added: October 30, 2016

HO Scale Desert Layout Project  -  21/22 See 335 photos of the finished layout taken on September 22, 2016

Union Pacific and Santa Fe Trains are rolling As the layout is more or less finished, I was putting two trains together and made testruns. Well, the real problems are becoming reality. Sometimes, locos or cars are uncoupling and as longer a train is getting, more power is needed.

Inside Office 2: Santa Fe GP60M A/B/B/A just passed Hill 582 and is on the way to tunnel 1 toward Office 1 - 2976

I started with my layout in late December 2007 and it was finally finshed in late September 2015. Some details have been added in March 2016 as you can see on this page. Thank you for your interest in my Mojave Desert Layout - Werner Meer

2/12/16: Trains are rolling:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqyLRyKma2A&feature=em-upload_owner

1/29/16: Cab Ride 1:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Soaz-cNiU1o&feature=em-upload_owner 1/29/16: Cab Ride 2:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUdxXdO3b1g&feature=em-upload_owner

12/15/15: Test movie 1 of my layout:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBp4X3lnvRc&feature=em-upload_owner Test movie 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDCZzK6MhyQ&feature=em-upload_owner Test Movie 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDSBNYdyK3A&feature=em-upload_owner all movies made by Martin Raemy

Technical Data of my Layout: Size: 4,5 x 6,5 m (13,5 x 19,5 feet), Era: Modern, Location: Southern California in the Mojave Desert (Cajon Pass), Layout Style: unconventional, in house along the walls, 2 swing up bridges, 1 lift out bridge, double track, min. radius 104 cm (41 inch), max. grade 1,5 %, Track: Atlas flextrack code 100, Turnouts: Peco code 100, Power: conventional DC with electrical feeders every 2 m, Mainline: 32 m (96 feet), Height: 93 cm (36,5 inch)

Overview of the layout (each square is 0,5 m)

Photos 2690 - 3035, taken on 9/22/16 (just click on the 4-digit number for bigger size photos)
As usual, I am taking a huge amount of photos from a scene to show a lot of different views.

Union Pacific combined Auto Carrier, Intermodal and special equipment.
My UP train consists of 2 SD70M diesels with flared radiators, several Auto carriers, 3 SD70M diesels as mid train DPU's, a DC-10 Wing Gondola, Tri-Level Smart Car (UP experimental), Auto Rack, Double Stack and TOFC cars. This train is not rolling but we are following from front to rear. That way, we are going to show the power and cars in detail from different angles and we can also see the layout.
2 Athearn Genesis EMD SD70M w/flared radiators are at the front end of this UP train - 2690
Ready to roll over the curved swing up bridge - 2691	This part of the layout is sitting in a shelf inside office 2 - 2692
soft S-curves make a nice effect while rolling - 2693	Route 66 is between Main1 and Main 2 - 2694
Walthers Auto Carriers slithly weathered - 2695
this part of the layout is along a shelf just 40 cm wide (underneath is a 6 track staging yard) - 2696
Atlas articulated Auto Carrier - 2697
on my layout roads are as important as the tracks - 2698	a Nascar racer is on its way to the next race - 2699
the Trainmaster truck is full of models - 2700	Main 2 is crossing Route 66 - 2701
10 Cadillac Escalades will go to the Cadillac of Percyville dealer - 2702
I am aware, there are no more open Autoracks . . . - 2703	. . . in the modern time, but it looks super cool - 2704
special graffiti made by Peter Schönenberger as seen on a real auto carrier - 2705
3 Athearn Genesis EMD SD70M as mid train DPU's help pulling the heavy train - 2706
crossing Route 66 - 2707	all bushes were made by Melinda - 2708
Main 2 and the road are having curves - 2709	sometimes, there are classic cars on the road - 2710
a Joshua Tree made by Mason Clark is between track and road - 2711	RR Crossing signals made by Life Like (now Walthers) - 2712
another view of this crossing - 2713	not perfect sharp photo, but nice scene - 2714
after the UP box car is a UP DC-10 Gondola set . . . - 2715	. . . made by Overland Models - 2716
Paul Kolb painted this set and I applied the decals - 2717	the ride quality was not satisfactory and I replaced all wheels - 2718
of course, in real life, these cars are not in service anymore - 2719	an old UP bus is used for excursions, only - 2720
the second wing gondola is on the road crossing . . . - 2721	. . . next to the High Desert Country Cafe Restaurant  - 2722
1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II - 2723	2005 Ford Mustang GT - 2724
we reach the High Desert Country Cafe - 2725	another brass model is the UP 3-level auto carrier - 2726
crossing seen from the parking of the Cafe - 2727	Ford Mustang and Chevy El Camino - 2728
looking from above with curved road bridge - 2729	the UP train is on the Flyover - 2730
looking toward the Mormon Rocks - 2731	Route 66 is always busy - 2732
UP "Smart Car" made by Overland Models - 2733	Joshua Trees belong to the Mojave Desert - 2734
2007 Dodge Charger - 2735	below teh Flyover is the Santa Fe train - 2736
next models is a UP Athearn Genesis Automax - 2737	Flyover with bridge and short tunnel - 2738
Tank Cars on the lower track are visible - 2739	UP MoW office, easy to reach because of service road - 2740
UP MoW crew is active - 2741	there is always some work to be done - 2742
the UP Mow Office is just above the tunnel - 2756	after the SF auto rack we have 2 Werner reefer trailers on flat - 2757
a UP MoW truck is on the BNSF service road - 2743	after the Werner TOFC's are Werner Global containers - 2758
huge billboards for car businesses . .  - 2759	. . . . in the City of Percyville - 2760
famous Foose Design is also located in Percyville - 2761	Werner Global 53' Containers w/Werner ad on the wall - 2744
Werner 53' Containers - yes, these exist in real - 2762	BNSF MoW office - 2746
Mormon Rocks w/Highway 138 - 2747	Route 66 curve - 2748
Highway 138 w/underpass - 2763	a trailer for food and beverages is always helpful - 2764
below are freight cars from the Santa Fe train - 2765	above is the UP train - 2766
Werner Trailers on Flat passing the Mormon Rocks - 2749	these 15 car models are approx. sFr. 250.00 - 2750
15 brand new 2007 Dodge Chargers - 2751	a very nice weathered autorack by Kim Nipkow - 2752
looks great, even they do not use open racks anymore - 2753	there are blooming yuccas in front of the autorack - 2754
The UP train is on the upper level with last 4 cars ending with an old autorack. At this point, we reach famous Hill 582. - 2755
Hill 582 is a great place to watch trains in Cajon Pass - 2767	Tank Car with custom made graffiti by P. Schönenberger - 2768
a Werner truck is going uphill on Route 66 - 2769	another Tank Car with unique graffiti by P.Sch. - 2770
on my layout, the access road to Hill 582 . . .  - 2771	. . . is coming from Highway 138 - 2772
in real, Hill 582 and Mormon Rocks are 4 mls away - 2773	yes, there are flag poles on Hill 582 - 2774
whenever a Swiss is coming, the Swiss flag  - 2775	will be raised by Don, Gary or Marc - 2776
those railings in front were the latest additions - 2777	in real, Hill 582 is turned 90 ° to the tracks (not parallel) - 2778
Don is watering the plants twice a week - 2779	red Pickup = Don, silver = Gary - 2780
want more infos about the real Hill 582?  -  click here

Santa Fe mixed freight (manifest) is my second train on the other track in the opposite direction
My Santa Fe Train is "parked" inside Office 2 below Hill 582 and WSI, just before the Tunnels. First, we took some photos from the standing train, afterwards, the train was moving thru Tunnel 1 into Office 1 and over the bridge back into Office 2 along the shelf (next to the UP train).
Athearn RTR EMD GP60M A/B/B/A are pulling my other freight train - 2781
the diesels are at the West portal of tunnel 1 - 2782	looking thru tunnel 1 from the other side - 2783
Santa Fe was the only railroad ordering B-units . . . - 2784	. . . as road switchers in the early 90's - 2785
Walmart trailer with wind deflectors - 2786	the modern 64' reefers are made by BLMA - 2787
even a Domino's Pizza truck will pass below Hill 582 - 2788	a view from the other side toward the tunnels - 2789
the Jeep is sitting on WSI (West Summit Island) - 2790	now, the SF Train is rolling thru Tunnel 1 into Office 1 - 2791
looking thru Tunnel 1 - 2792	Joshua Trees made by Kim Nipkow - 2793
We are still inside Office 2 (West Side of Tunnels) and take a look at some special load on flat cars of the Santa Fe Train.
rusty water pipes for a power plant - 2794	special load for great variety - 2795
windmill blades are oversize and do have . . . - 2796	. . . a short flat car for protection - 2797
these blades are made by Busch - 2798	end of train - 2799
Now, we are on the East side of the tunnels and our special flat cars are moving thru Tunnel 1 (from Office 2 into Office 1).
3 flat cars with pipe load - 2800	a flat with windmill blade inside tunnel 1 - 2801
another angle - 2802	last photo with tunnels - 2803
The engines are already back in Office 2 along the shelf and next to the UP train.
Werner trucks are everywhere - 2804	even the new Trainmaster truck is on the road as well - 2805
graffities on reefers made by kim Nipkow - 2806	Route 66 is always busy - 2807
just 40 cm wide and a lot of action - 2808	last photo of this location - 2809
The SF train left the shelf and was rolling behind the UP train passing Hill 582 and WSI on the upper track.
the Santa Fe diesels are just in front of tunnel 2 West portal - 2810	the tracks are going downhill 1,5 % grade - 2811
front WSI, middle Hill 582, rear Mormon Rocks - 2812	the dirt road in the middle is going to WSI - 2813
the Santa Fe diesels are passing thru Tunnel 2
leaving tunnel 2 East portal on Main 1 - 2814	- 2815
- 2816	the engines are entering the swing down bridge - 2817
left tunnel 1, right tunnel 2 - 2818	the first loco is on the crossing to the Percyville Extension - 2819
Percyville is promoting all restaurants, lodging and the gas station to serve all visitors at its best
We are inside office 1 along Route 66 just before the Percyville Extension.
All visitors coming from the East side know already in advance what to expect in Percyville - 2392
These businesses are located in Percyville for gas, food and lodging. The size of this sign is 200 x 35 mm. - 2375
Cadillac Escalade, behind 1969 Buick Riviera - 2820	the width of this section is just 40 cm - 2821
upper RR Crossing on Route 66 - 2822	RR Crossing signals made by Walthers - 2823
we did finally reach the Percyville Extension with 2 restaurants and a used car dealer "Best Deal Auto" (made by Pelle Soeeborg
a Cadillac Escalade stretch limo is on main street - 2824	there are Joshua Trees made by Kim Nipkow - 2825
we are on the roof of Domino's Pizza - 2826	Pick up window of Domino's Pizza - 2827
looking down main street of the Percyville Extension toward the RR Crossing - 2828
next to Domino's Pizza is a Dennys Restaurant - 2829	1974 Buick LeSabre on the handicap parking - 2830
order window of Domino's Pizza - 2831	the SF train continues rolling down to Percyville - 2832
the car dealer has an exclusive Cadillac Sixteen for sale - 2833	lots of cool muscle cars for sale - 2834
typical Dennys Restaurant made by Summit USA - 2835	Moajve desert style: Joshua Trees and blooming Yuccas - 2836
combined road/train liftout bridge - 2837	this brigde connects the Extension with the City of Percyville - 2838
overview from the tunnels to teh bridge - 2839	as the train was moving, we have different cars on this section - 2840
a manifest brings a vartiety of different cars - 2841	what else, a Werner truck is also on the road - 2842
similar rock formation as on Sullivan's Curve - 2843	another Joshua Tree by Kim Nipkow - 2844
as the train continues his journey, we can see . . .  - 2845	. . . the same flat cars with pipe and blade load - 2846
even there are many photos of these cars . . . - 2847	. . . a different location gives another picture - 2848
here we can see the short flat to protect the long blade - 2849	the long flat cars are regular flats for trailers - 2850
Joshua Tree made by  - 2851	end of train at this location - 2852
even the bikers made big eyes of the special load - 2853	Joshua made by Densi Herm (Germany) - 2854

The Santa Fe train is slowly passing the bridge leading to the Terminal of Werner Enterprises
Werner Enterprises with their Terminal is the main business in Percyville. They are the only company with a rail connection to the main line for TOFC cars. They even have their own Diesel Loco to move the cars.
the Santa Fe diesels arrived at the Werner Terminal - 2855	across the trakcs is Joe's old house - 2856
this Werner loco was painted by Ferdinand Rat - 2857	straight ahead is the Werner Office - 2858
lots of Werner vehicles made by Pitsch Allneider - 2859	the train is going round the Werner Curve - 2860
the head end is already entering the City of Percyville (from the East side) - 2861
looking toward Percyville - 2862	overview of Werner Terminal and Joe's Place - 2863
- 2864	- 2865
Joe is having some old military vehicles - 2866	California Highway Patrol is visitting Joe's Place - 2867
- 2868	- 2869
- 2870	- 2871
Werner Enterprises is celebrating their . . . - 2872	. . . 60th Anniversary in 2016 - 2873-2628
based on Athearn AMD-103, Ferdinad Rat . . . - 2874	. . . did an excellent paint job (decals are for reefer trailer) - 2875
of course, as the train is slowly passing by, we can see . . . - 2876	. . . the same cars again, but with a different background - 2877
- 2878	once again, here is the end of the train - 2879

The City of Percyville
After the Werner Terminal which is at the East end of Percyville, we slowly proceed toward the West end (from right to left). The first business just after the Werner Curve is a Mc Donald's Restaurant.
Mc Donald's is the first restaurant at the East end - 2880	now, the Werner diesel is ready to go - 2881
Mc Donald's invented the yellow gravel for dividers . . . - 2882	. . . so, the City of Percyville adaptedthe yellow gravel all over  - 2883
the Werner spur is just behind Mc Donald's and will . . . - 2884	. . . reach the main line in front of the Cadillac dealer- 2885
Foose Design is next to Cadillac of Percyville - 2886	Foose Design and West Coast Customes in the same complex - 2887
ready for the 2015 SEMA show in Las Vegas - 2888	here, the Werner spur is crossing main street - 2889

On my layout, Foose Design got a special Trailer to attend the 2015 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
A special Foose Design Truck with Foose Design Logo, SEMA Logo and Impostor (1965 Chevy Impala) poster. - 2426
I was very lucky because I was able to meet Chip Foose back in Fall of 2015. I visitted the Foose Design Garage in Huntington Beach, CA and met Chip in person. I was really overwhelmed to meet a real gentleman. Even he was busy in preparing for he SEMA Show, he took his time talking to me and signing something for me. And during the SEMA Show, I was able to meet him again. I said, "I am sorry to disturb again" and he said, "not at all, nice to see you again". We had a good talk, he signed a poster of the Impostor (1965 Chevy Impala) and we took photos together. I only can tell, it was a wonderful experience to meet such a great person again. On top it was a great honour - thank you Chip.
Impostor (Ridler Award Winner 2015) design by Chip Foose - 2439	Chip Foose and Werner Meer at 2015 SEMA - 2440
Copyright of Foose Design Logos and Foose lettering by Foose Design Huntington Beach, CA. Web Site:  http://www.chipfoose.com

Percyville Layout Tour continued below - after Foose Design, there is Cadillac of Percyville.
Percyville from Cadillac to Super 8 Motel - 2890	another Werner truck on its way to the Terminal - 2891
Cadillac is the only new car dealer in Percyville - 2892	- 2893
outside are some classic Cadillacs available . . . - 2894	. . . and a nice showroom with new Cadillacs - 2895
Taco Bell made by Summit USA - 2896	of course, there are handicap parkings in front - 2897
Pizza-Hut made by Modellbahn-Atelier-Berlin - 2898	- 2899
KFC made by Pelle Soeeborg - 2900	this KFC is an exact replica of the original in Mojave, CA - 2901
as in Mojave, KFC and Dennys are next to each other - 2902	- 2903
- 2904	- 2905
KFC, Dennys and ARCO gas station are in a row and exact copies of the original buildings in Mojave, CA - 2906
- 2907	- 2908
- 2909	- 2910
I had breakfast and dinner in the real Dennys . . . - 2911	. . . and got gasoline in this particular gas station - 2912
- 2913	- 2914
- 2915	I was lucky that Pelle sold these 3 buildings - 2916
- 2917	- 2918
- 2919	welcome to Percyville - 2920
- 2921	on a flat bed trailer is the same pipe as on the SF train - 2922
this huge sign is custom made - 2923	- 2924

This is the West End of Percyville
The Super 8 Motel is the last building of Percyville. Here starts the curve from the passage to Office 2 on the lower level.
the radius of this curve is 140 cm (55") - 2925	- 2926
- 2927	- 2928
- 2929	on he upper bridge is a auto carrier with 2007 Dodge Chargers - 2930
- 2931	- 2932
- 2943	- 2944
- 2933	- 2934
- 2935	- 2936
- 2937	- 2938
- 2939	- 2940
- 2941	- 2942
- 2945	- 2946

From the Curve to the Flyover
The lower main tracks go under a bridge of the upper level toward the Mormon Rocks and Cajon Pass
2 road bridges and 1 railroad bridge - 2947	the Santa Fe engines are under the flyover bridge - 2948
at left is the entrance to the 6 track staging yard - 2949	- 2950
looking thru the short tunnel under the flyover - 2951	- 2952-2505
From the Flyover, we continue to the Mormon Rocks and Hill 582
the Santa Fe diesels just passed the short tunnel - 2953	- 2954
the height difference between upper and lower level is 16 cm - 2955	as this section of the layout is just 60 cm wide - 2956
to get enough space for the road, lower and upper main . .  - 2957	. . . tracks, huge retaining walls solve the problem. - 2958
the retaining walls offer space for huge billboards - 2959	Highway 138 has a level crossing of the lower main tracks - 2960
and for the upper tracks, a short underpass was built - 2961	many times, I used Hwy 138 to reach the Mormon Rocks - 2962
from Hwy 138, you can make a right and go to Hill 582 - 2963	this is the road to "heaven", actually Hill 582 - 2964
- 2965	the Hot Dog stand offers food and beverages for the railfans - 2966
- 2967	- 2968
the BNSF service road goes all the way along the upper . . . - 2969	. . . tracks from the UP MoW office, pass BNSF MoW office . . . - 2970
. . . pass the Mormon Rocks, pass Hill 582 and WSI . . . - 2971	. . . down to the tunnels for easy access - 2972
the 4-unit lash up just passed Hill 582 - 2973	- 2974
Domino's Pizza truck on the way to Percyville Extension - 2975	finally, our Santa Fe train will reach tunnel 1, our starting point - 2976
Our journey with the Santa Fe train around the layout is over. But we are not at the end of the show, because we went back to the Flyover and the Mormon Rocks to show all the diffierent freight cars of this Santa Fe manifest.

We go back to the Flyover with the 2 road bridges, Highway 138 and the Mormon Rocks.
The curve got even a backdrop at the outside. Most photos are aerial shots.
from above we have a nice overview - 2977	we are inside office 2 - 2978
- 2979	- 2980
- 2981	- 2982
- 2983	- 2984
- 2985	- 2986
- 2987	- 2988
As this train is slowly moving we are able to see the rear end with the special load in the curve around the road bridges. Sorry about the endless amount of pictures but every angle looks different ! It is maybe boring to see the same cars again and again !
- 2989	- 2990
- 2991	- 2992
- 2993	- 2994
- 2995	- 2996
we are in the passage just after the West end of Percyville - 2997	end of train is disappearing, soon - 2998
we are inside office 2 and look under the road bridges . . . - 2999	. . . toward the passage - 3000
After the road bridges, we reach the Flyover and afterwards Highway 138 with the Mormon Rocks
above the short tunnel is a UP MoW Office - 3001	still space available for your advertisement - 3002
- 3003	above UP train and below SF train - 3004
- 3005	- 3006
- 3007	- 3008
Highway 138 will bring us either to the Mormon Rocks . . .  - 3009	. . . or to Hill 582 - 3010
- 3011	- 3012
California Highway Patrol is waiting . . . - 3013	. . . until the SF train has passed the Hwy 138 crossing - 3014

Another "important" company got his own truck/trailer
Not only Foose Design got a truck, but also Trainmaster of Switzerland - 2441
In the meantime, the trailer came back from the car wrapping specialist, who mounted red and blue stripes on both sides.
they got a new tractor to match the striping - 2543	the other side is not exactly the same layout - 2544
the trailer outfit got the DNA of the minivan - 2545	for sure similarities with the real thing (below) - 2546
In real life, Trainmaster is having a minivan to match the model trailer (corporate identity), more photos of this van - click here
modified Town & Country with Cadillac lettering - 218C	probably the only Cadillac Minivan worldwide - 228C

Bonus photos of the Werner Enterprises Terminal with low standing real sunlight.
- 3031
not ready - 3015	- 3016
- 3017	- 3018
- 3019	- 3020
desert vegetation is typical for the Mojave desert - 3021	no one knows exactly what Joe is doing here - 3022
bloomimg Yuccas and a Joshua Tree - 3023	- 3024
- 3025	a Greyhound bus is passing WE Terminal - 3026
last picture of WE Terminal just before sunset - 3027	Joshoa Trees made by Kim Nipkow - 3028
Mc Donald's of Percyville is always busy - 3029	nice 1970 Plymouth Cuda convertible - 3030

   I started with my layout in late December 2007 and it was finally finshed in late September 2015.
In the meantime, I made some detailing with city signs, billboards, figures, vehicles etc.
Thank you for your interest in my Mojave Desert Layout - Werner Meer

Page 22 - New 11/17/16:  Part 6 - The latest model from Scale Trains in action - click here  Page 22

Page 20 - New 5/29/16:  Part 4 - Werner Enterprises got 53' Containers for Werner Global Logistics - click here  Page 20

Page 19 - New 4/08/16:  Part 3 - The Layout is getting alive with lots of Details - click here  Page 19

Page 18 - New 2/26/16:  Part 2 - West Tunnels, WSI, Hill 582, Mormon Rocks, Flyover - click here  Page 18

Page 17 - New 2/20/16:  Part 1 - Percyville incl. Extension, Werner Enterprises, East Tunnels - click here  Page 17

Page 16 - New 12/27/15:  Take a Tour on the Percyville Terminal of Werner Enterprises - click here  Page 16

Page 15 - New 11/19/15:  Take a Tour on the finished layout - click here  Page 15

Page 14 - New 9/29/15:  Landscaping Cajon Pass - Hill 582 - finished - click here  Page 14

Page 13 - New 7/27/15: Landscaping Cajon Pass - finished but w/o Hill 582 - click here  Page 13

Page 12 - New 5/10/15: The City of Percyville (3) - Extension is finished - click here  Page 12

Page 11 - New 3/26/14: The City of Percyville (2) - (with main street) is finished - click here  Page 11

Back to main layout page - click here