostly modified European and Walthers kits. Locos are from Bachmann, Atlas, Walthers and Broadway, with a couple of Trackmobiles from Factory Direct Trains, rolling stock is from various US manufacturers. All stock is fitted with Kadee couplers, mainly #5s and #148s. It is DCC controlled using an NCE PowerCab and the locomotives have a variety of decoders installed.