The idea behind this layout

COLTON / RANA, CA
The three tracks that run through the Colton Crossing on the BNSF San Bernadino Sub / UP Yuma Sub extend to six tracks in Rana. Rana is the southern entry to the San Bernadino Yard which means that most trains in direction Cajon Pass have to pass Rana.
The Old GM Yard  which is part of the San Bernadino B-Yard is heavly used for loading new cars. BNSF is switching with the TriLevelAutoRack and AutoMax cars from there to Rana.
The Metrolink runs from the San Bernadino Station over the Shortway to Rana and continues then in direction Riverside to Oceanside ( Inland Empire Orange County Line ). Amtrak is also using the Shortway to serve the San Bernadino station ( Southwest Chief ).
An intensive interchange exists between the BNSF Hobart Yard / UP East LA Yard / UP West Colton Yard and the BNSF San Bernadino Yard / BNSF Barstow Yard / UP Yermo Yard.
Since most of these trains are passing through Colton/Rana, an interesting numbers of train movements can be represented on a model layout.

LAYOUT
It is nearly impossible to represent exactly in scale such a high amount of train movements ( mainlines, yards, long trains). But you can try to recreate a short portion of it. This is what I try to do with this layout.

TRACKAGE RIGHTS, Southern California Style has Colton / Rana which is located near the San Bernardino Yard on the BNSF as origin. The layout has an existing place as point of departure but do to size issues it is not exactly reproduced to scale. The main goal is to represent the southern California railroad atmosphere. Four track changes and the entry to the six track yard provide multiple switching possibilities. Boxcars and covered hoppers are loaded and unloaded on a regular basis at the bakery company ‘Fischer Since 1913’. But even trailers and trucks are a usual sight on the company's yard. The ‘Commerce’ district which disappears behind the background offers numerous switching possibilities due to the fact that several different types of business can be imagined behind this spot.
The layout name ‘Trackage Rights should reflect that railroad companies ( UP/SP ) are running on lines belonging to other RR companies ( BNSF ex ATSF ). This is one of the reason why more UP engines are running on this line even if it belongs to the BNSF. The added term ‘Southern California Style’ should help to locate it geographically.

Technical Data

Era:	2008
Layout type:	Switching Layout
Dimensions:	Length 13.5m / wide 0.5m - 0.7m / height 1.3m
Powered by:	NMRA DCC with sound
Tracks:	Peco Code 83
Turnouts:	# 8 on mainlines except one # 7 # 6 for the 'Commerce' district
Motive power:	BNSF / UP / CSX / NS / CEFX / AMTRAK / METROLINK
Rolling stock:	Box cars / covered hoppers / Tri Level Autorack's / tank cars / Passenger

last updated : 2015-10-27