Topic: Railfan
Back in early December I had a rollover accident on my way to San Diego. Last weekend I was finally able to complete that planned trip. The weather had played an unfortunate roll during that December trip. Weather forecasts last weekend were less than ideal. However, this was likely to be my last opportunity to make the trip before the end of this season working in Death Valley. So I got behind the wheel of my new Ford Fusion and headed down the highway to San Diego.
The model trains museum in Balboa Park was my destination in San Diego. Many times I had seen photos in hobby magazines of the layouts housed there, but I wanted to see them for myself. Seeing a layout in photos is one thing, but seeing it in person can be another. I took my camera along to Balboa Park hoping I might be able to get some good layout shots. In the end my hopes for much in the way of photography would be disappointed. Seeing the layouts in person, however, was an interesting experience.
So many layouts in such close proximity makes comparisons inevitable. I am sorry to say I was quite disappointed with N scale layout. It was definitely, at least in my opinion, the weakest layout there. It was not so much the quality of the modeling as the enviroment. Lighting was the chief culprit. There were four flourescent fixtures mounted on the high celing. As a result the lighting is so dim I found it difficult to see any detail of the models. There was a single operator who never so much as glanced in the direction of visitors. He was completely absorbed in what appeared to be routine maintainence. The layout is behind windows which at the least discourage contact between visitors and the operator.
The toy train layout was in stark contrast to the N scale layout. It was brightly lit. There were several operators. The layout was protected only with low plexiglass panels which allowed casual contact between visitors and operators. The HO layouts were likewise well lighted. One of the HO layouts was protected in some areas with a iron fence which kept visitors out of reach but able to speak with operators with handheld controlers who were following their train. Bright lighting on these layouts allowed clear viewing of the models and gave visual appeal. Limiting barriers between operators and visitors encouraged interaction thus creating a friendly atmosphere. In my estimation the presence of a single operator at the N scale layout meant the club was less active than the others. The dim lighting made for little visual appeal. Combined with the windows separating viewers from the layout prevented any sense of involvement with the layout. Finally, the lack of opportunity for interaction between the operator and the visitors left me with a sense no one was having fun with N scale.
The HO Tehachapi layout is an extreme example of a double deck layout. It is literally two stories high. Visitors use a ramp to go from one level to the next. It is a novel approach, but a successful one in my opinion. It is definitely not an architectural engineering project for the faint of heart. To pull off this ambitious project the club has raised a half million dollars. Now that is a dedicated membership! They have also recently signed a 50 year lease with the city of San Diego. The layout also has some unconventional bench work, i.e., 3/4 inch steel angle iron supporting 3/4 inch plywood. I have been told this is to allow walking on the layout. Whatever it takes, I guess. But I wouldn't suggest trying this at home.
I wanted to include a stop at Cajon Pass as part of my trip. So I elected to spend the second night of my trip in Hesperia to be close to Cajon for picture taking the next morning. I planned to spend the morning taking pictures at Cajon and then have the afternoon to drive back to Death Valley before night. The weather had other plans. It was cold and rainy all night and the next morning was on the nasty side as well. Consulting the weather report on-line from my motel room promised the weather would improve after noon. It indeed had stopped raining by noon and the clouds showed some signs of breaking up. Following an early lunch I headed back down I-15 to Cajon. It was still windy and on the cold side, but good enough for picture taking and exploring the unfamiliar territory.
It was easy to see why this is a railfan hotspot. Several relatively accessible spots to watch and photograph trains; close by a large metropolitan area; appealing landscape are all present. The track arrangements here to me seem to be on the complicated side. I will need to do more research before returning to Cajon if I am to do a decent job of setting up for the best shots. Colorado is still my favorite locale for trains, but I will want to return to Cajon Pass. Given my work schedule it is likely a second visit will have to wait until my next season at Death Valley.
Click on this photo to view an album of photos from southern California and Nevada.
By the way my employer, Xanterra Parks & Resorts, has purchased the former American Orient Express train. If you have $7,000 per person they will give you a tour of National Parks. No, I will not be joining the train crew. Bunk beds four high in a crew dorm car is not my idea of fun.
