A Day on the ROCK: Part X

A continuation of a Day on the Rock: Part X

#113 Joliet to Bureau Turn had no further work to complete in Joliet.  The train received clearance back onto the main to back the train into the storage track and shut down the power on the north side of JD Tower.

The crew arrives for #130 Peoria Local.  It looks like we will have a single ALCO RS2 today.

There isn't a lot of work to do on the local.  We have a few tank cars for the Caterpillar plant on the head end.

#130 leaves some cars on the storage track and backs down to the station to crossover to the siding.

#130 Peoria Local picking up two cars at Peoria Cordage Co

Traffic on SW Washington Street comes to a stop as the local pulls the cars from Peoria Cordage Co.

#130 spots a new car for Peoria Cordage Co.

#130 completed all deliveries and now ready to back the cars back onto the storage track outbound for Davenport tomorrow.

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A combined Quad Cities / Peoria Rocket departs Chicago as it currently is running through downtown Blue Island, IL

Due to the station moving across the tracks, the Quad Cities Rocket is required to make a reverse move into the station at Blue Island, IL

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#23 Chicago to Houston freight receives a crew.  Their power was to be two shiny new GP38-2s and a U25B, but the third unit wouldn't load.  The trainmaster approved running to Davenport with only the two GP38-2s.

#23 has to run down main street in Blue Island to access its train in the new yard off the mainline.

#23 Houston bound freight by the freight house and station in Blue Island, IL

#23 by C-5 Tower in Blue Island, IL

#23 has a Santa Fe caboose on its train today

Wind of Change Once Again on the ROCK

After nearly completing running the solo op session for probably the sixth or seventh time now,  I must say, I'm very pleased with 95% of the layout.  I would say that the only thing that just doesn't sit right with me is West Blue Island.  The east side with the street running is awesome.  The only thing I would consider changing is the addition of a turnout to get from the old yard to the mainline on the left side of downtown (currently there is a crossover by C-5 Tower on the right side of downtown).

Now, the right or west side of town seems like a poor use of real estate to me.  It's very confusing for operators and just ho-hum regarding scenic possibilities.  It doesn't scream Chicago or urban industrial switching.  I stared at the area for over an hour tonight.  Moving buildings and using leftover wall kits from other projects allowed me to envision something new for the area.  I have my ideas down on paper, but would like to run various scenarios through my head.  I'm positive that there will be change though.  It's just a matter of what and when.

I called Harley Smith of Smith & Sons Ballast to check on the status of the ballast trains.  The ballast order has been delayed two months or so due to a minor injury that Harley is allowing to heal before resuming work. We hope that Harley has a speedy recovery. 

My goals for December is to complete the solo op session and photography of the layout, finalize my plan for West Blue Island and then shut everything down until after Christmas. 

In first quarter 2012, I expect to kick scenery into high gear.  I'll probably operate again around early March.



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A Day on the ROCK: Part IX

A continuation of a Day on the ROCK: Part IX

 

The crew for #221 Blue Island Turn arrives in Chicago.  Their power for today will be a single ALCO RS2.

 

Looking over our paperwork, it appears we have seven cars to deliver today.

 

The headlight on the RS2 is brighter than the sun.  #221 down the middle of the street in Blue Island, IL

 

#221 by C-5 Tower in Blue Island, IL

 

#221 spotting two box cars at Blue Island Freight House

 

 

#221 heading back east to back down the industrial branch.

 

 

 

 

#221 backing down the industrial lead

 

#221 backing down the industrial lead crossing the mainline at C-5 Tower in Blue Island, IL

 

#221 just set off a box car at Oberholtzer & Sons.

 

#221 picking up an empty bulkhead flat from Midwest Lumber Co. 
#221 sets off one car for Midwest Lumber and then backs across the main to get the rest of his train.  In the meantime, a parade of trains make their way to Blue Island.

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#2 departs Joliet, IL passing by JD Tower.

 

 

#2 arriving in Blue Island, IL

 

#2 by C-5 Tower in Blue Island as #221 waits for permission across the main.

 

 

 

 

Railfans were hanging out on the roof tops of nearby buildings to get this shot of #2 through Blue Island, IL

 

#2 stretched across Blue Island as it enters Burr Oak Yard in Chicago.

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#217 rolls by the station in Joliet behind #2 on the way back to Chicago.

 

 

 

#217 by the station in Joliet, IL

 

#217 by JD Tower in Joliet, IL

 

 

Jack Neubacher flies over JD Tower to get this overhead shot of #217 departing Joliet, IL

 

 

#217 by C-5 Tower in Blue Island, IL as #221 continues to wait.

 

 

#217 street running through Blue Island, IL

 

 

#217 yards the train in South Burr Oak Yard wrapping up another day on the ROCK.