HO Display
There are over 4,000 feet of track on the 3 levels. The layout features one of the largest model railroad helixes in the country. The helix allows trains to rise over 6 feet from the middle to the top level. It is an edge supported structure.
It is designed as if it were a large compressed spring fit into a box open on one edge. Consisting of 9 loops, the helix has over 450 feet of double track with a 2.25% grade. Each loop on the helix contains two half loops of 46”/43” radius track and two one-foot sections of straight track separating the halves. The top of the helix contains a return loop for the upper level. The helix was built by club members Vern Cumins and Tom Blinn.
There are many HO scale buildings throughout the display. Nearly all the structures were scratch built by club member Charlie Heimerdinger. These include the ice house at Roseville, the San Leandro depot, and all the snow sheds.
The layout is set in the 1950’s 1960’s era when the railroads were changing from steam to diesel power because the most of the founding SLHRS members grew up during that period. Some members worked on SP steam engines. Today, members run trains ranging from the transition era to the modern era.
The layout is a double track plan with reversing loops at each end. Typically, trains operate around the large loop from Oakland / Alameda, up the helix to Truckee and back. A train running at scale speeds will take about 30 minutes to make a complete loop.
From time to time, the club conducts operations on the display. This involves running trains from point to point and doing switching along the way. Helpers are added to trains going up the helix. Passenger trains are run from staging to staging. Operations bring the display alive and provide an interesting and fun experience for all participants.
The HO display has a staging/setup yard on the lower level at Fairfield and another staging yard on the upper level at Reno/Sparks. Trains can be operated to and from either staging yard. The staging yards were built by Barry Chinn.
The layout is set in the 1950’s 1960’s era when the railroads were changing from steam to diesel power because the most of the founding SLHRS members grew up during that period. Some members worked on SP steam engines. Today, members run trains ranging from the transition era to the modern era.
The layout is a double track plan with reversing loops at each end. Typically, trains operate around the large loop from Oakland / Alameda, up the helix to Truckee and back. A train running at scale speeds will take about 30 minutes to make a complete loop.
From time to time, the club conducts operations on the display. This involves running trains from point to point and doing switching along the way. Helpers are added to trains going up the helix. Passenger trains are run from staging to staging. Operations bring the display alive and provide an interesting and fun experience for all participants.
All trains and the most mainline switches are controlled by the NCE Digital Command Control (DCC) system. Many members use a free app on their cell phones to run their trains and to select train routes. The progress of mainline trains can be followed on large computer screens above the Roseville yard.
HO Display Statistics:
Main Room Size: 30 X 30 feet on 3 levels.
Prototype: Southern Pacific Railroad (Western Division).
Locale: Alameda/Oakland to Reno/Sparks.
Era: 1934 to 1955 steam to diesel transition.
Style: Walk around.
Benchwork: Modular Grid.
Roadbed: Spline on HomaBed.
Track: 50% hand laid; 50% flexible.
Mainline Run: 2,000 feet.
Minimum turnout: #8 mainline; #6 other tracks.
Minimum radius: 41 inches mainline; 36 inches other tracks.
Maximum Grade: 2 1/2%
Scenery: Hard Shell
Backdrops: Hand Painted
Control: NCE Digital Command Control. Cell phones can control trains and mainline switches.
