CCRR Southern Division

Friends, Those of your following the Central California RR story have probably been wondering when this posting would happen. For you new to the site, I have a habit of dismantling my layouts soon after publication in Ztrack magazine. The Southern Division is no exception. I haven't decided exactly when to start because I'm finishing a layout and may have another starting later this winter. When I do have an open period I will begin. The CCRR has always been a trilogy and the Southern Division is merely Part II. I've been asked to donate it, give it away, try to sell it, a bunch of suggestions. If anyone has any solution to keeping the Southern Division intact and NOT on my premises I will entertain all suggestions. Thanks for your support and comments. Cheers, Jim CCRR:unsure:

Hi Jim

I saw the plan and it looks interesting. What size will the layout be? Could it be the Grand Prize in a Ztrack or ZTrains competition? Maybe the good people there could cross your palm with silver as an inducement.

Gary, Thanks. No, it is no prize winner that I know of. Look closer at the plan each square is 1 foot. Cheers, Jim CCRR:)

Friends, I posted this over 5 months ago. "Friends, Those of you following the Central California RR story have probably been wondering when this posting would happen. For you new to the site, I have a habit of dismantling my layouts soon after publication in Ztrack magazine. The Southern Division is no exception. I haven't decided exactly when to start because I'm finishing a layout and may have another starting later this winter. When I do have an open period I will begin. The CCRR has always been a trilogy and the Southern Division is merely Part II. I've been asked to donate it, give it away, try to sell it, a bunch of suggestions. If anyone has any solution to keeping the Southern Division intact and NOT on my premises I will entertain all suggestions. Thanks for your support and comments." Well, today is a bitter/sweet day. I've begun dismantling the Southern Division. Of course I'm happy because the Northern Division is on the horizon. Don Fedjur, a member here says he wants the 'leftovers'. So hopefully the Southern Division will live again with another modeler. Cheers, Jim CCRR:unsure:

Friends, The Southern Division is gone. Don and Jeff BAZ came over and dismantled the layout today. Gone, but not forgotten. Northern Division next. Cheers, Jim CCRR:)

OK Jim, that's your life.... I'm now in a hurry to see the North Division....

Dom

Hi Dom, Thanks, I'm looking forward to the Northern Division as well. I should have the backdrop smoothed out by the weekend. I've made the backdrop a 3 feet high this time. I was never pleased with the 2 foot previous backdrop. I've also increased the size of the layout by about 10 sq. ft. Cheers, Jim CCRR

Good to see the start of something new. Keep posting pics of your progress. Thanks.

Hi Terry, Thanks. Welcome back. Cheers, Jim CCRR:)

Jim,

The Southern Division may be gone but it will live long in my memory. It truly inspired me in my work on our micro-layout. The three foot high background will look awesome with all hundreds, if not thousands, of trees you'll be making. I look forward to viewing the many, many, MANY photos of the Northern Division

Jim, have you already a trackplan to submit us here for your future Northern Division?

Dom

OK, I have to ask, why the notches in your support braces? Seems to me you are planning slops or underpasses.

Terry, Good question. When you build this type of construction you are able to do a number of things. One you can lay down some plywood for a yard or town. Second most of the layouts using this type of Lgirder construction build the track bed on elevated 1x3"'s. In the case you are referring to I needed to 'sink' my river bed dow into the girders. I put in hardboard for the river bottom in the slots. Instant sunken river/stream. These slots won't bother me on the Northern Division because I can screw the track supports into the wood below the slot if I have to. Cheers, Jim CCRR:)

Thanks for the feedback. I can think of many uses for this type of structure, like an underpass or hidden storage lines, accessible from the bottom if a derailment occurred.
Some very interesting effects could be developed with a bit of planning. Thanks again Jim.