added: April 10, 2015  /  updated: April 14, 2015 and May 10, 2015

HO Scale Desert Layout Project  -  12/22
City of Percyville - Part 3 - Extension
The City of Percyville (the name is in memory of my "layout cat" Percy) got an extension. Just after the Werner Enterprises Terminal is a combined road/rail bridge. There was a RR-Xing with a dead end street (no continuation). So, I used the space above an office corpus. The size is just 43 x 72 cm but I will be able to extend the street by 72 cm and place 3 buildings along that street. On one side will be a Domino's Pizza and a Denny's restaurant (both from Summit USA). On the other side will be a used car dealer "Best Deal Auto". This particular structure was custom made by Pelle Soeeborg. In real life, it is a Ford Dealership in the town of Mojave, CA. Take a look - click here .
This RR-Xing will be used to enter to the extension - 1264	therefore, it is not a useless dead end street anymore - 1265
the new Percyville Extension - 1387	above before and below after landscaping - 1449

(just click on the 4-digit number for bigger size photos)

Part A) 4/10/15 - The City of Percyville gets an extension with 2 Restaurants and 1 Used Car Dealership.
But first of all, we start with the base 43 x 72 cm (17 x 28 inches) just above the office corpus.
here, the extension will be connected to the modul - 1266	empty space on top of office corpus - 1267
the new board will be resting on these two wooden strips - 1268	the blue sky backdrop is in place - 1269
the board got a frame around it - 1270	size = 43 x 72 cm or 17 x 28 inches - 1271
at the right side is a wooden post to hold the right corner - 1272	I used a pencil to draw the road and space for the buildings - 1273
To get an idea of the arrangement, I placed the 3 buildings on the extension. Behind is the Car Dealer, left Domino's and right Denny's. This is an important stage to take several photos from different angles to see, if everything looks good before finalizing the layout of the road and the buldings - 1274
looking over the roof of Denny's . . - 1275	. . to Best Deal Auto used car dealer - 1276
looking from above - 1277	1278
1279	1280
1281	1282
Denny's Restaurant - 1283	Domino's Pizza - 1284
1285	1286
1287	1288
1289	1290
looking down the street toward the RR-Xing - 1291
The Denny's restaurant is still empty (not in service yet) - 1292
Best Deal Auto has already several nice and special cars for sale - 1293
an old UP bus is passing the RR-Xing - 1294

 sorry about the endless amount of pictures, but I want to save all the different views of every corner and every step
if it is too much for you - just scroll down !

Part B) added: 4/14/2015
The construction workers came to start with the foundation for Domino's and Denny's. At the same time, the road workers made the walkways.
Foundation for Domino's Pizza - 1295	Foundation for Denny's Restaurant - 1296
as the car dealer has nice walkways in front . . - 1297	. . those new ones should more or less match (look alike) - 1298
the car dealer foundation was curved and needs a filling - 1299	I used Walthers street system walkways and painted gray - 1300
1301	1302
1303	1304
1305	yes, there are cracks on the walkways - 1306
this "pink" part should fill the gap (it sure needs sand) - 1307	1308
in front will be some gravel and flower bushes - 1309	the surroundings of the drive ways will be filled with gravel - 1310
different light makes this "evening" scene - 1311	roads and parking lots will be painted - 1312

 sorry about the endless amount of pictures, but I want to save all the different views of every corner and every step
if it is too much for you - just scroll down !

Part C) added: 5/08/2015
The Streets and parkings have been painted and got markings. Also landscaping was done at the same time incl. the connection modules.
New Extension of Percyville - The used car dealer is now fully integrated - 1313
Let me explain why this RR X-ing is not realistic: The mainstreet is a 2 lane street without waiting space for those cars to cross the tracks. If a train is passing, main street will be blocked. When I started to build this part, I did not think of needing an additional turning lane. Well, in our scale model world, we have to live with compromises !!
	Combined Bridge for Mainstreet and Double Track (lenght = 80 cm) This "lift out" bridge is connecting the City of Percyville from Werner Enterprises Terminal to the new Extension - 1315
Overview of new Extension - 1314	Combined Bridge at right - 1316
Main Tracks will go over a bridge at left - 1317	from the RR X-ing, Mainstreet and Double Track continues - 1318
here is the end of this section (width = 40 cm, lenght 195 cm) - 1319	also Mainstreet will desappear - 1320
small construction site - 1360	little shed for the workers (Joshua by Denis Herm) - 1361
Joshua Trees made by Denis Herm (Germany) - 1358	there are even 2 blooming Yuccas - 1359
could be Hwy 138 near the Mormon Rocks - 1370	there were level crossings before the bridges have been built - 1371
there are Bushes, Joshua Trees and even blooming Yuccas - 1321	in the foreground is the line between bridge and module - 1322
left downhill and right uphill tracks - 1323	this bridge is leading to the tunnel module at left - 1324
landscaping is finished on this side as well - 1325	there are Joshua Tress and blooming Yuccas - 1326
Rock formations as seen at Sullivan's Curve . . - 1362	. . or maybe Mormon Rocks near Hwy 138 ? - 1363
these Joshuas were made by Kim Nipkow - 1364	small Joshuas by Mason Clark - 1365
Tunnel 1 EP (East Portal) - 1366	Mojave Desert Vegetation - 1367
Tunnel 2 EP (East Portal) - 1368	these Joshuas were made by Mason Clark (USA) - 1369

 sorry about the endless amount of pictures, but I want to save all the different views of every corner and every step
if it is too much for you - just scroll down !

Part D) added 5/08/2015
Time to place Domino's Pizza and Denny's Restaurant on the Extension module.
Domino's Pizza is a Drive Thru place. Both driveways (in and out) are surrounded with yellow gravel - 1327
Domino's Pizza is the first building after the RR X-ing - 1328	the electrical hut is for the signals of the crossing - 1329
street level view - left of Domino's - 1330	street level view - Denny's at right (car dealer straight ahead) - 1331
still a clean city (no dust, no people, no cars) - Car Dealer made by Pelle Soeeborg, DK - 1332
Denny's made by Summit USA - 1333	Domino's made by Summit USA - 1334
typical Denny's Building can still be seen today - 1335	also this Domino's Building is common today - 1336
sorry, there is no interior inside - 1337	but we do have some nice flowers in front - 1338
real Mojave Desert Scene - 1339	Best Deal Auto is in Mojave, CA a Ford Dealership - 1340
road and crossing are ready for service - 1341	Mojave Desert with Joshua Trees and Yuccas  - 1342
Domino's Pizza rear side - 1343	Denny's restaurant rear side - 1344
the handicapped parkings are for both restaurants - 1345	ready for business - 1346
overview from above - 1347	just a little bit of Mojave Desert vegetation is a must - 1348
buildings and roads are an important part of my layout - 1349	because that's the way I used to see it during my trips - 1350
even this extension is small, it sure gives a nice . . - 1351	. . addition to Percyville and on top, I was able to place . . - 1352
. . the Best Deal Auto from Pelle and Domino's and Denny's - 1353	this intersection with the signals is not realistic - 1354
view from street level - Joshuas and Yuccas are well visible - 1355
RR X-ing Signal is made by Walthers - 1356	everything is ready for business - 1357

  sorry about the endless amount of pictures, but I want to save all the different views of every corner and every step
if it is too much for you - just scroll down !

Part E) added: 5/08/2015
The time has come to bring life to the Percyville Extension. People, Cars, Trucks and Trains are activating the scene.
A truck load full of Domino's Pizza will be delivered to the fast food outlet - 1372
what a difference with all these vehicles - 1373	Best Deal Auto is having some cool muscle cars - 1374
the scene is alive - 1375	the Dominos's truck is from Trucks N Stuff (Tonkin) - 1376
a different view from above - 1377	Domino's Truck, Stretch Limo and UP SD70M - 1378
and another view - 1379	there are people on the walkway - 1380
lots of different vehicles incl. a stretch limo - 1381	the red pickup truck is placing his pizza order - 1382
this Cadillac Escalade Limo is made by Takara Tomy # 136 - 1383	it is 1/79 scale (not HO) but still fits quite well - 1384
I always wanted to have an Escalade Stretch Limo - 1385	after all, I am the proud owner, imported from Hongkong - 1386
California Highway Patrol is on the road - 1387	UP will pass the crossing any minute - 1388
Dodge Charger and Ford Mustang are on the road - 1389
view from the back toward the RR X-ing - 1390	Best Deal Auto is having two 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda - 1391
there are also two Ford GT available - 1392	we have a Pontiac GTO and 3 Pontiac Trans Am - 1393
Joshuas, Yuccas and bushes cover the gap of both parts - 1406	a cool '32 Ford Hot Rod Roadster is on sale today - 1407
PODS storage container made by BLMA - 1408	nice variety of muscle and sports cars - 1409
view thru side street (between Domino's and Denny's) - 1410	well established used car dealer in Percyville - 1411
they do have some exclusive cars - 1412	no question, Best Deal Auto is the place to go - 1413
another dream would be this Cadillac Sixteen - 1394	no matter how expensive, just buy it !! - 1395
a cool pickup at the order window - 1396	pick up window with Harley load and an old Buick - 1397
on the Denny's Parking are Merc, Range, BMW, Lincoln - 1398	a 2007 Dodge Charger is passing Denny's - 1399
view from road side - 1400	view from street level - 1401
and another view of Denny's - 1402	a Chevy Caprice is passing a sitting man with his dog - 1403
Car Dealer and Denny's are just across the street - 1404	Denny's is open 24 hours - 1405

added 5/10/15: Yes, it is actually a model railroad layout and therefore, Union Pacific is taking over the scene !!
The first train is rolling uphill on 1,5 % grade - 1414	it is passing the new Percyville extension - 1415
EMD SD70M made by Athearn Genesis - 1416	64' Trinity Reefer made by BLMA - 1417
Graffiti on the first reefer made by P. Schönenberger - 1418	a BNSF official vehicle is parked next to the tracks - 1419
view from outside - 1420	and another view - 1421
looking uphill from bridge 1 toward bridge 2 - 1431	the Percyville Extension is finished and well integrated - 1432
the UP Loco is rolling over the road crossing . . - 1422	. . and continuing his journey uphill - 1423
new Walmart Trailer with wind deflectors below - 1424	after all, this part of the layout got landscaping - 1425
these Grafittis made by Kim Nipkow - 1433	more reefers with Graffiti - 1434
Just after bridge 1 the train is passing the Percyville Extension - 1428
main street will enter Percyville just after bridge 1 - 1426	on bridge 1 is a Werner Enterprises Truck - 1427
there is even a Nascar racer going to the enxt race - 1435	2 Werner Enterprises Reefer Trailers on Flat Cars - 1436
the combined bridge 1 (road/track) is connecting the Percyville Extension with the Werner Enterprises Terminal - 1429
landscaping and vehicles are giving the final touch to a layout, even there is no weathering done on the roads - 1430
the UP train reached the next road crossing - 1437	here is the end of this module - 1438
a nice Joshua Tree is completing the scene - 1439	maybe these bikers are railfans? - 1440
there is a small construction site - 1441	not sure how to use this small space - 1442
the engine will soon enter bridge 2 - 1443	the same position as seen from below - 1444
the same position as seen from above - 1445	bridge 2 is visible - 1446
in front is bridge 1 and above left bridge 2 - 1447	overview with tunnels (East Portal) - 1448
the UP Diesel is already on bridge 2 - 1449	Werner Enterprises Trailers on Flat Cars and on the road - 1450
a sky backdrop was added . . - 1451	. . to get a different view - 1452
blue Werner Enterprises Trailers on Flat Cars (TOFC) - 1453	same position as seen from Percyville Extension- 1454
we are looking toward bridge 1 - 1455	here is a different view - 1456
and another view - 1457	and one more view - 1458
still the same position - 1459	after all, this is the final shot of this curve - 1460

Now, we are taking care of the Tunnel modul on the East side. This module is quite small, just 135 x 55 cm. The tracks in Tunnel 1 ar going downhill. The tracks over bridge 2 and thru Tunnel 2 are going uphill.
	these 2 short Tunnels are going thru the wall . . - 1462
from the air: Tunnel 1 left and Tunnel 2 right - 1461	. . into office 2, where the layout is going around the walls - 1463
UP SD70M just passed Tuennel 1 - 1464	UP Meeting between Eastbound and Westbound trains - 1465
the auto carrier is loaded with Cadillac Escalades - 1466	BTW: Bridge 2 can be folded down - 1467
from the air: exit Tunnel 1 EP - 1468	3 different UP trains are in action - 1469
inspired by Sullivan's Curve and Mormon Rocks - 1470	this little shed belongs to the U.S. Forest Service - 1471
from the air: above Tunnel 1 - 1472	from the ground: Auto Carrier with Cadillac Escalades - 1473
here is another Joshua Tree - 1474	a BNSF employee is on duty - 1475
the tracks are going to Bridge 3 - 1476	actually the Cadillac Escalade is my dream car - 1477
looks like the real thing - 1484	service roads are important for access - 1485
Graffiti done by P. Schönenberger - 1478	also on this tank car - 1479
- 1480	Meeting of WB and EB trains - 1481
- 1482	- 1483
Yuccas are bloomimg between the Joshuas - 1486	a Railfan is taking pictures - 1487
UP EB coming out of Tunnel 2 EP - 1488	Meeting of both trains - 1489
Athearn Genesis EMD SD70M - 1490	final photo of this part - 1491
May 10, 2015 - This is the End of the Percyville Extension and the connecting Module and the Tunnels East Portal Module. With this part, whole Percyville is finished. In other words, approx. 40 % of this layout is finished, actually everything which is outside Office 2. Well, inside Office 2, there was a lot of work to do, but most is done, The result is below.

Now, we are working inside office 2 and started with Cajon Pass. There is only one thing missing: Hill 582 !! (see below)

Page 14 - New 9/29715: This is the final project for my layout. Hill 582, the ultimative railfan's observation point in Cajon Pass. - click here

Page 13 - New 7/27/15: Landscaping Cajon Pass - under contruction - click here

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

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)

Werner Enterprises HO Diorama built for the 14th Convention - click here

Did you see the Werner Ent. Truck Fleet ? - click here

Back to layout main page - click here