Progress Report 12.29.10

Field Research:
Well, today was interesting for me.  I was given the opportunity to do a little field research by riding in a grain semi-truck to deliver a load of soybeans to the local grain elevator.  While uneventful for most, I was in heaven living out some childhood dreams today.  It was a great adventure that I will never forget.


Structure Progress
While on vacation, I have been working on two laser cut structure kits.  I have never constructed this type kit before, but feel I'm doing ok with it.  Below are pictures of Stockdale's station.  It looks old and beat up, but this is the ROCK.  I'm pleased with my first time.  Maybe not an award winner, but definitely a sense of pride and joy for me as I have accomplished yet another challenge in model railroading (the hobby of a thousand jobs).

Scenery Progress:
Although not quite ready for scenery, it didn't stop me from acquiring materials today.  I took a trip with my father-in-law and family friend out to the rural farmland of IL.  We stopped at a shop to find some of the items on my wish list.  Picked up a bucket of silica sand (used in sand blasting) which seems perfect for N scale ballast.  Also, picked up several container loads of lime for the future Central Stone limestone quarry that will be installed on the layout (Acquisition and Industry update coming soon).  Tomorrow, I hope to go on the search for some weeds to use for trees on the layout.

Progress Report 12.26.10

On the 26th day of December, let there be light!

Went out shopping with my in-laws late last night purchasing six sets of Christmas rope lights heavily discounted for the layout.  I will install them when I return home.  I'm looking forward to having proper light on the lower level.  Right now, it can be very dark on the layout.

Progress Report 12.21.10

Progress has been rather slow as I have had other things to occupy my time.

Tonight, I worked on the very troublesome crossover and turnout for track 3/4 in West Davenport staging.  Upon a detailed inspection, the trucks would pick the turnouts.  Filed down the points and bent the guide rail for better clearance on the straight route.  Later tests saw a significant improvement in performance.  Hopefully this will resolve the issues.  I hate when things don't work properly.

Made up car cards for the new cars recently acquired.  I need to work on waybills too, but haven't had much free time to work on those.

The first Atlas coalveyors arrived today.  Awesome equipment.  Looking forward to running my first unit coal train on the layout!

My visions of a Limestone plant in Stockdale (inside the ovalix) are developing.  I have performed much of my field research.  Now it is time to locate some steals n deals on the building kit and rolling stock.

I hope to work on constructing some building kits while on Christmas break. 

From the crew on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, wishing all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Coal is King on the ROCK!

You have often heard that coal is king!  Well any upstanding layout would not be complete without at least one coal train.  With the recent inflow of cash from the sale of the 40' steel reefers, the CRI&P Acquisition Team has been on a mission. 

The CRI&P has ordered 12 Atlas ACF Coalveyor coal hoppers.  The Coalveyor was manufactured by ACF Industries in 1978.  Production continued until 1982.  Commonly referred to as a bathtub gon, the ACF design was intended to lower car weight, lower initial and maintenance costs and provide a longer car life.  The car provides a 4,240 Cu Ft capacity. 

With the train originating in Wyoming, crews on the CRI&P will board it in West Davenport.  The train will travel to Joliet passing the CB&Q interlocking, back onto the CB&Q tracks and crossover the CRI&P.  The empties will return via the same route.  Typical power will be 3 to 4 GP7s.

Industry Update 12.12.10

CRI&P Management has been notified this morning that a new machine shop will be constructed in Stockdale, IL.  Billy J. Hucks Machine & Welding (more commonly known as Huck's Machine Shop) will go online in January.  They will receive steel by truck and ship out machined parts and steel girders via rail.  Proprietor Bill Hucks is a seasoned craftsman who takes great pride in his work.  The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad looks forward to many years serving the Huck's Machine Shop. 

Progress Report 12.08.10

Progress has been slow lately.  I ran a solo op session to test out equipment, learn all the jobs, etc.  It was quite informative and of course fun.  We'll mark that up as field research.

I still have a few problem areas that bother me.  The yard ladder at Davenport and the crossover at West Davenport are the worst offenders.  I'm considering replacing with handlaid turnouts in these areas.  It would be an investment, but considering the traffic volume, I think it would be well worth it.  I could possibly use the turnouts for the Davenport engine shop area.

Majority of the remaining turnouts operate well.  Only a few need minor tweaking. 

Tonight, I wired up the Davenport Industrial Park.  I had dropped feeders here, but failed to connect them to the bus.  David realized this when switching for the first time.

I loaded buckshot into the coal hoppers, two Atlas 2-Bay covered hoppers and the woodchip hoppers.  The other BLMA and Exactrail covered hoppers are pretty close to the proper weight.  I checked a few of the 50' box cars, but they too are pretty close to the proper weight.  The 40' cars feel too light though.  I will need to get some stick on weights for those.  It will be interesting to see how the weight affects future train performance.  Specifically, I'm curious as to how it could affect power requirements eastbound on the ovalix.

Industry Update 12.05.10

Industry update:
The golden era of moving produce across the rails has come to an end.  After numerous complaints of rotten/damaged produce due to excessive delays and derailments, the "melon" industry has dried up.  CRI&P crews did an excellent job moving the freight to the best of their ability, but deferred maintenance and questionable dispatching tactics by management was too much for the Melon Express.  Foreclosure notices were posted by local authorities at Kohr's Cold Storage in Davenport, Johnson Grain & Produce in Rock Island, and the large Markham Produce facility in Stockdale.  Grocery store chains were so disgusted by the poor quality of produce delivered to Chicago Wholesale Foods many canceled their contracts.  Foreclosure proceedings were filed this morning in Chicago.

CRI&P management reports that it will be auctioning off the fleet of 40' reefers as soon as possible.  Buyer commitments have ten of the cars already spoken for.

In more uplifting news, CRI&P management has already received interest in the aforementioned foreclosed properties. 

Johnson Milling Co. - new owners plan to open a bulk flour facility in the former Johnson Grain & Produce facility.  They will receive grain utilizing a shared storage track at Sunrise Feed Mill.  They will ship enriched bulk flour in pressureaide covered hoppers.

General Mills has expressed interest in the former Markham Produce facility in Stockdale.  A grain elevator/flour production building will be constructed at the former Markham Produce site.  A second track will be added for receiving of grain.  Bulk flour will be shipped via pressureaide covered hoppers.  General Mills will also open a Cereal production plant nearby that will ship boxed cereal to grocers via 50' box cars.

Also in Stockdale, new construction of a small fabrication shop and small factory are in the works.

Proctor & Gamble Co has expressed interest in the Chicago Wholesale Foods warehouse.  The facility will be expanded for the manufacturing of various household products.  Dry kaolin and vegetable starch will be received via covered hopper.  Household items for distribution at stores will be shipped via box car.

Iowa Ready Mix Co. has expressed interest in the former Kohr's Cold Storage facility.  They will receive sand and gravel via barge on the Mississippi river and ship cement via rail using ACF 2970 2-Bay Covered Hoppers.

Train Line-up Changes
Blue Island Local
A new local was created which will be assigned solely to Blue Island.  Call time is 8:30am

Stockdale Local
The Stockdale local will now work Joliet and Stockdale, IL only.  The local will be adding four new industries to its switchlist.  New call time is 11:30am

Peoria Local
The Peoria local will pick up one new industry in West Davenport.  Call time will be pushed back an hour to 10am to ease some of the congestion caused by the Grain and Peoria locals working in close proximity.

Grain Local
The Grain Local will pick up two new industries in Rock Island and Stockdale.  Call time remains the same at 8am.

The Melon Express has been annulled.  First class and through freight trains remain the same.