Even thought Management has been on vacation, our engineering department was still busy at work though. They had considered the idea of removing the ovalix to replace with a long grade (adding two towns) to access the second level.
The ROCK's board of directors met the other evening to discuss plans. The board approved to move forward with the removal of the ovalix and expansion of the mainline. Massive construction will be underway in the very near future as the built in cabinets and shelves will be removed (and re-purposed) under the new bench work.
Peru/LaSalle and Utica, IL are being added to the layout. This of course, will add two more stops for passenger trains along the route. Peru/LaSalle will add a passing siding to the layout.
Below are artist renderings of the proposed changes:
- Bureau wye will be revised to more accurately reflect the prototype. A storage track will be added for car block swaps.
- The existing Peoria Branch will be completely removed. It will now travel the opposite direction down the former roadbed of the Clinton IA branch and act as a smaller town with limited industries.
- A two track yard plus passing siding will be added to Peru/LaSalle.
- Peru/LaSalle main industry will be the large WestClox plant. If possible, the Peru Power &Water Plant will be on the west side of town. A two-story passenger station will be added.
- Utica will be kept at single track due to the limited space. Industries will include the Philadelphia Quartz and Belrose Silica plants.
- Ottawa will have a new three track yard and longer passing siding. Major industry will be the Libbey-Owens-Ford plant, Bader Ag and the Ottawa Silica mine.
Operational changes
- Former #217 Chicago to Ottawa local will now originate in Ottawa. The local will work Ottawa, Utica and to Peru/LaSalle and return.
- #130 Peoria local will still operate, but mainly before or after the session. It will not be a regular train.
- #110 Illinois Shorts local will operate from Chicago to Davenport (Silvis) and return. It will swap blocks of cars for Joliet, Ottawa and Bureau.
- Davenport Yard will be renamed Kelly Yard, Silvis, IL. The Mississippi River Crossing will be off the layout to the west. The existing bridge will be the crossing of the Rock River which is more prototypical to what I have in place now.
So, big changes ahead for the ROCK. This will allow for the layout to be a better representation of the Rock Island in the 70s. Far from perfect, but a reasonable attempt. I'm quite pleased with the changes and look forward to operating on the new ROCK!
Welcome to the Summer of the ROCK!
A clip from my favorite TV show Seinfeld and the Summer of George:
Back when Rock closed down I was able to secure lots of RR documents, etc. I'll locate those and send you some.
ReplyDeleteFrank Kenny
Wow! That's awesome! Two things that I have been looking for in particular is an industrial guide list that was evidently published listing all the industries served by the ROCK plus some track diagrams of the yards and junctions. I have a set of track charts on CD from 1973, but it doesn't show the track diagrams very well.
DeleteI appreciate the help!
My email address is stevencesj@yahoo.com
Steven