Rochelle Progress

Here’s some more photos from work done yesterday and today. A crossover using two #1 hand laid turnouts at the east end of Rochelle.

Instead of hand laying the four diamond crossing like I did on the previous layout, this time I am using Atlas 22.5 degrees code 55 crossings. I was never happy with the hand laid crossing I did on the Rochelle Sub. It took a ton of work, did not look right and always had shorting problems that I tried to solve with clear nail polish. Going with the Atlas crossings is much better.

Three views of Rochelle. I got some Masonite up for backdrop support. I am recycling a piece from the Rochelle Sub. As is a little clearer in these pictures, the BNSF line goes behind the backdrop, loops around through the bay window alcove and goes back to the east end of Rochelle where it can loop again and run through Rochelle again.

Progress Update

A lot of progress has been made since I last posted in January. Below is a list. Hopefully, very soon I will post some pictures and/or video.

1. Finished taking down and discarding the Rochelle Sub. After scavaging as much as I could, I cut up the layout pieces and put them out on the curb with the regular trash pick up. There were a lot of pieces. I put them out 3-5 pieces at a time over four or 5 pick up days. I’m sure my garbage men were wondering what was going on.

2. I installed and wired all 17 mainline turnouts in East Clinton, Clinton and Proviso. I also wired the 4 power districts and blocks in the area, including 20 blocks.
3. Benchwork and tracklaying was done in the furnace room and bathroom.

4. Benchwork for all 24 feet of Rochelle completed.

Video of the layout.



Picture follow below.