Current Layout by Phil Scandura

Layout Name:

"Los Angeles Basin"

Layout Status:

active

Track Type:

Layout Space:

12' x 14'6"

Layout Style:

Around-the-room

Track Manufacturer:

Fox Valley Models flextrack & turnouts

Rail Size:

code 138

Min. Turnout Frog:

Min. Radius:

22"

Ruling Grade:

Track Height(s):

56"

Mainline Track Length:

54'

Completed:

benchwork: 90%; track: 100%; scenery: 10%

Era:

1940s-50s

Setting:

Los Angeles Basin, Alameda Street Running

Railroad(s) Modeled:

ATSF, SP

Control System:

DCC (MRC)

Notes:

Phil started construction of this layout in December 2021.

Other Links:

2018 Article About Phil

The track plan, including room features.

Phil models an area about 2 miles long between First Street and Naud Junction, as marked on this Sanborn map.

Phil's available prototype information about the Ganahl Lumber Company. This is depicted in the left-hand side pf Phil's track plan.

The start of his construction of the facility (left in photo). The American Warehouse is visible in the distance.

A prototype photo of the American Warehouse scene.

This photo shows the start of the American Warehouse scene. Phil constructed the building (a flat background model) using several wall sections from various Pine Canyon Models kits.

This photo shows how Phil is creating the street-running and the planning for the various buildings along the route. The New China Garage is partially visible on the right-hand side of the photo. This area is shown along the top wall in Phil's track plan.

The prototype photo Phil has of the New China Garage.

Phil designed the core structure in CAD.

Here's the model Phil built using 3D-printed walls he printed from his CAD designs. The model is entirely scratchbuilt.

The Alameda Poultry Market is to the right of the New China Garage, as shown in the prototype photo above. This is Phil's 3D CAD design of the structure.

The building, shown on the right in this photo, was completely scratch-built by Phil out of styrene. The only commercial part used is the front door by the former Grandt Line Products. This is just a status-update photo, with plenty of work remaining on this structure.

Phil completed the chicken yard next to the poultry shop. In addition to the live chickens in the side yard, there is a speaker located behind the building that plays rooster and chicken sounds when you push a button (the sound device is from ITT Products). The chickens were 3D-printed by CatzPaw Innovations and the butcher is an Arttista Storekeeper. The coop is scratchbuilt from wood pieces, and the fence is a kit by B.T.S.

To the right of the poultry market are several buildings that are still works-in-progress. If you are following along with the track plan, the cross street is Alpine St. The left three buildings are all kitbashed structures based on Pine Canyon Models kits.

This fire house in the back corner started off as a Christmas ornament by Hallmark. Phil installed an Innovative Train Technology (ITT Products) sound modules into the building. These are powered by the layout's accessories bus. A button in the layout's facia starts the sound loop off. In addition, Phil has added a relay to also then trigger the lights installed on the fire truck. Phil designed the whole system using commercial parts (see the next image).

This diagram captures Phil's design for animating the fire house and the fire engine. The two boards on the left bring the 24-volt source down to 12 volts and 5 volts, respectively, to properly power the attached components. The push-button press triggers the sound module in the engine house (top, center), and also starts the delay implemented via the circuit board in the center of the diagram. When that timer is up, the lights of the fire engine go on (giving the crew enough time to equip themselves for the rescue mission). See the next diagram for the lighting design.

Phil added this additional design to offer separate animations of lights in the upstairs area of the building from the downstairs area. So, the animation sequence is as follows:
1. The alarm sounds.
2. A few seconds later the lights go on upstairs in the fire crew's apartment. They are getting dressed to respond to the alarm.
3. As they start sliding down the pole, the lights go on downstairs in the office and garage area.
4. Once everyone gets downstairs, the upstairs lights go off.
5. As everyone climbs on the truck, the siren begins to wail, the truck lights flash and the downstairs lights go off.
6. They drive away to the fire as the siren fades in the distance.

Here's an under-the-layout view of the installed components to make the lights and sounds of the fire house possible. Phil adjusted the sequence over time, which is why he has several boards. He did indicate that, should he ever have another complex sequence of animations, that he'd use the Arduino system and the relay shield to simplify the construction of his animation. For a sample run of this circuit, see the embedded video at the bottom of this page.

This photo that pays tribute to Phil's "American Flyer" heritage. His father introduced him to model trains with his American Flyer layout in the basement. Phil was around age 5 or 6 and all he remembers is the trestle bridge shown in the photo and the talking depot. Both his father and all of his AF are long gone, but Phil found the trestle at a swap meet and decided to create this simple diorama as a tribute.

The Fire House Animation (sound & lights)