all photos © R.Wrede

These are the pages of my "SP's Newberg Branch in N scale". Here, you'll find: pictures of my layout including, Portland Yard, McMinnville and surrounding countryside, layout at a glance (below) and more.

As of 09/02, the "SP's Newberg Branch" has left the property. Needless to say, it was difficult to tear it apart, but a growing family demanded it. I hope to have a smaller shelf layout someday. Please enjoy my layout pictures.

N Scale Model Railroading

Welcome to my model railroad, the SP's Newberg Branch in N scale. The Newberg Branch was a real branch line of the Southern Pacific RR, running between Cook and St Joseph, near Portland Oregon. It was a busy shortcut between Brooklyn Yard and the West side Line. McMinnville isn't really on the line, it is one time table stop to the south, but I liked the pictures of McMinnville I've seen and thought it looked much like my area of the layout.

"Train Order"

click images to proceed to desired page

	This goes to my page on the Mcminnville / Branch line scenic areas of my layout.
	Pictures of my Portland Yard with an interesting "perspective" on the subject.

Layout at a Glance

Here is a crude track plan

Name: Newberg Branch.

Scale: N (1:160)

Size: 4x8 with a cut-out, based on Atlas' "Atlantic Long Haul" (phase 1) 3x5 extension for an L-shape (phase 2).

Length of mainline: approx. 52 ft.

Prototype: Southern Pacific RR, Newberg Branch.

Local: Northern Oregon, SW of Portland.

Period: 1970's to present

Layout style: L shaped, with a cut out in the 4x8 section for easy access.

Layout height: 37" to 40"

Bench work: Open grid

Roadbed: Cork on "Homasote" on plywood

Track: Atlas section (phase 1) Atlas flex (phase 2)

Turnouts: Atlas #4 "automatic" (later cut back like "custom", phase 1) Atlas #4 "custom" (phase 2) with caboose hand throws, (1-electric automatic inside tunnel)

Minimum radius: 9"

Max. grade: 3%

Scenery construction: Sculptamold on pink board foam, enviro-tex for the lake, Woodland scenics products, Heiki trees.

Backdrop: 1x2 with masonite, Walters paste-on scenery.

This entire Rail Site was featured on NMRA Webmasters Choice for April 2006!
UPDATE: NMRA has since removed this feature from their website but it was an honor while it lasted

Visit NMRA.org

Some Great Links

Check out Joe Fugate's Siskiyou Line model railroad, as seen in Jan./Feb.'97 Model Railroader.

My page on the Rogue Valley Model RR Club

Larry Tuttle's Siskiyou Pacific Railroad free lanced model RR. based on local geographic features