UpNorth wrote:Sorry to but in and be off no help but can someone explain what the three lines at the top are for. One, I think the lowest of the three, is grade. I'm just curious to follow along. I'll just sit here and be quiet.
Went back to the website the original poster referred to and found a diagram with a map legend. Not sure if it answers your question, but here it is:
Smile, Stein
JWhite wrote: Sorry Chip, I can't get the direct link to work. Using the original link, go to the St louis Division, Centralia District, Mileposts 250 to 255. Jeff
Sorry Chip,
Jeff
Jeff --
To show picture from link (I am assuming you are using IE on Windows):
1) Start two instances of Internet Explorer 2) In the first IE window, go to the IC web site, find picture you want 3) Right click on JPG picture (left column), select "copy shortcut". 4) In other IE window, go to trains forums, click on "reply". 5) In edit window, right click, select "paste" 6) Press ENTER to make link an active one
Like this:
JPG version: http://72.185.86.34/St%20Louis%20Division/Jpeg/011.jpg
To insert picture into posting, click on the tool button above while editing your post that looks like a picture of a small tree (left of smiley) above.
Delete what popup window says in "URL", paste link to JPG version instead, press ENTER.
This map only covers Centralia, and the car shops there.
Poster originally mentioned wanting to model Centralia (MP 250) to Effingham (which presumably is in modern day Effingham district in the Northern Region - at MP 175 or so) - a distance of about 75 miles (if the mile posts referred to is on the same line).
Each map seems to cover about 5 miles. 75 miles is covered by - umm - 15 different maps ?
75 miles - a mile is 5280 feet. 75 miles is 75*5280 = 396 000 feet.
In 1:160 (N) scale this would need 2475 feet of model train track w/o compression. In 1:87.1 (H0) scale this would need 4546 feet of model train track w/o compression.
So yeah, Jeff - I agree that there is a distinct need for some compression, if you are going to model the entire Centralia to Effingham line (with an extra branch thrown in).
Stein
The link you posted takes us to 2 regions 7 divisions, I clicked on a couple of those and was presented 2 or more choices each. Asking us to sort more than twenty maps is a little much to ask. Can you narrow it down a little? I'm just not that familiar with the IC to differentiate.
To activate your link manually enclose it in [ url] [ /url] without the spaces.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
Chip,
Even with the size building I have, I obviously can't model the entire terminal area. My first thought is to model part of the yard to the south of the engine terminal and car shops, the engine terminal and car shop and the passenger terminal with the beginings of the CB&Q yard.
I live 15 miles from this location and I'm pretty familiar with it. But I think it's too much to do completely even if that was the total layout.
Thanks for activating the link, I've found the forum software doesn't like Firefox very much.
Joe,
I plan on building part of the layout as a module first. I've been thinking of the Effingham end which is a small yard and interchange. I do want the module to fit into the layout when I move to the former garage.
Thanks,
Jeff:
As the first rattle out of the gate, I don't recommend such a large layout project to begin with. I'd recommend taking your first year back in the hobby and building a module or a small switching layout to get your feet wet.
Finish this project to completion. Get a DCC system that can expand to operate your full layout later. Learn about the latest benchwork, trackwork, wiring, scenery, and structure modeling techniques. Scratchbuild a turnout with a jig. Try different techniques. Explore ideas.
You will learn so much in the first year if you do this! And you will design and build a different, more satisfying larger layout because of the valuable experience gained. Also, which would you rather do -- make all your mistakes on this first test bed layout, or screw up your large dream pike with all your learning mistakes?
If you find you can't complete the smaller layout to a reasonable level of finish in a year or less, that ought to tell you something about your far more ambitious larger project!
Joe Fugate Modeling the 1980s SP Siskiyou Line in southern Oregon
JWhite wrote: http://72.185.86.34/Index.htm
http://72.185.86.34/Index.htm
Can you be more specific about where we are supposed to look? There are a lot of choices within choices.
I am getting ready to start construction on my first layout in 30 years. I am fortunate that I have an outbuilding with internal dimensions of 44 1/2 x 29 1/2 that will house the layout.
My idea is to model the Illinois Central in HO, from Centralia, IL to Efffingham, IL in the 1950s. The Centralia terminal and car shops will be the focal point.
I'm looking for some assistance with selective compression on this. This link will take you to a trackplan for the prototype: http://72.185.86.34/Index.htm The track plan is a littel newer then my time frame, but it gives you the idea of the layout of the yard and terminal. I see a lot of operations possibilities with the interchange there between the CB&Q and Southern railway with the IC. There are also a few industries in the area to serve.
There are only a couple of other industries on the double tracked mainline until you get to Effingham, but there are interchanges with the CE&I (Kinmundy) and B&O (Odin) to model.
I'd also like to model the line from the coal fields South East of Centraila with a coalmine to produce some long coal drags.
Am I being too ambitious because I have a large space to work with?
I figure this will be a ten year project from start to completion.