Progress Report 06.19.12

Progress on the ROCK...

I added the colored dots to the newly printed waybills.  The left dot represents the freight train and the right dot represents the local.  It's merely a means for quickly identifying the car's destination.

Below are some pics from last night's progress.  As you can see Peoria has been completely bulldozed with only remnants of the town remaining.

This evening, I removed the TV and satellite receiver, all the items in the storage cabinet above and took down the three shelves and desktop.

Destruction is not near as satisfying as construction.  Right now, I feel like I'm just making a huge mess!  I'll be glad when it is all cleared out and the new benchwork starts going in.  Then, I will feel like I'm actually accomplishing something!

Progress Report 06.18.12

Progress Report?  What's that?  It has been a while.  Over the weekend, I worked on updating waybills for the upcoming industry and town changes.

Davenport Yard has been officially renamed to Kelly Yard in Silvis, IL.  West and East Davenport have been changed to Moline and East Moline, IL.

Project Nolix began this evening.  I cleared off the shelves and desk.  I also removed 80% of the track in Peoria.


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Keeping it Real

I read an interesting post off the Yahoo OP Sig group this past week.  To summarize, when operating under Timetable & Train Orders (TT&TO) before the days of radio, local crews would stop at the local depot upon arriving in town.  They would be able to get an update from the station agent on the status of scheduled trains as well as any extras out on the line.  The station agent would also be able to inform them of any work required at the local industries. In the past, I had simply pulled into town and started working.  It won't be a requirement for my crews, but I like this idea and plan to implement it personally when operating.  I will mention it in future sessions.  It's not a race.  Let's go out there and work safe!


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Ovalix to Nolix: Confirmed!

Sorry, it has been a while.  I have been busy with other stuff, plus took a break from the model trains for about a month.

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:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PADcL1np7BE

Bluford Shops Rock Island Transfer Cabooses

Bluford Shops May Announcement

Rock Island Transfer Cabooses. Rock Island began building “shack-on-a-flat” style transfer cabooses as early as 1951. Variations in lettering placement were commonplace so we are presenting 2 variations with this run. After 1956, Rock Island cabooses could be found in either, as RI called it, “light red” which other roads might call caboose red, or “boxcar color” which was a rich brown approaching maroon. Both of these road numbers are in “boxcar color” with gray ladders and railings.  Expected in late 2012.  Very nice!  A pair of these would make a nice Christmas gift!


A link to the original announcement:
http://www.bluford-shops.com/bluford_93_018.htm




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Ovalix to Nolix?

It could be the medication, but I have considered thoughts of removing the ovalix on the layout.  In place, I would like to make enough of a run on a straight grade so that I could reach the height of the second level, but also add two key towns that the layout is missing between Bureau and Ottawa: Peru/LaSalle and Utica.  This would give me the ability to accurately model the flair of the Rock Island with their extensive silica business.

The question is how to do it?  I have 14" of elevation I need to make up.  I have an area originally roped off as the "children zone" for watching tv.  I'm wondering if that area can be moved or re-purposed since a flat screen is now in place.

Engineers are on site taking notes and discussing with chief engineers of two other railroads.  They hope to come up with a feasible plan that will benefit all.


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Research

I'm still here.  I haven't reported in a while as I have been caught up in researching the Rock Island from Bureau to Chicago.  I have gone over the entire route via Bing Maps in great detail taking notes.  I have watched YouTube videos of cab rides on the RI lines, found tower diagrams, track charts, etc.  It has been a pleasure to research the Rock in such detail.

There hasn't been any progress on the layout lately other then working on re-staging for the next session.  I plan on operating on my friend's L&HR layout soon.  That is always a pleasurable experience and gives me further ideas to enhance operations on the Rock.