| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Jordan114 |
Posted - 09/19/2011 : 9:27:14 PM
Hello all,
This is the beginning of what will be my journey on modeling the Wisconsin Northern Railroad.
I will start with a brief history of this shortline. The WN was founded in late 2004 when Progressive Rail acquired 61 miles of track from the Union Pacific and Canadian National. The line used to be part of the Spooner and Itasca Subs of the Chicago & Northwestern. This segment ran 147 miles from the yard in Altoona to the CNW Itasca yard in Superior, Wisconsin. The trackage that the WN acquired starts in Norma (The northern part of the city of Chippewa Falls), Wisconsin with an interchange with the UP and heads north through the towns of Bloomer, New Auburn, Chetek and Cameron, Wisconsin. At Cameron the line splits. One heads north to Rice Lake, Wi and the other west over former Soo Line and WC (CN) trackage to Barron, Wi.
The WN serves many industries along its route and carries many products such as resins, scrap materials, lumber, logs, fertilizer, steel, feed grade grains, and tallow. And now with the addition of Frac (Fracture) Sand for the oil industry, freight on the WN is looking even better. This sand alone will out produce all other commodities carried on the WN combined!! Two new sand loading facilities are being built in New Auburn and Norma, Wisconsin. In New Auburn Thrall Gondolas were being loaded with sand using a front end loader, now a huge facility is being built to load dried sand into covered hoppers. The new facility in Norma dwarfs the new loader in New Aurburn!! Im talking massive!! I will get pictures soon, because words cant describe this facility. It has its own yard for covered hopper storage. To handle the new sand traffic in Norma the WN purchased 2 used EMD SW1500's to complement the WN current roster of 2 GP15-1s and a SW1500.
The Union Pacific is the only railroad the WN interchanges with. Norma is the only connection to the "outside" world for the WN. Norma will see many different locomotives, UP SD70s and GPs along with the WN's locos. The SD70s are usually for the sand trains received from the WN and the GPs for the "local" that brings and takes freight from the WN. Sometimes you can even see ex-Southern Pacific units with the UP power. Pretty impressive.
I still haven't decided what part of the WN I want to model. But I am planning a railfan trip soon to go over the whole line and take pictures of the WN in action along with all the industries it serves. From there I will pick what I want to model.
Well there you have it. A summary of what my future journey shall be. I'm happy with this idea of modeling my "hometown" railroad. I'll keep yall posted as I progress!
Jordan
|
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Coaltrain |
Posted - 05/09/2012 : 10:50:05 AM
my air brush is a Badger 200, I have had it since the early 80s', it works fine. I don't think that dual action air brushes are needed in model railroading so I would not pay the extra money for it. I would make sure you buy an internal mix gun, I think they paint better but are a little harder to clean up then an external mix gun. My friend bought a gun from Harbor Freight and it looked like an identical copy of a Badger gun.
I looked into the Aztec guns once and almost bought one. I thought that the Aztec guns may work better with acrylic paint because the acrylic paint would not stick as well to the plastic gun internals. The Badger is metal, so it is stronger and won't wear out as fast, but don't even think of letting paint sit in the gun for more than a few seconds, Acrylic dries fast you will have a plugged gun right in the middle of your spray project.
I have gotten used to the Badger and if I have to stop spraying during a project I pull off the color cup and stick the gun in a cup filled with water and blow the paint out, then close the needle all the way. Closing the needle will push any paint out of the tip while it sits. when your ready to start spraying just stick the color cup back on and spray on a scrap of paper until the color comes back and all the water is gone. Don't ever use anything other than water for that, if you try tinner it will cause the paint to gun up in the air brush. whenever you stop spraying with acrylic paint close the needle off unless you are pausing for just a second to change to a new part. |
| Jordan114 |
Posted - 05/08/2012 : 09:01:16 AM
Hello all,
Unfortunately before I can build he layout I need to get the basement up to par. At least the room the layout is going to be in. This will include replacing old bulky duct work on the ceiling as well as sheeting the ceiling. Just these two things are going to make the room more inviting.
In the mean time I may start building an industry. I was thinking perhaps Waste Recyclers for my first project because it's going to be a pretty simple (I hope anyway) project.
As a little side question. What would guys suggest for an air brush?? I do not have one and not very familiar with the brands.
Thanks!!
Jordan |
| Jordan114 |
Posted - 04/26/2012 : 4:47:21 PM
Thanks Barry and Jeff for the kind words!
Jeff, I'll add 3-4 more inches to those areas. It would be nice to have some room for good photography and nice scenery! Plus since this will be the top deck it would be TRAGIC for one of my prized GP15s to tip off the tracks and plummet 5 feet to its demise... [:-knockout] So that'll add a nice safety net. Another note is that the turn back curve will be a densely sceniced hill with lots of trees to block the "tunnel" into the helix. Another advantage of Wisconsin being hilly and full of trees!
The siding on my track plan is about a 1/3 of what it actually is. But it's large enough to support my operations. The thing about this siding that I really like is the cool structures that run along it. The old dairy will be a fun scratch build/kitbash and a nice backdrop structure. Also a small concrete outfit will add a nice visual piece to the layout. There are also two older feed mills on the east (right side of my main line) side of the main. I want to model them, but it would involve bumping my layout out about 5 inches and then having to reach over them to uncouple freight cars. We'll see. Maybe a moch up will help that decision.
Jordan |
| Coaltrain |
Posted - 04/26/2012 : 07:29:36 AM
I think it looks good. I like how you were able to get the long siding in. I know that a lot of people don't worry about tracks being really close to the front edge of the layout but from my experience I would try to have 5-6 inches between the tracks and the front of the layout. I noticed that in front of PMI steel and there the helix is you have the tracks really close to the edge. I like to have more space for a little scenery and to provide a catch area if something tips over. However, for me the most important reason why I have more space is because I like to take photos of my layout and it is hard to keep the edge of the layout out of the photo when it is that close. having said that, I know a lot of people have the tracks close to the edge on the upper level of a double deck layout because the upper deck can be at eye level and it makes it hard to see and reach if the tracks are set back really far. |
| BOK |
Posted - 04/25/2012 : 5:55:47 PM
Hi Jordan:
No, they didn't change the spur I just forgot which way it lays. My apology. Your absolutely right about it being a facing point switch going north.
That looks like a great little layout. Keep up the good work.
Barry |
| Jordan114 |
Posted - 04/25/2012 : 11:13:29 AM
Thanks for the kind words Joe and Barry!
Barry, I looked on google maps at Bloomer and the Bloomer Plastics spur curves north off the main. Making it a facing point spur. I wonder if they changed it since you worked on the WN??
Regarding the staging, where the staging track is located there isn't a whole lot of room because of the stairs. I think it's 2 1/2 feet from the bottom step to the wall. I could make it like a cassette and just remove the staging after each session to free up some room. I will probably put in a passing track so I dont have to handle my locomotives a whole lot.
Joe, I've seen his layout on that IAIS website. I really liked how compact his layout is, but all the operating potential.
And yes Joe the turn back curve will go to a helix and a future bottom deck. The bottom deck will host either New Auburn (2 Sand Companies) or Chetek (1 Lumber, 1 Fertz and 1 Scrap Paper Company). I'm building in stages to keep everything simple and focused. Once Bloomer is completed then I will move to the second deck.
Again thanks for the kind words!
Jordan |
| IAISfan |
Posted - 04/25/2012 : 09:41:38 AM
Nice plan Jordan. It reminds me a bit of my friend James McNab's IAIS Grimes Line layout, http://www.iaisrailfans.org/gallery/MJMGrimesLine , and I know James gets a lot of enjoyment from his.
Regarding the reverse curve at the top of the plan, is that leading to a helix and future second deck?
|
| BOK |
Posted - 04/25/2012 : 09:28:49 AM
Good Morning Jordan:
Nice layout plan which faithfully reproduces Bloomer with one small exception: the Bloomer Plastics spur. As I recall that spur was a trailing point spur going North instead of a facing one as shown.
On the UP interchange track to the right is there a run around track so you can originate and terminate a WN train offsite or just a single track with a re-railer?
It looks like a great start to an interesting layout. Please keep us posted on your progress.
Barry |
| Jordan114 |
Posted - 04/24/2012 : 8:57:54 PM
ALL RIGHT EVERYONE!!! I have finally got a track plan for you all to check out. Feed back is well wanted and any advice about what I could/should do are also welcome.
This track plan is just of the town of Bloomer as it is today. Only railroad related structures are on the plan (for now). Structures/Industries include: Agri Tech, Waste Recyclers, PMI Steel and Bloomer Plastics. Bloomer will receive 10-15 freight cars during an op session and will provide a lot op switching fun. Like I said in my last post all 4 industries are on facing point spurs and will require many moves between the siding and the industries.
Let me know what you think!
Jordan |
| Jordan114 |
Posted - 04/22/2012 : 09:37:06 AM
Thanks Joe, Jeff and Ollie! I agree, the WN diesel roster is going to be a fun and rewarding project. I can't wait to get model scenes to look like the pictures that I take of the actual thing!
I've been pushing hard this weekend on getting the track plan done. In a post a while back I talked about freelancing industries into the town of Bloomer. About half way through the track plan I realized I was just adding the industries from the town of Chetek. (North of Bloomer) So I figured that I might as well just follow the prototype and model both towns. The layout is still going to be focused as an "Industrial Switching Layout". Building the layout in stages will ease construction and allow me to focus on one area at a time. The first stage is going to be the town of Bloomer, which is what I am working on designing right now. 4 industries, a storage (run a round) siding and all facing point spurs will give the operator a brain teaser with limited room and a bunch of freight cars! After many failed attempts at designing a track plan of Bloomer, I believe I now have what Im looking for. Im gonna continue to push hard today and get that track plan done and have it on here for all to see.
Jordan |
| Ollie |
Posted - 04/20/2012 : 03:59:53 AM
I think you will have fun modelling the roster in allmost every aspects. It is allways nice to model something you see live and allmost daily. I guess it is why I on the side collect models of Scandinavian models. The other great thing is that you are able to model THE entire roster and really make the models unique just like the prototype. They will really st the locationa nd not be generic like any big road unit, like lets say a CSX gp40-2 6365 (yes I have one too) which could be found just anywhere. Even if you decide to using kits instead of kitbashing or scratch building all the structures you will end up with a very convinsing layout. :)
Keep posting!
Ollie |
| Coaltrain |
Posted - 04/12/2012 : 07:32:22 AM
good to hear from you again. make sure to post your track plan ideas so we can see how it develops |
| IAISfan |
Posted - 04/10/2012 : 4:03:35 PM
Looking good Jordan. I think you'll have a lot of fun modeling those, especially given your familiarity with the prototype units.
|
| Jordan114 |
Posted - 04/10/2012 : 3:59:41 PM
Hello everyone! Its been a long time since I last posted. Ive been really busy lately and unfortunately no time for trains. But I do have an update on my diesel roster. Here is a pick.
From left to right. (1)This unit has a GP38 shell and will be riding on an Atlas drive. This unit will be CEFX 3812, one of the GP38-3's. (2)The second unit is a Kato GP35 that will become CEFX 6537, the other GP38-3. (3)This Athearn GN SW1500 will become CEFX 1559. (4,5) The last 2 will become WN's 1500 and 1501, the GP15-1s.
There is a lot of work to be done on these units to get them up to specs. It will be fun though! Im holding off on purchasing more diesels. The WN has 2 more SWs and another 2 on the way sometime this year. (making 5 total SW1500s)
Im still working on a track plan. Taking longer than I'd like but Im gonna keep at it.
Thats all for now!
Jordan |
| Ollie |
Posted - 02/15/2012 : 03:07:53 AM
They did a cool job on the old GP35 there as first I saw it as a regular GP38 then I saw the freame. I guess they are working as switchers as they may be unsure of the condition of the units and perhaps it is some kind of learning period to keep them running. and the smaller GP15.s are in good shape. I am not a railroader so I am just guessing, but they do add a great variation to your roster! Love those hopper cars, bet it must have been a sight as they were rocking along the tracks.
Best regards!
Ollie |
