CSX Dixie Line

[CSXDixieLine - RIP 1/27/2013]

This thread will document the progress of my N-scale CSX Dixie Line layout, which is based on sections of the modern CSX between Atlanta, Chattanooga and Nashville. The layout will feature three levels (eventually): Georgia on the lower level, Tennessee on the upper level, and staging on top. I started work on the layout in 2008 and so far have completed all of the lower level roadbed, about half of the lower level track, and about a six foot section of scenery. The upper level and staging levels are only future considerations at this time.

Here is the completed scenery at Emerson, GA:



The Emerson River scene in Cartersville, GA is under construction awaiting track (and a bridge):



The Calhoun, GA scene has roadbed for the mainline and siding. I am currently designing all of the industries and the specific track arrangements in this scene:



I am looking forward to sharing progress and getting feedback from the Railwire community as the layout grows!

Jamie

[C855B]

Oooo... that's impressive! Great to see another high-quality layout coming to life!

I lived in the area in the '80s and railfanned this line many times. Definitely looking forward to progress reports.

[Bsklarski]

Very much a case of "If you are going to do it, do it right".  I hope my forever layout looks like that someday

[JSL]

Great to see you here at The Railwire, Jamie. Keep the updates coming.

[GaryHinshaw]

Excellent to see this thread get started Jamie.  (Now I can razz you here too.  )

That scene at Emerson is unbelievably nice - because it is so believable.  Looking forward to seeing more.

-Gary

[flight2000]

I'll second what Gary said.  Nice to see you hop over here.  Glad your still plugging away as well.

Brian

[Philip H]

Jamie,
As one of your blog followers, it's nice to see you  joining us.

Philip

[shark_jj]

Jamie, Emerson is looking great, and the rest of the layout looks like it is coming along nicely.  Checked out your blog and looked at the track plan.  Very effective use of the space.

John

[conrail98]

As a regular follower of your blog, it's great to see you here Jamie,

Phil

[CSXDixieLine - RIP 1/27/2013]

Thanks for the welcome everyone! Great to be a part of the Railwire. I have been lurking for several months, and honestly it is all of the other great layout report threads that have my creative juices flowing again. The bar is set pretty high here so I know I have to really have my "A" game working when I post.

 

Next on the agenda for me is to get the darn track plan finished on the lower level. All I have left is the Calhoun scene, which requires a bit of planning since that is the real "hot spot" of the lower level. There will be 2-3 significant industries, a residential area, and (room permitting) a depot with a house track to originate a local turn. I have some good ideas, but need to spend some time getting them on paper and posted for review.

Jamie

[GaryHinshaw]

Jamie, regarding Calhoun, I was reading Allen's comments on TB and think it's a great idea to leave the industrial tracks there somewhat temporary until you can get some run time experience with them to see how the operations shake out.  I have a similar situation with a large cement plant just outside Tehachapi, and I'm not really sure how the local ops will play with the mainline traffic there. So, while I have the track arrangement drawn out, and the roadbed installed, I'm planning to just lay the industrial tracks down temporarily at first to see how it works out.  ME track is great for that because it holds shape so well.  Just plop it down like train set track.

-Gary

[Kevin Yutz]

Looking good thus far! Wish i had that sort of space I could do something to that level.  Unfortunately no basement and no extra rooms to be made a " train room" at this time. 

[CSXDixieLine - RIP 1/27/2013]

The first industry I am adding to the Calhoun scene is Carmeuse Lime & Stone. This facility is actually located in Chatworth, GA about 20 miles to the east of Calhoun on the CSX line between Atlanta and Knoxville. However, when I saw the following photo on RailPictures.net, I was hooked and knew I had to model it on the CSX Dixie Line layout:



Carmeuse Lime & Stone converts raw mined limestone into products that have many uses including steel manufacture, flue gas desulfurization, paper manufacture and water treatment. The raw limestone is received in covered hoppers at the facility shown in the picture above. Based on numerous prototype photos I have viewed, the traffic volume at Carmeuse is high. There are two unloading spots served by a single spur track. There are usually several cars being unloaded at any time and many others staged on an adjacent siding. As of now, I am only planning to model a single spur track with a capacity of 6-8 cars. However, a second track or a siding dedicated to this facility could easily be accommodated. Here is the updated track plan including Carmeuse Lime & Stone:



The red "X" on the track plan marks the minimum length of the passing siding. The siding will join the main somewhere to the right of the mark, but I am deferring actual placement the switch until any other features are in place.

Jamie

[Bsklarski]

Looks very modelable. RIX and things could be used, please keep us posted!

[GaryHinshaw]

That does look like a good industry to include on your line.  It's hard to tell from your plan how much space you have, but if you find yourself 'smushed', you might look into putting part of the facility onto a photo back-drop.  The best recent example of such that I've seen is Mike Confalone's paper mill, covered in the April/May 2012 MRH.

-Gary