The ROCK 3.0: Peoria is Born Again

Early this morning, I made a Lowes run to pick up more black paint.  Ran some other errands, came back to the house, cut and installed the fascia.  I painted part of it, but need to go back and paint two more sections.

Laid out the tracks in Peoria in preparation for my friend Larry to come up and work on the layout.  Found out quickly somewhere along the line I miscalculated.  I went back to check my counts as they were ok for what I needed, but evidently what I purchased previously was not enough.    I figured out later that I failed to include the turnouts at East Ottawa in my count, plus I had to replace one that broke (old Micro Engineering turnout) at East Bureau (the original turnout for the yard throat of LaSalle yard).  Larry and I made an emergency run up to the hobby shop in East Spencer.

Larry was very helpful in working out the details of the transition pieces that crossover onto the lift out section of Bureau Junction.  We decided to go with Atlas curved snap track pieces.  We guessed on 15" Radius for the main track coming off the main from the East.  On the tighter curve of the wye (for turning locomotives), we guessed 12 1/2" radius.  We guessed right as the track pieces purchased were perfect!  Now, when I take out the lift out section, I just slide the rail joiners back and remove these short 2-3" snap track pieces.  It works well.  I appreciate Larry's help with figuring this out.  On the drop leaf yard, I have track that just goes to the edge and matches up.  That works well there, but for the curved sections, we had to come up with another plan.

Looking south toward Peoria

Looking north from Peoria to Bureau Junction

The ROCK Company helicopter flying over Bureau Junction

Before Larry came over, I was able to cut and shape the track for the wye.  Upon our return after making a hobby shop run, I cut in the snap track pieces.  Glued down the cork roadbed.  Larry headed home.  I continued to work on it more gluing the track for Bureau Junction.  I also worked on shaping and cutting the track down to Iowa Junction in Peoria.  I managed to get two of the three tracks cut before having to head out for the evening.

The Glass Containers have migrated to Bureau Junction

* Interesting tidbit about Peoria.  On v1.0 - revision 82 (?) we had the Peoria Branch.  It resides at the same location of where the new Peoria is today.  Peoria has been reborn!

Looking down Washington St of v1.0 Peoria.

There was much more industrial switching on v1.0 Peoria.

Now it is all about the interchange.

Goals Update

So, this is what I need to accomplish in the next 6 days.  

• Tear down old TV cabinet off wall
• Construct new Peoria Section and Lift Out piece
• Install new turnout for Peoria Storage Track off Main 1 at Peru
• Add ground throws and repair others at East Bureau Junction
• Add ground throws between West Ottawa and Belrose Silica.
• Re-work track at LaSalle for Bureau Junction
• Run new bus wire and attach to new portion of the layout.
• Lay Track in Peoria (working on it!)
• Install all ground throws for all turnouts in Peoria.
• Wire up new track in Peoria.
• Install Auto Reverser on Wye.
• Construct sand track trestles.
• Install new Sand Clean out Track at Ottawa Silica
• Glue down new Crossover at East Ottawa Yard.
• Install slide switches at East Ottawa Yard crossover.
• Drop feeders on new tracks added to original layout, test.
• Repair three broken turnout points on old turnouts.
• Paint Fascia (in progress)
• Install NCE UTP Panel at Peoria
• Install NCE UTP Panel at West Bureau Junction
• Add new crossover at East Utica.
• Add new crossover to access Utica Storage Track.
• Stage Layout
• Clean Track 
• Clean Locomotives
• Prepare paperwork
• Clean Layout Room
• Photograph and Video updates
• Prepare paperwork for operating session.

I'm starting to feel like Tweak from South Park.  The pressure!  The pressure!

The ROCK 3.0: Progress Report

Still calm considering the operating session is a week away.  I'm progressing nicely on the layout destruction/construction.  This morning, I checked all the track glued down last night between West Ottawa Yard and Belrose.  All is good.  Belrose Scale is good.  :-)

Looking east at Utica, IL.  Belrose Silica on the left, PQ on the right.

New track added to access Utica "Yard" (one storage track) from Main 2.  I left the existing crossover installed.  Moving these custom built turnouts would probably destroy them.  I'm sure the local crew will appreciate it staying in place when operating too.

Looking west at Utica.  PQ on the left.  Belrose Silica on the right.  Disregard the PVC pipe tubes on the right.  They are to be moved back to PQ.  You can see the new track accessing Utica Storage track.

This evening, I felt very productive.  I worked on cleaning up the room and the workbench/family craft table.  I put away all the unused cars for this next session.  I made significant progress on cleaning the room.  I feel much better now.

Vacuumed up the road debris removal from PQ.  Vacuumed up the debris from the chaos at East Bureau Junction.

Reamed out the bolt holes for the Bureau Junction lift out section so the bolts slide in and out easier.

Glued down the track and turnouts at East Bureau Junction.  Installed the ground throws.

The glass jar collection moved West tonight.  This photo brought to you by Aleene's Tacky Glue.  

Installed the ground throws between West Ottawa Yard and Belrose Silica.

Installed the NCE UTP Panel in front of Peoria and tested.  I have one more coming in the mail that will mount to the drop leaf section of West Bureau Junction.

Repaired the three broken turnouts on the existing layout portion.  Checked remaining turnouts for broken points.  All good.

Installed the ground throws at East Bureau Junction.

Goals Update

So, this is what I need to accomplish in the next 7 days.  

• Tear down old TV cabinet off wall
• Construct new Peoria Section and Lift Out piece
• Install new turnout for Peoria Storage Track off Main 1 at Peru
• Add ground throws and repair others at East Bureau Junction
• Add ground throws between West Ottawa and Belrose Silica.
• Re-work track at LaSalle for Bureau Junction
• Run new bus wire and attach to new portion of the layout.
• Lay Track in Peoria
• Install all ground throws for all turnouts in Peoria.
• Wire up new track in Peoria.
• Install Auto Reverser on Wye.
• Construct sand track trestles.
• Install new Sand Clean out Track at Ottawa Silica
• Glue down new Crossover at East Ottawa Yard.
• Install slide switches at East Ottawa Yard crossover.
• Drop feeders on new tracks added to original layout, test.
• Repair three broken turnout points on old turnouts.
• Paint Fascia
• Install NCE UTP Panel at Peoria
• Install NCE UTP Panel at West Bureau Junction
• Add new crossover at East Utica.
• Add new crossover to access Utica Storage Track.
• Stage Layout
• Clean Track 
• Clean Locomotives
• Prepare paperwork
• Clean Layout Room
• Photograph and Video updates
• Prepare paperwork for operating session.

The ROCK 3.0: What the paint?

I forgot to post photos from last night's crossover construction work.  Here is the new crossover just west of Ottawa Yard.  It is in the curve behind PQ.

Looking west from Ottawa Yard

Looking from above.  PQ on the left.

Looking east around the curve on the back end of PQ.  The throat of the yard is just before the signal bridge.

Paint Desk Report
I went by Hobby Lobby and picked up some Tamiya tape.  It came in two sizes 6mm and 18mm.  I purchased both.  It seems to work well.  It was suggested to me to use 3M tape from Micro Mark, but this was more accessible and cheaper without shipping.

Here is a pic of the unit taped up ready for paint.

I'm not sure if this is considered a good tape job or not.  It looks good to me and I was careful to ensure the tape was good and tight against the locomotive.

This evening, I attempted to paint using the el cheapo air brush I picked up from Harbor Freight a while back.  I mean this thing was cheap.  I figured I could practice on it.  Not!  I couldn't even get the Tru-Color paint to flow out from the start.  I was finally able to run some acetone through in an attempt to clean it out (figuring maybe it had some oil and some residue inside).  That flowed, but only when I had the pressure turned way up.  I consulted my friend Larry who is more versed in the skill of airbrushing.  We came to the conclusion that it must be the brush and not me.  Well, we hope.  Larry is going to come over Saturday and we will try one of his airbrushes.  Hopefully, things will work better.  We shall see.  This project may be a complete failure in the end.

Feeling defeated from the pain endeavor, I took a break for a little bit.  

I then moved upstairs.  I figured I needed to do something tonight to make up for my lost time with the airbrush fiasco.  I cut in the turnouts for Utica from Main 2.  In doing so, I managed to completely rip out the scale track at Belrose Silica.  !@#$%!  Luckily enough, I was able to fix it.  Finished all the trackwork between West Ottawa Yard and the Belrose Silica.  Glued all the tracks.  This is what it looks like tonight using all my glass container weights to hold the track down.

Goals Update

So, this is what I need to accomplish in the next 8 days.  

• Tear down old TV cabinet off wall
• Construct new Peoria Section and Lift Out piece
• Install new turnout for Peoria Storage Track off Main 1 at Peru
• Add Caboose Industry Ground Throw and Repair others at East Bureau Junction, West Ottawa Crossover.
• Re-work track at LaSalle for Bureau Junction
• Run new bus wire and attach to new portion of the layout.
• Lay Track in Peoria
• Install all ground throws for new track.
• Wire up new track in Peoria.
• Install Auto Reverser on Wye.
• Construct sand track trestles.
• Install new Sand Clean out Track at Ottawa Silica
• Glue down new Crossover at East Ottawa Yard.
• Install slide switches at East Ottawa Yard crossover.
• Drop feeders on new tracks added to original layout.
• Add Caboose Ground Throws to Turnouts added to original layout.
• Repair three broken turnout points on old turnouts.
• Add new crossover at East Utica.
• Add new crossover to access Utica Storage Track.
• Stage Layout
• Clean Track 
• Clean Locomotives
• Prepare paperwork for operating session.

The ROCK 3.0: More Progress

This morning before work, I assembled the two Bar Mills Lowboy Trestles for the sand dump track at Ottawa Silica.

GP18 Project:

So, I have had this Life Like GP18 shell for some time.  I use it on the Bachmann GP7 chassis that I own as it fits well.  I'm ok with the paint scheme, but not my favorite.  One day, I came across this photo that sparked my interest in changing it.

Hmm...I may be able to do this.  Today at lunch, I tore apart this locomotive and plan on masking it off for paint.  Mine will have a different locomotive number unless I get up the nerve to change out the number boards.  I don't see that happening though.

This evening, I got out everything to start air brushing.  I need to pick up some modelers painting tape tomorrow (hopefully) from Hobby Lobby.  Everything is ready to go though.  I'm excited to try this new adventure.  Kind of crazy to start this project in the middle of everything else going on.  I think I have Model Railroad ADHD.  :-)

I didn't do much this evening overall.  I ended up spending time with my kids just hanging out.  

Later in the evening, I did cut out both main tracks just west of Ottawa Yard and installed a pair of curved turnouts.  This will allow a train to depart the yard and immediately access track two on the far track.  Tomorrow, I will work on gluing down this section as well as the revised section at East Bureau.  I will also install the Caboose Ground Throws tomorrow.

Goals Update

So, this is what I need to accomplish in the next 11 days.  

• Tear down old TV cabinet off wall
• Construct new Peoria Section and Lift Out piece
• Install new turnout for Peoria Storage Track off Main 1 at Peru
• Add Caboose Industry Ground Throw and Repair others at East Bureau Junction, West Ottawa Crossover.
• Re-work track at LaSalle for Bureau Junction
• Run new bus wire and attach to new portion of the layout.
• Lay Track in Peoria
• Install all ground throws for new track.
• Wire up new track.
• Install Auto Reverser on Wye.
• Construct sand track trestles.
• Install new Sand Clean out Track at Ottawa Silica
• Glue down new Crossover at East Ottawa Yard.
• Install slide switches at East Ottawa Yard crossover.
• Repair three broken turnout points on old turnouts.
• Add new crossover at East Utica.
• Add new crossover to access Utica Storage Track.
• Stage Layout
• Clean Track 
• Clean Locomotives
• Prepare paperwork for operating session.

The ROCK 3.0: Various Progress

Early this morning, I cut and made all my Anderson Pole connections for the bus wire to extend out over the former LaSalle yard, new Bureau Junction lift out section and Peoria.  I reiterate again.  I highly recommend purchasing the Anderson TRICrimp tool for the connectors.  It works great.  I had a terrible time when trying to use a knock off brand from Amazon.

Went to Lowes at lunch to pick up some bolts to secure the lift out section in place when operating.  

Went ahead and assembled all my ground throws to save time at home.  Also assembled the UTP fascia panel for the NCE system.  

I glued down the tracks for the Ottawa Silica crossover.  Good friend Larry hooked me up with some slide switches.  I'm going to use these instead of the Caboose Ground Throws in this area due to the tight fit between the yard tracks.  Once the track dries tomorrow, I can go back and install the slide switches.  Thanks Larry for hooking a brother up!

Crossover at East Ottawa Yard glued down.

My weight system (old marble coasters) work well for holding down the track as the glue dries.

Turnouts for Peoria arrived today!  Wahoo!

The re-staging process has become a little more complicated as I have cars moving in many directions.  I created a cheat sheet spreadsheet so as I fill out the orders for the industries, I will mark each car with a tab and note their origin location.  I key in the cars at each location at the bottom of the spreadsheet.  This information lets me know how many cars will be on #113 Westbound and Eastbound, the starting number and ending number of cars at each of the Peoria interchange railroads as well as the amount of cars to be stored at Bureau Junction on the Silvis and Peoria storage tracks.  I should have entered into a career of logistics.  I love this stuff!

From this I can see there will be fourteen cars to start in Peoria.  Four cars will interchange with the other railroads in Peoria.  A total of thirty six cars will arrive in Peoria off the Rock to be distributed among the four railroads.

#113 will be a small train arriving at Ottawa, but by the time it arrives at Bureau Junction it will be a monster at twenty two cars.  Coming back east it will be a smaller train starting off with sixteen cars at Bureau Junction and ending with twelve in East Staging.  That twenty two car train will be interesting.  It might hose up half the layout.  I'm being generous on the limits this first session.  I might have to scale that one back for next session if it becomes a problem.  

Have I mentioned I'm excited to see how this plays out?  Well, I am!  It is all that I have been thinking about lately.  Looking forward to operating with good friends to give this new plan a good test run.

This evening, I worked on adding bracing to the Bureau Junction lift out section.  It fits in nicely now with no bows.  The weight is still pretty light so easy to handle as well.  To secure to the layout, I purchased some 5/16" bolts.  I drilled the holes and installed.  They are a little tight.  I need to ream out the hole a little bit more so they easily slip out.  I timed myself unbolting the lift out section and placing it out of the way.  Only two minutes.  That doesn't seem bad at all.  

I worked on laying out the track and marked the track arrangement on the lift out section.  The track coming off Main 1 from the LaSalle side (which will be the main track down to Peoria) has a broader radius.  The wye leg that meets up back with Main 1 on the west side of Bureau Junction is tight, but doable.  I ran some longer cars around it seemed to work ok.  Crews will be instructed to travel at reduced speed around the wye.  You know this is the Rock.  You can't expect track conditions to be the best anyway.  :-)  It should work fine.

Here are some photos.

A view of the lift out section.

The 5/16" bolt securing the lift out section to the layout at West Bureau Junction.

Bolt to secure the lift out section on the Peoria side of Bureau Junction.  

A view of the track arrangement at Bureau Junction.

A view of the messy room.  The room is a hot mess right now.

A view of Bureau Junction looking west.  Two mainlines going straight and the Peoria main going to the left.

Here I added the Peoria storage track on the right of the Peoria Main coming off Main 1 at Bureau Junction.

Another view of the Peoria Storage Track.

Really late this evening, I worked on two more projects.  I installed the slide switch ground throws at the East Ottawa Crossover.  The smaller slide switches worked perfectly.

I ripped out the mainline behind Peru Power and added the turnout for the Peoria Storage Track.  I need to go back and add a Caboose Industries Ground Throw and repair the ones for the crossover from Main 1 to Main 2 and the Peoria Main switch.

Overall, I didn't feel like I got much done (mainly because there is no track being laid at Peoria), but when I look back, it was a good day!

Goals Update

So, this is what I need to accomplish in the next 11 days.  

• Tear down old TV cabinet off wall
• Construct new Peoria Section and Lift Out piece
• Install new turnout for Peoria Storage Track off Main 1 at Peru
• Add Caboose Industry Ground Throw and Repair others at East Bureau Junction
• Re-work track at LaSalle for Bureau Junction
• Run new bus wire and attach to new portion of the layout.
• Lay Track in Peoria
• Install all ground throws for new track.
• Wire up new track.
• Install new Sand Clean out Track at Ottawa Silica
• Glue down new Crossover at East Ottawa Yard.
• Install slide switches at East Ottawa Yard crossover.
• Repair three broken turnout points on old turnouts.
• Add new crossover at East Utica.
• Add new crossover to access Utica Storage Track.
• Stage Layout
• Clean Track 
• Clean Locomotives
• Prepare paperwork for operating session.

Slowly, but surely, I'm knocking items off my To Do list.  Getting Bureau Junction tracks to line up with the existing layout will be key.  Once I get past that milestone, laying track in Peoria should go pretty fast.

The ROCK 3.0: Work Continues

Late last night, I worked on re-staging the layout.  This evening I finished that up.  So, another item off my To Do list.  I'm really excited to see how the freight will be moving across the layout.  Peoria and action around Bureau Junction will be very interesting to watch.

This evening I worked on construction of the lift out section for Bureau Junction.  The light weight section simple lifts up and away.  It is constructed of 1x2s and 1/4" birch plywood.  I need to add some additional bracing and come up with some bolts that will be run through the bracing to secure it to the existing layout sections.  I should have it wrapped up tomorrow.

An overhead view of the lift out section.

The wye track coming in from the left.  The track on the right is the Peoria mainline branching off the Chicago-Silvis mainline.

At West Bureau Junction looking east.  Left track is the Peoria Storage, Main 2, Main 2 and further up is the wye track down to the Peoria Main.

A closer view of Bureau Junction.

It doesn't feel like a lot of progress was made tonight, but I do have family in town.  Tomorrow, I can ramp up for some serious work.

Track is due to arrive tomorrow.  I have enjoyed laying track once again.  It is one of my favorite tasks.

Goals Update

So, this is what I need to accomplish in the next 12 days.  

• Tear down old TV cabinet off wall
• Construct new Peoria Section and Lift Out piece
• Install new turnout for Peoria Storage Track
• Re-work track at LaSalle for Bureau Junction
• Lay Track in Peoria
• Wire up and install all new Caboose Ground Throws for new Section
• Install new Sand Clean out Track
• Install Tortoise Switch Machines at Crossover in East Ottawa Yard
• Repair three broken turnout points on old turnouts.
• Add new crossover at East Utica.
• Add new crossover to access Utica Storage Track.
• Stage Layout
• Clean Track 
• Clean Locomotives

The ROCK 3.0: Let's Get Busy!

So, late last night, I was up working out the details of the track plan in Peoria as well as working on some modification details to Utica.  In reality, Utica had a small yard.  I never learned of this until well after I had laid the track unfortunately.

So, here's the updated plan for Peoria:

Updated plan for Utica:

All materials have been ordered for the track installation.  They should be here early next week.  

Updated all the paperwork for the next op session.  Major changes are dealing with #113 switcher and tab instructions, as well as the Utica Switcher that now starts in Utica vs. LaSalle Yard previously.  See below for samples of my crew instructions.

Saturday morning, I tore out the tracks where the future Bureau Junction station will reside.  I only had about ten minutes to work, so I didn't get a lot completed.

Here is the site of the throat of the former LaSalle Yard.  The station now resides were the two yard tracks were.

A view of the former yard throat tracks.  Notice how the LaSalle drop leaf yard lines up currently.  That is about to change.

Saturday, during the day, I had the pleasure operating my friend Larry's Lehigh & Hudson River Railroad layout.  I worked Warwick Yard and had the chance to run Larry's latest Atlas Alco S-2 units.  Those run like a dream!  I may need to pick up a pair for my layout and re-think my Micro Trains SW1500 project.

Sunday morning, I worked on cutting the lift out section, but I had major difficulties thinking straight.  Measure once, but cut twelve times.  Then, when I finally get it right, I forgot I had to move over the LaSalle Yard drop leaf section.  Sadness!  Gave up on the idea of completing the lift out section today.  I'll work on that again tomorrow.  I need to pick up another board.  

Moved the LaSalle Yard section over by one track.  I needed to do this for the new Silvis Storage track that would be on the north side of the double track mainline.  

Originally, the far left track of the LaSalle Staging yard met up with the track along the wall.  That mainline track was cut back and a switch put in its place.  It has not been glued yet though.

Another view showing the different alignment.

I managed to get all the tracks realigned, cut, glued down and ground throws installed on the former LaSalle Yard drop leaf section.  

Tonight, I started re-staging the layout.  I have all my pickups ready.  Now, working on deliveries. 

Goals Update

So, this is what I need to accomplish in the next 15 days.  

• Tear down old TV cabinet off wall
• Construct new Peoria Section and Lift Out piece
• Install new turnout for Peoria Storage Track
• Re-work track at LaSalle for Bureau Junction
• Lay Track in Peoria
• Wire up and install all new Caboose Ground Throws for new Section
• Install new Sand Clean out Track
• Install Tortoise Switch Machines at Crossover in East Ottawa Yard
• Repair three broken turnout points on old turnouts.
• Add new crossover at East Utica.
• Add new crossover to access Utica Storage Track.
• Stage Layout
• Clean Track 
• Clean Locomotives