HO Scale Diorama Cajon Pass w/Mormon Rocks (Mojave Desert Style)

The story behind it: Franco Rossi and Roland Scherler have built an HO modular layout for the 3rd CV. For the 4th CV, Peter Dossenbach and Werner Meer each have built 3 elements with a total length of 5 m, thus complementing the Rossi / Scherler system to a length of 10 m. But in 2003 the ALCA had to leave the attick in the school house. As part of the large layout was distributed to various interested parties, the 3 modules of the then-built by Werner Meer were available. The 2 modules, each with a length of 2 m and a width of 0,6 m, were built as a three-track test track in the US Railroad Shop. The modules built in 1986 urgently needed a new facelift. Thus, WM and Melinda decided to revive the Mojave Desert in Cajon Pass with the Mormon Rocks. We had gathered from the construction of our own HO-layout between 2008 and 2015 desert experience. The entire landscape has been reworked and has received matching sand, bushes, blooming Yuccas and Joshua Trees. In addition, a dirt road with a lookout platform was built on the right side. Photos of the layout: https://www.trainmaster.ch/layout.htm

Vorgeschichte: Franco Rossi und Roland Scherler haben für die 3rd CV eine HO-Modulanlage gebaut. Für die 4th CV haben Peter Dossenbach und Werner Meer jeweils 3 Elemente mit total 5 m Länge gebaut und damit die Anlage von Rossi/Scherler auf 10 m Länge ergänzt. Doch im Jahr 2003 musste das ALCA die Winde im Schulhaus verlassen. Da Teile der grossen Anlage an versch. Interessnten verteilt wurde, standen die damals gebauten 3 Module von Werner Meer zur Verfügung. Die 2 Module zu je 2 m Länge und 0,6 m Breite wurden im US-Railroad-Shop als 3-gleisige Teststrecke aufgebaut. Die 1986 erbauten Module haben dringend ein neues Facelift gebraucht. Somit hat sich WM und Melinda entschieden, das Mojave Desert mit den Mormon Rocks zu neuem Leben zu erwecken. Wir hatten ja vom Bau der HO-Anlage zw. 2008 und 2015 Wüstenerfahrung gesammelt. Die gesamte Landschaft wurde neue überarbeitet und hat passenden Sand, Büsche und Joshua Trees erhalten. Zudem wurde auf der rechten Seite noch eine Naturstrasse mit einer Aussichtsplattform erstellt.

Total 218 photos, taken from 2/03/17 to 3/03/17 (just click on the 3-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.

Part 1

Part 1: The way how this diorama was looking in my shop and was used as a test track for the last 14 years

right side - 059

left side with Mormon Rocks - 063

Here we can see the joint of both 2 m long modules - 060

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Main Track 1 goes thru the tunnel, Main Track 2 goes thru the cut and Main Track 3 is in front.
(MT 1 and 2 are having an uphill grade of 1,5 % and MT 3 is level) - 062

068 - Once in a while, the diorama was used for display of rolling stock - 064

Backdrop are photos of the real Mormon Rocks along Highway 138 - 065

overview of the whole 4 m long diorama (tunnel and cut in the middle) - 071

Part 2: Rebuilding started on February 3, 2017

When originally built, the color of the ground cover . . . - 187	. . . did not really satisfy as it was too greenish - 188

another problem was the almost none vegetation . . . - 189	. . . and therefore, it really needed a major upgrade - 190

Never nice to work with this kind of styro foam - 193	192
Between main tack 1 and 2, I had to remove the higher part for better access to re-rail a model for testing. On these old modules, I just used the white styro foam which is not the best material for sanding down (as you can see). Afterwards, it was painted light beige. The color I used is from Woodland Scenics "Concrete ST1454" out of their Road System (Top Coat). It dries with a dull finish

after sanding it down, I painted the blank surface - 195	194

2/03/17 Old vegetation was scrachted down and . . - 196	. . . removed before starting to over paint everything - 197
Now, I overpainted the whole surface with the light beige color (left side incl. the bridges area).

2/07/17 First layer of paint - 198	It looks much better and is matching the backdrop - 199

200	The 3 bridges were untouched as they fit in the scene - 201

At that time I could not continue painting because. . . - 202	. . . I had to reorder "concrete" paint from Woodland Scenics - 203

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These old trees did not look nice anymore - 206	Therefore, everything has been removed - 207
Next step: I started to apply sand over the painted surface. I used a fine light beige sand.

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The rest after the bridges needs to be painted - 213	214
The tunnel section can be removed for access. For connecting the 2 modules (especially the tracks) it was much easier that way-

2/07/17 - 216	217
2/08/17: The next day, the whole left section is with sand all over. In other words, it would be ready for landscaping the vegetation.

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On the tunnel section, old bushes and trees on the right side have been stripped down.

223	here we can see the division between the 2 modules - 224

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The removable tunnel section has been stripped off the old bushes. Afterwards, it will be painted and will get a cover of sand - 229

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Let me explain the combination of a tunnel near the Mormon Rocks. Of course, in real Cajon Pass there was no tunnel near Highway 138 and the Mormon Rocks. There were 2 tunnels at Alray toward Summit (both have been daylighted during the 3rd Main Track Construction in 2007 and 2008. See more infos about it here: https://www.trainmaster.ch/cajon-01.htm My idea to build 2 straight and 1 curved modules with 3 tracks gave just more variaty with a short tunnel and a cut between MT-1 and MT-2. It sure did never refelect the correct situation in Cajon Pass. I just used for the background the Mormon Rocks formation along Highway 138.

Part 3: 2/26/17 - The Left side up to the tunnel got grass tufts (made by Herpa)

2/26/17: How different it looks with the first grass tufts. Later on, Melinda will plant some bushes. - 237

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Between the cut and the lower section at right, I decided to add a dirt road. So, I cut off the top section (hill crest) and added pink styro foam to build up the road bed and also some addtional rocks on both sides. This "pink" material is much better for cutting and sanding. Once everything is shaped well, it will be covered with plaster. I use Woodlans Scenics Road System "Smooth It" ST1452 plaster. It is a high qaulity material which does not crack after trying. It can be easy sanded smooth. Afterwards, it will be painted light beige and finally get a layer with sand.

Construction site for the new dirt road going uphill to the new observation platform. - 246

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250	Did anyone note? There is a mirror at the right end !! - 251

The basic landscaping structure was not changed, . . - 254	. . . just new color and sand and vegetation - 255

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The great cut of Main Track 2 - 262	260

258	still a long way to go as it needs hill structures on both sides - 264

last photo of 2/26/17: middle section with cut and tunnel behind - 259

3/01/17: The right side with the dirt road and the observation deck is ready for landscaping
Ground cover is all the way light beige sand which I found in a local "Coop Bau and Hobby Center". It has the right color and the sand is fine enough for HO scale scenery. I used a 50/50 mix of white glue and water and was appling it with a brush and puoring the sand over it, step by step. You cannot make too much at once otherwise the glue will start to dry and the sand will not hold on the ground.

3/01/17: It looks as this dirt road and the platform would have been here for a long time !! - 265

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suddenly, the digital camera decided to . . . - 271	. . . change the white balance value w/o asking me - 270

279	no, there is no other tunnel in the distance, but a mirror - 273

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there are no railings around the platform, yet - 278	276

well, once again the camera was going crazy - 285	277

288	it looks like the road continues - 289

In real life, this dirt road is USFS 2N89 coming from Lone Pine Canyon Road and going to Sullivans Curve - 282

Part 4: Landscaping with vegetation is finished
Lots of grass tufts have been "planted" and Melinda made all the little bushes with a lot of patience. On top, a few blooming Yuccas and some Joshua Trees completed the Mojave Desert Scene. At the end I can tell, I am very pleased with the result and it came to a new level.

3/03/17: Right side with new access road to the overlook - 290

292	again, the mirror makes the scene endless (at right) - 291

the observation platform got some railings . . - 293	. . . and all railfans are secured, now - 294

295	These 2 Joshua Trees made by Denis Herm (Germany) - 296

297	nice overview on both sides from the platform - 298

California Highway Patrol is always using this overlook - 299	300

302	here is again the illusion with the mirror - 303

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a Joshua Tree and blooming Yuccas - 311	the digital camera changed the white balance w/o asking - 312

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317	on top of the tunnel - 319

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signal and Johsua Tree near the bridges - 322	321

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327	there is also a Joshua Tree near the bridges - 326

foreground and background fit together - 337	336

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328	several blooming Yuccas ary typical for Cajon Pass - 331

there are some Joshuas on both sides of Hwy 138 in reality - 330	329

With some bushes, tufts and a Joshua, the tunnel area looks much more realistic. - 335	The color of the rocks are a perfect match to the Mormon Rocks on the backdrop - 334

Part 6: Modern Times - Union Pacifc and Werner Enterprises in Action
Modern Times - Union Pacifc with 64' Reefers and Werner Enterprises with Trailers and Containers (Werner Global Logistics) First, we are making a Tour along the diorama from left to right (4 m or 13 feet), following the Werner Enterprises Train.

3/03/17: All Werner Enterprises Equipment (Diesel Loco, Trailers and Containers) on MT 3 - 421

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Now, making the second Tour showing the UP train on MT-2 from every angle (incl. the Werner Train on MT-3 and the Tank Train on MT-1).

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379	Trinity 64' Reefers by BLMA - 406

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UP EMD SD70M (w/flared radiators) by Athearn Genesis - 408	Werner Diesel = GE AMD103 made by Athearn (blue Box) - 409

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428	This loco was custom painted by Ferdinand Rat - 427

407	On MT-1 is a Tank Train - 420

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Werner 53' Reefer Trailer by Athearn - 417	TTX 57' All Purpose Spine Cars (3-unit) by Athearn - 411

Werner 53' Standard Trailer by Athearn - 412	399

Werner Global 53' Containers custom made . . - 413	. . . by Pitsch Allneider - 404

TTX 53' NSC Well Cars (3-unit) by Walthers Mainline - 414	425

TTX 48' Well Car by Walthers - 405	The railfans are using the new overlook above - 424

Werner 53' Trailers made by Bowser - 400	Werner '53 Standard Trailer by Athearn - 423

UP Ford Pickup Truck by River Point Minis - 402	BNSF Ford Expedition by River Point Minis - 403

Part 5: All the Way - Santa Fe Streamliner rolling over Cajon Pass passing the Mormon Rocks.
The backdrop are photos of the real Mormon Rocks (along Hwy 138) which I took back in the early 80's

3/03/17: ALCO PA1 A/B/B made by Life Like Proto 2000 and Passenger Cars made by Walthers - 344

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CA Hwy Patrol is always having an eye on what is going on - 356	End of Santa Fe Train - 355

December 2017 / February 2018 / June 2018 - Changes at the rear of our Shop - check our "new look"
	In June 2018 our Shop got new windows. Therefore, we made some modifications at the rear side. The Mormon Rocks modules and Hill 582 have been moved. We got new Mojave Desert Modules and moved Show Cases and Book Cabinets. updated: June 27, 2018
elevated overview of remodeled rear - 340	Take a look - click here	our new desert diorama center - 355

	HO Scale 1:87 Mojave Desert Layout Werner Enterprises Terminal and Cajon Pass by Werner Meer English updated: 2/19/17
City of Percyville - 1244	See all 23 Pages - click here	Werner Enterprises Terminal - 1180

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