Abutments!!

Okay, abutments are not that exciting.  However, they are very important to the start of any bridge.  These are for the highway bridge across the Rock River just west of Franklin Grove.  I built them "to fit" out of scrap pieces of styrene.  After painting them a concrete color, I'll be ready to fit the I beams to determine the exact height needed for the two piers that will go in the river.

Train Meet at Global III

Just a quick video of some action at the just installed signals controlling a crossover and the west entrance to the Global III Intermodal yard. The stack train approaches from the west but must wait for a westbound coal train before it can enter the Globl II yard.  I'll post some pictures tomorrow of the scenery and signal progress if possible.

More Screen Wire Ground Form

While I planned to do more work on the Rock river area, I decided instead to do more screen wire work just east of Franklin Grove. The Rock River area has to wait since needed supplies were not in hand as of yet. It sucks having the closest hobby shop 40 miles away. Anyway, not wanting to waste available work time, I am pressing on with the screen wire. This is the area between Franklin Grove and Rochelle Global III.  The third track that has a couple of small B truck units is the drill track for the Global III yard.  The are will eventually have a farm with corn and soybean fields. 

Signals!!!

The first set of signals is installed and "working."  Below is a short video of the Franklin Grove signals in operation.  As you will see, there is still a bit of work to be done on the logic.  Only they track 2 (left) signal should turn yellow when the turnout is thrown for the coal train, not both of them.  Anyway, once I get that fixed, the signals ar egood to go.  The signals are by Sunrise, the se8c from digitrax is the signal driver and I use RR&Co software for the logic control. 

Informal Op Session

I was delighted to have special vistitors to the Geneva Subdivision last monday afternoon.  Long time friend, Pat Lana, visited from Colorado along with Tony Bowen, Allen Merta and Kent Charles.  After touring the layout for a while, we decided to do an informal operating session.  Over about 2 and 1/2 hours we ran 9 trains ( full session has 17 trains, along with yard work in Proviso and Global III) and had a great time.  Below are a few photos and videos.  Enjoy!

The Ol' Mirror Under the Highway Bridge Trick

What's a good way to diguise a river that runs into the backdrop? Put a mirror under a highway bridge, of course. Just as I did on the Rochelle Subdivisio, I am using this old trick on the Rock River crossing area. I went to a local interior design store and had them cut a 20" X 4" mirror that I carefully placed between the backdrop and benchwork where the river ends. The mirror does a great job of making it appear that the river continues on past the backdrop. The highway bridge, my next project, will cover the top of the mirror. I decided to wait with the epoxy pour for the river until after the highway bridge, with piers in the water, was installed. This will make sure that the highway piers appear to be in the water and not on top of the water. I ordered a bunch of Plastruct and Evergreen styrene sheets, strips and I-Beams for contruction of the highway bridge. Should be able to get to work on it sometime next week.

Trains Roll across the Rock River

The layout is back in action!  After being down for construction for five days, trains roll once again on the N scale UPRR Geneva Subdivision.  I still plan to install the mirror and pour the river this weekend.  But, other than that I'm going to take a break and just run trains for a while.  In fact, tomorrow I hope to travel to Clinton, IA with my wife for some bicycling and, of course, some train watching.  I need to take some pictures for an article I am writing for Model Railroad Planning.  The article is written, I just need some pictures and I'll be all set.