Illinois Central/Canadian National in N scale

[Specter3]

I looked too and it was a remarkable similarity.

[VonRyan]

Quite an interesting arrangement. It does beg to be modeled.


-Cody F.

[w neal]

Mmmm Watseka... "home" of the C&EI. Quite a few interesting spots in that parts of Illiana.


Great layout concept. Can't wait to see the 3-D version.

[Family Lines System]

Mmmm Watseka... "home" of the C&EI. Quite a few interesting spots in that parts of Illiana.

I grew up in Hoopeston just South of Watseka along the L&N Chicago Sub. (former C&EI).   

I spent many hours at Woodland Junction and Watseka during the late 70's and early 80's watching MoPac, L&N/Family Lines action. 

Mike

[nscalemike]

As of this afternoon the old layout is about 75% disassembled.  The new track plan has been printed out 1:1 scale, and I have started to lay out the top left corner of the room.  I have also cut back the corner where the safe is being relocated to, cleaned it up, and moved the safe to the final spot.  Hopefully between tonight and tomorrow, the rest of the old layout will come apart and the new benchwork for the bottom right side of door will be installed. 

About the only thing I changed from the orginial DKS plan is the turnout size.  I switched almost all the #5's to #7.  Mainly because I have lots of #7's and only about 4 #5's.  I have also started to identify the industries on the layout.  I will post the final plan in the coming days, along with some progress pics.

[Smike]

Holy crap, it has the crossing, the curved connection between the two lines, the elevator smack in the middle, the other sidings just a little ways away, and a meandering river nearby... who knew?

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Watseka,+IL&hl=en&ll=40.77572,-87.73724&spn=0.004014,0.009398&sll=40.07304,-74.724323&sspn=8.304393,19.248047&t=h&hnear=Watseka,+Iroquois,+Illinois&z=18

But.........Take a look just a few miles to the west from that in the town of Gilman. Mucho small town mid-western RR goodness..

[w neal]

But.........Take a look just a few miles to the west from that in the town of Gilman. Mucho small town mid-western RR goodness..

Heck, the whole area has a lot to offer. So much RR goodeness around there, and for that matter, the whole region. I found myself intrigued by this place:






The plan looks great. Full speed ahead Mike! But do not follow your plan too religiously. Things beg to be altered once into the 3-D realm. You sure you're not modeling the C&EI?

[DKS]

But do not follow your plan too religiously.

+1

[nscalemike]

Thanks for the encouragement!  And Neal, where is that photo from?

I have spent some time looking at overhead maps of these small towns.  There is a lot of activity, especially Gilman.  It's been on the list of places to go for some time, I just never have the time to travel.

Within about 30 minutes from me I think is every major railroad in the US.  CSX, UP, BNSF, NS, and of course CN, plus some shortlines. 

As far as updates go, spent more time on getting benchwork mods done, started to remove the old pennisula, and started laying some track on the upper left corner.  Goal for the coming week is to get the staging yard down and wrap up track work on the left wall, so when my days off come back around I can get the rest of the benchwork installed along the bottom wall. 

Mike

[Philip H]

Um Mike, ya forgot KCS

[nscalemike]

Um Mike, ya forgot KCS

Yeah I was wondering about KCS,  but I can't think off hand where they run. I know I've seen them in central Illinois though.

More modelling news I was able to track down 10 pieces of 55 flex yesterday so I should be good on track now.

[Family Lines System]

Looking forward to more updates!

Mike

[nscalemike]

Quick thoughts on a small branch yard to be included on a project layout:



The left end stub track at the wall represents the unmodeled north end of branch.  The curved track on the lower right goes to the modeled branch line and can not be changed.  Looking for a low key, simply, yard to stick some cars in and build a local train.  No staging, no through trains, just a weedy overgrown branch line yard. 

Any suggestions?

More to come soon, I promise

Mike

[MichaelWinicki]

I like it.  Simple... Straightforward.

"Weedy and overgrown" is good in my book. 

[packers#1]

Not really any fancy trackwork, all the tracks seem workable, looks good to me. Looking forward to seeing more