Santa Fe's Raton Subdivision Model Railroad

Part 2 - We decided to enlarge the reversing section of our Wye so we could turn an entire train around. The job entailed a lot more work than we thought. After we got into the project and started laying the new track, we decided to give the right-hand curve of the Wye a wider radius. This would make it easier for large locomotives like Madame Queen to pass through the small #4 wye switch. Realigning the right-hand curve of the wye also required us to remove more of the original reversing section track to make everything come out right. The job ended up taking us (my son and I) 6 days. All the steps required to complete this task are in this video and will be a handy reference for anyone wanting to make track changes to fully completed scenery areas of their model railroad. Just like any remodeling project, you must tear out the old before you can install the new. We spent a lot of time tearing out the original HO scale track, roadbed, roads, trees etc. down to the original Styrofoam base of our benchwork. Then we had to level out the areas where new track would be installed and start putting everything back together. Final testing of the newly realigned wye track was done with AT&SF 2-10-4 Steam Locomotive #5000 (Madame Queen). Madame Queen is the largest locomotive used on our layout. Her ten-coupled drivers are a great way to test new curves and turnouts. The Wye Realignment is presented in two parts because there is almost two hours of footage covering this project. We hope the information and techniques we used to realign our wye will help you with any changes you want to make on your model railroad. Let us know if it does. VIDEO CONTENTS: 00:00 Introduction 05:52 Using White Latex Caulk to install cork roadbed. 20:40 Airbrush track. 22:45 Add and glue base fill. 24:40 Install ballast. 32:10 Aaron's ground cover technique. 34:34 Install weeds. 42:25 Clean up. 44:44 Test runs with Madame Queen. RECOMMENDED LINKS: 1. https://youtu.be/4ivpv29FCJY 2. https://youtu.be/ijglGJsRq7Q

We decided to enlarge the reversing section of our Wye so we could turn an entire train around. The job entailed a lot more work than we thought. After we got into the project and started laying the new track, we decided to give the right-hand curve of the Wye a wider radius. This would make it easier for large locomotives like Madame Queen to pass through the small #4 wye switch. Realigning the right-hand curve of the wye also required us to remove more of the original reversing section track to make everything come out right. The job ended up taking us (my son and I) 6 days. All the steps required to complete this task are in this video and will be a handy reference for anyone wanting to make track changes to fully completed scenery areas of their model railroad. Just like any remodeling project, you must tear out the old before you can install the new. We spent a lot of time tearing out the original HO scale track, roadbed, roads, trees etc. down to the original Styrofoam base of our benchwork. Then we had to level out the areas where new track would be installed and start putting everything back together. Final testing of the newly realigned wye track was done with AT&SF 2-10-4 Steam Locomotive #5000 (Madame Queen). Madame Queen is the largest locomotive used on our layout. Her ten-coupled drivers are a great way to test new curves and turnouts. The Wye Realignment is presented in two parts because there is almost two hours of footage covering this project. We hope the information and techniques we used to realign our wye will help you with any changes you want to make on your model railroad. Let us know if it does. VIDEO CONTENTS: 00:00 Introduction 00:38 Removing original track, road bed and ground cover. 29:45 Start test fitting new cork roadbed with straight pins. 37:05 Making the RH curve radius wider. 49:00 Cutting out ground cover for new reversing section roadbed. 51:03 Removing ground cover for new reversing section roadbed. 56:13 Test fitting cork roadbed for new reversing section route. 59:34 Checking distance between new roadbed. RECOMMENDED LINKS: 1. https://youtu.be/4ivpv29FCJY 2. https://youtu.be/ijglGJsRq7Q

On Santa Fe's Raton Subdivision Model Railroad, we use sanded tile grout to represent soil in our scenery. The technique was perfected by my son Aaron, and we thought it would be great to show you how he does it. After just completing the relocation of our wye track, it's time for Aaron to use his tile grout technique to make the ground match what he did on the rest of the layout. VIDEO CONTENTS: 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Installing grout 02:33 Adding weeds 03:22 Adding some grass 04:12 ISP for wetting agent 04:57 Glue everything down 06:06 Final Results MATERIALS USED: Custom Sand Grout Company. Grout Colors Chateau #183 New Taupe #185 Earth #105 Woodland Scenics Fine Turf - Yellow Grass Clump Foliage - Conifer Green Elmer's Glue All Purpose White Misc. 91% Isopropyl - Any Brand RECOMMENDED VIDEOS https://youtu.be/YXFNFycbzZc https://youtu.be/XFLu5o-jGGY

In a recent poll, we asked model railroaders: What is the biggest challenge you face when starting a layout? 64% said - Coming up with a good track plan for the available space? You will find the answer to this question and much more in this video! Here is the complete poll results: What is the most difficult thing about layout designing for you? *Inspiration: Getting an idea. 27% *Prototype: Deciding which railroad to choose. 0% *Track: Coming up with a good track plan for the available space. 64% *Plan: Drawing a plan and transfer it to the benchwork. 9% *Time Era: Choosing the era to model. 0% As you can see, a good track plan and a great idea are the top two challenges to overcome. Sam D. Teague and his son Aaron had a great idea of what they wanted to model - "Santa Fe's Raton Pass", but they never starting building it until they designed the entire layout in CAD. Sam D. Teague tells you how he started designing Santa Fe's Raton Subdivision Model Railroad, based on his research for his book about AT&SF Steam Locomotive 5000 (Madame Queen). The research on the book gave him a very clear understanding of why Raton Pass would be the greatest location to model for anyone interested in the Santa Fe Railway. All Sam and Aaron had to do now was figure out how to model it in their available space. Could it be done? Another challenge that they faced was how to incorporate the Raton Pass idea into their exiting switching layout. Would the new be compatible with the old? Sam and Aaron built Santa Fe's Raton Subdivision Model Railroad from scratch to fully operational in only four months. Sam says "All of our model railroading dreams have come true with this project." What made this great outcome possible? Sam gives credit to: 1. RESEARCH - because you need to know "why and how" your favorite railroad came about. 2. CAD - allows you to make all your mistakes on the computer so you don't build them. 3. EXPERIENCE - building layouts in the past that were less than perfect. 4. SKILL - Sam is a master carpenter and Aaron is very artistic. Remember - The least expensive model railroad you will ever create is the one you design before you start building. Watch the entire video to learn how Sam and Aaron designed their amazing model railroad. VIDEO CONTENTS: 00:00 Introduction 00:28 Importance of Research 04:00 Design Service 05:01 Floor Plan 06:01 Small Start 08:27 Plan for Expansion 10:42 More Benchwork 16:59 Doors & Windows 20:56 Compromises 23:28 Turning Trains Around 24:25 Passing Siding 25:01 Track & Turnouts 28:44 Backdrops 34:09 Scenery 38:12 Roads 39:38 Structures 44:15 Room Lighting 47:11 Seated Operations

EMD's GP (General Purpose) 4-axle locomotives are great for switching or road work. Their high horsepower and four axle trucks put a lot of tractive effort on the rail. In this video you will see Geeps, switching in the yard, working industrial sidings, on the lead and in the middle of freights. Gp7u 1317 is a slug mother and very useful in switching operations pulling strings of heavy grain cars out of the grain elevator.

On Raton Pass, dynamic braking is a must. In this video you will see different types of locomotives using dynamic braking to keep their trains under control as they descend the steepest grade in the United States.

Dash -8's, C30-7's, F45's, SD40-2's, SD40F's, GP35's, GP38's, GP20's and GP30's attack Raton Pass in Run 8.

This video highlights distributed power units (DPU), which are typically inserted mid-train as helper units. They are controlled by a radio signal system in the lead locomotive. Enjoy the action as the freight trains, assisted by DPU's tackle the grades of Raton Pass and surrounding areas.

This is the first video we have produced with our new enhanced realism sound effects. Our system uses a combination of Tsuanami2 sounds installed in the locomotives and real prototype sounds we recorded live. A grain extra comes into Raton New Mexico and stops in the yard where the caboose is removed. Then yards switchers remove cars from the train and take them to a local business. Extra cars are picked up from a yard track and added to the train. The caboose is reinstalled. Manned helpers are added to the rear of the train and the train departs eastbound.

Occasionally, Burlington Northern locomotives can be seen on the lead of trains working over Raton Pass. This video highlights several of these occasions at different times of the day. We show BN powered trains running over the pass at night, sunset and mid-day. Some with BN crews and some with Santa Fe crews. You will be able to tell by the caboose. You will see coal trains, mixed freights and grain trains. We think you will enjoy watching BN power run over Raton Pass using everything from GP30s to SD60Ms. Standard BN, Executive and White Face paint schemes are featured.

The Santa Fe's Red and Silver Warbonnet paint scheme was world famous. Watch the parade of warbonnets go by our cameras as they travel Santa Fe's Raton Subdivision Model Railroad.

This is the first episode of the "Watching Trains" series. It has been over a year since we announced the series, but we think you will agree that the wait was worth it. This video features all the members of the Legacy Fleet steam locomotives, including AT&SF 5000 (Madame Queen), 3780, 3829, 3751, 2926, 1050 and 900. The first episode is all steam powered trains, both freight and passenger. Plus, you will see a MOW train and steam locomotives operating without cars, while they are being serviced and moved around the yard in Raton. Great shots of many different types of steam operations on Santa Fe's Raton Subdivision Model Railroad. Enjoy!

The Q-EPKC is a priority intermodal train between El Paso and Kansas City. The train makes a crew change in Raton New Mexico. Our cameras pick up the Q-EPKC as it is stopped in Raton for its crew change. While the "Q" is stopped, a BN powered unit tank train goes by eastbound and climbs Raton Pass to get to its destination in La Junta. Shortly after the unit tank train leaves Raton a BN powered coal train with two SD60M "Tri-Clops" on the point, passes by the "Q" on the way to its final destination at Jansen Colorado, where it will be weighed on the scales in the C&W (Colorado & Wyoming) Yard. AT&SF Company Brass are riding in the "Topeka" Business Car on the rear of the Q-EPKC so everyone must do a perfect job on this trip. Follow the journey of all three trains as they make their way from Raton, over the pass, and downgrade on the Colorado side, as they travel east to their respective destinations.

There were Intermodal "Q" trains that regularly traveled Raton Pass. One of them was the eastbound ELKC (El Paso to Kansas City) and the westbound KCEL.

We recently added a coal train to our collection and wanted realistic looking coal loads. See how we did it and the results in this video!

We worked very hard removing and reinstalling our photo-realistic backdrops of Raton Pass on our layout. This video shows the first train over the pass after the backdrop reinstallation. We think the hard work paid off; we hope you agree. Let us know in the comments what you think.

When we first built this model railroad, we thought it would be moved to another location in a few years. To make this planned relocation easier we installed the photo-realistic backdrops with Velcro. Ultimately, the relocation to another site was abandoned and over time the Velcro has started to cause problems. The only way to correct these problems is to remove the Velcro and glue the backdrops to the wall. This is a tedious and somewhat scary project as a lot can go wrong trying to reach across a completed model railroad and rehang the backdrops like wallpaper. This video shows the entire project start to finish.

Santa Fe’s Raton Subdivision Model Railroad places a high value on the history of the Santa Fe Railway. No other railroad approaches their achievements in all fields of railroad operation, design, and engineering. One way we honor this history is through the Legacy Fleet Program. The Legacy Fleet focuses on historic steam and diesel locomotives, freight and passenger cars and equipment, MOW equipment, cabooses, named trains such as the Super Chief and California Limited, used by the Santa Fe Railway between 1869 – 1969. To be eligible for inclusion in the Legacy Fleet program the equipment must be designed and built during the first one-hundred-years of the Santa Fe Railway. On Santa Fe’s Raton Subdivision Model Railroad, the modern era of Santa Fe Railway operations is between the years of 1970 and 1995. Legacy Fleet equipment will be used in the modern era of service of the Santa Fe Railway (1970 – 1995) as if never retired. Therefore, on Santa Fe’s Raton Subdivision Model Railroad you will see steam locomotives working alongside modern diesels. You will also see vintage passenger trains, such as the California Limited, and other famous name trains, hauling passengers in the modern era. You may even see vintage logos and graphics featured on modern day cars and equipment so keep your eyes open. Legacy Fleet - Steam Locomotive Roster: 1. 0-6-0 #30. 2. 2-8-0 #840. 3. 2-8-2 #3283. 4. 2-10-4 #3829. 5. 2-10-4 #5000. 6. 4-4-0 #48. 7. 4-6-0 #356. 8. 4-8-4 #2926. 9. 4-8-4 #3751. Legacy Fleet - Diesel Locomotive Roster: 1. E8A #84 2. E8A #86 3. FTA #100L 4. FTA #100A 5. FTA #100B 6. FTA #100C 7. F3A #16L 8. F3A #16A 9. F3A #202L 10. F3A #202A 11. F3A #202B 12. F3A #202C 13. F3A #202D 14. CF7 #2489. 15. CF7 #2496. 16. CF7 #2649. 17. F3 #16. 18. F7A #37L. 19. F7B #37A. 20. F7B #37B. 21. F7A #37C. 22. F45 #5980. 23. FP45 #92. 24. GP7 #1317. 25. GP7 #2655. 26. GP7 #2692. 27. GP7 #2752. 28. GP20 #1132. 29. GP20 #3167. 30. GP30 #1236 31. GP30 #1274. 32. GP35 #3356. 33. GP35 #3364. 34. NW2 #2353. 35. NW2 #2429. 36. NW2 #2438. 37. PA1 #51L. 38. PB1 #51A. 39. PB1 #51B. 40. RS1 #2395. 41. RS2 #2099. 42. RSD5 #2125. 43. RSD5 #2127. 44. SD24 #4578. 45. SSB1200 #1217. Legacy Fleet - Doodlebugs 1. M131. 2. M189. Legacy Fleet – Named Passenger Trains 1. California Limited, 10 cars. 2. Chief, 16 cars. 3. Dulux Special 3 cars 4. Fast Mail, 10 cars. 5. Super Chief, 16 cars. Legacy Fleet – Freight Cars 1. Box Car #31343 2. Box Car #31440 3. Box Car #520977 4. Box Car #146454 5. Box Car #148477 6. Box Car #149149 7. Box Car #15709 8. Box Car #31698 9. Box Car #8742 10. Center Flow #307173 11. Center Flow #307182 12. Coil Car #91906 13. Cov Hopper #310007 14. Gondola #169875 15. Gondola #716262 16. Helium Car #1019 17. Hopper #180810 18. Hopper #180233 19. Hopper #180854 20. Ice Box #36582 21. Ice Box #10412 22. Ice Box #26084 23. Ice Box #35006 24. Ice Box #35793 Legacy Fleet – Passenger Cars 1. Business Car Topeka 2. Dulux Baggage #21. 3. Dulux Combine #12. 4. Dulux Coach #73. 5. Drover Car #D930. Legacy Fleet – MOW 1. Big Hook #199792. 2. Dereck Caboose none 3. Jordan Spreader #199238. 4. Kitchen Car #40376. 5. Material Car #200019. 6. Snowplow #199396. 7. Timekeeper #198756. 8. Wheel Derrick #191552. Legacy Fleet – Cabooses 1. CE1 #999051 2. CE1 #999229 3. Wood Sheathed #999? 4. Wood Sheathed #1301. 5. Wood Sheathed #1382. Legacy Fleet – Test Equipment 1. Dynamometer Car 29

When we first built this model railroad, we thought it would be moved to another location in a few years. To make this planned relocation easier we install the photo-realistic backdrops with Velcro. Ultimately, the relocation to another site was abandoned and over time the Velcro has started to cause problems. The only way to correct these problems is to remove the Velcro and glue the backdrops to the wall. This is a tedious and somewhat scary project as a lot can go wrong trying to reach across a completed model railroad and rehang the backdrops like wallpaper. This video is a short clip to show the start of the process. Stay tuned for much more as we rehang all of the backdrops.

A few years ago, we decided to use steam power on Santa Fe's Raton Subdivision Model Railroad as if they were never retired from service. The steam locomotives would be called the "Legacy Fleet." We immediately started installing Tsunami2 Sound decoders in engines 840, 2926, 3751, 3829 and 5000 (Madame Queen). In 2023 we upgraded our heavy weight passenger car fleet. The upgrades included new couplers, diaphragms, window shades, decorated interiors and some passengers. All of these upgrades made it possible to operate a heavyweight passenger train. After researching some Santa Fe history, we discovered that in 1892 the California Limited became Santa Fe's first premium high-speed cross-country passenger train. With a fleet of steam locomotives that had new been retired from service we could operate a modern-day California Limited train that honors the memory and legacy of Santa Fe' Railway's legendary passenger service. To do this we needed a steam locomotive service facility in Raton for the Legacy Fleet Steam Locomotives. We reworked an area in east Raton and set up the Legacy Fleet Steam Locomotive Service Facility which has water and fuel columns, sand tower and storage tracks. This is a separate facility from the diesel service facility located on the west side of Raton. Come take a ride on the California Limited - Train #4 as it travels across Raton Pass on its way to Chicago. First, you will see Engine 2926 bring the train into west Raton from LA and stop at the Raton Santa Fe Depot. Then, 2926 is removed from the train so that Engine 3751 can take the train on to Chicago. To get over Raton Pass 3751 will need assistance from the world's first 2-10-4, Engine 3829. The two great steam locomotives will pull the heavyweight cars of the California Limited with wide open throttles up the 3.27% grades, which are the steepest in the nation for a Class 1 railroad. You will see how the helper engine is removed at the top of the pass so that Train #4 can continue downgrade east to Chicago with Engine 3751 in charge. Along the way you will get information about historic locations and scenic features out your window!

Recommended Links for this video. https://www.silhouette-success.com/ https://www.artglitter.com/collections/designer-dries-clear-adhesive https://www.standiy.com/ Have you ever wanted an accurate method to make signs for your model railroad? Sam D. Teague shows you how to make signs using a Silhouette Cameo design/cutting machine. The Silhouette Cameo machine is normally used by crafters to make all sorts of craft decorations and custom fabricated designs for craft and fun. Sam wondered if it would be useful for model railroading. His first idea was to use the machine to make Location signs for his Santa Fe's Raton Subdivision Model Railroad. Sam successfully used the Cameo to create his Location signs in a previous video. Here is a link to the Location Sign video if you haven't seen it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAB2PiCxpxs&t=742s In this video Sam uses the Cameo to make an HO scale sign for a industry on his layout. In the Raton, NM area of his layout, he had a large structure that didn't have a name. Sam decided to give the large brick building a name from Raton's history. He found out that there was a hardware business in Raton in 1913 called "Robbs Hardware", and Sam decided to use the name on his building. Sam wanted a 3-D sign that would be attached to a steel frame and be displayed across the front of the structure. Follow along as Sam uses the Silhouette Cameo cutting machine to cut the letters for the sign from medium cardstock. The Cameo Silhouette solves the intricate cutting needed for the 3-D sign, and it is also a very capable machine when it comes to designing the sign and selecting fonts. Many styles of fonts are available with the Cameo and the cutting ability of the machine to cut out all sorts of shapes and sizes is almost limitless.

Recommended Link for this video. https://www.silhouette-success.com/ Have you ever wanted an accurate method to make signs for your model railroad? Sam D. Teague shows you how to make signs using a Silhouette Cameo design/cutting machine. The Silhouette Cameo machine is normally used by crafters to make all sorts of craft decorations and custom fabricated designs for craft and fun. Sam wondered if it would be useful for model railroading. His first idea was to use the machine to make Location signs for his Santa Fe's Raton Subdivision Model Railroad. In this video Sam explores the possibilities for sign making with the Cameo. Sam has always used a word processor like MS Word, to make his signs. Using MS Word to make HO scale signs worked well for Sam except that when the sign was completed and printed out, there wasn't a very precise way to cut the signs to exact size. The Cameo Silhouette solves the cutting problem, and it is also a very capable machine when it comes to designing the sign and selecting fonts. Many styles of fonts are available with the Cameo and the cutting ability of the machine to cut out all sorts of shapes and sizes is almost limitless. In videos still to come, Sam will explore making HO scale signs and other model railroad projects with the aid of the Cameo Silhouette.

AT&SF 2-10-2 #900, just out of the shop after a complete overhaul, makes a run up the Colorado side of Raton Pass. The new Tsunami2 sound decoder provides some great "stack talk" as she pulls the 3.27% grade!

Commercially available passenger car diaphragms generally leave a gap when two cars are coupled together. We wanted our California Limited train with heavyweight passenger cars to be gap free. See how we made our own gap-free diaphragms that operate smoothly around curves whether going forward or backwards.

We have been working hard to get the California Limited ready to run on Santa Fe's Raton Subdivision Model Railroad. This is the first time the entire train has been seen since the improvements have been completed. Locomotive Upgrades: The 3751 and 2926 recieved Tsunami2 Sound, auxilliary tenders and cab curtains. Heavyweight Passenger Consist: The interior of the cars were decorated. This includes painting the floors, mahogany walls, chairs, benches, tables and other equipment. Painted passenger figures were added and window shades were installed on many of the windows. Finally, diaphragms were added between the cars.