The ROCK 3.0: Progress Report 10.11.13

This evening, I was in charge of 6 girls in the house as my daughter's had a sleepover party.  Between cupcakes and mayhem, I sat quietly at the kitchen table working on my project.  I probably spent two hours on it this evening, but I was in no rush.  I managed to complete the skeleton for the gauntlet track of the scale at Ottawa Silica.  I just need to add ties and spray paint (which I will try to do tomorrow).  I'll post photos when complete.  I'm pretty pleased with it.

The ROCK 3.0: Progress Report 10.08.13

This morning, I broke out my tub of plaster and filled in the creek under Ottawa Yard and the Sand pit at Ottawa Silica.  It's looking good!

The creek bed under Ottawa Yard

The sand pit at Ottawa Silica

This evening, I remembered seeing various large front wheel loaders and dump trucks when reviewing the Bing Maps of the sand pits in Utica and Ottawa.  Hmm...  So, when I got home, I went rummaging through my collection of Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars.  You know, I think these construction vehicles would be perfect for big mining equipment at the mines.  I dug out some bulkhead flat cars that I had and started sizing up a load.  The bulldozer I found was pretty big.  Well, you know, the railroad would remove the wheels and blade and ship separately.  I found my nippers and started working on the bulldozer.  I came up with a three car load from the Caterpillar plant in Peoria to the mines on my railroad.  Check it out...

The ROCK 3.0: Progress Report 10.07.13

This evening, armed with a new blade plus a hand saw, I completed cutting the benchwork for the sand pit at the north end of the Ottawa Silica plant.  The creek under the yard at Ottawa is awesome!  It's small, unassuming, but should be a neat feature (and prototypical).

The area north of Ottawa Yard is a mix of farmland and heavy forest.  Sounds like a perfect place for Franklin Farms.  As you might remember, I had Franklin Farms on the original layout in honor of my wife's grandparents who have adopted me as one of their own.  I was hoping to have space to re-create a farm scene.  It appears it should work out just fine.

The ROCK 3.0: Progress Report 10.06.13

This evening, I did a little work.  I cut out the creek bed that goes under the yard in Ottawa.  I also began cutting out the sand pit at Ottawa Silica.  The operation was cut short when I broke my jig saw blade.  I went ahead and secured the rest of the OSB table top to the 1x4 benchwork.  Everything else will be built up and not down as the two areas mentioned.

I'll be happy when the cutting is over.  It makes a heck of a mess in the layout room.

Items for Sale

Today, I went through all my rolling stock and locomotives to determine what I need for the ROCK 3.0.  Attached are photos of the lot of stuff that I will be listing on eBay this weekend.  If you're interested, please make an offer right away.

Thanks!
Steven

The ROCK 3.0: Progress Report 10.03.13

This evening, I worked on laying out old turnouts to get a final determination on the inventory needed for the layout.  Also, this finalizes the operating plan.  It's looking awesome!!  Now, I just need some turnouts.

The part that made me the most pleased this evening was the fact that this layout (although) modified some to fit the space is definitely going to have many of the key characteristics of the Rock.

Key points that I'm shooting for:

• Ottawa Silica
• Three major structures in correct positions
• Plus various small supporting structures.
• Sand pit and overhead piping to drying building
• Scale operations
• CB&Q Crossing
• Crossing, signals and locomotive maintenance shed.
• Ottawa Yard
• Basic track arrangement
• Creek running under yard
• Location/position of locomotive storage track and RIP tracks.
• Utica - PQ & Belrose Silica
• Accurate track layout of plants
• Attempt to model the buildings as close as possible
• Scale operations
• LaSalle
• Westclox loading building 

The ROCK 3.0: Ottawa Silica and LOF Plan

I modified the original plan for Ottawa Silica and LOF when I started laying out the cork and flex track to test various scenarios.  Here's what I have come up with.  The drawing is not to scale, but gives you an idea of what it will look like.