Update with Lots of Photos

   I've been making a lot of progress on the layout.  At the end of July, I completed benchwork and trackage all the way around the entire layout.  This of course means that trains can run around the entire loop for some great rail-fanning on the layout, which is exactly what I've been doing the last five weeks.  I've also managed to install a crossover and a industrial turnout in Wheaton, IL during this time.   I still one more industrial spur turnout in Wheaton, a curved turnout at the Rochelle interchange and double crossover turnouts between Elmhusrt and Wheaton before I can drive the golden spike.  I hope to have all that done and maybe a little more before the layout will be on the Atlanta Area Piedmont Pilgrimage November 8.
  In the meantime I thought it would be a good idea to give you an around the layout photo tour so that you can get an idea of the 200' mainline of the UPRR Geneva Subdivision.  I am using the UP 844 Excursion Train for the tour.  Climb and aboard and enjoy!

We start at the west staging yard where we see the 844 begin its tour of the Geneva Sub mainline.  The west end of the staging yard connects with the eat staging yard in the furnace/water heater room.

The 844 enters Clinton, IA which begins the modeled portion of the layout.

From Clinton, the mainline head across the Mississippi River,

This will be northern Illinois farmland between the river and Franklin Grove, IL

The 844 enters and passes through Franklin Grove.  Franklin Grove has two industries.

Here is the west half of the Global III Inter-modal Yard

Two views of Global III taken looking east and then looking west.

More farmland between Global III and Rochelle, IL.

The excursion train enters Rochelle.  BNSF/UP interchange track and small yard is visible on the left.

Crossing the diamonds and ppassing the Railroad Park.

The industrial east edge of Rochelle.

From Rochelle the mainline will cross the Rock River.

After crossing the Rock River, the line goes through he wall to Wheaton.

 On this curve will be the Wheaton, IL Metra Station.  An industrial spur will be in the background.

From Wheaton the 844 head to Elmhurst

This will be Elmhurst.  Nice long straight away!

 View of Elmhurst looking east.

The line goes through yet another wall and enters the Proviso area.

Proviso engine facilities.

Mainline passes the Proviso Yard.

With the room being a bit longer than our old house, an extension was added east of the Proviso Yard.

Around a curve and into Maywood, IL.

East of Maywood the line crosses the Des Plaines River.

Through the wall and into River Forest, IL.

Finally the 844 enters the east staging yard.

Room Ready for Last Section of the Layout

I am so close to completing the mainline of the railroad!!!!  Since the last post, I built some bench work to get the mainline out of the back room, installed a drop ceiling in the front room and installed some more lighting.  All that's left to get the mainline complete is to build bench work and lay track for the Wheaton, IL area.

These first couple of pictures are taken as you first walk into the front room and show the new drop ceiling and lighting.  The empty wall to the right is where the Wheaton, IL area will be located.

  The next two photos were taken walking into the back room. The new bench work to take the mainline out of the room is to the right.  From that bench work, the mainline will pass through the wall and into the Wheaton, IL area in the front room.

The following pictures are taken walking to the back of the backroom.

Now, we turn around and snap a few pics while walking back out of the rooms.

I finally have all sections moved from the old layout in Rochelle assembled into the new layout here in Georgia. Nine and a half of the 11 sections made it into the new layout. Overall I have been very happy with the way the sections held up through the packing, 760 miles travel, unpacking and storage over the past year. As of July 1, we have now lived in Georgia one year.

 

From the pictures you can get an idea of the finish level of this room of the layout.  I'll still paint the floor as some point, but that will be as finished as it will get.  I still have a lot of work to do, but I am happy with the progress.  As you can see, I need to add a backdrop to the Rochelle area.

 

 

 

The UP/BNSF crossing signals made it through the move pretty much unscathed.  Screwing the margarine containers over the signals worked beautifully.  It'll be interesting to see if they will still light up when connected to the signal driver.

 

 

Part of Global III did not make it into the new configuration so a new section had to be added.  The new configuration will be an improvement since the old Global III was curved an it is now prototypically straight.

 

Next up will be bench work and track for the Wheaton, IL area and then the layout will completed around the entire basement.  My goal is to have that completed by August 1.

More Backdrops and Benchwork to Franklin Grove

I was able to build bench work connecting the Mississippi River crossing with Franklin Grove.  In addition I extended the backdrop to Franklin Grove and added some more styrene roof flashing backdrop from the Rochelle layout to the newly installed backdrop.  Lighting in the room is not very good, so sorry about the shadows.