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

[RSWController]

Hello;
 I've been meaning to start a thread detailing construction of my layout but know it's more of a joined-in-progress update.  This is my first thread I've started and most of these photos haven't been seen by anyone critical, so please be nice.  But I am more than willing to accept constructive criticism.  The setting is Chicago and Northwestern Indiana in September 1995.  I'll be happy to answer any questions.  I hope to post more photos as I go along but I enjoy working on the layout more than I do taking photos and getting them posted on the 'net.

Here is a Conrail train going under the old NYC signal bridge at CP502. I know the substantial Conrail following on here so I made sure to lead with the Blue.



Another Conrail train crossing the Indiana Harbor Belt at CP502.



A couple of Michigan Avenue Yard on the IHB.





South end of the yard into East Chicago, Indiana and CSX crossing.



Calumet Tower.



Blue Island Junction.



The west end of IHB Gibson Yard.  The yard tower is built but needs detailing and finishing.



Thanks.

[conrail98]

Awesome. Looking forward to more posts on the layout. Are you modeling all the roads or just the Conrail/Indiana Harbor routes? Also, which of the steel mills, if any are you modeling? or just the interchange yards?

Phil

[Philip H]

If that's in progress, I've clearly been doing it all wrong!  Nicely done.  Your IHB stuff alone could fill multiple threads.

Got a trackplan to share?

The OTHER Philip

[R.Groff]

Great work I'm looking forword to how you incorperate the brewery into gibson yard on the layout.
I tip my bottle to you.
Rick
 

[Pomperaugrr]

The layout looks great.  I like the open expanses of scenery, without buildings shoe horned into small spaces.

Eric

[Ed Kapuscinski]

This is awesome!

[Ian MacMillan]

This. All of this is epic.

[James Costello]

Looks great - another 90s modeller here, so keep the photos coming.

[w neal]

Look at Blue Island!! Now thats cool! Please post more pictures from there!

[davidgray1974]

I'm really digging this.  Great shots!  And welcome to the RW!

[GaryHinshaw]

Nice!  I'd also love to see the plan.

[Bsklarski]

[primavw]

Love me some Conrail! Beautifully detailed!!!!!!!!!

[LIRR]

Nicely done.

[RSWController]

Finally got a few more photos up online.  Thanks for all the great comments.  I have no trackplan online. I'd like to one of these days but it'll but hand drawn.  Here goes:

I built these buildings to represent Inland Steel but I'm not sure I like how they look.  The prototype mill is huge at Indiana Harbor but I think I misjudged the transition to N scale.  I have them up but I'm not sure it's going to stay as is. 



I've spent quite a bit of time the past few work sessions on the engine terminal at Gibson Yard. 





I've also been working on Gibson yard, used by IHB to sort auto racks.



Here is the easternmost modeled scene; the western end of Pine Junction, crossing of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern with the CSX Barr Sub and Conrail Chicago Line. Still needs work.  I have a Traincat CPL signal built up, just needs installing.



Thanks again for all the nice comments.