All about compromise..

If there is anything I have learned so far about this hobby, it is that compromise can be the biggest challenge to overcome, especially when trying to model a real location...

I think, however, that I have overcome months of trial and error with the Chalk River yard. Before the rails were lifted, there was basically the main and two sidings, with a lead to the wye Off the second siding track.

On my layout, there are two alternate reality elements:
1. An engine shop
2. A team track for CNL/AECL and other local business

While these were not terribly difficult to find a place for, a functional and reasonably lengthy run-around is necessary for how the layout will operate.

So, after many months of moving track around, here is the latest and I like it! Still need a few turnouts, but this may just work...

The team track is the spur to the right, which more or less would have been the location of the original CP station.

I can run around 6 * 40-footers, or 5 * 50-footers with ease, so I happy with that!

A little layout tour

I thought this might be the quickest way to bring this blog up to speed on the current status of the "Mattawa & Chalk River" construction...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pneiut7Dr6I

To summarize, I have track in place from Mattawa all the way to Chalk River. I still need some materials to finish building up the Chalk River yard, but I've been playing around with what I have to mock it up.

Chalk River will have some fictional elements, most notably the big blue engine shop. I'm also looking at a secured "Team Track" for AECL/CNL tonnage, this may come right off the main, to the right, where the station would have existed back in the 80s.

I've yet to revise the "Story" of the this layout, the story is changing. I'll run the CP power that I have, but I'm going to work towards getting some true Ottawa Valley Railway power in the current G&W Orange, and perhaps even RLK 4096 in RailAmerica colours! You'll still see RLK 4096 on the real North Bay sub.

In the mean time, my focus is on completing Chalk River yard and getting to the point where I can run a train each way with a functional run-around.

January 2017 - cold winter months

So I was down in the train room today.... Been a while, even longer since I posted here.

Track is laid to West Chalk River yard switch. Now I need to order some turnouts to finish the yard and run around.

I will post more later, but the Chalk River shop is mostly built!

Mattawa Yard Progress!

It is impressive how much progress you can make on a model railroad once you get past room and shelf construction! Even more impressive is how much can get done in a few 15-20 minute work periods over days or weeks!

 

All track work for the Mattawa yard is now complete and secured to the foam. The short stub track on the right (closest to the wall) will be extended out and represent the Temiscaming sub. It will get used for a yard lead or extra car storage.

 

As for the main, leading East out of the yard, I'm happy with my transition to HO roadbed. Glued it all down, then just took my time with the palm sander for a nice, even transition.

 



And with functioning track, of course we have to test it out! In the first pic, CP 3039 rolls in with a mix of 40ft and 50ft box cars. In the second pic, CP 3039 idles by the station as the crew takes a break after shoving their tonnage into the yard tracks.

With the relatively small amount of time I find to work on the layout, I find even less to update this blog! However, I've reached the point where I can actually start doing some work with model railroad stuff instead of shelf construction!

With 1" foam glued down and 1"x4" white pine fascia boards in place, I actually start work on the track layout. I've mostly given up on trying to use track planning software, I'm just laying it out and seeing what will work.

 

Here we have the Mattawa Yard. The section of track to the left of the station is the main, the turn-out and incomplete track further to the left will be the run-around. I grabbed this shot while run-testing and capacity-testing the yard.

The First Shelf...

I have not posted any progress pictures on here in a very long time... Aside from some flooring and baseboard trim, the basement is finished! All paint, electrical, and lighting are done (wiring is in place for some eventual track lighting)

Tonight, I installed the first set of shelf brackets on the "Mattawa" side of the room. Shelf height is currently 40" and I need to confirm this is an appropriate viewing height for my girls! Yes, they will get taller but I might as well start out at a height they can see without using a stool.

There will be a third bracket installed in the middle, and a support bracket installed in the corner as well. I have enough shelf brackets and 12" hollow core doors to do about 2/3 of the layout. The other 1/3 is going to be somewhere between 12" and 20" deep with storage underneath, so it will be constructed differently.

1" foam will top the shelves before laying down roadbed and track.

Preserving the North Bay Sub

While the M&CR may be fictional,  the approx. 75 miles of the CP North Bay Subdivision were real and are now long gone.  My hope is to preserve and recreate some of the locations I am familiar with between Chalk River at Mattawa.

The track plan in my head continues to get simpler and more reflective of what used to run through here. That will keep costs down, maintenance easier, and facilitate keeping the North Bay Sub "as it was".

Here are the key locations I hope to model:

1. Chalk River Yard
2. Wylie Road crossing (MP5.0) and nearby defect detector
3. Moore Lake passing siding and spur
4. Adelard (Bissett Creek) spur and Highway 17
5. Mattawa Yard