Chicago in the 1990's (Now with a track plan)

[RSWController]

Good morning;
  Been meaning to update one of these days but I want to wait until I get some new pics.  But still plugging along.

[GaryHinshaw]

Please do!  You have a special layout.

[RSWController]

Good afternoon;
 Finally got around to getting a few new pics online while waiting for the Steelers game tonight. Spent the last few weeks, and by weeks I mean it feels like months, on getting Blue Island Yard built.  It is all handlaid code 40.  I lost count at 4000 ties...  Built 28 code 40 switches.  Not sure if I'd do it again... and I haven't even laid a single rail yet in the yard.


There is a hump like the prototype but it's only for show.



Also spent some time building a couple lineside industries north of Michigan Avenue yard.  Much, much more fun than handlaying track.



I did get a first layer of scenery and detailing on a scene representing Grasselli Tower.  The tower is supposedly a exact replica from Regional Specific Models.  To be honest I wasn't impressed.  Almost 70 bucks and it's basically cardstock and I think its oversized.  I have it placed on the layout for now but I'm not sure its permanent as it bothers me everytime I look at it.



And then I built the pedestrian bridge over the Conrail mains at CP 502.



That's it for now.  I guess I could have got a few actual trains in the pics but maybe next time.

[Scottl]

There is a lot to like, wow.  That hand laid yard is impressive!

[RSWController]

Actually caught some trains.  At Blue Island.  Looks like the track crew needs to get out and fix a ballast washout...

[iccn1000]

Thats some badass lashups right there! Great stuff!

Rob Gruber

[glakedylan]

some of the best weathered/colored rail and ties I have seen!
what did you use?

appreciate your sharing...

respectfully
Gary

[James Costello]

There's a lot to like in those scenes - keep the photos coming!

[Jeff AKA St0rm]

Great looking layout. Do you have a track plan you could post?

[RSWController]

Thanks for all the comments.  I do not have a image of a trackpad. I've been meaning to do one so if someone can point me to a place to draw one I will. Or I can just take a picture of my handrawn one and post it.

Carl

[ScrewySqrl]

feel free to uploadthe hand-drawn plan, but you can always use SCARM, AnyRail, XTrkCad, etc and draw it out (though they usually list commercial tracks rather than hand-laid options)

[conrail98]

Thanks for all the comments.  I do not have a image of a trackpad. I've been meaning to do one so if someone can point me to a place to draw one I will. Or I can just take a picture of my handrawn one and post it.

Carl

Hand drawn is good. If you need someone to attempt to convert that using one of the other ones, I've got some free time coming up to take a shot,

Phil

[Ian MacMillan]

Awesomeness as always Carl. I'd love to run on this layout.

[RSWController]

Here is the best I can do getting a trackplan of the layout.  I drew it out on an 8x11 sheet of paper and scanned it but I can seem to enlarge it.  Sorry.

[LIRR]

Great weathering on the green building in the lower right of the michigan avenue photo.....