The Depot Workshop - Episode 6, Installing a Helper Pocket at Lynn.

Helper operations on Raton Pass have always been very important and helper pockets were a place where the helpers could be removed from the trains after getting the train up the hill.

During the steam era the helper pockets had basic facilities for steam engines. Mostly water was available in the helper pocket to top off the tenders and make sure they never ran out of water. Fuel, such as coal and oil, was not usually available in helper pockets because the fuel could be acquired in Raton or Trinidad.

As diesel locomotives began to appear in the early 1940's steam engines were still needed to help the new technology get over the pass.

After the Santa Fe Railway was completely dieselized the helper pockets were still used. That way, a train didn't have to come all the way from Chicago or L.A. with enough power to get over the pass. Instead when they arrived, helpers could be added for the steep grade and removed at the summit so the trains could continue on their way.

On Santa Fe's Raton Subdivision Model Railroad we use our new helper pocket for both steam and diesel helpers because we operate steam locomotives under our "Legacy Fleet" as if steam was never retired.

This video shows how we took some regular Code 83 flex track off of one of our bridges and used it for the helper pocket. The regular flex track removed from the bridge was replaced with a 36" piece of Micro Engineering Code 83 Bridge track. Then the video shows how we built the helper pocket by removing existing scenery and installing a 36" x 28" radius curved turnout on the mainline for access to the new helper pocket.

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Video Contents:
0:00 Introduction
0:40 Track Plan and Materials
1:01 Getting flex track off the bridge.
5:39 Installing the Curved Turnout
13:23 Installing the Ground Throw
15:07 Removing existing scenery
17:43 2 X 4 Blocks support track decking and testing new track
23:12 Building a retaining wall.
25:15 More scenery needs to be removed for helper pocket equipment and structures.
29:59 Installing Plaster Cloth
32:22 Backfilling the Plaster Cloth
33:54 Soldering rail joiners
34:40 2-10-4 5000 tests the solder job
36:26 Installing ballast
37:40 Final Scenery

Recommended Videos
1. Aaron's Tile Grout Ground Cover Techiquehttps://youtu.be/ZzsWsWG2P6A
2. Construction and Scenery Techniques used on Santa Fe's Raton Subdivision Model Railroadhttps://youtu.be/YXFNFycbzZc
3. Designing Santa Fe's Raton Subdivision Model Railroad in HO Scale https://youtu.be/XFLu5o-jGGY
4. Legacy Fleet Steam Operations on Santa Fe's Raton Subdivision Model Railroad

Materials Used:
1. Walther's Code 83 #8 Curved RH Turnout 948-8829
2. Caboose Industries N-Scale Ground Throw
3. Micro Engineering Code 83 Bridge Track
4. Telephone poles. Any brand
5. Barrels, any brand
6. Cross Bucks, Santa Fe Modeler's Organization Sign Kit
7. Small shed, any brand
8. Wooden Pole Street Light, Just Plug, Woodland Scenics JP5630
9. Santa Fe work truck, any brand.
10. Bumping Post, Tomar Industries H808
11. Atlas Code 83 Flex Track
12. Water Tank, Brass, unknown source.
13. Water Column, Brass, unknow source.
14. Plaster Cloth, Woodland Scenics, C1203
15. Castin Plaster, Woodland Scenics, C1201
16. Elmer's Glue, All Purpose
17. Latex caulk, white, any brand
18. Isopropyl 90%, any brand
19. 1/4" Styrofoam 2 x 4 sheet
20. Track Nails, Atlas
21. Rail joiners, Atlas
22. Foam Nails, Woodland Scenics, ST1432
23. Art Glitter Designer Adhesive, 2oz
24. CA Glue, any brand
25. CA Uncure, Bob Smith Industries
26. CA Accelerator, Bob Smith Industries
27. Spackle, Alex by DAP
28. Gray Ballast, Woodland Scenics, Medium Gray
29. Fine Sand
30. Ground Cover, Woodland Scenics, Earth Blend WT1350
31. Ground Cover, Woodland Scenics, Clump Foliage, Conifer
32. Ground Cover, Woodland Scenics, Lichen, Conifer Green
33. Ground Cover, Woodland Scenics, Lichen, Natural
34. 3' x 8' x 11' Wood Strips, North Eastern Scale Models, 3023
35. .064 x .126 x 11" Wood Strips, North Eastern Scale Models
36. Sanded Tile Grout, various earth tones, any brand
37. Tamiya Hull Red, XF9 81309
38. Tamiya Flat Brown, XF10 81310
39. Tamiya Flat Earth, 81352
40. Tamiya NATO Black, 81369