Welcome to my Railway

Welcome to the beginning of my Angels Branch.
 I am building my garden railway in my yard 5 miles from the Sierra's Jamestown rail yard known as Railtown 1897,(RT).
 Operations and prototype looking trains,( no rivet counting though), will be the priority, though some changes for size limitations or FUN, will happen.
 Most of you know I did a lot of research on the Angels Branch while volunteering at RT 1988-2003. I will be adding a lot here as the Ry. expands. There is a ton on All Things Sierra Railroad on Facebook. Anything I find there I'll post here as we go. You guys can help also by pointing out corrections /updates of my info.

See the Short History and Rolling Stock in the Popular Post column to the right.
 I designed a HO layout for my basement, but $$ and, well mostly $$ stopped that.
Plus the local HO operating layouts, John's Sierra RR 1955 and Steve's WP were and still are up and running to satisfy "playing trains".
I'd dabbled in G scale RC about 2003-2010 w/ a Bachmann 4-6-0 and a 0-4-0 Porter. Threw a loop in spot between the garage and street and ran around a few times and dreamed of making a switching yard.$$...
 I have been planning to make a garden Ry. when retired, but while cleaning out the basement fall of 2017 I opened the box w/ G scale trains and pulled out a Bachmann combine. Then I decided to make it into Sierra combine 5.

No.9 with typical mixed on Tuttletown trestle.

 The next week I heard of a new train shop open in Twain Harte that buys stuff. Dropped by w/ boxes of HO cars/engines and sold them. Got some used LGB track from him at a great price. Used cash to buy G cars/engine on Craigs List, ect, ect.
 At that time I found a very wonderful video and then blog for a garden Ry. in the UK called the Peckforton Light Ry. He really shows how a operating Ry. can look great and be fun.
 Then I started planning in Oct. 2017, and leveling Jamestown yard after first rains in Dec.
Built new rock retaining walls and finished up plans about Feb. Thought I'd start laying track about spring, well its Aug. and that is just starting.

Hotel Nevills ,(1897-1915), next to Jamestown yard main track. Sierra's first office,(1897-1912), far right.

 I'm starting at Jamestown and working east toward Angels, (commonly known now as Angels Camp).

Angels depot. Two stall run thru engine house right. Turntable behind it.

Left is track east to Angels. Right is Main west,(garage storage). Right back is Main east and main siding.
Note turntable moved to west side of yard for ease of access.
See the Short History and Rolling Stock in the Popular Post column to the right.

I will use this blog to post the progress w/ pictures and videos.
First progress report will be at bottom and newer ones at top. So to keep this at top, it will always have a date in the future.
As I learn this blog I will add more features.
COMMENTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME. Click on the Comments below.

This is the actual Time Table No. 35 from August 11, 1912. There is some neet info in the rules because of some earlier runaway accidents on the Angels Branch.

Report No. 43

 My first through train video.

I remember one of Rik's Peckforton Light Railway videos that had some outtakes on frustrations behind the sceens. Ohhh was it. Cars, trucks, firetrucks, planes, helicopters, FedX. UPS, USPS, and wind. AND DERAILMENTS that only happen when your showing off your derailment FREE railway to friends.

WOW, not sure if I can do that again. But child birth gets forgotton most of the time.

Here it is. Mixed Train 22 East, Jamestown to Melones.

 It's a long way from Rik's awesome videos, but in 10 years I might get better. Maybe I should invest in a tripod? And a camera with a remote shutter...

Just because, A Shay Always Looks Good On The Right Side.

A short one of the returning Mixed Train 21 West at the S curve.

Engine No.15 got some new electronics installed to run at Bill Biving's layout last Friday.

I repainted a Bachman Pennsy coach the day before and lettered it SRy 3.

So I had to see how she would do on the Angels Branch, she had no problens at all only pulling coach 3.

The one and only Daffadill to come out this year.

Thanks for taking a look.

 

Report No. 42

 Work Between Storms

Between storms I worked on the Stanislaus River due to the banks were eroding. It was time to do some rockwork to keep the banks from sliding because the Iris I planted last year were in peril. So I got my boots on and went rock hunting.

Also I put in a lot of slate retaining walls along this section between El Rico Siding and Melones due to lots of dirt and rocks tumble down the hills onto the road bed. Mostly caused by birds digging in the leaves. The slate is in the hill between the tracks and car road above because when the water main was installed to the houses, it was back filled with dirt/slate from some where in the Jamestown area.

The new rockwork below the tail of Switch One of the McArdles Switchback. The bare dirt is planters for flowers and more rocks will be added below combine 5 and No.10 to support the tracks later.

Train 21 West stops to check the new rockwork.

A slate culvert was added to the  tail of Switch One of the McArdles Switchback.

A slate culvert was added to the "S" curve to let water through also.

 The McArdles Switchback got ballasted and some moss was added for erosion control. 

It also just looks nice.

THANKS FOR CHECKING IN

Report No. 41

 Happy New Year

Spent some time balasting the right of way last week between rain showers and stained the Stanislaus River Bridge yesterday. 

Last week the high was 45 F, today is was 75 F here. It feels like spring, but in two days there is a week of rain forcast. 

I ran a train yesterday and today, and will tomorrow. After a few realignments,the right of way is derail free. 

Train 22 East backing down the McArdles Switch. I am using pea gravel now for the dirt sides of the right of way where needed, because the smaller gravel I was using just gets washed away by rain.

Coasting through the S curve.

Crossing the newly restained bridge over the Stanislaus River. Note the new stain, looks like creosote. Yea the right pier settled a little. I may get to that tomorrow.

Some more Sierra history.

January 19, 2024, 0915

 Two westbound empty propane tank cars decided to derail in the cut just before downtown Sonora and cause havic to the Washington Street crossing and tower.

Thanks for checking in.

Report No. 40

 It has been a while since full scheduled trains have run. There was a reason for that.

As of Nov. 22nd I have retired from the working force and now have the time TO RUN TRAINS.

So  Nov. 26th, I cleaned up the Ry and the 27th,-29th I ran scheduled trains.

Everything is working ok, but everything needs some level of maintenance.

Here are a couple photos and a short video.

Soon I will get down to making a full train operation day video.

Train 21 West leaving the McArdles Switch.

Upon train 21 West returning to Jamestown, No.10 is finishing switching the yard by pushing coaches 5, 6 to turn on the turntable and a oil tankcar retrived from the main siding going to the oil spur.

Train 21 West with No.8 leaving Tuttletown for Jamestown.

Report No. 39

 Work Train

Due to the fall acorn bombardment, the Woods Creek trestle and Pepermint Creek bridge needed some work to repair dislodged or broken parts, so a work train was dispatched.

Engine No. 8, the work flats,1877, 42, flat 49, and combine 5 were sent out with tools and lumber for the repairs.

Fall colors are showing as the work train runs through Table Mt. cut.

No. 8 and combine 5 swap places at Omega Siding for the return trip to Jamestown.

Two weeks ago I ran a train from Jamestown to Melones and back to adjust the road bed.

There has not been much progress or operation lately due to my retirment date is comming in less than a month, and then I will have pleanty of time!!!  

Thanks for checking in.

Report No. 38

 Hi,

Yesterday I had an open house like the one in October after the Westside Reunion occured at the Sonora Senior Center.

About 15 people showed up while I ran two trains.

Here are the last six chatting on the driveway. On the right is Dave Conery, who gave me some of his locomotives and buildings when he retired his railroad three years ago.

I took the beginings of the Hotel Nevills to the Sierra Seminar today along with the General office, plus the coaches 5,6, engines No. 9 and 10.

This is the lobby side door and the right door is to the saloon.

The lower wall was made of rubble stone and the upper wall was lath and cement to simulate ashlar stone work. ALL of this is foam board I scribed.

 This picture is of the front door on left and side door to the lobby on right. Bottom of the upstairs turret is the disc on the second floor.

This is the corner I am working on so far.

Thanks for checking in.

Report No. 37

 Hi all.

The Angels Branch has survived the many "atmosperic rivers" we had last month. I recorded 17 inches of rain in my guage during that period. Some maintenance will need to be done restoring ballast and lost grade material, but it is operational. Also the river bed below the bridge is about 6 inches deeper now.

I took February 9 and 10 off for my birthday, now I don't feel bad about getting that senior discount any more. I spent the first half of my b-day cleaning and realigning. Then ran a maintance train with No. 8, then a scheduled mixed train to Melones with no. 10 and back to Jamestown. The next day No. 9 took the train. I will run another on Sunday the 12th. 

Coming through the S curve on the 12th.

Four mushrooms found that growing up should be done under the railway. The bottom picture is the single mushroom that lifted the track 3 inches. Unfortunutly I had to remove it and it did not go to the kitchen. I'm not a mushroom expert...

A small cow or calf got through the fence on the lower end of our property and walked next to the McArdles Switch stepping on the S curve below bending one rail. The work crew went through the whole Branch and realigned the rail.

Between Christmas and New Years I finished the superstructure of the 2nd turntable that will be use at Angels, but for now it is used at the end of the track, Melones. I will be ordering more nut/bolt castings soon for detailing it.

Also I built a Pola/LGB small freight shed plastic kit and have to make a platform for it to go to Melones.

After that I HAVE to start on the Hotel Nevills because the Sierra Seminar is comming up on April 23 and I will want some progress to show.

Thanks for checking in on the Angels Branch.

Report No. 36

Merry Christrmas. 

Everything is running well, No.9 and 10 got some grease and oil last week, No.8 is due next.

I had run a train on Christmas Day and today the 26th before rain is scheduled to arrive tonight. Of course I have the week off and it will rain most of the time like last year. 

While running today, the Sierra Northern, (Sierra Railroad), ran up the hill to Fassler and back. 

I stopped to catch the audio of them crossing Tuolumne Rd from my roundhouse.

Here is the video.

Here is train 22 east ready to leave Jamestown for Melones today.

This is the newly finished watertank at Melones.

Train 22 west on Woods Creek bridge returning from Melones.

This was the 4th year I played the North Pole Santa for the Polar Express.

Here is an great picture taken by Kelly Huston of me and my Elves Saturday the 17th as No.28 pushes the Polar Express into the North Pole.

It was lots of fun as always this year.

Happy New Year from the crew on the Angels Branch.