The May 2011 SoCal steamup was hosted at Eric Strauss’ residence in Sherman Oaks, California. Eric’s railroad is a raised dual loop system built upon a structure made of 2"x 6" wooden frames which are bolted together and supported on 4" x 4" posts. This raised framework in turn supports the track platform made of 5/16" thick Hardipanel concrete composite board. Although the entire line is nearly dead level, because of sloping terrain, the height of the railroad above grade varies from about 26" to 46". The earth in the area is very hard because of a very high clay content so the support posts do not go into the ground but instead are strap-mounted to precast concrete footers simply resting on a thin sand layer at ground level. The track is Llagas Creek nickel silver code 250 rail in their "narrow gauge" tie strips. Altogether, there are fourteen #6 turnouts including the three crossovers and six "yard" tracks for steaming up with lengths from 16 ft. to over 26 ft. The outside loop is 186 ft. long with a minimum radius of 8 ft. The inside loop is about 181 ft. long with a minimum radius of 7 ft.- 4". Access to the inside (running) area is provided by a hinged, counter-balanced, 4 ft. lift-bridge with it's closed (down) position magnetically held. Photos by Rick Parker