Fox Valley Models Wheel Sets Going through Fast Tracks Crossover

This video shows just how smooth N scale trains can go through turnouts when you have high quality wheel sets and precision made Fast Tracks #10 turnouts. Two trains go though a crossover without the slightest bump, almost as if the turnouts weren't even there. The first train is a faster moving intermodal train. Not all the cars have Fox Valley Models wheel sets. The the second set (red) has Atlas medal wheel sets and the first truck bumps a bit going through. If I re-gauge the wheels in that truck, it will do better. That's now on my "to do" list. The second train is a slower moving manifest with 100% Fox Valley wheel sets. Completely smooth.

West Staging Track Installed

I've got the tracks down for the west staging tracks and was able to put some more trains on the layout. The west staging yard is partial in the open in Proviso/Clinton and partially in the staging room separating Proviso from Rochelle. The yard will hold eastbound trains heading out of Clinton and will receive westbound trains. The yard will also serve as interchange tracks for coal trains coming into and departing Proviso. The visible tracks from left to right are

3 Clinton staging tracks
1 Proviso Coal Train interchange track
2 Mainline Tracks
1 Yard drill track

The engines on the plywood are where the east side of the Proviso Engine servicing facilities will be.

Daryl

Geneva Sub Trackplan

I don't really have a trackplan that I can post at this time. I do, however, have a schematic of the layout that I use on RR&Co software for signals and dispatcher use. Hope its helpful in seeing how the Geneva Sub is laid out and how things will be operated.

Train Watching on the Geneva Subdivision

Golden Spike on Geneva Sub Mainline

The final spike was set on the double track mainline of the UPRR Rochelle Subdivision. To commemorate the event a short ceremony was held with a few Union Pacific employees and executives in attendance. Once the final spike was set, waiting trains were able to roll. The action was captured on video and can viewed on youtube at the urls below.





Next up on the UPRR Geneva Sub to do list:

Wire 16 Tortoise turnout motors from Nelson through Rochelle
Connect the above turnouts to the computer system
Install and paint backdrop from Franklin Grove through Rochelle (60 feet)
Complete BNSF mainline
Build lots of turnouts (67) for staging yards, Global III yard, and Proviso/Clinton yard.

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.