The ROCK 1.0 - Garbage Day

For the past two days, I have stepped up the destruction on version 1.0.  I have removed a bunch of items from the layout room that will be salvaged for 2.0.  Since tomorrow is garbage day, I hit it hard this afternoon removing much of the styrofoam scenery in the open grid benchwork area.

I ordered the 1.0 Memorial Book from Apple last night.

ROCK 2.0 - Track Warrant Control

I've created a track warrant form that will be used on the ROCK 2.0.  Let me know what you think.  Through trains and locals will use this while out on the mainline.  This will not affect the BN local or #217 LaSalle local as they will never be on the mainline.

The ROCK 2.0 - Signals

So, I have been thinking about signals for the layout.  Initially, I would be interested in them only for the area around Ottawa and the BN Junction.  Later down the road, I might consider installing the Atlas  tri-light block signals.

Here's a quick diagram of Ottawa.  The RI mainline is double track with the BN crossing from the north.  To the right is the bridge over the entrance to the room.

Signal A & B - Burlington Northern Northbound/Southbound Signals

Signal C - Rock Island Eastbound Signal 
Note: I would have two signal heads for each track.

Signal D - Rock Island Westbound Signal

Between the BN Junction and Signal D is the duck under bridge for the mainline.

The ROCK 1.0 - Track Removal Continues after Vacation

Hello boys and girls.  I have been on vacation out west visiting family and sightseeing.

Here are some photos of an ex-Rock Island Station and bridge in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Tonight, I took advantage of about ten minutes in the layout room and removed the remaining non-ballasted track as well as some ballasted turnouts and flex.

The Rock 2.0 - Planning for the Future

No progress today, but I have been pondering some construction issues that I will face soon.  Thanks to Allen in Nebraska for helping hash out some of these ideas.

Basic Benchwork:
I will create 1x4 boxes supported by 2x4 legs.  At Ottawa Yard, Ottawa Silica/LOF Peninsula and Utica I will use ½” plywood and build up hills and bluffs with Styrofoam.

Between the aforementioned locations, I will have open grid work with ½” plywood subroadbed supported on 1x4 risers.

I will connect the feeder wires to the bus wires using suitcase connectors.  I’ve heard about these in the past and would like to try them this time.  They are neater and involve less burning flesh from soldering up above your head.  

Rail height on the benchwork will be between 50"- 52".  I'm 5'8" for reference.

Trackwork:

I will use cork roadbed on the double track mainline only.  All yard and industrial track will be glued direct to the subroadbed.

I will used Micro Engineering Code 55 Flex track along with custom built turnouts using Atlas Code 55 rail.

I will handlay the gauntlet tracks for both scale tracks at Ottawa Silica and Belrose Silica.

Dispatching/Operations

Signals will control the interlocking of the Rock Island and Burlington Northern at Ottawa.

The mainline will be governed by Track Warrant Control.  

The Rock 1.0 - Track Removal Continues 06.12.13

Tonight, I had an unexpected chance to work on the layout.  All unballasted track except for a few pieces in Blue Island and approximately seven feet of double track or so in Bureau has been removed.  We're knee deep in destruction now.

The Rock 1.0 - Removal of Track - 06.11.13

I didn't have much time last night, but I did remove the track between Ottawa and the west end of Utica as well as the staging yard at West Silvis.

Since Monday night, I have been pondering turnouts.  Once I started pulling up the turnouts on 1.0, I was thinking, this turnout is bad (known issues, not because it was damaged when being pulled up).  I pull up another....ugh...  I need to find a better solution.  With the Atlas Turnouts being in such high demand due to the Chinese shortage, I should be able to move them easily on eBay.

I had a discussion with fellow RI modeler Allen Heimsoth this evening about turnouts.  I plan on using either Peco Code 55 or handlaid turnouts.  I will research both over the next few weeks to decide which route to go.  Thanks Allen for your input.