January 26, 2006:
Sonora, CA- After relocating my family to Sonora, CA from Sutter Creek, CA in early 2003 I have finally been able to put the Central Sierra RR back online. The CSRR's official last run was in early June 2003. It was a sad day when the demolition crews showed up to do their dirty work. I never did finish the CSRR, but it was my biggest layout and the only layout I had ever come close to finishing. At the time the CSRR was constructed in 1995, a new method of benchwork was being used- Styrofoam™. Since my stepfather was working for Dow Chemical at the time, it was a logical new alternative to conventional benchwork methods. The scenery was constructed using Styrofoam™ carved with a hot wire and then covered with pre-mixed dry joint compound and rock castings. Woodland Scenics ballast and scenery materials were used throughout the layout. The CSRR was also built from the beginning to utilize DCC pioneer Digitrax's 'BigBoy' system which proved to be a wise choice. The CSRR would not have been able to operate with independent road and helper engines had I stayed with conventional cab control. Now almost 3 years later at my new residence the CSRR still survives in pieces scattered about awaiting it's final 'last rights'.
I have been planning a new layout since 2000 featuring the Southern Pacific's 'Shasta Division' from Roseville to Black Butte. My original building and trackplan was to be constructed to fit a 25ft x 25ft footprint. Upon moving to Sonora that all changed to a possible 25ftx30ft addition to include the new layout, a workshop and crew lounge. As these plans become more refined and as time permits I will post that information here on this page.
Until then I hope you enjoy a look back on a great layout that brought many hours of enjoyment to myself and the small crew (Jim Larsen & Phil Weiss) that helped me build and operate the CSRR. Below you will find the original website for the CSRR.
Have a safe trip!!
Erik A. Young Former CEO & 'Pin-Puller' Central Sierra Railroad Co. Sonora, CA
Welcome to the Modeler's Workbench! My goal here is to provide a place where I can share my hobby of model railroading and it's various projects with fellow modelers. At this site you will find pictures of my dismantled layout, current and past modeling projects and my perspective on model railroad operations. Hopefully you will find this site entertaining and informative enough to inspire you in our great hobby. Take a look around you may find something you like!
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Info regarding my (now dismantled) HO scale model railroad. The CSRR may be physically gone, but it lives in digital form on the internet!! CSRR LIVES!! | |
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The DS's Office |
My take on model railroad operations (NOT ACTIVE, YET). I am in the process of refining my car-forwarding system using car cards much like the ones put out by Old Line Graphics. I am also considering using Track Warrants. More on this later...
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A brief glance of current projects on the workbench or check out what is (was) in the Paint Shop. | |
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Coming Soon |
New pages on my soon to be built layout featuring the Southern Pacific's 'Shasta Division' from Roseville to Black Butte. This new layout will be housed in a new 25ft x 30ft additon to my home. A new trackplan, benchwork details, prototype information and much more will be posted as time permits |